Early start of the thread.. 8)
-You know you're a main character when you are white but everyone else in your tribe is Asian
/Inuit
-Remember Earthbenders, there is Earth Under Your Feet
-The twist is: The Movie is Worse than the Cartoon
I learned that was their practice area.
I learned I'm not the only person who remembers Fireball Island. In fact, I still have it. It hasn't been played in over 20 years.
I also learned that, even though humans are 70% water, it never occurs to the water benders to just make their opponents explode. At least it eventually occurs to them to drown somebody.
I learned that this was their practice area.
I also learned the many, many ways to pronounce a single word.
I learned that M. Night Shymalanwhatever can't make a movie if his life depended on it.
I learned that foot massages are worthy of dramatic reveals.
Also, that M. Night Shamallamadingdong scares small gender-neutral children.
I learned that all white people are good heroes and that all foreign people are evil fire-throwing d-holes who want to rule the Earth.
I also learned that a group of people who can manipulate Earth will allow themselves to be subjugated to the point where they won't attack their oppressors even though they're living on the millions of tons of weaponry. (Seriously, WTF?! M. Night?! How did that make ANY sense to you?!)
Haven't seen the movie or riff yet (it's on my list for this week) but from the internet over the past year I've learned that if for whatever reason people don't like a filmmaker they're going to decide his upcoming movie is going to suck before they see it and nothing they see on the actual screen is going to change that pre-formed opinion.
Not that I like M. Knight or think his most recent movies have been any good, but I haven't seen anything like the unified and organized hate campaign against this movie since the last time Bush ran for office. And don't tell me it was because of his casting choices because there wasn't this kind of backlash when the Wild Wild West movie and the Iron Man franchise changed the color of a major character from what it'd previously been. Back then, people actually waited to ... oh I don't know ... WATCH Wild Wild West before deciding it sucked tons of ass.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Airbender does suck, but I'll form that opinion after I see it this week. <hops off soapbox>
I learned that ShadowDog is about to be MASSIVELY dissapointed.
QuoteAnd don't tell me it was because of his casting choices
It was because of the writing, acting, editing, pacing, shot composition, and casting choices. (I might be missing a few)
Quote from: Darth Geek on November 17, 2010, 06:13:43 AM
I learned that ShadowDog is about to be MASSIVELY dissapointed.
Or not. I still stand by my assessment that while the film isn't great, it's nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be. It's not even his worst film. But blah, blah , blah. M. Night is worse than Stalin because of this. Yadda yadda yadda.
Quote from: Compound on November 17, 2010, 08:51:13 AM
Quote from: Darth Geek on November 17, 2010, 06:13:43 AM
I learned that ShadowDog is about to be MASSIVELY dissapointed.
Or not. I still stand by my assessment that while the film isn't great, it's nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be. It's not even his worst film. But blah, blah , blah. M. Night is worse than Stalin because of this. Yadda yadda yadda.
Even outside of being a fan of the show, there is a reason why this is truly his worst film And it's not just because it's just...one of his films.
It's that this was an adaption. There was a theory going around that maybe the reason why he sucks is because his ego is so big that he only makes stuff by him. So if he worked on an established property, he might finally shine through.
That and this was the easiest adaption ever. This is not something like Harry Potter where it's all imagination so you had to come up with the look or something like Batman which was tarnished and then having to figure out how to make it not suck anymore.
This was not only a recently popular series, but all the work was already DONE! There are three seasons of story, the original creators and animators, a billion backlog of concept art, pronunciation, ect. All you needed to do was cast well, make it look pretty, go through the motions and fall asleep. When you wake up, you would have millions of dollars and a movie that is critically acclaimed that also might make the history books by breaking glass ceelings.
But M. Night could not even DO THAT! He THREW all that out, rewrote the plot and basically let his entire ego get in the way of the project. So if he cant create anything originally good or adapt something good, then what is his use? Ergo: TLA proves that he is a total failure as a film maker once and for all to the public to the point that they had to take his name off of Devil in order to sell it to anyone.
But anyhow, back to the topic:
I learned that the Fire Nation loves their machines. Also that thousands of years ago Indian people stole the entire fashion catalog of Ancient Rome. ::)
Don't kill the Avatar, he'll just be reborn again; which explains why the Fire Nation killed all the Airbenders in an attempt to kill this same guy 100 years ago...
Wait what?
