| Posted by: corran horn at April 5, 2008, 5:11 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I think all my thoughts about this film have been touched on by others, save one: when Holbrook's character offered to adopt Chris, I felt the film was speaking to me. I too have had a rocky relationship with a cold-and-distant father (like Chris, save that I am not illegitimate) and lacked any positive male role models (my older and only brother is irritable and irresponsible and my grown-up cousins--all fine men BTW--live too far away for me to spend time with). Were I Chris, I would have leaped at the opportunity to have someone like that in my life--no matter how old they were. Thankfully, I kept my composure, but this film affected me more than I expected. 8.75/10 | | Static Link |
| Posted by: MadsenOMC at April 2, 2008, 8:39 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | SPOILERS! Finally saw it last night, and chinton, I think you are wrong. I think the movie is definitely critical of Chris's behavior and doesn't let him off the hook. The sister's narration and the words of Catherine Keener's character (the son she hasn't seen in two years) combine to effectively present the selfish and immature side of Chris. He did some really shitty things and the movie shows that. I didn't find him to be a completely sympathetic character at all, even though I was greatly moved by his death. I think the movie is a warts-and-all portrayal of a good but flawed young man. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: psycheoutsteve at April 1, 2008, 10:37 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I was unfamiliar with the story of Chris McCandless, but I'm glad I picked up this film and found out about it. I have never really been a fan of Sean Penn, but if he spent more time behind the camera I actually wouldn't mind, since he did a fine job directing this movie. The visuals were beautiful and breathtaking, the characters and narration were very deep and involving. The film has a very immediate feel, I felt like I was right there experiencing everything Chris was on his travels. I could really relate to Chris's desire to detach from material society and his pursuit of truth in nature. I attempted a road trip to Cali this summer and it was cut short by a car crash, (no one was seriously injured). We made it into Illinois, which was a considerable distance from where we started, and in only 3 short days we had a wealth of memorable experiences. We weren't completely cut off from society or anything, but we were taking a journey into territory we had never ventured into ourselves, not unlike Chris. One... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Ayestrain at March 24, 2008, 1:48 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Watched this last night, and I agree with lots of what you stated. There is a looseness and impressionism to Penn's directing style that befits the subject matter. Let's not forget that Penn adapted the story and wrote the screenplay as well. The whole thing seems like a labor of love for him. It's great subject matter and it's handled seriously and with skill. You feel like you really know this kid by the end. My only concern is that several characters seem not very well fleshed out, like Chris' parents and sister, but I guess we are only getting his interpretation of how they are (for a good while I thought Chris' sister was his girlfriend). Great cinephotography all around--this is definitely one I wish I'd caught in the theater. The run time is a little daunting, though. I was surprised at Eddie Vedder's songs too, I'm not a Pearl Jam fan but it's probably the best stuff he's ever done. Was this movie completely snubbed by the Oscars or what? | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Monotreme at March 24, 2008, 5:19 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | First of all: I really liked the film. Check out my review on my MyJoblo.com page or around the forums here. SPOILERS ABOUND Back to McCandless' character... What I liked the most about his character and the way the movie handles him is that the film depicts him totally objectively. The film doesn't pass judgement on him, but it doesn't glorify him either. Indeed, it's entirely up to the viewer to make up his mind about the character. Me personally, I thought it was a fascinating depiction of a boy going too far with his philosophy 101 way of life. To me, McCandless was clearly very immature, the depth of his philosophy (at first at least) equivalent to that of a first year college course. I agree with the sentiment that there is nothing original about him; his rejection of material gifts, his thoughts about god and about what one should do with his life... No real new ground is covered, but he goes that one step further and actually fully persues these theoretical ideas of "just living" and "... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: athf1980 at March 23, 2008, 5:09 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I thought the movie was quite enterting little long. Hirch owns his role. I dig the score for the movie. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: unspoken at March 23, 2008, 12:56 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I have a question for anyone who has read the book (may include spoilers)... I've heard several times that the movie edits out significant parts of the book that, if included, would likely lead you to be less sympathetic to Chris than the movie wants you to be. For example, there's supposed to be parts where people hear of his plans and tell him not to do it, because he's not remotely close to prepared for it. Yet he arrogantly dismisses there wisdom and does it anyways. Is this true that there are several parts of the book like this? If so, it changes my outlook on the story. And I'm not even that sympathetic to him anyways, since he always had the option to go home ready and available to him. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: speedbeaver at March 23, 2008, 12:41 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | 10/10 I've seen it 5 times now and have come to tears every time. It has great re-watchability and I might go as far as to say it's my favorite movie of all time. Definatly top 5. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: echo_bravo at March 23, 2008, 11:31 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Absolutely hated Emile Hirsch in this film. His character is the type of person I really hate. Just a self-righteous asshat that thinks his shit doesnt stink. And the movie was pretty mediocore too. I really dont get all the praise for it. 4/10 | | Static Link |
