Although the plot and theme of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’, is similar to that of many movies in the “Can’t we all get along” genre, the style, effects, and overall creative genius make this film truly stand out amongst the crowd. Avatar received a great amount of hype, and it lived up to its society set standards. There’s nothing like watching a film that meets societies unrealistic expectations. It’s rare, but Avatar is one of those films.

Although I didn’t expect to get many life messages from Avatar, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how deep the movie was. Some of the themes are unity, fairness and equality, and the fight against territorial greed.

Avatar shows what can happen when there is no unification between species. It causes a war to break out, because of some valuable rocks. Looking at the film, there are much better ways to handle such a situation. You can reach out to their society directly. You can find a way to negotiate, without resorting to military force. I believe that military was meant to be a last resort in solving problems. However, in the recent years, and as Avatar shows, we are beginning to resort to military force as a first option. This is bad for so many reasons that I cannot stress enough. The most important reason: No word is strong enough to express the sheer dread of a lost life. In Avatar, a large part of a community is wiped out, all because of military ignorance.

I believe that we are all born with a sense of unification. It is only through society, that we are influenced into separating ourselves from other people/groups. The only solution is to embrace the fact that we are all different. At the end of Avatar, I was given hope. Hope that perhaps sometime in the future, our society will find a way to accept all members of society, and leave other groups alone. They have a right to live, just as much as we do.

“If something has something that you want; kill him, and then take it from him”. As a human being, would you kill your own brother for a material possession? I don’t think you would. So why would we kill massive groups of people, for a possession? As it turns out, we are all brothers.

Avatar also shows the power that 1 person can have on a group, and demonstrates the Butterfly Effect. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) learns that the military cause is unjust, and he eventually switches sides. He is just a single person, but his action led to a chain of events that would change Pandora forever. Sometimes, 1 simple action is all it takes. Don’t worry about the result, for now. Just start it up.

Jake Sully could also represent America today. We have great intentions, and we want what is best. However, we are handicapped in the ways in which we seek our Nation’s wealth. When Jake is in his Avatar body, it represents the hope for our countries’ future. Peaceful, happy, and just.

Avatar, with all of it’s glorious special effects, and its revolutionary filmmaking methods, has brought many ills of society to light. It reminds us about the harsh truth of unjustifiable military aggression; and at the same time, giving us hope for a peaceful future. James Cameron knows that there is always hope for a better future. If we can all just learn the life lessons presented in Avatar, the whole world will be a fantastic place to live in. And who knows what can happen from there? Perhaps a better environment? Happier people? The possibilities are both endless and tremendous. It’s time for all of us to do our part, to promote peace and unity: To make the world a better place, and for a better life. Isn’t that what we are all after?

Interview:

Thanks to Jim Dailakis for the wonderful and comedic interview. Jim is an awesome dude, and an even better comedian! Check out his website HERE.

Rocky is the best boxing film I have seen to-date. It is a tribute to the willpower of the human spirit, and our ability to go the distance. It also shows what can happen, when you underestimate your opponent. No matter what someone has done in the past, or how unproven they are, they are still a human being. And every human being has the capacity to go above and beyond all expectations. Rocky is the prime example of defying your own expectations, and everyone else’s as well. He went the distance.

You can never give up on your first attempt. You can’t become a world-class performer in your respective field overnight. It can take many years, and many repeated failures. Ask Rocky about it. He would know a thing or two about failing. He went from a disheartened boxer, to a personal champion. After constantly failing to achieve his dream, he resorted to becoming a debt collector. It’s a horrible job to take; one that a person takes when they are down in the dumps. Despite his ‘questionable’ career choice, Rocky maintained his good morals. He tried to convince a local neighborhood girl to stop hanging out with bad people. He was a friend of his community, and he was a polite person. Karma eventually came back around to our dear friend, and Rocky was given the opportunity of a lifetime. To fight in a world boxing match. Luck? Perhaps not. I believe that Rocky was being rewarded for his unwillingness to give up his dream. Where many would have quit numerous times, Rocky kept going. There was no light at the end of the tunnel for Rocky, but he just kept going. No hope for a better future, but he just kept going. Nothing is more difficult than persevering, when you don’t see any signs of hope. I cannot stress enough, how great of a character Rocky Balboa was. If there’s anyone to model your life after, it’s Rocky.

