Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Movies and TV => Topic started by: Chimera on January 10, 2007, 12:00:18 AM
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M. Night Shyamalan is going to adapt the popular Nickelodeon TV Series into a live-action film. No, I'm not joking! (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956950.html?categoryid=13&cs=1) (Link courtesy of Mad Dr. Jeffe.)
I have mixed feelings about this. I'm a fan of Shyamalan's work, and a major fan of the TV Series. But the series has done it so well, do we really need a live-action version? What can it add, except a lot of CGI effects for the "bending"? And sometimes Shyamalan lets his ego get the better of him, and his work suffers. However, he is finally outsourcing for his material, and that could be a good move.
Who knows. It may be awhile until we see this, since the article pointed out at the end that Avatar might not even be the next project Shyamalan takes on. Here's hoping if it does come to life, it's good.
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Shyamalan is a stunning director, it's his writing that's hit and miss. If he's doing someone else's story with someone else's script, it could be awesome.
As for what a live version could probably offer, Shyamalan's main strengths are in character and mood, not effects. His version of a property as cool as Avatar is likely to be well-rounded, personal, and appealing to a wide range of viewers that wouldn't bother with a cartoon.
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Well, this link says he's writing, directing, and producing it. (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ida90dc7b5e3c5134350d27182974c222?imw=Y) So hopefully it won't be a miss.
That's true, about him focusing on character rather than special effects. And about it appealing to people who wouldn't watch Avatar otherwise, because it's a cartoon. I forget about that silly prejudice at times, because I don't have it, and happen to like cartoons. ;)
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and happen to like cartoons. ;)
That's alright in my book. A grown woman can watch whatever she chooses, just as well as a grown man can read whatever he chooses. Be it a comic book or some high fantasy novel, or something published by a credible scientist.
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I love this cartoon for what it is, and I see many of the same problems arising that you all have mentioned previously. I have a really hard time seeing where the effects are going to be able to be the way that we expect them to be in this story. We have such an outstanding example, and it is pretty detailed in the way that the magic works, not in theory but being physically shown. If I was to have reservations about this project, and I kind of do, that is the major point for me. My hope is that it will be so good it will prove me wrong for having such doubts :)
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This gave us a good laugh over in lj land, so I thought I'd share it here too. (Note: Avoid reading the comments if you're sensitive to language.)
The Avatar Live-Action Movie Cast List (http://a-white-rain.livejournal.com/675679.html)
;D
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That is funny.
But it does remind me that Avatar does some interesting things with it's people. A lot of the characters are kind of racially mixed. It would be cool if they could keep that in a live-action version. I work with a guy who has dark-hair, bronze skin tone and bright-blue eyes like Katara and Sokka, but I doubt they'll find a lot of actors with that sort of multi-racial genetics.
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This gave us a good laugh over in lj land, so I thought I'd share it here too. (Note: Avoid reading the comments if you're sensitive to language.)
The Avatar Live-Action Movie Cast List (http://a-white-rain.livejournal.com/675679.html)
;D
*Ahem*
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Oh, right. The link is courtesy of Oldie Locks! She's the genius who found it!
*Chimera bows in humble apology*
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Thanks to this thread I've been watching Avatar with my children. Lot's of fun!
Chimera (or anyone else), do you have other recommendations?
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Hmm. Give me some time to think.
Do you mean children's shows you can watch with your kids and enjoy yourself? Or something else?
One I love is Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide on Nickelodeon. It's super-campy and very exaggerated, but I find it hilarious. And I've always been a big fan of Kim Possible on Disney--I've made a few TWGers watch episodes--and they actually liked them! ;)
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Do you mean children's shows you can watch with your kids and enjoy yourself?
Yes.
Thanks for the other recommendations!
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Hmm. Give me some time to think.
Do you mean children's shows you can watch with your kids and enjoy yourself? Or something else?
One I love is Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide on Nickelodeon. It's super-campy and very exaggerated, but I find it hilarious. And I've always been a big fan of Kim Possible on Disney--I've made a few TWGers watch episodes--and they actually liked them! ;)
My husband likes Kim Possible as well (as do I), partly because he likes the artwork. He's really disgusted by the art on many new cartoons on Cartoon Network (sorry I can't remember which ones in particular). I find it very funny and the characters are quirky which makes them fun to watch.
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My recommendation would be Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and Ben 10.
From an animation stand point, the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is the weakest, with Foster's having the strongest with both style and ingenuity.
Billy and Mandy is a little inappropriate at times for younger children, but it is so funny. Particularly if you are sci-fi/fantasy/gaming nerd.
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I like Ben 10, when I've caught it. I think it is a great concept and I like the characters, too. Grandpa is particularly cool.
Another Nickelodeon one I like is Danny Phantom. It's like the Ghost Busters of the 21st century. Almost all the adults in the show are a little strange, so if that bothers you in cartoons, you might not like it. I love it. I think the scenes with Danny's family are some of my favorites, particularly his dad's comments. Oh, and whenever the English teacher "swears" he uses a title of a classic work, like "Moby Dick!" or "Great Expectations!" :D So funny.
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I whole heartedly agree with the Danny Phantom recommendation. Very funny :)