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paula,



You realize of course I wasn't raised in TN don't you?

I imagine you having been spawned somewhere actually. And then subjected to a rudimentary education. It seems the obvious conclusion judging from your obvious lack of empathy, imagination and intelligence.



Edited, Dec 23rd 2009 8:44pm by paulsol

I went to public school, and am on track to get infinitely farther in life than you ever will, pubes.

:D

There ya go. when the gummint steals your money "at gunpoint!", Varrus agrees that they're in the right to do so

Edited, Dec 23rd 2009 3:01pm by Jophiel

Jophed,



Doesn't matter what I believe. They can do it without having to face any repercussions; that gives them the right. That doesn't mean I have to like it, or be quiet about it.

If you don't get caught, then you're in the right. fascinating.

Edited, Dec 23rd 2009 3:19pm by Xsarus

Wait. So if I want Varus to shut up, all I have to do is smack him with a lead pipe and it's cool? You know, might makes right.

nothing that 10 years can't fix.

I like how Varus is advocating totalitarianism.

There is a valid point to be made with regard to the frequency with which that message is repeated. The underlying message isn't the surface "exploiting is bad", but the repetition of stories about big business and/or military exploiting people for evil purposes. It's "corporations exploit people", "corporations exploit people", "corporations exploit people", "corporations exploit people", "corporations exploit people", and look.. here's another film in which... wait for it... corporations exploit people.

You repeat that often enough, and people come to assume that... corporations exploit people. Surprise!

It's where we get platitudes like this one:



How much of your perception of "life" has been influenced by "art"? Just a thought...

And:



Soldiers are "mass murderers"? Gee. I wonder how much the idea had to be reinforced before he just automatically repeats it? How many times was Paul subjected to some bit of media showing soldiers as murderers to arrive at this? Crazy? I don't think so.


Art tends to influence how we perceive the world around it. One could argue that this is a major purpose of art. Certainly the goal of making people think is one many artists (especially in written and video form) strive for.

As scattershot as Varus' arguments have been, there is a kernel of legitimacy there. Avatar is, at it's heart, just another in a long long line of films selling a message that big business and military are bad. The question you have to ask yourselves is: Is this true and the art is just reflecting the reality? Or do I think it's true because the idea has been repeated so many times?


It doesn't mean that Avatar is a bad film. But, as Varus points out, it's so incredibly rare to see a film in which the involvement of a corporation is portrayed positively. You really really have to look hard.


And no. The Batman film isn't an example of this. The theme of the corporation doing things behind his back for nefarious purposes is rampant in both films. It's like Hollywood can't help itself on this particular subject. Even when the main (good) character is a wealthy industrialist, they have to include some plot about his own company trying to backstab him. The message: Well... Occasionally a rare good hero can prevent the evil actions of a corporation. But of course the rest of the time we know they're just up to their usual evil.


You've got to admit. That message is pretty darn ubiquitous in video media. This film just happens not to be an exception (and in fact, is a pretty over the top example).

Edited, Dec 23rd 2009 3:18pm by gbaji

Well, again: stipulating that it is a common theme in movies, I still say that this is because it makes a good story. Everyone loves the underdog, and every story needs tension. There are only so many variations on the theme of 'boy meets girl'.

Well, not EVERYONE. This thread is an example. I wonder if Varrus was rooting for the Empire in Star Wars...