| Posted by: La Motta at March 23, 2008, 6:07 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | didn't like it. i think he thought he was superior to others in his thinking but most students think like that. they just turn to drugs instead. i should point out i loved the pledge and the crossing guard. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Tweek at March 23, 2008, 5:49 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | Quote: Originally Posted by Digifruitella
It's unfortunate that all people see in him is that he died because of human error. I see that as a big part of the story at least. But that doesn't stick out as much as the actual trek to the destination. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: God of War at March 23, 2008, 5:04 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I eagerly await this movie. In about a week's time, I finally get the pelasure of seeing it. Can't wait. I missed out at the movies, and was pissed off at the time. But good ole dvd to the rescue. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Digifruitella at March 23, 2008, 3:39 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | he wasn't planning anything, other than to get to his destination. He went were the current took him. Ultimately his destination was Alaska, but everything that happens before, that is him basically living the wild. He isn't a hero, and I don't see anywhere where it said he was. But he most definitely held a perspective of life that was inspiring to people. His point wasn't for everyone to go and live in the wild. "If you want something in life, reach out and grab it." It's unfortunate that all people see in him is that he died because of human error. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Tweek at March 23, 2008, 1:58 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Yeah ultimately I found him unlikable... Not abhorrent. But people ARE full of contradictions. mazhuk, yes his planning was immature and incomplete (that a good word to describe planning?) And as I said it was quite unoriginal. That stuck out for me because at times it seemed like he was trying to blow peoples' minds. In the end his journey seemed like some fairy tale he was trying to get to. That make sense? I can see the bravery it must've taken. I wouldn't dream of doing that. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: mazhuk at March 23, 2008, 1:19 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | apparently the definition of a loser is one who will not cede to authority eh olboj? personally i thought he was a tad immature in his planning etc. but a large part of me greatly respected someone who was willing to put his life on the line for something he believed in... even if it wasn't all that original. But then, i have a feeling that he had a lot more will power, self-awareness, and ability to believe in himself (which is not necessarily self-absorption) than you or I... and i think half of his original point is that, yes, he is a nobody... but so are most of us... and personally, i would add so are most of these jokers we celebrate on a daily basis... | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Olboj at March 23, 2008, 12:02 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I also share your rating of 9/10. Spectacular film. I also read the book before watching the movie and I've got to say the movie was far better then the book. Chris McCandless was an idiot, sure and educated BOY but none the less, an idiot. A loser would couldn't stand authority and would not abide by rules. He lived his own way and lived it like a moron. He hated material things and hated people who loved material things. He didn't understand working for a living to gain respect. He lived very selfishly and didn't even have the common decency to let his family know he was alive for two fucking years. Also, he broke loose from society with very little knowledge of knowing how to live off the land, and thus died in Alaska because two years of experience in GOOD weather just isn't enough. **Spoilers** When he died because he couldn't cross the river because his leg was too badly injured just shows how stupid and selfish he really was, he chose to die instead of facing society and living up to his mistakes. Mor... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Digifruitella at March 21, 2008, 11:42 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I share your rating with the film. ****SPOILERS**** What I very much liked about McCandless was his ability to see a bigger picture of life and that he had the guts to do what he did. However, as you say he was contradictory, I do agree about that. The one part I don't agree with him about was cutting off all source of contact with his parents. At least if he had let everyone know what he was about to do, would make him a much more wiser of a character, a person. I do believe it was a childish thing to just leave everyone worried. Look, no matter how bad your parents are, how materialistic, how much you hate them..at least have the decency to just once let them know what you are about to do, so nobody has to lose sleep over it day by day, night after night. That was the one thing that I found negative about him. Everything else is very inspiring, and ballsy. Not everybody can do what he did. