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 Into the Wild 

What grade would you give this film?
A 75%  75%  [ 18 ]
B 13%  13%  [ 3 ]
C 8%  8%  [ 2 ]
D 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
F 4%  4%  [ 1 ]
Total votes : 24

 Into the Wild 
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Post Re: Into the Wild
This is one of the best films I've ever scene. Its and honest, emotional, uplifting experience that stays with you log after the movie has ended. Penn has crafted a viusually and emotionally arresting film backed by a strong performance from Hirsch and outstanding cinematography, with Eddie Vedder providing a great soundtrack.
Regardless of your personal views of Penn or McCandless, Into the Wild stands out as a truly exceptional film.

Grade: A

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Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:41 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
hopefully keener scores another nod for this. she's so emotive and fantastic here.

and hal, of course. damn.


Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:58 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Just saw this film last night. I cant stop thinking about it. Its one of those rare films that got better and better as it went on, with each new scene rendering more meaning to the previous ones.

While he may be described as being harsh, stupid or naive - in the end he does grow up - even though its too late. I think its deliberate that the scenes where he interacts with the people he meets along the way are much better (more interesting) than when he is alone. Thats the point of the film really. Even though the wilderness adventure is fun, character building and awe inspiring - its only one part of achieving happiness and not the only way.

Holbrook is indeed fantastic and so too is Keener (as always). Emile Hirsch - great performance for a guy who was in teen films just a few years back.

Extremely good :thumbsup:

Grade: A to A+ (im still pondering)

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Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:27 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Did not like it at all.
Hilariously pretentious, indulgently indulgent ultra crap (relative to the other Oscar contenders). It's an average movie.
C

As for Oscars, it doesn't deserve any nominations with the possible exception of Holbrook. I love Keener as much as the next gay and she is pretty good as well, but her part is too small to legitimately deserve a nod. Emile Hirsch was not good.

Oh, and Sean Penn is a dick.


Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:08 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Finally saw and I see why people love it so much. It truly is an amazing film, very well made and acted. I can see this getting a lot of tech noms.

A-

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Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:41 am
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Jordan Mugen-Honda
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Post Re: Into the Wild
I was pleasantly surprised by this film I must admit. I expected 2 hours of an experience akin to a person admiring their own ass and drowning in rivers of soggy self satisfaction, but ill be damned instead its touch was by and large rather light and enjoyable, (the occasional stabs of melodrama and caricature not withstanding).

Its a curious travelogue more then anything and doesn't glorify the main characters choices while at the same time giving the viewer the ability to make up there own mind on the positive and negative aspects of the path he took. It doesn't hold a candle to those great vignettes you'd get in Michael Palin travelogues where you'd bump into characters and people that are vastly more interesting then this McCandless fella could ever hope to have been, but then its not the lads job to entertain is it.

So yea, decent film with less arse sniffing then i expected.

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Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:19 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Really great movie. Not something that I would call one of the best ever, or even the best of the year, but it's damn good. I didn't have the same connection as others, but it left a lasting impression on me. It's a shame that Emile Hirsche didn't get an Oscar nom. And I was not impressed with Hal Holbrook (at least in terms of getting an Oscar nom), up until that last scene where he says goodbye. Man, that did get me. Way more than anything else in the movie.

Grade: A-

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Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:50 pm
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B


First of all, the movie is a slight improvement over Penn's previous directing job - The Pledge. It also wasn't as glorifying of Chris McCandleless (who I still say was a moron) as I feared so that wasn't really an issue. The movie really takes a more neutral stance here. While it does show what led to Chris' actions, it also does show him accepting himself and maybe even showing remorse at the end. It was all equal by the end.


I would say that the movie's biggest strength is its leading actor who was snubbed for a Best Actor nom (while they have nominated the merely okay Depp for one of his lesser performances). Emile Hirsch has shown promise as a new actor in the past, but he really fullfils it with what will remain one of the biggest roles in his life, no matter what will come in the future. His physical transformation is commendable, but it's also the psychological aspects that he shows, especially in the final 20 minutes of the movie or so that elevate a good performance to a great one. The movie also had an overall good ensemble cast, though. Catherine Keener was decent in her rather short role and I must say that I found the guy who played her husband to be equally good. Hal Holbrook's performance is a tad overated. He was good, yeah, but I've seen many better performances last year. As far as veteran actors go, I felt that Andy Griffith in Waitress outdid him. Not to say that Holbrook was mediocre, he was still good and the scene of him saying goodbye to Chris was quite sad, but he didn't amaze me, probably because I felt that Hirsh still stole the show from everyone else. The most unexpectedly good performance from the ensemble probably came from Vince Vaughns in one of his most unusual roles. I wish he ahd more screentime. Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt were also solid as Chris' parents.


