Movie Review: “Avatar”

Seen on: December 10, 2009

The players: Director: James Cameron, Writer: James Cameron, Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez

Facts of interest: Estimated budget of the film: $230 million.

The plot: A former marine travels to a distant planet to win over the trust of the native people so the humans can crush their place and exploit their minerals.

Our thoughts: Cinemagoers worldwide have been waiting a long time for James Cameron’s passion project to hit the big screen, but now the wait is finally over.  “Avatar” has officially landed in theaters, and people are flocking to screenings to find out what all the hype surrounding the film is all about. One question remains though: will “Avatar” really change the way movies are made?

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Rebecca Mader ready to ‘Stare at Goats’

Rebecca Mader and Stephen Lang are the latest to join the cast of Grant Heslov’s upcoming adaptation of “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Mader is best known for her role as Charlotte Lewis on television’s “Lost.” She also starred in “Justice.”

“Goats” is set in Iraq and follows a reporter named Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), who may be in for the story of his life when he encounters Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a psychic solider who claims to be the result of the military experimenting with the paranormal.

The trade says Mader plays McGregor’s wife. Lang (“Public Enemies,” “Avatar”) is set to portray an intelligence officer. 

“The Men Who Stare at Goats” is based on a book by British journalist Jon Ronson.

Robert Cary on 'Save Me'

Andre Soares over at the Alternative Film Guide briefly interviewed Robert Cary, director of “Save Me,” which is currently touring around the country.

In the film, a Christian couple runs a retreat at which they run a program that’s supposed to help cure young men of their “gay affliction.” Robert Grant, Judith Light and Stephen Lang star. More about the synopsis can be found at the official site.

“Yes, several people who had been involved in conversion therapy were consulted, and they certainly believed it would work at one time in their lives,” Cary wrote in response to what kind of research he did for the film.

Click right here to read Andre’s entire interview with Cary.

Also, if you’re interested, make sure to check out Kevin Thomas’ quick review of “Save Me” in the Los Angeles Times.

“This is a modest, thoughtful, independent production of exceptional insight and quietly devastating power,” Thomas writes.

Here’s the full review.