Comments on: FEATURE: Unadjusted vs. Adjusted Box Office

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:06:03 +0000

Well, I think that Leona Lewis song is awful personally. I honestly felt it was a tacky way to end a great movie. I didn’t like my heart will go on either, but that at least felt more natural for the movie it was in. Also, just a sidenote, I quote “Avatar” a lot, haha. I can speak a little Na’vi, which I guess is sorta sad. However, I think you’re right, people like it a lot clearly, but it doesn’t seem to resonate in the same way. Then again, did people really quote “Titanic” that often besides Leo saying “I’m king of the world.”?

By: Marshall

Marshall — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:20:33 +0000

I do find it interesting that while “Avatar” is the highest grossing movie of this most recent era of filmmaking, it really hasn’t entered pop culture in as massive of a way as I had expected. I have yet to hear anyone quote the movie, nor has the emotional song caught on – maybe Leona Lewis just doesn’t have the same draw as Celine Dion.

Again, not detracting (and not just a note for you, but to anyone who might reading). Just pondering.

By: Harry

Harry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:15:16 +0000

Sorry, I wasn’t referencing you in particular, I just meant people who attempt to sort of downplay the achievement. I agree, “Gone With the Wind” was kind of on its own level in a lot of ways. I’m just not necessarily ready to declare anything the best or even highest grossing because of all the confusion, it’s probably better to consider things in the lenses of different eras.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:16:02 +0000

Interesting point to bring up about the lack of competition. And it is pretty remarkable that “Avatar” has managed to be the most popular movie for seven consecutive weeks as Hollywood threw more and more movies at American audiences. Nowadays, we consider it stunning if a movie can be the top dog at the box office more than one week.

But “Gone with the Wind” was met with parades in Atlanta upon its premiere; the governor of Georgia even declared the day of its premiere a state holiday. You didn’t see that with “Avatar.”

And by no means am I trying to detract from “Avatar.” Does “I think some hearty congratulations are in order for James Cameron and everyone involved in bringing “Avatar” to the screen” sound like I’m trying to strip away its luster? My intention was this post to use the movie’s extraordinary box office performance to highlight another way of looking at the biggest movies of all time. I hoped to present the two arguments in a way that allows readers to question what they think and then make a decision for themselves.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:56:23 +0000

I personally think that it’s unfair to detract from “Avatar” simply because there are so many other factors not being considered. For instance, you mention the fact that “Gone With the Wind” played for years in cinemas nationwide, not to mention it’s not like “Gone With the Wind” had that much competition for the nation’s attention since the movie industry was still in its infancy.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:27:29 +0000

I am so happy that you brought this up in your blog!!! For years ticket prices have been getting more and more expensive, and year after year we have another “record.” Years ago I was watching “Gone with the Wind” on TV, I’m pretty sure it was on TCM, and before it started the guy said that to date it is one of the biggest movies of all time considering inflation. People always forget to consider inflation! The fact that you brought this up in your blog made my day!