Movie: The Road

[DaOld Man]

Just watched "The Road" on netflix.
Im not much on writing movie reviews on here, but I did like it.
Was wondering if anyone else has seen it?

[HaRuMaN]

I watched it and liked it, the wife didn't care for it, though.  I want to pick up the book and read it.

[RayB]

It's quite sad, but I loved it.

[garnerb350]

Great movie, but dude i was ready to kill myself afterwards...as time progressed throughout the movie...it just became worse and worse for the characters...Me and a buddy of mine looked at each other and contemplated suicide...

[DaOld Man]

It makes you think.
A friend that i work with and I often discuss what it would be like if governments broke down due to a global nuclear war or whatever. We both agreed that gold would probably be the thing to have, since money would be pretty useless.
But after watching this movie, i think the thing to have would be food, and lots of weapons and ammo.
Anything else would be worthless.

[wp34]

It makes you think.
A friend that i work with and I often discuss what it would be like if governments broke down due to a global nuclear war or whatever. We both agreed that gold would probably be the thing to have, since money would be pretty useless.
But after watching this movie, i think the thing to have would be food, and lots of weapons and ammo.
Anything else would be worthless.

If you like post-apocalyptic stories you might like the "Dies The Fire" series of books from SM Stirling.

http://www.smstirling.com/

The books take place after an "Event" that not only takes away our technology but also gun powder and combustion.  Makes for a real interesting scenario.

[Paladin]

Try Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.  It's about a comet collision with the earth.  I read it over 20 years ago so I can't say how well it holds up today, but it sure slapped me upside the head back then.

[BobA]

Movie was good but it was very depressing overall.   Don't watch it if you are feeling down.

[leapinlew]

Movie was good but it was very depressing overall.   Don't watch it if you are feeling down.

You can watch it if you're feeling too good and need a downer. If you watch it if you are feeling down, be sure to put away all sharp objects, rope, pills, guns and stay away from tall buildings for a while.

[Howard_Casto]

I enjoyed this film quite a bit.  Most post-apocalyptic films are basically glorified rip-offs of The Road Warrior, but this one goes in a frighteningly realistic direction.  It's extremely depressing and doesn't even have that uplifting hollywood ending to counter-balance it.  I think it's one of those films that everyone should see, but don't expect a good time to be had by all.

[Dartful Dodger]

It's extremely depressing and doesn't even have that uplifting hollywood ending to counter-balance it.

I think you missed the last 5 minutes of the movie.

At first I thought it was a trick or the kid was imagining it, but no, it had a typical happily(as happy as you can get in that world) ever after ending.

[Ginsu Victim]

It could have used a few more light-hearted moments, but overall it was a nicely done film. It's nothing I'll ever watch again, but I'm glad I saw it. Some movies don't really necessitate repeat viewings.

[Howard_Casto]

It's extremely depressing and doesn't even have that uplifting hollywood ending to counter-balance it.

I think you missed the last 5 minutes of the movie.

At first I thought it was a trick or the kid was imagining it, but no, it had a typical happily(as happy as you can get in that world) ever after ending.

Nope... that was NOT a happy ending.  If you think it is then you are obviously ignoring the fact (without giving too much away) that people are still starving to death and the goal that was set in the beginning was not reached.  If anything it's maybe one step above the worst possible ending.

[RayB]

Nope... that was NOT a happy ending.  If you think it is then you are obviously ignoring the fact (without giving too much away) that people are still starving to death and the goal that was set in the beginning was not reached.  If anything it's maybe one step above the worst possible ending.

Or a step sides ways really.

He just lost his dad! OK, there are complete strangers to take care of him now, but HE JUST LOST HIS DAD. And life still sucks.

[Dartful Dodger]

For 2 hours we are subjected to world where people are starving and nobody has kids.  The father was coughing up blood throughout the whole movie knowing his son will be dead as soon as he dies.

In the last 5 minute of the movie the dad dies on the beach and a friendly family with kids his own age AND A DOG take the son in.

[DaOld Man]

The family said they were following them, remember when the man and boy were in the underground shelter, they heard a dog.
The man was so paranoid about people following them that I think the family was afraid to show themselves, until the man passed.
And being it was a family the boy needed, I think it did have a happy ending, although a grim one at that.
Im not used to seeing movies with such twists, but I liked it.
Wouldnt it be terrible if that really came to pass?

[boykster]

Are you sure they weren't just waiting for the dad to die so they could approach the kid kindly to gain his trust, and now they'll butcher him and eat him or feed him to the dog?

I agree with Howard C - it was a very well done post-apocalyptic movie that didn't focus on the Road Warrior type paradigm, but rather the harsh realities of survival in a world without fresh food, water, power, or even plants.  I thought the kid was a annoying (purposeful) and would think that by this time having lived his entire life in this horrible environment that he would have hardened the ---fudgesicle--- up, but otherwise I really enjoyed the movie

[Ginsu Victim]

The fact that they had a dog and didn't eat it seems to mean that the kid will be in safe hands.

[DaOld Man]

Good point.

[danny_galaga]

Yeah, I watched it when it on the big screen. Had to search for my review (",)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100040.0

And, definitely (in the context of the situation) a happy ending


Notice that the southward journey slowly brings signs of life? Been a while now, but don't they see a live insect late in the movie? Little signs that say 'the whole world isn't necessarily like this. Bit like in '28 days later'. If you are an individual in a dire situation, with no means of outside communication, the whole world seems to be in the same predicament. Both movies say 'your tunnel vision paints a grim picture, but look further and there is hope'. neither movie hammers that home, which I'm glad about

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - The Kings Speech, Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me, Watchmen, The girl with the dragon tattoo

  4/5 - Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[DaOld Man]

Thanks danny, you know I did search for this before posting, just to make sure I didnt miss a previous post, but my search must have been off, because I found nothing.
I just read your review, and even saw that I commented in it!
I honestly had not watched the movie until now.
But I completely forgot about your review.
Now, where did I leave my reading glasses and my cough medicine?

[danny_galaga]

Thanks danny, you know I did search for this before posting, just to make sure I didnt miss a previous post, but my search must have been off, because I found nothing.
I just read your review, and even saw that I commented in it!
I honestly had not watched the movie until now.
But I completely forgot about your review.
Now, where did I leave my reading glasses and my cough medicine?

Hehe. I did the same with Tron. I actually searched for a review, and only found threads started ages ago. but it turned out one thread had been resurrected...

[Funnel]

Saw this movie today. I like it though it has a dark storyline, it isn't THAT depressing. On a side note, cannibals and post-apocalyptic world FTW!! Thank you for starting this thread DaOld Man!