Another important lesson that Rocky learned, is that you can’t do it alone. Sure, you can be tenacious, you can have a strong willpower, but when the situation calls for it, you need some support. Rocky was used to being alone. When he was called up for the big fight, he wanted to continue fighting by himself. But when push came to shove, he needed a manager. Sometimes, when times get tough, we need someone that we can count on. We need someone to help us out, and remind us to keep on going. Rocky was able to build a strong support team. His manager showed him the ropes, and taught him ways to train, that Rocky would not have thought of otherwise. Mentors are great people to have in your life. They are people who have achieved what you are aiming for. Mentors are great friends, and they can help guide you along your life path. Ask any successful person if they have ever had a mentor. I bet you that the answer will always be “Yes”.

Apollo Creed was an extremely talented boxer. But for that, he had one downfall: He underestimated his opponent. Never underestimate your opponent. After all, they are a human being, just like you. They have access to the same resources as you. If they are in the same field as you, they can surpass you at any given moment. The only way to stay ahead of the game, is to assume that everyone is working hard, and then work a little harder. There is no shortcut, and no quick fix. Creed didn’t take Rocky seriously, at all. He showed up to the fight smiling, and joking around. He expected an easy victory, but what he got in return, was an invaluable life lesson.

Rocky is an excellent work of art. It’s not just a film with life messages. It’s a masterpiece, with different aspects of human nature, seamlessly integrated and woven in. Rocky flows as smoothly as any movie that I have ever seen. The plot is very entrancing, and before you know it, this 2 hour movie will be over in a flash. There’s a reason for the Rocky Balboa statue in Philadelphia. He represents how a human being should truly act. To keep fighting, even though the goal is not clearly in sight. To go the distance, even though it’s a long journey ahead.

Hello Everyone! I just realized that I haven’t updated my About page since Film Insight was created. I have added a little bit about my life story, and description of what my site is about. I hope you guys are liking what you’re reading so far. Thanks for all of your support! I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.

As the new decade approaches; I’m grateful for all of my family and friends. I am also grateful for my health. For me, the top 3 priorities in life are:

-Health – Without it, nothing else matters.

-Family – I went through a tough time with my health. I couldn’t have made it through without the love and support of my family.

-Friends – Similar to having a second family. Although you can’t choose your family, you can choose your friends. The people that you surround yourself with, tell you a lot about yourself. A good friend is someone you resonate with, someone who supports you through thick and thin, and someone who you can always count on. There aren’t many things in life, that can compare to a great friendship.

Health, Family, and Friends. Everything else takes a back seat. Even money. Thanks for reading; once again, I hope you have a wonderful year!

What if you have a cruel, mean family member or friend? How would you go about changing their bad personality? Would you hire a psychologist? Set up a blind date? Or perhaps talk to them on the phone? In “The Game”, Conrad Van Orton (Sean Penn), decides to take things to the next level. He decides to give his brother, Nicholas (Michael Douglas), a birthday gift which he will never forget.

CSR: A company that changes lives. Nicholas is given a gift certificate for their services. What is the purpose of CSR? As stated in the film, they give you whatever is missing in your life. They are usually hired, when life is at its worst.

Nicholas was rich, snobby, cruel, and bossy. He had a boatload of money; but every other aspect of his life was sorely lacking. What better way to change someone else’s life, than to scare them to suicide? Literally.

Although the film is controversial for being too ‘heartless’, and having many plot-holes; ‘The Game’ is a wonderful piece of cinema, about how a terrifying experience can change someone for the better.

We all go through life changing experiences, at one point or another. The sooner the better. Some of us go through traumatic experiences, such as an illness, or the loss of a loved one. Some of us go through pleasant experiences, such as the birth of your first child, or finding your true love. Whether satisfying or disheartening, these experiences serve the same purpose: To change us for the better. Nicholas Van Orton needed a change. He treated other people like they were worthless. If selfishness had a peak, Nicholas had reached it.

The game put Nicholas through some horrible situations. Trust, deceit, the death of a loved one, bank accounts being wiped, and suicide. He felt so betrayed by the company, not knowing that everything was just a game.

