The Hangover may have snagged Avatar‘s slot on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 10 films of the year, but James Cameron’s smash has found its way onto AFI’s companion list of eight “moments of signifcance,” alongside Jay Leno’s move to 10pm, the rise of Twitter, and Michael Jackson’s death. “James Cameron’s pioneering effort to unleash the human imagination was fully realized in 2009 with the release of Avatar, a film that firmly established itself as a landmark in the way stories are told,” the AFI citation reads in part. “[W]ith Cameron’s advances in CGI (computer-generated images) and 3D, Avatar enters AFI’s almanac as an achievement that will have profound effects on the future of the art form.” Just not as profound, apparently, as The Hangover.
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so how do you know it was “The Hangover” that took the “Avatar” spot?
Probably because that movie is the least likely to move on anywhere else in the awards race?
“Star Trek” seems more like the one to take it’s place because they are the same genre….plus you are wrong “The Hangover” was nominated for Best Picture at the Golden Globes!
Trust me Craig, it stops there.
i think it star trek better sci-fi pick to me also what comedy can match up with hangover. but i agree with fatima, it would be a shocker to see it go any further.
Why is AFI commenting on the rise of Twitter? I don’t get it.
I think DVD is better in Blue ray
I don’t get it. Avatar wasn’t very good. Why all the love?
It’s all perception. A lot of people did like Avatar, myself included, and its special effects are, even the detractors tend to be able to admit, stunning. Not to mention its long-term hype, being directed by someone like James Cameron, and a clear adventurous epic – Epics are beloved, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Avatar won Best Picture because of its role as a traditional adventure/epic in the style of Braveheart, Gladiator, even Lord of the Rings (although, as you make clear with your opinion, you might not think it is quality enough). And I’d probably agree that there are better films that should win Best Picture awards, and probably will, but Avatar could because of its role as an immensely huge event – box office-wise, technology-wise, and its position to probably become a classic (whether a good one or just an eh one, we’ll see) within a decade or so. Of all the movies from this year, in my opinion, it’s more likely to be remembered in twenty years than Up in the Air.
Although, of course, Up in the Air is a much better movie story-wise and struck me emotionally far more than Avatar did. But I wasn’t as giddy and enraptured as Avatar made me feel either, which lends itself to the public eye much better than the smaller critics darling fare.
I tend to agree with you. However people remember Avatar, it WILL likely be around longer than a movie like Up in the Air. Even a few Best Picture winners recently — Crash and Slumdog Millionaire, for instance — have kind of fallen off the map.
It HAS been awhile since this type of an adventure epic won (Return of the King, six years ago). I think it’s probably about time for that genre to swing back around. The most “mainstream” recent winner was probably The Departed.
i will admit the visuals had me going i was stunned but after a second watch i realized that it was a fairly weak epic(story/script). also hard to connect to cgi characters.
The Hangover = most overrated film of the year
You, sir, have no sense of humor. But to each their own.
really, over avatar?
Nice covering of one’s butt, AFI. You frakked up by leaving Avatar off the 10-best movies of ’09 list, so this is a makeup call. At least you recognized the movie in a positive way.
I dont see how the hangover can seriously be in the top 10 films. I cant understand how Bright Star can score # 1 on the LA times list, #4 and #5 on two of the Hollywood Reporters lists, #5 on the New York Times list, yet misses out completely on any potential top 10 BP lists.
Wanted to send a comment directly to Apparition films about the poor campaigning for Bright Star, but guess what, I cant find a site on google!! Says it all really…
I am so very anxiously awaiting Avatar on DVD or CD
Go see it at the theater in 3D. It was fantastic!
Everybody seems to be drooling over Avatar! I don’t get it. Yes, it was visually stunning, but everything else (script, acting)was so/so. I loved watching it in 3D in a movie theater, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed the movie half as much if I had just waited until the DVD. However, I watched a copy of The White Ribbon on the internet a week ago, and am still haunted by this brilliant story…
Avatar touches on sensitive current issues ranging from anti-military sentiment to global warming. I think it’s an inspiring movie with a powerful message.
CNN says that Avatards are distraught about the disconnect between life in the real world vs. life in Pandora
http://popfessor.com/2010/01/13/avatar-makes-people-want-to-kill-themselves/