Yet, Into the Wild isn't withouts its flaws. For one, the movie is a bit too long for its own good. 120 minutes would have been enough for this story to be told probably. For another, at times Penn's work still seemed somewhat self-indulgent and borderline pretentious with the whole elaboration of religion and the long wordless nature shots. I also felt that McCandless' parents were portrayed a bit too one-dimensionally. It wasn't al as bad as I feared and my grade is bordering on a B+, so suffice to say that I liked the film. With some better editing (how the hell could it get an Oscar nom for that, but Atonement didn't..?!?!) and less pretentiousness, it'd have been a truy great film, but as it stands, it's still a solid effort by Penn, elevated by its terrific lead.

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Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:05 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Something I got from the film is that I appreciate my relationship with my parents a lot more. I have a great relationship with both of them. I guess some feel a different connection than that (like Loyal).

I also quite liked the scene where William Hurt goes into the street and just sits there, holding the legs of his pants, crying.

A day later, the movie is still really good in my head. And I wasn't bored by it, considering the running time for a film that pretty much centers on one person.

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Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:33 am
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Post Re:
Dr. Lecter wrote:
I would say that the movie's biggest strength is its leading actor who was snubbed for a Best Actor nom (while they have nominated the merely okay Depp for one of his lesser performances). Emile Hirsch has shown promise as a new actor in the past, but he really fullfils it with what will remain one of the biggest roles in his life, no matter what will come in the future. His physical transformation is commendable, but it's also the psychological aspects that he shows, especially in the final 20 minutes of the movie or so that elevate a good performance to a great one. The movie also had an overall good ensemble cast, though. Catherine Keener was decent in her rather short role and I must say that I found the guy who played her husband to be equally good. Hal Holbrook's performance is a tad overated. He was good, yeah, but I've seen many better performances last year. As far as veteran actors go, I felt that Andy Griffith in Waitress outdid him. Not to say that Holbrook was mediocre, he was still good and the scene of him saying goodbye to Chris was quite sad, but he didn't amaze me, probably because I felt that Hirsh still stole the show from everyone else. The most unexpectedly good performance from the ensemble probably came from Vince Vaughns in one of his most unusual roles. I wish he ahd more screentime. Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt were also solid as Chris' parents.


Agree with a lot fo what you said here, especially Vince Vaughn. He did a really great job still being himself (for the most part). I also think Holbrook was overrated UP until that goodbye scene. I still think that deserves the Oscar nomination. Then again, I felt the same of William Hurt's last scene where he goes into the street and just sits there, crying.

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Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:36 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Yeah, that was by far Hurt's best scene.

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Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:49 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Glad to see I wasn't the only one not blown away by Holbrook. Solid senior performance, I didn't think much of it past that. I actually thought that segment just kind of made the movie longer and didn't add much more to his ard than what the Keener clan and Vaughn already did, though it was a well done segment generally.

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Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:48 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Courageous in its story and its storytelling. A


Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:15 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Excellent, excellent film.

I can understand both stances in the argument of whether he was being naive or not, and frankly, it doesn't really matter which way you think, as the film is still great either way you look at it. That's a real accomplishment if a film can do that, I think. Emile Hirsch was snubbed of a nomination - he's fantastic. A moving performance by Hal Holbrook as well. It could have been slightly shorter, but otherwise, loved it.

***½


Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:57 am
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Post Re: Into the Wild
was left feeling meh.


Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:11 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
I was extremely moved by the movie. Its one of the few movies that makes you feel really sad inside especially the powerful ending. I may not agree with Chris' handling of his parent by rebelling but I sort of understand him at that very age(at the very end you parents do care much for you even if you have different beliefs than them). In the end his life affected those around him and he got to do his adventure that he wanted even if it meant having to meet his demise. Definately my favorite movie of last year. Great job by Eddie Vedder with the soundtrack handling

A+


Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:18 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Roid wrote:
I was extremely moved by the movie. Its one of the few movies that makes you feel really sad inside especially the powerful ending. I may not agree with Chris' handling of his parent by rebelling but I sort of understand him at that very age(at the very end you parents do care much for you even if you have different beliefs than them). In the end his life affected those around him and he got to do his adventure that he wanted even if it meant having to meet his demise. Definately my favorite movie of last year. Great job by Eddie Vedder with the soundtrack handling

A+


Yeah thats how I felt too. Its sad and while you dont agree with him you can empathise with him and his situation. I guess we've all felt that way at one time or another. Cant wait to see this again on dvd.

