'The Road' - Nov. 2008
#202
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
This just got to the $1 theater last week and seems this week is the last week it will play since it is down to 1 showing a day. I don't remember if this ever played at a normal theater around here.
#203
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
Finally saw this and I thought it was great; though odd that the other actors I wanted to see were mere cameos. I didnt quite get the ending with Guy following Viggo. Why not approach them? Why keep that hidden? Was it revealed in the book?
I found the movie depressing but in a fucked up way.. I wouldnt mind that life.
I found the movie depressing but in a fucked up way.. I wouldnt mind that life.
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
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#212
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
I thought the film was simply "ok".
I liked that it was depressing - that's how it would be in that situation. I didn't like that there magically was a family following them and they "adopted" this kid. It felt too much like a cop-out. The better ending would've been the kid blowing his brains out just like his father taught him.
I liked that it was depressing - that's how it would be in that situation. I didn't like that there magically was a family following them and they "adopted" this kid. It felt too much like a cop-out. The better ending would've been the kid blowing his brains out just like his father taught him.
#213
Senior Member
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
I thought the film was simply "ok".
I liked that it was depressing - that's how it would be in that situation. I didn't like that there magically was a family following them and they "adopted" this kid. It felt too much like a cop-out. The better ending would've been the kid blowing his brains out just like his father taught him.
I liked that it was depressing - that's how it would be in that situation. I didn't like that there magically was a family following them and they "adopted" this kid. It felt too much like a cop-out. The better ending would've been the kid blowing his brains out just like his father taught him.
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#215
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
Finally watched this tonight.
I was a bit disappointed. I don't know if I just have higher expectations but I was hoping for a minor masterpiece. My problem with the movie was that there appeared to be no goal for the characters. I haven't read the book so maybe the book was more clear. I had secretly hoped for a Fallout 3 ending or some kind of ending showing humanity was making progress. I thought the ending was a little bit of a cop out, the kid's father taught him everything so I expected him to be a lone wanderer rather than going off with a family. Also, when the family said they were following them, again disappointing because apparently the family were wandering around aimlessly as well.
I liked it though. B+
I was a bit disappointed. I don't know if I just have higher expectations but I was hoping for a minor masterpiece. My problem with the movie was that there appeared to be no goal for the characters. I haven't read the book so maybe the book was more clear. I had secretly hoped for a Fallout 3 ending or some kind of ending showing humanity was making progress. I thought the ending was a little bit of a cop out, the kid's father taught him everything so I expected him to be a lone wanderer rather than going off with a family. Also, when the family said they were following them, again disappointing because apparently the family were wandering around aimlessly as well.
I liked it though. B+
#216
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
Finally checked it out. Really liked it. I'm a sucker for higher-concept movies that are told on an intimate, personal level.
I've listened to the Nick Cave/Warren Ellis score five hundred times over the past year-or-so. It was kind of odd to finally sit down and watch the movie.
It's criminal that this wasn't given a chance in theaters.
I've listened to the Nick Cave/Warren Ellis score five hundred times over the past year-or-so. It was kind of odd to finally sit down and watch the movie.
It's criminal that this wasn't given a chance in theaters.
#217
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
Just saw this too. I'm a HUGE fan of the novel (I have a tattoo on my forearm of a line from the book) but didn't have very high expectations due to tepid reviews and what I'd read about the beefing up of the wife's role through flashbacks. Was pleasantly surprised though.
The setting is spot on...super bleak and exactly as I envisioned. The music, beautiful and haunting. Mortenson and the boy are both very good (LOVED the scene by the creek when the child breaks down). Theron is effective and necessary, I think, since we get so little back story in the book.
The finale doesn't resonate nearly as much in the movie as it does in the novel. And the bond between father and son is so much more effectively and movingly depicted in the book. Wish they would have shown more of the father's exploration of the ship in the movie. I was pretty happy with it otherwise.
#219
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Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
I watched the movie last night after getting thru half the book (I couldn't wait to see the film). While depressing I found some hope in the ending that life could sustan and there could be some good people without rules to govern them by.
The scene at the mansion was the most intense film making I've seen maybe ever. I was on the edge of my seat and that was AFTER having read that scene in the book.
The scene at the mansion was the most intense film making I've seen maybe ever. I was on the edge of my seat and that was AFTER having read that scene in the book.
#222
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
It reminded me of Hearts in Atlantis.
It's a movie about a father and son. Doesn't matter that we're not told details about what happened before or after, because it just doesn't matter. And it doesn't ask us to decipher any events. What happens, happens and that's it.
I think.
It's a movie about a father and son. Doesn't matter that we're not told details about what happened before or after, because it just doesn't matter. And it doesn't ask us to decipher any events. What happens, happens and that's it.
I think.
#223
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#224
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
One of movie's most powerful scenes. In fact, I think this might be the only sequence that's actually an improvement over the book. I didn't feel any sympathy for the thief at all in the novel. Heartbreaking to watch in the movie, however.
#225
Re: 'The Road' - Nov. 2008
Just saw this last night. Wow. I certainly was expecting it to be bleak, but I really appreciate how the film stayed focused on the two main characters. To me, the ending simply suggested that the boy was going to try and live by his father' example, be one of "the good guys", and try his best to "carry the fire". I doubt I could ever watch it again, but it was one of the most memorable and honest performances I've seen.
Last edited by dvduser6; 06-15-10 at 04:54 PM.