xfearbefore's Movie Reviews

[X]

Well, I've been on a movie-watching binge for the last few days (even more so then usual), and I've come to realize that the movie ratings in my signature become pretty meaningless when they're gone in the Last 5 as quickly as they come.

So I decided to start my own review thread. I hope I'm not being presumptuous in saying this, but I know some of you actually do care about my opinion on certain films. Whether you agree (JMT usually), or disagree (Sam), I figured this would be the best place to let everyone know my opinion on certain films.

So, without further ado, on to the first film (and the one I've just finished watching).

Slither

Plot: A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.

Director: James Gunn
Writer: James Gunn
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker, Gregg Henry, Jenna Fischer
Year: 2006

Well now! We're gettin' things kicked off at full throttle with one of the funnest horror-comedies I've seen in years, if not ever. An alien seed/meteorite crashes into a stereotypically redneck community somewhere in the South (most likely Texas), sporing into Michael Rooker and setting off an invasion of these slug-like aliens that all share the same conciousness apparently.

If you're not a fan off horror, or like your horror and your comedy seperate, then this is not a film for you. Those of you who do enjoy those things (such as myself), well this film will undoubtedly become an insant midnight-movie classic along the likes of Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Night of the Creeps. There's plenty of gore here for you bloodhounds (but in a more lighthearted, slapstick kind of way if that makes sense) as limbs and heads are blown off, alien monsters explode and slimy tentacles destroy and pillage countless victims (one poor bastard is literally cut in half in the blink of an eye). With all of the humor thrown in though, it really evens out into a great and incredibly fun film to watch. Definately something to watch with the boys (or girls).

This is James Gunn's directorial debut after writing scripts for such films as the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake and the Troma B-movie classic Tromeo and Juliet, and he has shown great promise here as a truly humorous and fun horror director, something the genre desperately needs in the face of run-of-the-mill torture porn films like the countless awful Saw sequels.

All in all, great film. The only reason it isn't rated higher is because it's very light fare and might not stand up to multiple re-viewings. Don't let the moderate score fool you though, it's a great one. Highly recommended for fans of horror, horror-comedy, and anyone looking for a hell of a way to kill an hour and a half on a dark and creepy night.

Rating: 3.5/5
(Or 7/10 for Jake and his damn 10 scale. The Jake Scale it shall be known as from now on)
​

Feel free to tell me what you think guys; am I spot on or dead wrong? Feedback is encouraged! I fully expect to be updating this thing daily, possibly more then once a day.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

If you're going to give .5 ratings then wouldn't it be better to do an out of 10 rating? It'll be easier on the fingers in the long run. I'm only thinking of you, xfear.

I saw Slither, what, about three 4 yeasr ago. I'd gone out on the Friday night, or was it Saturday, I can't remember. Anyway, I'd bought it the day before, on the Saturday I was hungover and I can only assume I'd just finished watching Smackdown. My girl was smaller, or smaller than she is now. We watched it together. She didn't find it scary, I didn't find it funny. I enjoyed it, how could I not, Micael Rooker is in it. Without curly hair, but you can't have everything. I think there was a nipple as well. That'll alwasy improve a film in my eyes.

A look at your cast lists say Elizabeth Banks, now it's all coming back to me. Actually, it's not. But I like Elizabeth Banks so I'm might watch Slither later. It's in my ''S'' section in the DVD room, dontcha know.

Not watched it since, it wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be. But neither was Laura Routlidge. I still enjoyed it.

6/10

 

[48.7 is Approximately 49 Times Better Than You]

Toy Soldiers is already out of your signature, but I watched it due to the rating you gave it. I believe you gave it four out of five stars. I'll have you know, I was greatly entertained. Poor Joey, though. If only he could have aimed a little bit better.

I'm not much into horror movies, but if I see Slither on Comcast OnDemand, I may watch it. I do like comedy and explosions, after all.

Edit: Apparently, JMT was the one with Toy Soldiers in his sig. Sorry, X.

 

[X]

Sorry no reviews yesterday everyone, I was busy celebrating a friend's return from Iraq and drunkensly requesting Eva Angelina pictures all night in the Bar Room

Here's a forgotten classic from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock.

