Vet. claims Avatar portrays marines as psycho...

SteamWake · 01-12-10, 10:34 AM

I havent seen the movie myself but this headline caught my attention.

Quote:

Balcer is a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam war, and now he's going into battle against the film that may turn out to be the biggest moneymaker of all time. He hates the film's message, and he's not alone.

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Avatar....2.1412100.html

Between this and the claims of the plot rip off from Pochantis (sp?) I sometimes wonder if they arent just stirring up buzz to garner interest.

Torvald Von Mansee · 01-12-10, 11:20 AM

None of this has kept "Avatar" from becoming a huge moneymaker all over the world.

Of course, stupidity isn't exactly a liability when it comes to being a best seller..

Oberon · 01-12-10, 11:27 AM

I don't think it did, after all, two of the 'good guys' were Marines.

Skybird · 01-12-10, 11:44 AM

Offended vanity - that's all.

Mercenaries will hate you if you correctly label them "mercenaries", and soldiers don't like their profession being associated with the bad guys.

Usually American media and Hollywood paints an extremely glorifying picture of the military, which also enjoys far more social prestige in society than you see it in Europe, and especially Germany of course. I remember that some years ago somebody wrote me in the forum that his problem with "our" war movies was that they are not shining, but always so depressing. Okay, that's just an individual comment, but it speaks volumes on the differences between cultures. What is "glory & heroism" for the one side, may border "militarism" for the other.

Weiss Pinguin · 01-12-10, 02:19 PM

I can see how some people might think the soldiers were portrayed as psycho, but IMO they were more 'gung ho' than anything. And IIRC the marines in Avatar were hired as security for the mining op.

Dowly · 01-12-10, 02:25 PM

He's after money. Dozens of films have portrayed marines as war-loving nutcases before Avatar.

Besides, Avatar takes place in a fantasy world, it doesnt even try to be realistic. How can a RL marine be offended how marines are portrayed as in a fantasy movie?

Riiiiiiidiculous.

EDIT: Ok, I just finished reading the article and wow... just wow. Are we even sure he is a marine? Sounds like a cry-baby to me.

Col. Caldwell · 01-12-10, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torvald Von Mansee

None of this has kept "Avatar" from becoming a huge moneymaker all over the world.

Of course, stupidity isn't exactly a liability when it comes to being a best seller..

lol And apparently it also earns you a spot as a commentator on Fox News.

Blacklight · 01-12-10, 03:36 PM

Hardcore right wingers are REALLY up in arms over Avatar. You should have heard Rush Limbaugh rallying against it the other day (Yeah, I'm an EXTREME lefty, but I do occasionally listen to the righties sometimes just to hear the opposing viewpoints). There were conservatives yelling and screaming everything from "portraying big business as being sinister and irresponsible, and greedy", "Our military is evil and totalitarian" to "Paganism and teaching anti-Christian values". Aparently, a lot of hardcore right wingers see this movie as an attack on everything they hold dear and claim that it's part of a mass media conspiracy to brainwash kids to think that conservative, right wing values are evil, self serving, and detrimental.

Apparently... EVERYTHING is a conspiracy against The Right according to our friend Rush.

Dude. It's just a MOVIE !
And yes... there ARE SOME rings of TRUTH in the movie's message regardless of what people claim about it. There are SO MANY examples of the truth behind it's message.

XabbaRus · 01-12-10, 04:24 PM

Well the left wing are up in arms because Avatar is racist apparently.

They are saying it perpetuates the white mesiah saving the natives from themselves idea.

I personally think there are so many people who have nothing better to do than get offended and read too much into things.

Blacklight · 01-12-10, 04:51 PM

Quote:

I personally think there are so many people who have nothing better to do than get offended and read too much into things.

No kidding. IT'S ONLY A FREAKIN' MOVIE !!!

Skybird · 01-12-10, 04:54 PM

The churches' criticism of Harry Potter being always on my mind...

Maybe not everything being said by just somebody, vet or church, should always been taken seriously enough as to dedicate media time to it.

Some things and claims and statements are just this: too stupid as if they deserve to be taken note of and spending time with. that'S true for the Harry Potter criticism, and it seems to me it is true for Avatar, too.

Wolfehunter · 01-12-10, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacklight

Hardcore right wingers are REALLY up in arms over Avatar. You should have heard Rush Limbaugh rallying against it the other day (Yeah, I'm an EXTREME lefty, but I do occasionally listen to the righties sometimes just to hear the opposing viewpoints). There were conservatives yelling and screaming everything from "portraying big business as being sinister and irresponsible, and greedy", "Our military is evil and totalitarian" to "Paganism and teaching anti-Christian values". Aparently, a lot of hardcore right wingers see this movie as an attack on everything they hold dear and claim that it's part of a mass media conspiracy to brainwash kids to think that conservative, right wing values are evil, self serving, and detrimental.

Apparently... EVERYTHING is a conspiracy against The Right according to our friend Rush.

