Too Poor to Pay Attention - Post #5

We were sharing in the fishbowl on Thursday and it really struck me that the movies we see are still gender (and sexual) and race involved, if you look from that point of view. I always knew that their were gender gaps (being a 'mans' world) because that is the way it has always been throughout history. But, I just never thought about how the movie makers are still stuck in that ... how did Nakamura put it "The paradox of whiteness is the very paradox of new media" (D.R. 98)stuck in a paradox of cultural discrimination. But you see I am an avid movie watch at least for the science fiction and action movies. And I now know that many movies have this stigma of discrimination against race and gender... Avatar, the most recent movie (that I was disappointed with, a different topic ) has that white paradoxical attitude also. The white man controlling the natives, reminded me of an old western like an old John Wayne movie...(hint why I did not think it was original) I like John Wayne don't get me wrong but, you expect the white man (of that era)to beat up the Indians in a western, whether I think it was right or wrong does not matter, that is the way it was then to make movies, but why make a newer version of the old movie with some great graphics?! Still the same old white over the poor Indian story? Made millions for the theaters, movie actors and producers. There is an old saying "Never add salt to an old wound" or something like that. I believe that is another reason I did not like Avatar as a movie. It reminded me of how so much injustice is going on in this world now and in the past, and that was not at all entertaining!

There is another point that I'd like to refer to, is that this old story of that paradox of whiteness is still there and it is making more money now then it did in the past 60 years! It is no matter if this 'paradox' is wrong, I don't think that the people with the money really care. And it has been like that for a long, long time. Even though I believe we definitely need to change.
What I like about Nakamura is that she brings this all out into the open. On several accounts. First, she compares recent movies (5-10 years old) and reality and second shows them for what they are. And third, expresses an long over due opinion of how this judgment of differences (actually a similarity to our past) is continuing into our multicultural digital age and stands up and asks if this is really what we want to see?! I like Lisa Nakamura very much as a writer.

On another note....
In my opinion... Avatar stunk on plot and idea. I have seen better graphics in a video game (i.e. The Great Escape with Steve McQueen, HALO), and I don't mind saying that I was highly disappointed in spending my 11.00 dollars to watch a crappy 3d movie. In thought and retrospect if I compared 3D movies of Avatar and Journey to the Center of the Earth graphics... Journey to the Center of the Earth was a hella lot better in 3D. and at least you knew the movie was a sequel! This idea of the Cowboy who rides in to save the day story is old school, and I give it a two thumbs down. So what if they used people to do cartoons...they have been doing that for over thirty years in cartoons and characters of actors...Betty Boop has been around since the 30s, Who Frame Rodger Rabbit since the 80s & 90"s and later. Heck the Pop and popcorn settled better in my stomach then the movie did with me.