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Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:30 am
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Post Re: Re:
Mr. X wrote:
William Hurt's last scene where he goes into the street and just sits there, crying.


Truly heart-breaking scene.

It's been 4 months now since I watched the film. And I still can't get its famous quote out of my mind. Such a powerful story. :tears:

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Post Re: Re:
JURiNG wrote:
Mr. X wrote:
William Hurt's last scene where he goes into the street and just sits there, crying.


Truly heart-breaking scene.

It's been 4 months now since I watched the film. And I still can't get its famous quote out of my mind. Such a powerful story. :tears:


I thought that scene was just a little bit rushed actually.

I expected to buy in to the story and be moved. I wasn't. Emile Hirsch did a great job, i'll admit, and Hal Holbrook was easily the hightlight for me. But i don't know, it was just about held together by some stand out scenes and great acting at times. It kind of reminded me of Transamerica for some reason.

Pretty to look at i guess, but i expected (and wanted) better B-

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Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:24 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Just watched this and I loved it. Into the Wild, or Ratatouille is certainly my top film of 2007. I wikipedia'ed the real story after seeing this, and its certainly frustrating to read about the circumstances around everything that happened, such as there being a crossing point across the river just half a mile away. It is an excellent film, and even if it took two years, I'm glad to have finally seen it.

A


Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:10 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Saw it about a month ago but never commented.
Absolutely blown away, the directing and some technical features were magnificent, great ensemble cast, definitely one of 2008's sadly overlooked films. Personally I found it to be considerably better than Atonement or Michael Clayton, although they were both great, I think Penn deserved a director nom for this, and Emile Hirsch without a doubt deserved a BA nom.
10/10 (thought of it as a 9.5 but just can't think of any error significant enough to take off half a point for).

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Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:42 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Into the Wild is a superb film with a wonderful, and Oscar-worthy (shame he was robbed of any Oscar recognition) performance from Emile Hirsch. Hirsch is nearly flawless in his time on screen and he makes due with many non-speaking scenes and makes them still a joy to look at. Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, and Hal Holbrook all do a fine job in their supporting roles and makes the entire story that much richer. It's a shame that McCandless decides to do all he does despite his home troubles and not discover some of life's true greats until close to his end. The scenery is spectacular and a beauty to the eyes and Sean Penn's direction is amazing. If it wan't for some faults in the middle of the film, it would of been near flawless. Still its a much watch and a film that was purely robbed from large recognition. ***1/2


Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:23 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
MovieDude wrote:
Well honeslty, I think you completely missed the whole concept of the film. Have a happy life with your normal career, wife, 2.5 kids and retirement home.

I wonder what kind of wild life MovieDude will end up living?





Dr. Lecter wrote:
MovieDude wrote:

There's no way I think anyone will be able to convince you to give this film any kinder of a grade if you really believed that Chris was just a spoiled brat who threw away everything he was given.


In that case, I won't be grading it better either. I know the true story (read up a lot on it when the movie was announced) and all I can say is that I pretty much agree with the assessment above. Many people deicde to go on that kind of "soul-trip", to leave a materialist's life behind, abandon the conventions and whatnot. All the best to them. By all the things I know, not all of them are as stupid, naive and brainless as that Chris guy. He really had no freakin' clue what he was getting into and got his paycheck right at the time.

Re-reading this and the rest of Dr. Lecter's posts in this thread reminds me of how often he acts as an intellectual bully/coward (as always, the two walk hand-in-hand).

He's clearly a smart guy, but too frequently uses his intelligence to attempt to oppress others and/or to try and hide mistakes he himself has made.

I still remain optimistic that he will mature out of what is hopefully just a stage, though sadly he's not shown much progress in the seven years of KJ thus far...


Last edited by Bradley Witherberry on Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:56 am, edited 2 times in total.



Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:43 pm
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Post Re: Into the Wild
Bradley Witherberry wrote:
MovieDude wrote:
Well honeslty, I think you completely missed the whole concept of the film. Have a happy life with your normal career, wife, 2.5 kids and retirement home.

I wonder what kind of wild life MovieDude will end up living?


I'm happy to report that in my brief existence, I have indulged in hitchhiking and backpacking. My college degree will be a double major in Film and Adventure Education. All thanks to Into the Wild romanticizing the bohemian traveler.

That said, I will quickly admit that was a presumptuous comment. I was so swept up in the romantic vistas and msuic that I missed a crucial element of the narrative.


Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:40 pm
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