On 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.
Avatar: Science Fiction Channels the Culture Wars
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