Dude. It's just a MOVIE !
And yes... there ARE SOME rings of TRUTH in the movie's message regardless of what people claim about it. There are SO MANY examples of the truth behind it's message.

Yup I love the movie too. They have nothing better to do than whine.. Well that's there right I guess...

Not like its going to change anything... Money talks everything else walks...

August · 01-12-10, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfehunter

They have nothing better to do than whine.. Well that's there right I guess...

Apparently you missed Xabbas most excellent reply:

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

Well the left wing are up in arms because Avatar is racist apparently.

They are saying it perpetuates the white mesiah saving the natives from themselves idea.

I personally think there are so many people who have nothing better to do than get offended and read too much into things.

Both sides have their whiners.

Platapus · 01-12-10, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Between this and the claims of the plot rip off from Pochantis (sp?) I sometimes wonder if they arent just stirring up buzz to garner interest.

I don't think anyone is claiming it is a rip off. Evidently it is the same plot of the movie "A man called Horse".

I have not seen the movie either. Will probably add it to my netflix account... or not. Depends on what else is out there.

Platapus · 01-12-10, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Balcer says the film makes Marines "look like lunatics." In reality, he said, "We are a good, generous country that helps people."

Balcer's comments might mean something, and I might even care what he thinks, if Avatar was being marketed as a documentary or a non-fiction movie. But it is not. It is a FICTION movie. Nothing in the move is real nor is it intended to be real. That's the whole idea behind fiction.

So in real life marines can be the good guys and in a fictional movie they can be the bad guys.....why? because it is fiction.

[Fiction refers to books and stories about imaginary people and events, rather than books about real people or events.[/quote

http://www.google.com/dictionary?aq=...l=en&q=fiction

I guess people like Balcer feel they have to bitch about something.

01-12-10, 11:20 AM	#2
Torvald Von Mansee Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA4528 Posts: 1,693 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	None of this has kept "Avatar" from becoming a huge moneymaker all over the world. Of course, stupidity isn't exactly a liability when it comes to being a best seller.. __________________ "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you" - Leon Trotsky

01-12-10, 11:44 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,615 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Offended vanity - that's all. Mercenaries will hate you if you correctly label them "mercenaries", and soldiers don't like their profession being associated with the bad guys. Usually American media and Hollywood paints an extremely glorifying picture of the military, which also enjoys far more social prestige in society than you see it in Europe, and especially Germany of course. I remember that some years ago somebody wrote me in the forum that his problem with "our" war movies was that they are not shining, but always so depressing. Okay, that's just an individual comment, but it speaks volumes on the differences between cultures. What is "glory & heroism" for the one side, may border "militarism" for the other. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

01-12-10, 02:19 PM	#5
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	I can see how some people might think the soldiers were portrayed as psycho, but IMO they were more 'gung ho' than anything. And IIRC the marines in Avatar were hired as security for the mining op. __________________

01-12-10, 03:36 PM	#8
Blacklight Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,507 Downloads: 145 Uploads: 0	Hardcore right wingers are REALLY up in arms over Avatar. You should have heard Rush Limbaugh rallying against it the other day (Yeah, I'm an EXTREME lefty, but I do occasionally listen to the righties sometimes just to hear the opposing viewpoints). There were conservatives yelling and screaming everything from "portraying big business as being sinister and irresponsible, and greedy", "Our military is evil and totalitarian" to "Paganism and teaching anti-Christian values". Aparently, a lot of hardcore right wingers see this movie as an attack on everything they hold dear and claim that it's part of a mass media conspiracy to brainwash kids to think that conservative, right wing values are evil, self serving, and detrimental. Apparently... EVERYTHING is a conspiracy against The Right according to our friend Rush. Dude. It's just a MOVIE ! And yes... there ARE SOME rings of TRUTH in the movie's message regardless of what people claim about it. There are SO MANY examples of the truth behind it's message. __________________ Be my friend or be a mushroom cloud. "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes !"

01-12-10, 04:24 PM	#9
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Well the left wing are up in arms because Avatar is racist apparently. They are saying it perpetuates the white mesiah saving the natives from themselves idea. I personally think there are so many people who have nothing better to do than get offended and read too much into things. __________________

01-12-10, 11:27 AM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	I don't think it did, after all, two of the 'good guys' were Marines.

01-12-10, 02:25 PM	#6
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	He's after money. Dozens of films have portrayed marines as war-loving nutcases before Avatar. Besides, Avatar takes place in a fantasy world, it doesnt even try to be realistic. How can a RL marine be offended how marines are portrayed as in a fantasy movie? Riiiiiiidiculous. EDIT: Ok, I just finished reading the article and wow... just wow. Are we even sure he is a marine? Sounds like a cry-baby to me.

01-12-10, 04:54 PM	#11
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,615 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The churches' criticism of Harry Potter being always on my mind... Maybe not everything being said by just somebody, vet or church, should always been taken seriously enough as to dedicate media time to it. Some things and claims and statements are just this: too stupid as if they deserve to be taken note of and spending time with. that'S true for the Harry Potter criticism, and it seems to me it is true for Avatar, too. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.