Comments on: I saw Avatar and lived to shut up about it.

By: Phil W

Phil W — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:33:18 +0000

I’m here on December 18th, looking for that review, my finger poised above the link button on my blog’s dashboard.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:47:43 +0000

It’s a pretty stupid game…all the news about Avatar is out there right now, but what happened to building up anticipation? It’s not that film sites are hurting for movies to review…this time of year, there are about 5 movies–usually good ones–being released each weekend, and all the noise about Avatar can hurt the chances of smaller films to get an audience…when Avatar is not even open yet! (I should plug Me and Orson Welles and An Education while I have the chance).

I remember I used to love wondering if a movie was going to be good and waiting to decide what to see until the reviews came out. I loved opening up the paper on Friday, intent on seeing one movie and then seeing that another was getting fantastic reviews, which made me change my mind and run right out to see it. Now we read rave reviews and have to make a mental note to go see it…and by Friday I’m sure something else will come out to get my attention.

That said, I’m excited about the film based on the reviews I’m hearing. “Star Wars” is being invoked quite strongly and that’s basically what I expect–a visually astounding, fun film that, like the first “Star Wars,” really has nothing deeper on its mind.

By: Brandon S.

Brandon S. — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:48:09 +0000

I thought I read that Cameron had lifted the embargo on reviews. Or maybe it was just hearsay. Hard to tell on the internet.

By: Wilco

Wilco — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:10:33 +0000

Thanks for the quick reply. I will be going to the premiere on Dec 16th, can’t wait. We’ll see if I am right to be excited.

By: closerlooker

closerlooker — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:45:42 +0000

These days, if the studio suspects that buzz will be negative, they don’t screen it for critics at all.

By: Tyler Petty

Tyler Petty — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:44:40 +0000

“In other words, it’s a silly game. And it often hurts the studios, because they end up stifling what might otherwise be a loud positive buzz.”

And all this time, I thought it was to forestall negative buzz. How naive I am.

By: Rick Ro.

Rick Ro. — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:22:50 +0000

Can you at least give a poker-faced “tell”?

For instance, is it a “I CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!” movie?
or a
“I’ll be looking over my notes to see what the positives were” movie?

;)

By: closerlooker

closerlooker — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:23:35 +0000

A) Studios don’t always play fair. They give some outlets privileges.
B) Some reviewers ignore embargoes in order to get attention.
C) Sometimes reviewers respect embargoes, and magazines do too, but the material scheduled for a later print release gets put online early and nobody does anything about it.

In other words, it’s a silly game. And it often hurts the studios, because they end up stifling what might otherwise be a loud positive buzz.

Whatever: I stick to my agreements.

By: Wilco

Wilco — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:20:27 +0000

Perhaps you could explain how it’s possible there’s 3 reviews on Metacritic on Avatar already, including ones from Variety and Empire Magazine. You would think they’d be pretty keen on keeping the peace with the studio/distributor or whoever makes these rules. Oh and btw, it opens on Dec 16th here in Holland. How about that?

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:09:42 +0000

Well, we know it didn’t kill you. That’s a sort of review…