Is Avatar all that?

As I post this, I've only seen 5 of the 10 films nominated, and my favorite film of the year got snubbed. (Sorry, but I loved "The Hangover". Actors always say comedy is the most difficult yet it always gets ignored come award time.) Meanwhile, "Avatar" had a successful run through the award season, leaving its sight on an Academy Award for Best Picture. And while the number of nominations has been expanded to ten this year, will that really stand in its way? "Avatar" seems to be the favorite for this year, but is it really the best picture of the year?
I guess the honor of "Best Picture" is a relatively subjective idea. Over the years, it's been amazing the number of films that didn't win the big award, yet became part of our cultural landscape. "Raging Bull", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Fatal Attraction", "Field of Dreams" and "Pulp Fiction" are some of the movies in the last thirty years nominated for the top prize, yet somehow falling short, in some cases to films that are no longer really remembered or required repeat viewing. That will not be the case for "Avatar", but for me, the film comes down to the visual than the actual story.
What James Cameron did with "Avatar" in terms of technology is amazing. While I didn't have the opportunity to see it at an IMAX theater, watching it on the large screen, Cameron transported me to a never before seen world that was beautiful and complex. The visuals popped, and not in the traditional way we're used to seeing 3-D with imagines occasionally jumping out at the viewer. This was a 3-D that was layered, where you felt at any moment, one could reach out and pull something, anything, from Pandora. And for that accomplishment, Cameron deserves another Best Director award.
But my big problem with the movie was the overall story. Once you push aside the special effects, you have a simple love story with patches of clumsy dialogue that also gets a little preachy about the environment and military (although many other groups want to add their own take on what's being advocated). And at a few points during the film, I found myself looking at my watch simply because some of the scenes didn't really advance the story. I don't blame Cameron for showing off, but he should have left me wanting more.
So the final question is; Once this movie is released on DVD, how will play on your television at home? Sure, 3-D television is on the way, but will the quality equal what you witnessed in the theaters? If this movie is robbed even slightly of the eye candy effects, is the story enough to make it this year's Best Picture? I'm guessing technology gets a huge win on Oscar night.

Five Things I'm Digging Right Now:

1) "Shatner's Raw Nerve"- I don't know exactly what it is about Shatner's interviewing technique that has me riveted, but I'm watching and liking.

2) "Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis"- You'll find it on the Funny or Die website, in which Zach does a talk show parody. Intensely funny.

3) "Better Off Ted"- Under-appreciated comedy on ABC about the corporate world.

4) "Zombieland"- I missed it in the theater, but enjoyed it immensely at home with its sharp wit and Bill Murray cameo.

5) "Love Is The Law" by the Suburbs- A lost '80s album that is out-of-print on CD by a band that deserved more love.

New Stuff on Plank to the Face Radio

Okay, I try to add a bunch of new tunes to Plank to the Face Radio in an attempt to keep it fresh. Sometimes I'm successful and other times... not so much. However, plenty of stuff added in the last week or so. Look for some great '80s stuff from Big Country, Bananarama, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lone Justice. Also new stuff from Spoon, Freedy Johnston and the Heavy. And look for classics from Bill Withers, Neil "freakin'" Diamond and The Cars plus Cat Power, the Pretenders, Slint, Doves, Firewater and the Jesus Lizard.