Quote from: CJones on November 17, 2010, 06:20:01 PM
Don't kill the Avatar, he'll just be reborn again; which explains why the Fire Nation killed all the Airbenders in an attempt to kill this same guy 100 years ago...
Wait what?
...I didn't think of that when I was watching it. :-[
To be honest the movie wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. It wasn't good, but it wasn't horrible either. Or maybe because the first time I ever saw it was while watching the riff rose colored things for me. I guess I should try watching it without the riff too.
I learned that Water and Earth can block Fire..
Oh Hell, Who Am I Kidding.. I KNEW THIS ALREADY!! :grr:
I can't figure out how the Fire nation got all uppity and took over when:
1) they cannot create fire, only control it
2) Earth blocks fire
3) Water douses fire
4) Wind put out fire
Only some vague notion of their 'machines' seems to explain how everyone got their asses kicked by these guys.
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 18, 2010, 02:51:40 AM
I can't figure out how the Fire nation got all uppity and took over when:
1) they cannot create fire, only control it
2) Earth blocks fire
3) Water douses fire
4) Wind put out fire
Only some vague notion of their 'machines' seems to explain how everyone got their asses kicked by these guys.
The most well-trained Firebenders can in fact generate fire.
Also, 100 years ago when the Fire Nation destroyed the Air Nomads, they had the help of the Great Comet (later named Sozin's Comet after the Fire Lord at the time, Sozin) which passes their world every 100 years. It greatly enhances the powers of any and all Firebenders, allowing even the weakest to generate flame and the strongest to make the Human Torch look like a huge pussy. I believe Sozin's comet is mentioned in the final scenes of the movie. Also! Some Firebenders can generate Lightning, and we all know shooting Lightning from your hands makes you an evil unstoppable badass.
It should also be noted that the Fire Nation doesn't control the entire world - they exterminated the Air Nation and conquered large but insignificant parts of the Earth Nation, but were unable to conquer large cities. But yes, they are the most technologically advanced nation, and that does make a huge difference in any war. Especially when your two main enemies primarily use large rocks and squirt guns.
Alright, I'm done nerding out.
Quote from: Scribblesense on November 18, 2010, 10:42:02 AM
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 18, 2010, 02:51:40 AM
I can't figure out how the Fire nation got all uppity and took over when:
1) they cannot create fire, only control it
2) Earth blocks fire
3) Water douses fire
4) Wind put out fire
Only some vague notion of their 'machines' seems to explain how everyone got their asses kicked by these guys.
The most well-trained Firebenders can in fact generate fire.
This was actually something I preferred about the movie. In the movie they make a big deal about being able to create fire from nothing (or from chi or whatever). Only Iroh ever does it, and he only does it once. And yes, they do mention in the movie that the comet will allow any of them to do it. In the cartoon (I've only seen the first season), all the major Fire characters can just shoot fire from their hands and feet whenever they want. Yes it makes them more menacing, but it seems like they're not so much "bending" their element as just shooting fireballs.
Quote from: CJones on November 17, 2010, 06:20:01 PM
Don't kill the Avatar, he'll just be reborn again; which explains why the Fire Nation killed all the Airbenders in an attempt to kill this same guy 100 years ago...
Wait what?
I haven't seen the movie or show, so this is pure speculation, but maybe the reason for the killing of all the Airbenders was to single the Avatar out?
I don't know what an "Avatar" is, but is there any specific way to tell who is one?
Quote from: spaceforarent on November 18, 2010, 11:52:56 AM
Quote from: CJones on November 17, 2010, 06:20:01 PM
Don't kill the Avatar, he'll just be reborn again; which explains why the Fire Nation killed all the Airbenders in an attempt to kill this same guy 100 years ago...
Wait what?
I haven't seen the movie or show, so this is pure speculation, but maybe the reason for the killing of all the Airbenders was to single the Avatar out?
I don't know what an "Avatar" is, but is there any specific way to tell who is one?
I thought they were blue humanoid things being exterminated a couple riffs back but now I have no clue ???
:P
I don't know what an "Avatar" is, but is there any specific way to tell who is one?
[/quote]
The big flippin' arrow on his forehead?
Quote from: spaceforarent on November 18, 2010, 11:52:56 AM
I don't know what an "Avatar" is, but is there any specific way to tell who is one?
Yeah, he tends to talk to Lord British a lot. Plus he usually has an Ankh somewhere on him.
