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Weekend Movie Forecast: <em>The Last Airbender</em> Vs. <em>Eclipse</em>

By

Robert Horan

Published Jul 2, 2010

Modified Jul 2, 2010

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Oh M. Night Shyamalan, how long have we been trying to defend you? American film reviewers were praying you'd be the next Spielberg and fill that summer void that hasn't been quite filled since. Intellectuals sometimes even slum it and attempt to legitimize your movies ("Unbreakable was actually a pretty interesting portrait of the failure of the nuclear family in contemporary America"). Well, we can all stop because today sees the release of The Last Airbender, and it looks like it's open season for Shyamalans.To say that this film is getting bad reviews is a bit generous; its reviews are closer in feel to articles on the BP Spill than your typical summer fare. Keith Phipps from The A.V. Club says: "Where to start with this one? How about this: If any movie ever warranted a class-action lawsuit against the filmmakers, it’s The Last Airbender. Not because it’s a terrible movie—though it is—but because its release as a 3-D film becomes false advertising a few seconds after a comin’-atcha gush of water appears behind the Paramount logo. From there, it becomes painfully obvious—even more painfully obvious than in Alice In Wonderland—that a few 3-D elements have been added to satisfy the current 3-D craze, and the higher ticket prices they allow. "The Last Airbender isn’t that much different from the rest of this summer’s generally dire multiplex fare—from The A-Team to Jonah Hex—which started with established properties and half-decent ideas, then cranked up the volume, velocity, and effects to the point where neither sense nor tender moments could escape. But it is remarkable in one respect: It’s the worst of them."

 

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By

Robert Horan

Published Jul 2, 2010

Modified Jul 2, 2010

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Click on the film stills above for more details and reviews on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which include The Last Airbender, Eclipse, The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector, Beautiful Islands, Confessions, Great Directors, Love Ranch, Only When I Dance, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and Salo or 120 Days of Sodom.

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