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Tweek at March 21, 2008, 10:53 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Yeah, I loved the movie. I give it a 9/10. My question to pose to you all: How would you describe McCandless... If you had to. I couldn't possibly describe the person the book and the movie is based on. I'm positive they must have taken some liberties. I saw him as quite suggestible. He ran with the stuff he read in his books. He wasn't horribly original. But what made him interesting was the contradictions. He talks to Vince Vaughn's character (Wayne, right?) about how people are so bad to each other. Yet he leaves when people become attached. The one that got to me most was when Mr. Franz was asking if he could adopt him. I can totally see why he'd win people over. He did seem a charming fellow. And maybe he just had a stubborn one-track mind... He did seem a bit off though. There was one point when he was talking to Jan (Catherine Keener) and there was the first sign of worry on his face when (I think) she asks "Do your folks know where you are?" So yeah... I was wrong about Emile Hirsch. I admi... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: deftdelivery at March 12, 2008, 2:13 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I don't know how much of McCandless' character you have to chalk up to Penn and how much you have to chalk up to Krauker. Sure, he was arrogant, and willing to completely cut himself off from society, but he paid the price for it. He died with an obvious epiphany, and his FINAL THOUGHTS were of everyone he had touched in his life (according to the film's final montage) and everyone that had touched him. The sense of family and love he had craved was satisfied in these moments, and while he had no idea that perhaps THIS was what he was looking for all along, we did. I really think the message of the film is not to rate the main character's decisions, but to observe the simplest balance of life; all around McCandless were those too wrapped up in things of trivial nature, while the main character himself seems too wrapped up in his own connection to the wilderness to live an important life. While many of us are far too imbalanced in terms of worrying about issues which come and leave us with every day, McCandle... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: IHRTNJ at February 24, 2008, 2:55 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I saw it, dug it... I say watch it my fellow schmoes Sean Penn beautifully directed this one. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 5, 2008, 5:24 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by chinton I have to pop in here and respond to the person who said the movie was able to present the main character without judgement. I'm sorry I think you mean the book. The book gave a level headed account of Chris actins in which the faults (and there were a lot) and the pros were weighed equally. The movie sly left out important details that would sully Chris's image and painted him in an increasingly noble light. I enjoyed the movie but I dont buy for a second this film was objective. I dunno, just by watching the movie, i found ALOT of faults with his character. Just living in his own little world. la-de-da. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: chinton at February 5, 2008, 4:52 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I have to pop in here and respond to the person who said the movie was able to present the main character without judgement. I'm sorry I think you mean the book. The book gave a level headed account of Chris actins in which the faults (and there were a lot) and the pros were weighed equally. The movie sly left out important details that would sully Chris's image and painted him in an increasingly noble light. I enjoyed the movie but I dont buy for a second this film was objective. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 5, 2008, 3:46 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by X-Nightcrawler Yeah, if it wasn't because half the movie is a flashback, I would've really thought he was going to stay with the hippies and the hot underage girl who wanted to have him for dinner. That would've been a nice place to stick to. Or at least with the old man near the end. Or the foreign nudists. *Spoilers* Dammit, a little ironic that the poor old man wanted to adopt him to carry on his name and the poor kid wind up dead before the old man. I was wanting him to stay with the old man. When he walked away, i wanted to jump out of seat and punch the bastard. "No, your going nowhere!" ...but the hot underage girl who wanted to have him for dinner and the cool hippies would have been hard to walk away from as well. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 5, 2008, 3:43 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by echo_bravo FUcking hated this film and Emile Hirsch's whiny little performance. "OMG my parents want to buy me a new car GAWD I hate society. I think I am going to run away to Alaska!" 4/10 Thats pretty much what i thought of the main character. I really liked the movie despite this, for whatever reason. Probably because i LOVED all the side characters he ran across, and the sound track. At least he "got it" at the end. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: echo_bravo at February 5, 2008, 2:48 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | FUcking hated this film and Emile Hirsch's whiny little performance. "OMG my parents want to buy me a new car GAWD I hate society. I think I am going to run away to Alaska!" 4/10 | | Static Link |