Quote from: Danecho1967 on November 18, 2010, 02:00:12 PM
The big flippin' arrow on his forehead?
Those are Airbender tattoos, not Avatar tattoos.
They know which nation the Avatar is going to be born into, and know that the Avatar will be born within a week of the previous Avatar's death. They have certain tests to determine the identity of the Avatar, and are usually administered early in life.
As we saw in the movie, a test is performed on Aang to determine if he is the Avatar or not. Other than that, there is no way to tell an Avatar from any other person.
I would guess that the Fire Nation destroyed the Air Nomads to prevent the Avatar from fully maturing into his power, and delaying his return, giving them another twenty years or so to burn puppies and commit genocide and whatnot. Also, not killing Aang would have been in their best interest as well, because imprisoning him would have ensured he could not learn to bend the other elements. Keep your enemies close and whatnot.
Never saw the cartoon and have not seen the movie yet, but reading people describe the characters and plot of this movie it sound really, really, freaking stupid. Then again, I do not like the Harry Potter movies, so maybe that kind of science fiction is not for me.
Quote from: Bob on November 18, 2010, 06:18:41 PM
Never saw the cartoon and have not seen the movie yet, but reading people describe the characters and plot of this movie it sound really, really, freaking stupid. Then again, I do not like the Harry Potter movies, so maybe that kind of science fiction is not for me.
Don't be Skeered! :P
Quote from: Bob on November 18, 2010, 06:18:41 PM
Never saw the cartoon and have not seen the movie yet, but reading people describe the characters and plot of this movie it sound really, really, freaking stupid. Then again, I do not like the Harry Potter movies, so maybe that kind of science fiction is not for me.
It's an anime-inspired magic kung-fu cartoon that advertisers use to sell sugary cereal and Floam.
It certainly ain't Shakespeare.
Quote from: Compound on November 17, 2010, 08:51:13 AM
Or not. I still stand by my assessment that while the film isn't great, it's nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be.
The same could be said of most movies to be popularly recognized as awful. Bad movies set off an arms race for critics as they try to one-up each in scathing hyperbole. Ebert won it this time: "The Last Airbender is an agonizing experience in every category I can think of and others still waiting to be invented." Cue the backlash to the backlash: "Hey, this movie wasn't agonizing in
every category. I mean, the backdrops and establishing shots were pretty nice." Not incorrect, but sort of missing the point.
My own assessment is that The Last Airbender has possibly the worst script ever committed to a big budget production.
Quote from: CJones on November 18, 2010, 11:00:12 AM
Quote from: Scribblesense on November 18, 2010, 10:42:02 AM
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 18, 2010, 02:51:40 AM
I can't figure out how the Fire nation got all uppity and took over when:
1) they cannot create fire, only control it
2) Earth blocks fire
3) Water douses fire
4) Wind put out fire
Only some vague notion of their 'machines' seems to explain how everyone got their asses kicked by these guys.
The cartoon also makes it more balanced and sense, something this movie fails at. At no time did I feel like the Fire Nation was to be feared or powerful. They were as about as threatening as Yemen. ::)
The most well-trained Firebenders can in fact generate fire.
This was actually something I preferred about the movie. In the movie they make a big deal about being able to create fire from nothing (or from chi or whatever). Only Iroh ever does it, and he only does it once. And yes, they do mention in the movie that the comet will allow any of them to do it. In the cartoon (I've only seen the first season), all the major Fire characters can just shoot fire from their hands and feet whenever they want. Yes it makes them more menacing, but it seems like they're not so much "bending" their element as just shooting fireballs.
Quote from: Bob on November 18, 2010, 06:18:41 PM
Never saw the cartoon and have not seen the movie yet, but reading people describe the characters and plot of this movie it sound really, really, freaking stupid. Then again, I do not like the Harry Potter movies, so maybe that kind of science fiction is not for me.
I think confusing Urban Fantasy with Science Fiction...yea, you don't earn any brain points there. XD
Quote from: Rococo on November 19, 2010, 12:41:34 AM
My own assessment is that The Last Airbender has possibly the worst script ever committed to a big budget production.
C'mon.....worse than
Godfather III? ;)
This one I just laughed at how poorly done everything was. The Happening, however, actually made me angry at how I wasted my time watching it.
Although, I guess choosing between Airbender and The Happening as to which is worse is like choosing between diarrhea and constipation.