Rope

Plot: Two young men strangle their "inferior" classmate, hide his body in their apartment, and invite his friends and family to a dinner party as a means to challenge the "perfection" of their crime.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Patrick Hamilton (Play), Hume Cronyn (Adaptation), Arthur Laurents (Screenplay)
Starring: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Joan Chandler
Year: 1948

There's not much left for one to say about the achievements of Alfred Hitchcock. Easily the most prolific and respected director of all time, you'd need atleast a third hand to count on each finger all of his classic films. Unfortunately though the popularity of films like Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window has overshadowed many of Hitchcock's lesser known films in the passing decades since his death. This is a damn shame, because it turns an amazing film such as this one into a forgotten gem.

Adapted from the popular stage play, Rope is both a technical and philosophical achievement that ranks up there with many of Hitchcock's other classic films. The film is more then just a murder/suspense film, it's a meditation on what exactly drives a man to kill, and the justification of it in the eyes of the murderers.

The two murderers/main characters are completely different people. Where Brandon (Dall) is egotistical and confident in his belief that he is a truly superior human being, Phillip (Granger) is nervous, unsure of himself and easily manipulated by Brandon. The acting from both Dall and Granger is top notch stuff, with Dall specifically shining as the cunning "mastermind" of the murder.

James Stewart is his usual amazing self (the man could literally do nothing wrong in my eyes) as a former professor of the two men, and a strange sort of inspiration for the murder itself. It's obvious that Brandon in particular idolizes Stewart's character, taking a conversation the three of them had years prior about Nietzsche's "Übermensch" (or Supermen) and the so called art of murder as a tool to express superiority as inspiration for the killing.

The entire film takes place in one room, and yet it never bores you. You're gripped into this story from the opening murder to the ending credits. Rather short even by the standards of the time, the film clocks in at 80 minutes and is required viewing for anyone who considers themselves a fan of Hitchcock. His direction is top-notch as always, specifically a sequence in which Hitchcock and the camera take us around the apartment as James Stewart describes how he would murder someone and how he would get away with it. The finale of the film in which Stewart calmly walks around the apartment, trying to coax a confession out of the two is a textbook example of how to build a suspense.

Many philosophical questions are raised in this film on the subject of murder and superiority. Another interesting point to the film is the relationship between the two killers, and how relevent it is even today. They reminded me very much of the case of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the two boys responsible for the Columbine shootings. One was brash and angry, nearly nihilistic, while the other was timid, weak-willed, hurt and confused, easily manipulated.

Can murder be justifiable? Are some lifeforms truly superior to others? Is murder technically an art form? You'll be pondering these questions for days after viewing this great film.

Rating: 4/5
(Or 8/10 on the Jake Scale]
​

I'm not sure if I should expect many responses to a film released in 1948, but I'm really looking forward to any feedback or opinions on the film anyone has. If you haven't seen it and are a fan of Hitchcock or the suspense genre in general, go rent/buy yourself a copy of this film ASAP!

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Probably my favorite Hitchcock film. Yeah, you didn't know that one did ya! Lacking the boob of Frenzy, but you can't have everything. It's short isn't it? Like just over an hour. It'd make a great stage play. You might've added that to your review. I wouldn't know, didn't read it. Anyway, I want that apartment.

 

[X]

Probably my favorite Hitchcock film. Yeah, you didn't know that one did ya! Lacking the boob of Frenzy, but you can't have everything. It's short isn't it? Like just over an hour. It'd make a great stage play. You might've added that to your review. I wouldn't know, didn't read it. Anyway, I want that apartment.

It was actually adapted from a 1929 stage play by Patrick Hamilton of the same name. The film is a bit different though, as Hitchcock added a few new characters and changed the age of others, while also changing all of the names and updating the setting from 1920's London to 1940's New York.

The film is loosely based on the very famous Leopold and Loeb murder case. The setting/people/ages have been changed a bit in the play, but the basic story and the theme of the "art of murder" are taken directly from the real life case. Which actually makes the film a bit more disturbing if you ask me.

Coming up later...Starship Troopers review. Yep, another cheesy movie. It's the 4th of July, what do you want? I plan on watching Jaws later as well, classic summer flick that goes well on a day like today.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Anybody that calls Starship Troopers cheesy is missing the point. It's like calling Titanic "moving" or "James Cameron's best movie" or something like that. ST is a parody of war films and fascism that's more than enough of its own movie. Kinda like Scream.

 

[X]

Anybody that calls Starship Troopers cheesy is missing the point. It's like calling Titanic "moving" or "James Cameron's best movie" or something like that. ST is a parody of war films and fascism that's more than enough of its own movie. Kinda like Scream.

