Avatar 3-D

Wednesday 23 December 2009



The first picture from James Cameron since Titanic, Avatar, hit our cinema screens this week with rapturous applause from critics and audiences alike. I went to see it today with my aunt and brother in the middle of a manic shopping session in a beautiful Christmassy York, knowing that we were in for a treat if friends' recommendations were anything to go by.

I had heard a review on the radio a few days previously and was genuinely excited about Cameron's latest offering; the film had taken ten years to make and the director had invented a whole new language for the purpose of making it more authentic. We were certainly not disappointed. The graphics are stunning, and made even better by the 3-D effects; Cameron has created a cinematic masterpiece in the new planet 'Pandora' which glisten in a mysterious magical way and ooze a beautifully natural charm.

As with Titanic, the characters are delightfully believable and the audience warms to them immediately, with a tender love story at the centre of the narrative. The fact that the majority of the cast were previously unseen actors is refreshing, and Sigourney Weaver's roll as aging scientist becomes more likable as the film goes on.

The soundtrack is equally stunning, with the immaculate score from James Horner which guides the viewer's emotions in all the right places, creating subtle nuances between the onscreen action and suggesting certain plot twists at particular narrative arcs.

There is however, a deeper meaning. The relationship between The People and their god is intriguing, and mirrors a lot of the ways in which the relationship between man and God plays out on earth. The way The People all sit and praise Eywa and try to connect with her is similar to corporate worship by men all over the world today, who yearn for some form of intimacy with their maker. I think it indicates that people need a higher power to connect to, and need a purpose for their lives in order to create a balance and a peace.

This is all just my opinion however, and I urge you to see the film yourself, if you have not already done so. And prove your superfanhood by learning the language...

Movie Trivia Here.

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Like mother like son...

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Ever since Diana died way back in '97, I have had a keen interest in the activities of the royal family and how they are represented in the media. The family, especially the two young princes, have earned themselves a good public image over the years and are generally well respected. Aware of his influence on society, and struck with some kind of social consciousness, William has made the news today with a humble stance against the homeless situation in Britain, by joining the unfortunate street dwellers for one night in the harsh winter weather conditions.

The BBC have reported that he spent a night in a sleeping bag near Blackfriars Bridge in central London last week in order to raise awareness for the homeless charity that he endorses.

It will be interesting to see what he does with the more powerful influence of kinghood, if that ever happens.

See more on the homeless charity here: Centerpoint.

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Peace

Monday 21 December 2009

Two weeks off. Bliss.

The past three months at uni have been a whirlwind: staying up until the early hours to complete assignments; traveling around the country to see friends; helping to run the Christian Union; joining a new church and getting involved with various things that they do in the community; spending time with friends; turning 21 (!) and thinking of what to do after I graduate, only partly sums up the activities of Sep-Dec 2009. I am certainly not complaining, but it has been lovely to come home and relax with my family this Christmas.

Coming home and seeing my brothers again always makes me feel a little like an old Aunt who comments on how tall they have grown, how much facial hair they have sprouted (or tried to) and what their current interests involve... (some high-tech pastime which involves shooting things on a computer and getting angry, as the past couple of days have revealed). Tim endeavors to crack jokes about the 'rents being really old and harks back to the days when we had in-jokes about more or less everything and tries as hard as he can to recreate those lost days; Simon talks about Philosophy and we all shrivel up with boredom.

I love reading, and have grabbed the opportunity to spend time on my own catching up with some great material, at the moment I'm on Heidi and Rolland Baker's There's Always Enough, which near moves me to tears every few pages. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I plan to sneak some films in over the festive period too, with Where the Wild Things Are, Avatar and Sherlock Holmes on the wish list at the moment.

There will also be much drinking of tea, after a lovely friend bought me some weird and wonderful packets of tea from The Mystery Tea House, including Mango Black Tea and Mini Rose Pu-erh, all of which sound, er, interesting to say the least.

I plan to blog more over the next couple of weeks, so keep having a nosy!

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