Just to add my two cents, I thought The Last Air Bender was rather bland and had not any of the wit the animated series possessed. The only good characters I liked in this movie were Zuko and Iroh. The actors seem to have really put some effort into these characters.
I learned that the Fire Nation will attack the Northern Water Nation (which has several active water benders, and many more in training) with boats. Seriously, you know they are active water benders and you have an ocean attack?!
I learned that a nation of hunters will neither run in terror, nor try to attack a giant flying Wild Thing/Muppet/Luck Dragon. In fact noone will at any time indicate any surprise that a kid would have one as it's pet.
I learned that M Night Shyamalan is actually getting WORSE as a director and writer. The same thing that is happening to Michael Bay.
Quote from: Cosmic Muse on November 20, 2010, 07:27:32 AM
Just to add my two cents, I thought The Last Air Bender was rather bland and had not any of the wit the animated series possessed. The only good characters I liked in this movie were Zuko and Iroh. The actors seem to have really put some effort into these characters.
It's the direction. If you watch The Happening, you'll note that those actors are also acting with the same lack of energy. That can't be a coincidence.
I learned that despite the fact Avatar Roku (the Avatar who came before Aang) WAS ZUKO'S GRANDFATHER (on his mother's side) in the animated series, for some reason the Avatar in the movie is a fuckin' Jedi who can't have a family. What the fuck, M. Night?
And also that despite Princess Yue's parents being perfectly alive in the animated series, they're apparently dead in the movie. ...What?
I also learned that they clearly didn't work with the same Sifu who worked with the crew of the animated series. The martial arts in this movie would embarass the Power Rangers, for chrissakes...
I learned that Jackson ("Harpo") Rathbone REALLY needs a new agent.
I learned that the more interesting the event, the more likely it was to happen off camera.
That callbacks to The Room are in danger of becoming the next Daddy Day Care of riffs.
And this film has just confirmed further that whenever a movie starts with a crawl about a "legend" and a secondary character narrating - we're in deep shit.
Quote from: Plastic Self-Cleaning Duck on November 21, 2010, 07:14:48 AM
I learned that Jackson ("Harpo") Rathbone REALLY needs a new agent.
Based on his acting I've seen, I think he needs a new career.
Quote from: Plastic Self-Cleaning Duck on November 21, 2010, 07:14:48 AM
I learned that the more interesting the event, the more likely it was to happen off camera.
:D :D :clap: :clap: Too true.
I learned that the chick who plays Katara's father is a billionaire, which may explain how she ended up in a movie (playing an Eskimo no less)
All his cash didn't pay for acting skills, though...
I learned that two smalltown kids from Kansas can smoke a group of seasoned professionals at movie riffing.
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 21, 2010, 10:59:25 AM
I learned that the chick who plays Katara's father is a billionaire....
A chick played Katara's father? I did not know that.
(just funnin' ya ;))
Quote from: Plastic Self-Cleaning Duck on November 21, 2010, 12:10:52 PM
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 21, 2010, 10:59:25 AM
I learned that the chick who plays Katara's father is a billionaire....
A chick played Katara's father? I did not know that.
(just funnin' ya ;))
[coveringass]Yep, M Night made some strange casting choices In this one![/coveringass]
Quote from: Darth Geek on November 21, 2010, 11:45:23 AM
I learned that two smalltown kids from Kansas can smoke a group of seasoned professionals at movie riffing.
Whoa!. Lookin' forward to this and thems fightin' words.
Also I learned for a moment the Iowa class Fire Nation battleship interior reminded me of the Matrix' Nebuchadnezzar.
I learned that being able to shoot giant boulders at things with your mind is nothing compared to MACHINES. That we never see.
I learned that in order to propel one little, tiny rock at someone you need to dance like a second string member from Stomp.
Also learned that Seychelle Gabriel - who is pretty good in The Spirit as the younger Sand Sarif - also really needs a new agent....
(this and next it's a direct to video sequel of Honey..) :speechless:
Quote from: Tony Farms AKA Puma Man on November 20, 2010, 07:09:39 AM
This one I just laughed at how poorly done everything was. The Happening, however, actually made me angry at how I wasted my time watching it.
Although, I guess choosing between Airbender and The Happening as to which is worse is like choosing between diarrhea and constipation.
You know what, I take this back. I've been watching the first season on Netflix, and boy I totally understand why the fans of the cartoon shit all over the movie.
It seems like M Night missed everything that made the cartoon so good, especially the humor.