I'm not missing the point Sam, and when you read my review you'll see just that. But it is pretty cheesy at certain points. Let's not give Verhoeven too much credit here, while the satire of the film is fantastic, there are several moments where it's obvious that Verhoeven just wants to make a sci-fi war movie (which he suceeds admirably at). But I agree totally that it works perfectly as a satire of fascism and militarism, I mean by god the film has it's own propaganda film sequences!

I really, really love Starship Troopers though Sam, and I'm going to give it a good rating. Review coming up shortly.

 

[X]

Starship Troopers

Plot: Humans of a fascistic, militaristic future do battle with giant alien bugs in a fight for survival.

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Writers: Robert A. Heinlen (Novel), Edward Neumeier (Screenplay)
Starring: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Ironside
Year: 1997

Can you say "underrated"? Unfairly labeled as nothing more then Sci-Fi exploitation trash, this film is far more deep and thought-provoking than most critics and viewers give it credit.

First off, let me just say that if you're a fan of the novel by Robert A. Heinlan (great book), but you've never seen the movie...do NOT expect a faithful adaptation. The movie is basically nothing at all like the book, with slews of new characters and new plotlines created for the movie that had nothing to do with the book. This however doesn't have to be a bad thing always, and this film is a prime case of that.

Where the novel was bleak and poignant, the film is both an in-your-face parody of war and Sci-Fi films, and a biting satire of the rise of fascism and militarism. From Michael Ironside teaching his students in the class room that violence is the "ultimate power" from which all other power is derived, to the blatantly Nazi-esque uniforms that the intelligence officers wear, it's hard to believe how very few people understood this was a satire at heart.

The acting can be very wooden at times, but in a way it's actually helpful to the film. Like Southland Tales, another gravely misunderstood film, the actors in the film are supposed to be wooden. They're the perfect war-movie cliches, from the quickly rising hero (Van Dien) to the motor-mouthed wiseass (Jake Busey) to that one overzealous guy who decides he can single-handedly defeat an entire race of bugs. Dina Meyer is actually pretty decent at times though, and Michael Ironside is ALWAYS fun to watch, regardless of what he's in. And did I mention the film includes Neil Patrick Harris? That wins points immediately. Plus this is probably the only film you'll ever watch with Jake Busey in it in which you don't want to claw your eyes out every second he's on the screen (I loved his character in the film as a kid, so much so that I wanted my friends from then on to refer to me as "Ace" in honor of his character. They laughed at me and I was never called Ace again)

Another thing worth mentioning are the designs of the alien insects, which are all absolutely fantastic. They look 100% real, and like living, breathing organisms and not computer-generated pixels. The "brain bug" in particular is wonderfully designed.

In the end, there's something for everybody in this film. If you want to take it on face value alone as a chessy sci-fi action romp, you'll no doubt have a great time watching it. If you're looking for something deeper though, this is also a film for you. Upon closer inspection, you'll realize that the human's are not the heroes in the story, but are in fact the invaders encroaching upon space that isn't theirs.

Definately give this one a try if you never have. Maybe you won't pick up on all of the subtle fascistic hints here and there, but it will be virtually impossible for you to not alteast enjoy yourself watching this film. I've seen it probably 20 times since I was a kid and it never gets old.

Rating: 4/5
(Or 8/10 on the Jake Scale)​

 

[Uncle Sam]

Superb film. One of my all-time favourites. One of my favourite parts comes at the very end. "It's afraid... it's afraid!!" Yeah, fucking epic film.

Oh, and also "If you disable the enemy's hand, he cannot push a button."

 

[X]

Superb film. One of my all-time favourites. One of my favourite parts comes at the very end. "It's afraid... it's afraid!!" Yeah, fucking epic film.

Oh, and also "If you disable the enemy's hand, he cannot push a button."

Yeah the film is just full of awesome quotes like the two you mentioned. Another great one is the obvious "You want to live forever?!"

Well, maybe not forever, but getting past 18 might be nice Sarge. Death by giant insect aliens isn't high on my list of to-do's.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jaws

Plot: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Peter Benchley (Novel), Peter Benchley & Carl Gottlieb (Screenplay)
Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
Year: 1975

I was feeling the whole summer and 4th of July theme, and decided to watch Jaws today, one of my favorite films ever, and probably the greatest summer blockbuster of 'em all.

