James Cameron Film Discussion Thread

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu Blazer

I have been waiting for Cameron to make another movie for years. I hope Avatar can live up to everyones expectations.

i bet it will, on that note here's a recent interview with cameron regarding 3D movies and a potential trailer for avatar:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/12/...ailer-details/

[Carlsberg19]

James Cameron has a great eye for direction but script writing he is atrocious, take Titanc for example..terrible scripting but amazing film

[CHERRYGARCIA]

IMO..he is the ultimate BIG Budget director...a textbook definition..if I was a studio head and was dropping $200+ mil on a film he's the first guy I would call..his films ALWAYS show where the $$$ is going and thats on screen.
Michael Bay can't hold JC's jock

I would also say Speilberg is right there in terms of a BIG budget directing but he can also switch gears and do something a little more modest in terms of production..Cameron is BIG budget 24/7/365

[Midnightsailor]

Originally Posted by CHERRYGARCIA

IMO..he is the ultimate BIG Budget director...a textbook definition..if I was a studio head and was dropping $200+ mil on a film he's the first guy I would call..his films ALWAYS show where the $$$ is going and thats on screen.
Michael Bay can't hold JC's jock

I would also say Speilberg is right there in terms of a BIG budget directing but he can also switch gears and do something a little more modest in terms of production..Cameron is BIG budget 24/7/365

Agreed.

[InstantKarma]

I love them all except for True Lies (and Piranha, of course), but the full director's cut of The Abyss would have to be my favorite. The original theatrical cut pissed me off, as I'd already read the novelization and knew what was supposed to happen.

[Jayromy]

Very tough to rank James Cameron's work...so many good films.

Here goes...

1. Terminator 2- The all time best epic action movie. Fired on all cylinders. Never before (or since) has an action movie been so visually impressive, tense, dramatic, emotional, and socially relevant. Truly epic.

2. Titanic- For all it's dialogue faults and cheesy forced emotion, this is still Cameron's paramount technical achievement, up there with the greatest technical undertakings of all time (Gone With The Wind, Lord of the Rings, etc.).

3. The Abyss- Cameron's most underrated film. Even upon repeat viewings, still manages to evoke geniune tense moments. Seeing Cameron's original ending is the only way to truly appreciate it.

4. Aliens- The original "action sequel that bested the original."

5. True Lies- Also very underrated, I can't think of a better melding of romantic comedy and action. Genuinely heartwarming while kicking your ass with serious action.

...IMHO.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Jayromy

Very tough to rank James Cameron's work...so many good films.

Here goes...

1. Terminator 2- The all time best epic action movie. Fired on all cylinders. Never before (or since) has an action movie been so visually impressive, tense, dramatic, emotional, and socially relevant. Truly epic.

2. Titanic- For all it's dialogue faults and cheesy forced emotion, this is still Cameron's paramount technical achievement, up there with the greatest technical undertakings of all time (Gone With The Wind, Lord of the Rings, etc.).

3. The Abyss- Cameron's most underrated film. Even upon repeat viewings, still manages to evoke geniune tense moments. Seeing Cameron's original ending is the only way to truly appreciate it.

4. Aliens- The original "action sequel that bested the original."

5. True Lies- Also very underrated, I can't think of a better melding of romantic comedy and action. Genuinely heartwarming while kicking your ass with serious action.

...IMHO.

fantastic job of summing those up. even though i don't like titantic, you bring up very good points. couldn't have said it better myself.

[Tadji Malik]

I think he's an unsung hero of directing.

Cameron got me into home theater with 'Aliens: Director's Cut', the first Laser Disc I owned. I've watched it many times in all it's grainy darkness, and I've loved it every time.

'Aliens', 'T2', and 'The Abyss' are great films that are better as longer more complete films. I go as far as comparing his work to David Lean's. It's epic in it's own way.

I only wish that modern directors trying to imitate his films could get it right. A Jim Cameron version of 'Pearl Harbor' would be watchable.

I'm curious about the guy who voted for 'Piranah 2'. Was that a joke, or is it really your favorite movie? I hope it's your favorite. That'd made for good conversation.

[Jayromy]

Originally Posted by DoYouBlu

fantastic job of summing those up. even though i don't like titantic, you bring up very good points. couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks. Great thread! All this talk about Cameron has reminded me just how good a director he is. I think it's time to revisit T2 tonight. (BTW, don't get me started on how we need a re-do on that BD.)

[Mxr5150]

Wow, between Aliens, Terminator 1 or 2, Rambo 2, and True Lies at least... wow. I can't vote. Those rule in their own ways.

[willkirwan]

do you if alien/aliens is coming out on blu-ray or are they out already.im very new to blu-ray so sorry if a stupid question.many thanks

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by willkirwan

do you if alien/aliens is coming out on blu-ray or are they out already.im very new to blu-ray so sorry if a stupid question.many thanks

no worries, but this thread is mainly for discussing his movies, not when they are coming to bluray. however, to answer your question, there hasn't been any word of when the alien movies are going blu. my guess is the entire quadrilogy will go blu all at once and probably not be available as individual releases until some time after. that seems to be the trend with most sets (i.e. bourne, batman legacy, spiderman trilogy with the exception of 3, etc).

welcome to the forum!

[Jock Blu]

Haven't seen Piranha 2, but love all his others...

#1 Aliens for suspense and intense action, with the final Newt rescue in real time!

#2 T2, while essentially the same plot as Terminator, expanded the emotional and action aspects

#3 Titanic, for storytelling and epic entertainment value, the 3 hours went fast!

#4 True Lies, funnier than some so-called comedies, and spectacular action

#5 Terminator, a truly exciting action film

#6 Abyss, some tense scenes and groundbreaking special effects

On the subject of extended versions, I like the longer Abyss, and love the extended T2. But I actually prefer the theatrical Aliens, because it revealed less.

Cameron is a great filmmaker, pushing the boundaries of special effects but only in service of his story (like Spielberg, but unlike Lucas].

Just my 2c.

Joe

[Daredevil666]

Piranha 2 is the quintessential James Cameron movie, most people don't know, but it exists in two versions : regular and director's cut, just like most of Jim movies except for T1 and True Lies. It also features Lance Henricksen, and diving scenes. Cameron may deny he directed most of it all, but it's 110% Cameron in the director's cut version (which incidentaly, he edited himself, but doesn't exist on DVD or Blu, only on a rare laserdisc). It may be bad. It's still full on Cameron.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by dvdvision

Piranha 2 is the quintessential James Cameron movie, most people don't know, but it exists in two versions : regular and director's cut, just like most of Jim movies except for T1 and True Lies. It also features Lance Henricksen, and diving scenes. Cameron may deny he directed most of it all, but it's 110% Cameron in the director's cut version (which incidentaly, he edited himself, but doesn't exist on DVD or Blu, only on a rare laserdisc). It may be bad. It's still full on Cameron.

i honestly want to see it.

[Variable]

my decision came down to T2 and aliens, and I ended up choosing aliens.

never seen The Abyss but I would love to.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Variable

never seen The Abyss but I would love to.

great great movie. so great that there are actually 5 different editions available on amazon.

[DR Herbert West]

Terminator

[JediJones77]

T2
Titanic
Avatar
The Abyss
Aliens
True Lies
Terminator

The only Special Edition I think might be an improvement is The Abyss. I like both versions, but the SE is just more of a good thing. Really don't like the horror/gore elements of Terminator, or the shabby robot effects at the end, so that drops it down.

[kylor]

Terminator 2.