Nicholas felt real emotions, despite being in a fake situation. When he found out that everything was just a game, he felt so much relief. He didn’t care that he had just attempted suicide in front of everyone he knows. He didn’t feel embarrassed. He just felt happy to be alive, and happy to know that everything was alright. His brother was alive, his banks accounts hadn’t been touched, and no one was trying to kill him. Everything was back to normal, but things would never be the same.

Can you terrify someone into making a change? Not particularly. The only way to scare someone into changing their ways, is to trick them into believing there is  real danger. Only then, can transformations happen. In real life, this is pretty impractical. Unless you can come up with your own ways of terrifying someone into improving their life. If you do, please contact me!

Chalk up a big win for David Fincher. ‘The Game’ was made in 1997, but it still packs a punch. Just like Fincher’s other films (Fight Club, Seven), you are not soon to forget the powerful message of ‘The Game’. You can make a change for the better, at any time. Don’t force your relatives into terrifying you!

Our lives always have room for a little adventure. But there is something even more important than the adventure itself: It’s who we spend the adventure with. In “Up”, Carl Fredricksen lives his adventure alongside his wife. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, you learn about how happy he is with his wife, and how perfect the are together. Then, you see devastation. Mr. Fredricksen and his wife are crushed, when they can’t have a baby. Then, you see Carl’s devastation when his wife is taken from him. The only thing that keeps him going after his wife’s death, is one final adventure that she had always wanted to embark on: Living in South America. Mr. Fredricksen, out of love for his wife, goes on one final adventure. What he discovers along the way, is something he could never have imagined.

“Up” is both uplifting, and depressing. It can give the viewers a sense of poignancy about all of the lost time. It can also uplift people, to take a bold risk, and go on a new adventure! One of the main themes of the movie, is the ability to start fresh at any given moment.

“Thanks for the adventure. Now go have one of your own”, is Ellie’s final, posthumous message for Carl. She appreciates, and cherishes the time that they spent together. But what she really wants, is for Carl to find a new adventure. To find a new meaning in life, even though the love of his life has passed away. Isn’t this what you would want for your own family members, after you die?

Carl Fredricksen goes on an adventure, just as Ellie asked him. He ties miracle balloons to his house, and floats off to South America. Cheesy and unrealistic? Yes. But the concept is absolutely delightful! Carl sets off on his adventure, and Russell inadvertently comes along.

Russell does have an interesting story, and it is the reason for his social awkwardness. His father is no longer there for him, and it crushes Russell on the inside. His dad is ‘too busy’ to spend time with him, and any of his family members. His entire family life is slowly deteriorating, and he is just an innocent bystander. That is, until he met Carl Fredricksen.

What makes ‘Up” such a great movie, is the clash of character situations. Mr. Fredricksen is old, depressed, and trying to figure out how to live after the death of his wife. Russell is just a young boy, trying to figure out how to live without the support of his father. In a way, they are both the same character, trying to figure things out. In the end, they develop a father-son relationship, that will be remembered for a long time to come.

“Up”, is also a movie about letting go of your attachments. When most of the magical helium balloons have popped, Mr. Fredricksen is faced with a life changing decision. The only way to make the house float again, is to get rid of all of his old possessions. Everything that he and his wife shared together. After much thought and deliberation, Carl utters the most powerful quote of the movie: “It’s just a house!”. And that it is! Material items cannot hold any emotional possessions, unless we allow them to. All of the emotions that we have felt in the past, are still in our heads. A house is just a house. The difference between a house and a home, is the emotional meaning that you attach to your house. Only then, is it called, your home.

By letting go of his house, he let go of his past. Mr. Fredricksen gave himself a clean slate. He was able to do this, because he knew that his wife would approve. The movie concludes with a beautiful moment shared between Russell and Mr. Fredricksen. We see the father-son bond between the 2 characters, and we know that everything will be alright. Is the ending too much like a fairy tale? Possibly. But that doesn’t detract from the powerful message of this extraordinary film: Life begins, and life ends. We will suffer tragic loss, and we will experience incredible wins. What’s most important, is how you will react to your tragic losses. Will you break down? Or will you seek a new adventure, after an old one has passed?