What's there really to say about a film like Jaws? It's all been said before. Odds are you'd have to be living under a rock to have never seen, or at the very least hear about this film. It's a part of American pop culture, and the film that kickstarted Steven Spielberg's career forever and turned him into the biggest Director in Hollywood of the last 30+ years.

Everyone knows the story: giant shark turns a New England beach town into a buffet line. It's a simple story, and that's all it needs to be. You can put away your film-critic goggles, because anyone with a pair of working eyes and a functioning brain can and will enjoy Jaws.

From star to finish this film is a thrill ride. Quite frankly this must have been my 30th or so viewing of Jaws, as it was a staple of my childhood (my friends and I always played a "Jaws" game together when we were kids; I was always Richard Dreyfuss, hell yeah ). And even after so many viewings, the opening of the film still manages to disturb me.

When the girl at the beginning of the film is attacked, it's terrifying. People forget that this is a straight-up horror film sometimes. The way her shrill screams are heard by no one as she frantically splashes about in the water, praying to God, gets to me every time.

The acting in the film is of course flawless. Roy Scheider has always been a criminally underrated actor in Hollywood, and this is of course his signature role. A young Richard Dreyfuss always steals the show for me here, showing off that great delivery and attitude that has made him such a great actor over the course of his career. The man that really doesn't get the credit he deserves though is Robert Shaw, who is just captivating to say the least. One minute he's got that look in his eyes like he could kill you at any minute for lookin' at him wrong, the next he looks like the kind of guy you could have a beer or seven with at a bar. His unfortunate fate at the end of the film gets to me every time, how disturbing it must be from his point of view to be ATEN ALIVE. It's even more disturbing considering the story he tells earlier in the boat about his ship during WW2 sinking in shark-infested waters. Almost as though fate had caught up with him after all of these years.

One scene in particular I've always absolutely loved is when the three of them are drunkenly singing the sea shanty "Show Me the Way to Go Home" in the boat while waiting for the shark. An absolute classic movie moment.

The special effects, considering this film was released in 1975, still hold up today after all of these years. The shark still looks just as real and frightening as it did to audiences in 1975.

The score is obviously fantastic, and anyone who's ever turned on a television during their lifetime has probably heard it in some form. It doesn't take away from just how great of a score it is, still as suspenseful as it ever was.

Really there isn't a bad thing one can say about the film. It's the definition of what a perfect movie is in my book. Spielberg crafted one of the greatest cinema-going experiences of all time with Jaws, and even after all of the great work he has made after (and before), this might still be his best film to date.

Random sidenote: The movie was filmed in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., a place that I visited several times as a kid. Pretty cool walking around Amity and hanging out on the beaches from Jaws.

Rating: 5/5
(Or 10/10 on the Jake Scale)​

 

[Uncle Sam]

One of the greatest films ever, in my humble opinion. It's the only film that still has the power to scare me, even though I've seen it dozens of times. It must be because I really, really don't fancy the idea of getting munched up by a massive shark.

Unfortunately, it's beaten out by its superior sequel, Jaws 2. With a good head on, you'll see that the further sequels are also almost as good.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

xfear, you could be one of the only Americans who get's the joke that is Starship Troopers. Apparently Verhoeven is trying to get another, big budget, version made.

Jaws is awesome, but I ask you this, is it really as good as Deep Blue Sea? The answer is an emphatic no.

 

[X]

One of the greatest films ever, in my humble opinion. It's the only film that still has the power to scare me, even though I've seen it dozens of times. It must be because I really, really don't fancy the idea of getting munched up by a massive shark.

See? Me and you don't have to disagree on movies always, it appears we actually have pretty similiar taste. Jaws is definately one of my all time favorites as well, and has been a staple of my movie-watching habits since I was about 5 years old. I remember being in a daycare center at that age and they for some reason unbeknownst to me allowed me to bring in Jaws and play it for everyone. Needless to say, we had a room full of frightened children, while me and my circle of friends hooped and hollered it up.

I too noticed how frightening it still is after all of these viewings. When Quint gets eaten by the shark at the ending it still disturbs the hell out of me. Just the terror in his eyes, how he realizes that he's about to be aten alive and the sounds of his bones crunching always gets to me.

Unfortunately, it's beaten out by its superior sequel, Jaws 2. With a good head on, you'll see that the further sequels are also almost as good.

Obviously, duh. Jaws 4 is after all the greatest film ever made.

xfear, you could be one of the only Americans who get's the joke that is Starship Troopers. Apparently Verhoeven is trying to get another, big budget, version made.

