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Paladin

Paladin

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The movie "Avatar" is due to release here on Dec 18th and I'm trying to remember the Sci Fi short story from which the idea behind this film might actually come from.

The short story I remember reading years ago was about a group of scientists who projected their consciousness into a constructed creature who could live on an otherwise toxic planet. Through human eyes the planet was unlivable but through the eyes of a creature created to live there it was a paradise.
The story ends with one scientist who chooses to let his human body go and live as the creature on the planets face.

Does anyone remember this story?
 
Well 17th, I found it! Poul Anderson wrote a short story in 1957 called "Call Me Joe" in addition, the protagonist was paralyzed from the waist down and could only move freely when in his avatar.
 
lol I thought it would be a bit before my time. That's baby boomer times! I'm Generation Y! (lol I was listening to some snoring report on gens.) Interesting though... I'll have to see if I can get ahold of an audio version of this book.

From short story, to Hybrid NewGEN gaming... to 200mil budget movie? Amazing.


Oh, yeah... Btw, the film is pretty good and worth seeing :)
 
the trailer looks really good reminds of a sci book i read years ago cant remember what it was called though.
 
I don't remember the original story but did catch the preview and found it compelling.

Definitely something to see on the big screen.

Also the ramifications of the story in light of todays (and yesterdays) wars should be interesting.
 
17th Angel said:
WIL: "Definitely something to see on the big screen." You seem to say that alot :/ Or it atleast seems it lol.
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Well, I don't have the 56" screen or whatever in my house...

Lets see at a thousand dollars and ten dollars a ticket...that is only 100 movies before the big screen would get paid for...maybe there is a point.

But I actually like the theater experience, and I like when there is a lot to be seen having the screen take up my entire field of vision, to be emersed in it, and this just looks like a good one to be emersed.

Nothing like the new real3d either or especially real3d IMAX.

So how much will that cost me, those tickets can be 15-20 bucks...but I'll first have to build about a story and a half viewing area paint a curved wall with screen paint get enough lumens to blast a 20 meter diagonal screen, then I'll start watching these things at home...
 
17th Angel said:
alwight, alwight Dun get'cha knickers in a twist!! sheesh!

Just saying it is like a punchline of yours of late.
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Heck, just thought I was responding...

I don't know if it is the sound my shoes make when they try to move off the buttered floors or rubbing elbows with the masses... I enjoy movies in the theater...and think the little screen sucks for some of them...

many movies though...I'll wait to see them...guess I judge the movie by the trailer...
 
Weird is one of the strengths of Sci Fi, and all of the films based upon video games seem to have it in oceans! I have been told that Avatar is a must-see. I hope it is very weird. Some other great films:

Wing Commander, which should have been called Fashion Model Commander. This movie was weird, mainly because it showed a hyper-evolved form of humanity. All of the weak, and all of those with no fashion sense, moles, baldness, or other imperfections had apparently died out from the rigors of space living. The actors were hired out of either soap operas or the Mickey Mouse Club.

Super Mario Brothers was much weirder than I could have hoped for, and almost as weird as 5th Element (which was not based upon a video game, but nevertheless scores high on the weirdness charts).

Aeon Flux -- Rib crushing laughter. If you're going through a grief process this movie is for you. Results may vary, sense of humor not included.

Starship Troopers is also funny. Make sure you don't miss the first 5 minutes with the giant rubber spiders, or you'll take the movie too seriously. Rated R, so no kids allowed.
 
I like the fact that they are pushing the envelope with the new film making tech in this one as then it will be possible to realize some of the great sci-fi books I grew up reading in video format.
There is so much good material to make into movies, they can mine it for decades and just scratch the surface.
They have only just begun.
I am looking forward to seeing this one.
 
Almost forgot to mention: I have been told that Avatar is not to be misconstrued as having any relation to The Last Air-Bender. Its a popular fiction, and it uses the word avatar for lots of things but is unrelated.
 
shawn said:
I like the fact that they are pushing the envelope with the new film making tech...
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I don't like the fact that they are pushing the envelope with film budgets. $400 million dollars could do a lot more for the betterment of society than merely providing two hours of distraction.
 
whose 400 million would you use?

our typical movie goer probably donates occasionally to some charity that spends 90% of their money trying to raise money and paying salaries...

now those actors that receive 20 million to do a movie when they donate they donate millions that actually can do something. And when those producers do they do the same. But in order for them to keep being philanthropic, they've got to keep making millions...all part of the program.
 
wil said:
How does your ilk completely ignore the demise of the USSR?
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Does anybody ever use "ilk" in a positive way?

You and your ilk! (Best said followed by hocking a big loogie)
 
citizenzen said:
I don't like the fact that they are pushing the envelope with film budgets. $400 million dollars could do a lot more for the betterment of society than merely providing two hours of distraction.
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Well, you are missing the point as to what that 400 million does.
It circulates, pays the extras and the caterers and the set development people and the guys who walk away with a big wack of cash spend it on consumer goods and house and car and clothes and services and taxes, etc, etc.
I worked for many a millionaire doing stone work and often people would make derogatory comments about them in the hardware stores or whatever and I would think, well, if these people weren't rich, then they couldn't have afforded my services, and the whiners and complainers never did any home improvements so they were no help to me in my livelyhood.
So my opinion is that as long as somebody is making cash and is circulating it then why bitch about it.
 
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