| Posted by: X-Nightcrawler at February 5, 2008, 1:10 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Shockwave Yeah, that was the main thing that made me positive he was running away. He almost couldnt face reality as it was. He just snapped. He had no plan other then to get as far away from people as possible. The bad part about having no plan other then "Alaska!" is that he did indeed wind up alone, and with no one to help him. I do feel bad when i think about all the cool people he met along the way and yet CONTINUED to push what would have been a very good life with any of them, far away. Its like he kept getting signs saying "STOP! BE HAPPY!" and he kept going right past them until he went over the cliff. Yeah, if it wasn't because half the movie is a flashback, I would've really thought he was going to stay with the hippies and the hot underage girl who wanted to have him for dinner. That would've been a nice place to stick to. Or at least with the old man near the end. Or the foreign nudists. *Spoilers* Dammit, a little ironic that the poor old man want... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 5, 2008, 5:41 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by X-Nightcrawler Interesting look, I agree with most of what you said. I also thought it was pretty non-judgemental in that sense where it doesn't really take the side of the lead or claims he's doing the right thing. Not sure if he was only running away, but that much was pretty clear. He just didn't seem to want to be around all that stuff, which is why he just broke all contact with everyone, even his sister. Yeah, that was the main thing that made me positive he was running away. He almost couldnt face reality as it was. He just snapped. He had no plan other then to get as far away from people as possible. The bad part about having no plan other then "Alaska!" is that he did indeed wind up alone, and with no one to help him. I do feel bad when i think about all the cool people he met along the way and yet CONTINUED to push what would have been a very good life with any of them, far away. Its like he kept getting signs saying "STOP! BE HAPPY!" and he kept goin... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: deppjolieperabo at February 5, 2008, 12:06 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | i can't wait for the dvd. I really want to see this!! | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Bourne101 at February 4, 2008, 7:34 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Into the Wild - 10/10 Wow, I thought my top ten of 2007 had been signed, sealed and delivered, but no, Into the Wild just stomped in. This film is just absolutely brilliant. Brilliant direction, brilliant acting and brilliant story. I literally cannot say enough. I can't believe I had to wait so long to finally see it, but I am so glad I did. The story is completely engaging and so interesting. The film isn't full of action, but it is never boring or dull, and I was always engaged and entertained. Emile Hirsch gives the performance of his career, and is one of the best performances of 2007. If you have not seen Into the Wild, it should be at the top of your list. One of the best of 2007. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: X-Nightcrawler at February 4, 2008, 4:53 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Shockwave O yeah, i agree, this wasnt a bad guy or anything, and i did agree with him on some of his points, just not all of them. The movie did a good job at presenting the character without taking his side. Very non-judgemental. I also think Emile Hirsch should have got an Oscar nom for his role.(..not WON, but a nom would be a good tip of the hat..) Same with Penn. I love the soundtrack to the movie. ..but like i said, it was clear to me that he was running AWAY more then he was running towards something. Not a very brave thing. All we wanted to do was get as far away as possible. He would dish out advice to everyone he fucking met, but was so UN-willing to take any when they would suggest he "not get too deep into these things" or to let his parents know he was all right. His sister seemed braver then he was. Interesting look, I agree with most of what you said. I also thought it was pretty non-judgemental in that sense where it doesn't really take the side of the le... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 4, 2008, 5:37 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by ilovemovies I understand the criticism of the main character and sort of agree but I still empathized and felt sorry for him. And he's a very likeable guy. And Emile Hirsch gave an amazing performance. Really such a shame he didn't get nominated for an oscar. Or for Sean Penn or the movie itself. O yeah, i agree, this wasnt a bad guy or anything, and i did agree with him on some of his points, just not all of them. The movie did a good job at presenting the character without taking his side. Very non-judgemental. I also think Emile Hirsch should have got an Oscar nom for his role.(..not WON, but a nom would be a good tip of the hat..) Same with Penn. I love the soundtrack to the movie. ..but like i said, it was clear to me that he was running AWAY more then he was running towards something. Not a very brave thing. All we wanted to do was get as far away as possible. He would dish out advice to everyone he fucking met, but was so UN-willing to take any when they would suggest he &q... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: X-Nightcrawler at February 4, 2008, 4:28 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I still thought some of the main character's decisions weren't on the agreeable side. I really liked the movie because I could really emphasize with many of its philosophies. I loved when he said "You're wrong if you think all joys in life come from human relationships." (or something like that). I still think it was a little assholish to just leave like that and never tell anyone anything. Okay, dude, boo hoo, bad parents. Could you at least let your sister know you were okay? Alive? There are a billion ways of letting them know without letting them know your location. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: ilovemovies at February 4, 2008, 4:00 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | I understand the criticism of the main character and sort of agree but I still empathized and felt sorry for him. And he's a very likeable guy. And Emile Hirsch gave an amazing performance. Really such a shame he didn't get nominated for an oscar. Or for Sean Penn or the movie itself. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shockwave at February 3, 2008, 6:09 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Digifruitella no, he wrote "happiness is only real when shared". This guy had enormous courage to do what he did. For some who think that abandoning his car and burning money is a foolish thing to do, for him it didn't matter much. Remember how he mentions, "I once read somewhere that in life it's not necessary to BE strong, but to FEEL strong." This guy went on an ultimate journey to test himself and although I agree that it was foolish for him to be so underprepared when he hit Alaska (no map, etc) he at least achieved something almost none of us on here will ever be able to do unless they feel that inspiration and take it all close to heart. To be honest, I want to do something like this (prepared of course) just once. Afterall, this film has a wonderful message. Try a vacation first before u burn all your stuff. Its a wonderful message that he took to a stupid extreme. What did he acheive? His final epiphany was that he had been deluded in cutting himself o... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Bourne101 at February 3, 2008, 3:44 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | This is playing at a local arthouse theatre this week and I have yet to see it so I'll probably check it out sometime this week. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Digifruitella at February 3, 2008, 1:50 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Shockwave Yeah, thats what i mean. The movie did a good job at presenting the character without judgement, i justhought his logic was completely insipid and that by movies end, he got what was coming to him. ...but maybe that was the point. He did say as he was dying that life was best lived with others.(..i think!) so maybe he learned his lesson. no, he wrote "happiness is only real when shared". This guy had enormous courage to do what he did. For some who think that abandoning his car and burning money is a foolish thing to do, for him it didn't matter much. Remember how he mentions, "I once read somewhere that in life it's not necessary to BE strong, but to FEEL strong." This guy went on an ultimate journey to test himself and although I agree that it was foolish for him to be so underprepared when he hit Alaska (no map, etc) he at least achieved something almost none of us on here will ever be able to do unless they feel that inspiration and take it all cl... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: dannywalker17 at December 27, 2007, 4:16 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Shockwave Yeah, thats what i mean. The movie did a good job at presenting the character without judgement, i justhought his logic was completely insipid and that by movies end, he got what was coming to him. ...but maybe that was the point. He did say as he was dying that life was best lived with others.(..i think!) so maybe he learned his lesson. The way I saw it, he was supposed to realize what he was missing in the end. His idealist views were not intended to be the message of the movie (not completely at least). | | Static Link |
| Posted by: xseanymacx at December 27, 2007, 1:38 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Just sucks for him he didn't realize it until his death bed. I completely agree with your frustration though about how he kept stumbling into a BETTER family situation than what he had, BUT KEPT WALKING AWAY! He was pissing me off | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shockwave at December 27, 2007, 5:46 am | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by xseanymacx I'm not sure we're meant to feel sorry for Alex. I, for one, felt sorry for everyone whose life he touched. To deliver such an impact, then simply pick up and walk away before allowing yourself to become attached as well, is cruel. I didn't like the main character, either. Yeah, thats what i mean. The movie did a good job at presenting the character without judgement, i justhought his logic was completely insipid and that by movies end, he got what was coming to him. ...but maybe that was the point. He did say as he was dying that life was best lived with others.(..i think!) so maybe he learned his lesson. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: xseanymacx at December 26, 2007, 7:09 pm | | Topic: Into The Wild Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Shockwave I couldnt relate to this guy at all. I thought he was a selfish egomaniac that ran around the country living in a dream-land, bottom feeding off everyone else, unable to face reality, and too stupid to realize when he had something good. The way he completely forgot(didnt ever even mention) his sister was pretty cruel. I loved how he kept spouting on about how all u should trust is nature and not "things", but kept having to rely on the modern day world for items, money, comfort, and transportation. ..even the "Magic bus". I found it funny that he went into the WILD, yet clinged to the one modern day thing out there. The main characters performance was jaw dropping, The supporting cast all did a wonderful job, the music was GREAT, ect, ect, ect, but what it comes down to was that i really didnt feel that sorry for "Supertramp" by movies end. The flashback of all he had passed by at the end just kind of drove that point home. Im still giving ... | | Read Entire Entry |
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