The III Degree
"Nevermind if it's 'impossible.' What else should we hope to attain but the 'impossible?'"
9:30 am Saturday.
In general, I believe that the biggest key to a great movie is a great story. At the heart of most great movies lies a great story, that can truly stand on its own. There are times, however, when the film - bringing the visual, audial, and story together as one - surpasses anything the story could do on its own. The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Slumdog Millionaire are all examples of films that clearly surpass their stories.
Avatar is another one of these films. The story is good, but not great. The story begins with a group of soldiers and scientists arriving on a distant planet/moon called Pandora. The humans are there seeking an expensive mineral called unobtanium. A small set of scientists work on a program called Avatars, which allow humans to operate Na’vi bodies.
Jake Scully is a former Marine whose spinal injury cost him the use of his legs. But, when he is in his Avatar, he can fully function again. He is given a mission to infiltrate the Na’vi to get them to leave their home where (of course) the greatest deposit of unobtainium is located.
But this film is not really about the story. The visual images are breathtaking. From the first shots of Pandora to the beautiful blue bodies of the Na’vi to the machines used by the humans in battle to unique Pandoran flora and fauna - every image is spectacular. I guarantee you right now that every special effects Oscar as well as every art and costume design Oscar that Avatar is eligible for will be won by this movie.
The most spectacular aspect of the entire film is the colors. The colors are difficult to describe, but they are self-illuminating. Remember the colors in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in the scene with the chocolate river? It’s kind of like those colors. Or, if you have ever gone to glow in the dark bowling, it’s kind of like that. Really, the colors are unique and absolutely fascinating.
The movie is filmed and shown in both 3-D and 2-D. I saw the movie in 3-D and it was worth the extra few dollars. The 3-D is done very well. It’s always there, but rarely does it do any of the tradition 3-D jump out at you stuff. For the most part, it just adds depth to the scenes. There are a few times that where the 3-D is distracting. This is mostly where they have small flying objects. But for the most part, the 3D adds subtle effects which are nice, but not necessary.
Certain films are truly meant to be seen in a theater (as opposed to at home). Avatar is one of those movies. I doubt that your TV is capable of showing the wonderful colors and beautiful creatures of Avatar. Go see this movie in the theater. That way you will have a movie to root for during all the technical categories at the Oscars (and quite possibly, Best Picture, as well).
The storm begins. These photos are taken at 10 pm Friday.
Recently passed legislation, requires that banks charge no more than 25% of the credit limit in fees. First Premier Bank, which charged over 100% in fees (min. fee was $256 on a $250 credit limit), decided to circumvent the law. They now only charge $75 in fees, but raised the interest rate from 9.9% to 79.9%.
Congratulations, you’re pre-approved.
The Big Ten recently announced that it was looking into expansion, which it seems to do about every five years or so. It always seems like the goal is to get Notre Dame to join, but that is probably not going to happen. Recent speculation has focused on the possibility of Nebraska or Missouri joining the Big Ten.
I wonder what I am planning on doing this weekend?
I don’t know who this woman is, but I think I am in love with her.
Thieves in Poland have stolen the famous Aushwitz sign which reads “Work Sets You Free.”
Once again, there is a single Senator who is holding up health care. This time, it is Ben Nelson (who I swear looks like the dad from The Wonder Years) because of abortion. Nelson wants to make sure that federal funds aren’t used to pay for abortions. He wants the House’s Stupak Amendment, and it looks like he may not get it.
Under the current proposal, any insurer who provides abortion coverage would have to segregate government and private funds so that government funds never paid for an abortion. Under the Stupak plan, any plan that covered abortions could not receive any government funds. That Amendment would effectively eliminate coverage for abortions on any health plan (because no insurance company wants a plan that is ineligible to receive government funds).
Given how strongly the Senate is fighting back against Nelson, I would bet there is a Senator or two who has vowed to vote against the bill if they capitulate on abortion.
Joe Lieberman asked for unanimous consent to extend some remarks today. Al Franken was taking his turn presiding over the Senate and he objected. Lieberman left the podium. John McCain then spent his time bitching about the lack of decorum in the Senate.
Way to go, Al.
It was a lot more fun than I remembered. I should swing more often.
Nebraska highlights -
(Note: you have to click through several articles to see everything).
Since I moved to Fredericksburg, I started to grow my ‘foreign service beard’ where I refused to shave until I got an offer. Here is the picture before I shaved.