That would be awesome if he did. Verhoeven gets too much shit just because of that bomb that was Showgirls. Robocop was great. The direct-to-DVD sequel to Starship was awful, but the 3rd one they made was actually pretty decently good, kept alot of the spirit of the first one. It has Casper back.

Jaws is awesome, but I ask you this, is it really as good as Deep Blue Sea? The answer is an emphatic no.

Once again, you've got me there. Can't argue against Deep Blue Sea.

 

[jmt225]

Well, first off... the pecking order is as follows:

Shark Attack 3 > Jaws > Deep Blue Sea.

FACT.

Anyway, I remember the first time I watched Jaws. I was 5, it was the first time a friend of mine from school spent the night, and myself, my mom, and him stayed up to around 2 in the morning watching that movie. It was perhaps the first horror film (if Jaws can be classified as such) I remember ever seeing.

So, yeah... that film holds some good memories for me. And while I don't love it as much as I did as a kid, the film definitely still holds up today. It's no where near being my favorite Spielberg picture or anything like that, but I can still put Jaws on today and enjoy it to the utmost.

 

[X]

Well, first off... the pecking order is as follows:

Shark Attack 3 > Jaws > Deep Blue Sea.

FACT.

This is the truth. These two clips pretty much prove that:

(Fuck, WHY do people disbale embedding? Jerkfaces) Heres the link to the greatest single line of dialogue in the history of motion pictures: CLICK HERE FOR CINEMATIC GOLD


[youtube]1nzd0R_OeOc[/youtube]​

With obscenely good dialogue and special effects like those, how can anyone even argue?

Anyway, I remember the first time I watched Jaws. I was 5, it was the first time a friend of mine from school spent the night, and myself, my mom, and him stayed up to around 2 in the morning watching that movie. It was perhaps the first horror film (if Jaws can be classified as such) I remember ever seeing.

I'd say Jaws is definately a horror film (it's always been classified as such to my knowledge). I mean, it's about a giant shark eating women and children (with a man thrown in here and there for good measure), if that plot doesn't describe a horror film, I'm not sure what does.

 

[Nate DaMac]

I love this thread. I must admit, Jaws is the only movie I have ever seen on the list, but the reviews you have given have given me the urge to check the others out. A couple suggestions. I think it could be fun if you did a film yot didn't like. At the very least it could generate some discussion. Also it would benefit me if you did a movie from this decade. I smoke a LOT of marijuana and I can't remember anything prior to the 8th grade. Keep it up man. Good reads.

 

[X]

Hamlet 2

Plot: A failed actor turned High School drama teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Director: Andrew Fleming
Writers: Pam Brady, Andrew Fleming
Starring: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Amy Poehler
Year: 2008

First off let me just say that I did not have very high hopes for this film. Whoever came up with the advertising campaign for the film is an idiot, as the trailers made it look like a film with maybe one or two decent jokes here or there, and not the wonderfully offensive film that it truly is.

The story is rather basic. Steve Coogan, he of 24 Hour Party People fame (amazing film, if you haven't seen it, stop reading and find a copy right now) is a failed former actor turned high school drama teacher. His drama class only has two students, a stuck up Catholic girl and a clearly homosexual theater nerd. Together they put on awful renditions of Hollywood films for their theater department (Erin Brokovich among others). After a slew of bad reviews (from which Coogan feels as though he has been raped "in the face") and the threat of the theater department being shut down for good, he decides it's time for a truly original piece of work to save the theater.

First off, let me just heap some praise onto the great Steve Coogan. I'm sure you Brits are aware of the man, and I've loved him for years. He's got amazing range (he's quite good as a dramatic actor) but he's always at his best when he's doing comedic work, and he absolutely shines through out the entire film. The way he delivers lines always makes them about ten times more humorous than if someone else had said them (a specific gem is when Coogan, in the pain of writer's block, calmy looks over at his cat on his desk and says "What the fuck is your problem man?" in a tone of voice that had me crying with laughter).

Catherine Keener is also very funny in the short amount of time she's given in the film, and David Arquette has possibly one line in the entire film unfortunately ("I left you a protein shake in the fridge...it's strawberry" he tells Coogan after stealing his wife) and Amy Poehler makes a brief but typically funny appearance as an ACLU lawyer.

I wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did during this film, but I found myself in an almost constant state of laughter. Most comedies I watch have me chuckling here and there a few times, but there were literally dozens of jokes that were hit out of the ballpark in this film. One of the more hilarious scenes involves Coogan, who's been sober for years, having his Mango Iced Tea ("It's like my kryptonite!") spiked with LSD and waking up the next morning in the desert on a couch without his pants being risen by the police. These kids aren't exactly out of the Facts of Life.

The film is written by Pam Brady, best known for her work with Matt Stone & Trey Parker on South Park and Team America, and she's clearly a gifted comedic writer.

Really not a bad thing I can say about this film, when we finally get to the big musical is delivers and delivers BIG TIME in a story involving Hamlet, Jesus, a time machine, the President of the United States & Satan making out, and an homage to 50's musicals to a tune called "Rock Me Sexy Jesus". Needless to say, hilarious stuff here.

The only reason I'm not giving this film a higher mark is because I generally always rate comedies lower than I do other films. But let it be known, you won't be disappointed with this film if you've got a twisted sense of humor like so many of us do. Check it out when you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.

Rating: 3.5/5
(Or 7/10 on the Jake Scale)​

Oh and thanks for the feedback Nate, always appreciate it. I watched the movie Demolition Man the other day and considering how bad of a movie that is, I could do a review for it. Demolition Man has some great one-liners though ("Dahmer?! I love that guy!") so I'll try to find a movie that I really dislike to review sometime soon for ya.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Not seen it, I hear it's shit. I'll buy it when it's 3 for £20 in HMV. Or sooner if it comes with a cardboard case.

Steve Coogan, yeah, same in every film isn't he. He's a bit like Shia LaBeouf in that way. 24 Hour Party People is great, I'd give that a 7/10 on the Jake scale as well.

Coogan is also in Night Of The Museum 1 & 2. Two enjoyable films, nothing more. What's sad is that people of my age had The Goonies, Lost Boys & Highlander as film from their childhood. My daughter has Night Of The Museum & Hostel. I know people say it's wrong to let a 6 year old watch Hostel. She was four when she saw it, so there.

 

[SavageTaker]

I saw Hamlet 2 a few months ago and I completely disliked it. I didn't dislike it enough for me to say I hate it, because I didn't hate it. It got a couple of chuckles out of me, but that's all it got from me. Maybe, it could be that I didn't understand some of the jokes/parts and that's why I didn't find the film to be that funny. I’m sure the film would have been more enjoyable and a little more funny if I understood and got some of the things happening, but to be honest it probably wouldn’t have been enough for me to say I liked the film.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Xfear, you may be interested to know that Psychoville paid homage to Rope last night.

I know what you'll say; what's Psychoville? I don't have time to explain. You'll just have to trust me on this.

 

[X]

Anything that pays homage to Rope is good in my book Sam.

Into the Wild

Plot: The true story of top student and athlete Christopher McCandless who abandoned his possessions, and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life. Based on the popular book by Jon Krakauer.

Director: Sean Penn
Writers: Jon Krakauer (Book), Sean Penn (Screenplay)
Starring: Emile Hirsch, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Jena Malone, Hal Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart
Year: 2007

First off: Do NOT read this review if you don't know the fate of Christopher McCandless. I'm not going to go into every detail of the film and spoil it for you, but I will mention his ultimate fate a few times. You've been warned.

Well after constant nagging from JMT, I finally got around to watching this film yesterday, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is not only one of the best films of 2007, but one of the best films of the entire decade.

Where to start? I suppose we'll start with the actual story of Christopher McCandless (or as he comes to rename himself, "Alexander Supertramp"), which is a true one. After graduating with top marks from Emory University, Chris has grown tired of what he sees as the petty materialism that dominates American culture and life. He had a brute for a father as a child, which can be seen as one of the major reasons for McCandless' growing disdain for American culture and specifically the materialistic ME generation that his father comes from. A good example of this is seen early on, when Chris' father wants to give him a brand new car in celebration of his graduation from college. Chris is disgusted by this, and says he doesn't need or want a new car (the only time I've ever heard someone defend a Datsun ).

From here Chris gives away his life's savings, burns his social security card and birth certificate, and begins traveling West. I won't go entirely into the plot of the film, but his journey takes him all across the west coast of the US, down to Mexico, and eventually all the way up to Alaska. Along the way he meets many interesting characters and kindred spirits.

