Avatar: Science Fiction Channels the Culture Wars

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avatar.jpgOn its way to becoming the top grossing film of all time, James Cameron's Avatar is already famous for more than its mind-boggling 3-D special effects. It's causing arguments about war and peace, religion, the environment and technology, race relations, patriotism and chain smoking. What is it about what some call a flimsy script and cartoon characters that transforms a sci-fi entertainment into a forum on real-world issues? We talk with critics and fans about the latest Hollywood blockbuster and its influence on culture worldwide.

Credits

Guests:

  • Rebecca Winters Keegan - The Hollywood Reporter
  • Michael Medved - Film Critic and Host, 'The Michael Medved Show'
  • Annalee Newitz - science writer, New York Times contributor, and author of the forthcoming book “Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age”
  • Scarlet Cheng - Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, Otis College of Art and Design
  • Stephen Asma - Professor of Philosophy, Columbia College Chicago

Host:

Warren Olney