No love for "Into the Wild" ?

Sounds alot like "My Side of the Mountain".

The movie is about an arrogant idiot and his loser pals. Which would be OK if the movie treated the main character as the fool he was instead of trying to picture him as being noble.

And it's WAY too long in the bargain. Ford, Hawks or Curtiz would'a popped this out as 90 minutes tops. Some of these modern directors should be given scissors for Christmas.

Hmmm. It no longer sounds like "My Side of the Mountain"...

The movie is about a post-adolescent young man who leaves a dysfunctional home to follow his dream. His "loser pals" are simply some folks that, for better or worse, have chosen alternative lifestyles. I doubt most of them think of themselves as losers; it's distressing that some can so cavalierly categorize them.

Penn has provided us with a moving story about an individual that decided to follow his own path unapologetically, showing both the positive and negative impact on those he meets and those who love him. I found Chris McCandless portrayed in some scenes as noble/heroic, in others foolish. Arrogant? I didn't see that. Idiotic? Yes, at times . . . like any young person.

As far as length is concerned: There are some films that are enhanced by a longer and more thoughtful treatment. This is one of them. One of the most affecting films of the past decade . . .

this movie bored me soooooooooooooo much. I'd rather watch sense and sensibility than have to put myself through watching "Into the wild" again.

Ok, minus one in the NF queue... Thanks.

larry

Don't let the heathens sway you, Pooper. This film has a lot going for it; outstanding performances, beautiful vistas, and a remarkable story.

No stuff blowed up, though.

I saw this one as a poor little rich kid denouncing material things a possessions but still using other peoples things and possessions to get where he wanted to go...thought it was odd to have a rifle...anyway I understand what he was trying to do but this movie was long and over-glorified of this kids quest for inner peace and freedom. It reminded of the guy who went to live with the grizzly bears except the kids behavior wasn't as crazy.

It will make it to cable one day. I'll watch it then.

larry

Uh, how about a spoiler alert? Also, it's spelled

Spoiler? Anyone halfway well read knows this story already, this really happened and the book was a bestseller (and a damned good read, much better than this soporific movie). Do we need spoiler alerts to protect the ignorant from reality?

This is like a spoiler alert for the movie Gettysburg, to protect those who don't know the Federals won the battle. Or for Downfall, to protect those who don't know the Allies won World War II. No doubt there are such people around, eagerly awaiting the next Die Hard picture.

The picture is about a selfish, lazy bum who took a powder and left his family hanging with no word. He was the dysfunctional one, not the parents who evidently commited the great sins of working hard, being stoic, providing for his physical needs (a big deal in, oh, let's say Somalia) and---gasp---arguing in front of the kids.

Not all young people are idiotic, many put their nose to the grindstone and get on with the serious business of life.

I'm glad you mastered the affect-effect thing. It gives me fits.

Regards

Sorry, Tom. I don't equate the simple plight of one boy to the significance of events that affected every human on the planet. I'll certainly look in my son's history books and read up on this kid though.

Okay, okay; I overstated my case. Fact remains that this story was in the news and had a bestseller written about it. And knowing what happens in the end isn't a mystery or something the picture is setting you up for; it's not a Hitchcock picture. I assume many of those who saw the picture had read the book.

Don't forget that the rules on spoilers are meant to cover all bases regardless the story, when or where it happened. Some people don't live in the US, never heard of the kid etc. It's basically just a common courtesy towards others here.

larry

Lazy? I don't think so. I doubt it was easier hiking across the country and slogging through the wilderness than simply staying home and mooching off his parents. And I think the selfish categorization might fit if only his parents had been a little less so themselves.

My parents were quite poor during the better part of my upbringing, but they loved each other and their children unconditionally. They worked hard at bringing home what little we had, but never caused us to doubt the fierce love they had for all of us. It had a dramatic effect on my outlook in life, and I wouldn't have traded my upbringing with McCandless' for anything. There's a huge difference between raising a child and simply growing one.

My opinion is that his parents' own self-involvement, stoicism and focus on material things had more to do with his sudden departure than any other influence.


Life need not be serious to be successful. I've never taken mine particularly seriously, yet I have a nice home in a great neighborhood, a loving wife, a good son, and a senior management position in a rapidly growing high-tech consulting company. All achieved primarily by following my own path and doing what's fun.


I really have to think about it to get it right

I dunno. How can one discuss the picture without discussing McCandless's fate? Whatever it's merits this is a serious picture that invites serious discussion. Like I said, this isn't a who-dunit.

Evidently you're having a good time while taking proper things seriously, know what I mean?

As for McCandless I think we might agree that regardless of his motivations or basic character he acted in a very foolish way as is evidenced by his fate. You know he didn't even bring a map? What kind of person enters a wilderness without easily available maps and information? Not Daniel Boone. And had McCandless done so he would've known how to easily walk out of his predicament.

They're called "spoiler tags". Read the sticky at top.

larry

Regarding spoiler tags and the subject of this thread . . .

I've got a trade-paperback copy of Krakauer's book sitting next to me right now. Printed below the title, right on the front cover:



Ironic, isn't it?

I read it Larry. And find it ridiculous to apply it here, to this kind of serious picture. And one in which the story and it's outcome are public record.

But it's not my forum, you make the rules.

I don't recall this event (doesn't mean I didn't at the time) and I definitely didn't read the book (oh, for shame). I've been into mysteries and thrillers for some time, and it is a rare day when I read a fact-based account of anything for reasons I won't go into. Judging from the comments posted here, I'm looking forward to seeing this. And yes, we lazy idiots that didn't read the book or don't remember the event, greatly appreciate the spoiler tags.

^^^ I was about to say the same thing. I have no clue about this guy in the movie (until now). And Aliens, the sig? Come on..

larry

Larry, you have the patience of a saint. Kyser would have came in and kicked some serious AVS ass by now.

If people can't discuss a film without the "bother" of a quick click and drag across a spoiler, then they shouldn't be here, imo. If one reads the thread for The Descent, it's chock full of spoilers, even in regard to various theories that never even happened, almost to the point of insanity. However, it made for loads of fun and left the integrity of the film intact for those that don't buy/rent of day of release or soon thereafter.

Not picking on you or anyone else in particular, Tom. Just stating my opinion.

Spyder my point is that knowing what happens isn't a spoiler because knowing it doesn't spoil anything. It's not like the picture has some kind of a twist or trick ending.

And frankly, those for whom this picture would be "spoiled" by such knowledge are not worth the consideration. There's too much dumbing down as it is, read the "Dumbing of America" by Paul Fussel; interesting, funny too.

Regards

Gee, thanks Tom. What an obnoxious, condescending, and arrogant thing to say...but not surprising. We bow before you.

You needn't bow, in your case a curtsy will do.