@ superchunk
I don't hate 3-D. I actually think it's pretty cool, especially with all the advances in the tech. I liked Ice Age 3-D and I also watched Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3-D (probably go watch the 3rd one too). However, I have to be interested in a movie before I watch it. CGI doesn't draw me in, especially when it's made out to be so great you can't tell it's CGI but I can still tell it's fake.
@ Johann
I've read/watched around 10 reviews for Avatar, Spooney's was one. I always watch his stuff. He's very entertaining. Anyway, every single review had something to say about the unoriginal story and not so great dialogue, but most still insisted on going to watch the movie based on the visuals alone. Some may be able to enjoy it anyway, but I'm not one.
@ mrstickball
You wanted to know a few movies I've seen that have effects as good as Avatar. Well, I'll list just 3 right now, since it's real late.
Now some might pan this since the movie didn't do too well, didn't really like it myself, but Hulk (2003). The amount of detail that went into animating his facial expressions and his muscles under his skin was quit impressive. Unfortunately, there are definitely some times the CGI wasn't as carefully modeled as others, so his effect kinda wears off then. However, there are a few scenes in that movie that just had me impressed with how realistic he looked/moved. In those instances I was definitely more blown away than by any of the characters I have seen so far from Avatar.
As far as scenery goes, the Star Wars prequels have animated lush jungles/forests (actually environments that aren't forests should be included as well) just like Avatar. You may not stay in them for as long as you do in Avatar, so they probably don't seem as alive, but do look just as good. No one went crazy over them, probably because they weren't carrying so much hype behind them, or it might have been the lack of 3-D.
Now let's go way back to 1993, 17 years ago. Of course I'm speaking of Jurassic Park. The best effect in the movie would have to be, hands down, the T-Rex. I recently watched that movie, and I'm just amazed at how well that effect has held up, especially considering I was 9 when it first scared the crap out of me in theatres. I'd have to say it comes pretty darn close to being on par with Avatar.
@darklich13
You think you could do your inflation magic to The Sound of Music? I posted a link earlier where based on just initial US releases, it was #1. Though the guy included population growth and recent ticket sale trends. I was just kinda wondering what it is WW for just inflation.
Also for those who downplay the success of previous movies because of "lack of other entertainment", you're forgetting one major detail. Back when Gone With the Wind and The Sound of Music released, there were far far less theatres in the US (other countries as well). And of those theatres, the overwhelming majority of those had only one screen. Multiplexes didn't really get a start in the US till the mid-60's, becoming the norm in the 70's-80's. So even if some of those movies had re-releases, they probably still ended up having the same or fewer showings than today's films.
