Avatarded Gross

So Avatar has long since blown Titanic out of the water, and is number 1 all time grossing film both Domestic and Worldwide. But take a look at those charts on BoxOfficeMojo. Interestingly, a lot of the movies in the top 10 or even 20, aren't that great, and granted they have received major help, in these purely cash drive categories, from inflation.

Now go over to the Adjusted for Inflation chart. Interestingly, now the top 10 and 20 are a lot more respectable, with Gone With the Wind in the top spot. That's right, the 1939 picture brought in more, pure, revenue and physical people, at a time when reporting wasn't even that accurate, with discrepancies most likely wrongly decreasing numbers. Titanic is at 6th and Avatar at 21st (and wouldn't it be great if it didn't crack the top 20 -- not likely).

James Cameron's talent is in creating experiences that people want to see in the theatre. Even I, who didn't by any means love Avatar, am glad I saw it in 3-D, in the theatre. It was an experience, and that draws people in, much like Titanic. Its a slightly better tactic then pure marketing, which rules most of the film industry these days.

What I just don't get is the awards attention. Somehow, even though I wasn't a huge fan of Titanic, I didn't look as much askance at it getting critical attention. Avatar, to me, is much more in line with The Phantom Menance, which certainly didn't draw much critical praise, yet its topping the nomination categories.

It is an achievement, but since when did that matter to the Academy? What happened to artistic integrity? I guess they have occasioned to pay respects with a nod or two to films with achievements of this caliber, but I'm going to have entirely lost faith if it wins any of the major categories. Here's to hoping they keep their heads.