The acting in the film is top notch. Emile Hirsch has been quickly building a reputation as one of the premier young actors working today, and for good reason. In his journey he starts off as an idealistic young man, and along the way meets remarkable highs and devastating lows. Hirsch's range is remarkable, being able to make you laugh out loud with him as he has a conversation with an apple (Super-apple!), and than have you in tears as he realizes he may be out of his league in the wilderness.

Everyone else is at the top of their game here as well. William Hurt plays against type as the downright unlikable father, prone to violence and obsessed with money, yet he still manages to evoke sympathy for him from the viewer. Truly a testament to Hurt's skill as an actor. Marcia Gay Harden is also very good in the limited time we see her as the frustrated mother. Catherine Keener as well is very good in her short time, as a representation of what the future may have held for Christopher had he not met his tragic fate. It would have been great if we could have seen more of Jena Malone, who helps narrate the film as Chris's sister. Hal Holbrook is definitely worth mentioning as well as an old man who Chris helps to see life in a new way, bringing happiness to the man that he hasn't felt in years. There are great small parts throughout the film, with Vince Vaughn and Kristen Stewart both worth mentioning. Vaughn in particular really surprised me with his depth here, showing that he's able to do more than talk fast and drink beer like in most of his comedic rules. An Stewart is just simply beautiful in this film. Not really a valid thing to bring up, but it's true. She was just absolutely stunningly gorgeous in this film.

The message this film sends is one that I can definitely identify with. I myself spent nearly a year traveling through Europe after High School, living in squats, eating at free Vegan kitchens, and generally living without any possessions. But that's nothing compared to what Chris did. I wish I could have had enough will and courage to follow in his footsteps and retreat to nature. In fact, it's something that I have been considering doing since I first read Jack Kerouac's "The Dharma Bums" and Thoreau's "Walden" for the first time nearly a decade ago. The neo-transcendentalist ideals that Chris holds are ones that I've always wanted to follow, but have always been too lazy to do so. One day, I plan to do as Chris did, and retreat to nature and live off of the land, without the mess of technology that dominates our lives now more so than ever.

Two more things worth mentioning are the score, which is almost entirely by Eddie Vedder (with Canned Heat's "Going Up the Country", the essential hippie anthem, putting the film into perspective) and is downright amazing. At some points uplifting, at others harrowing, the music is great through out and I immediately downloaded the soundtrack after viewing the film.

And finally, Sean Penn. Everyone knows his talent as an actor, but his talent as a director is quickly skyrocketing. He's already established himself as a director with films like The Crossing Guard and The Pledge, but with Into the Wild he catapults himself into one of the elite directors today. He was certainly robbed of an Oscar if you ask me.

Overall, I can't recommend this film enough to everyone. It's one of the most touching and yet inspiring films I've ever seen, it will make you want to burn your own money, smash your laptop and run barefoot into the jungle to wade in the beauty of nature that surrounds us every day. It's rare that a film makes you stop and look at your own life and want to make a change, and any film that manages to evoke that kind of reaction has succeeded on every level that a film can.

See this film. Immediately.

Rating: 5/5
(Or 10/10 on the Jake Scale)

(Review coming soon for Darren Aronofsky's "Pi")​

 

[JenovasWitness]

I definitely agree with your review of Into the Wild.

There were just moments in this movie that made me stop and say, what in the fuck am I doing with my life? Others were just so beautifully shot it made me want to pack my things and go on a road trip to where Sean Penn made that scene.

I also procured the soundtrack, but I think I did it as soon as I heard the chorus to "Hard Sun" near the beginning of the movie. I still love that song and blast it in my truck wherever I'm going.

GREAT movie.

 

[jmt225]

Xfear, and I truly mean this. It's not me kissing your ass or anything, but honestly... I've read nearly every single review of Into the Wild, and that is without a doubt the best one I've ever read. Fantastic job, my friend. And it's always great to learn new shit about you because you've seemed to lead a very, very interesting life.

Anyway, of course... I could not agree more with your thoughts on the film. You nailed everything there is to nail, and there's nothing I can add to it to be honest. Terrific review, man, really.

 

[SavageTaker]

Great Job with the reviews, X. Keep it up!

Into the Wild was a great movie and I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It was definitely one of my favorites from 2007. I don’t think I could really find something that bothered me or I didn’t like in the movie, because if I did I would be lying to you. I honestly just liked everything about it. The story was great and the acting was like you said top notch.

Like I said, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. Very good movie that most would enjoy.