The Road

[CeeKay]

a post apocalyptic trip from the autor of 'No Country for Old Men'.  it looks to be better, and may have an actual ending 

[PR_GMR]

Not sure about this one. It got bumped forward a whole year. It was pretty much ready for release last fall, but they held back because there were too many 'award contenders' on the screens. The hopeful thing about this one is that it's directed by John Hillcoat, who directed the excellent western 'The Proposition'. Frankly, I think I want to read the book first; its supposed to a great book.

[Chaz]

I finally started reading this today.  Been meaning to for a while.  No impressions yet because I'm only ten pages in, but I liked the one other book of his that I read.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I really liked the book, but man is it bleak. If the film comes anywhere close to capturing the feel of the novel, you're not going to leave the theater feeling upbeat about mankind's future.

[kratz]

Goddamn that looks like a downer.

The book is sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get to it.  I dunno.  Looks super depressing.

[EngineNo9]

After all the hype the book got I thought it was pretty disappointing.  Not bad, but when it was over I just felt like "That was it?  Really?"

[TheMissingLink]

Hmmm, I don't know.

I really loved the book and this movie was really nothing how I envisioned it to be. "An Epic Journey?" I never really got that from the book.

There were scenes from the trailer that I remember from the book, but it just didn't feel right.

[Nth Power]

Might be good.  I loved the book, but I'm interested in how it will translate from the source material.
I liked the ambiguity about the apocalyptic world in the book, but looks like it's explained somewhat from the trailer.  The fact you didn't know how it happened made it seem even more bleak and frightening.
I do hope it turns out good.  Hillcoat's The Proposition was excellent.

[kathode]

Esquire saw it and says it's "the most important movie of the year."  Can't wait!  I read the entire book in a single sitting.

http://www.esquire.com/features/movies/the-road-movie-review-0609

[Jaddison]

I have feeling the watching this and The Wrestler back to back might push a lot of people into deep depression.   Add the Crow in for good measure

[Ralph-Wiggum]

According to the Esquire article, the trailer is not very indicative of the whole movie. All the clips showing the destruction of the world and the like are never shown in the actual movie. The author thinks the film is a fairly faithful adaptation.

[Blackadar]

That was a very weak trailer.  But then again, the source material doesn't lend itself to a strong, action-packed trailer. 

[Eduardo X]

I worry about this, simply because the book seems like a series of vignettes with a broader overarching plot than a straightforward story. Still, The Proposition is one of my favorite movies (as bleak as it is to watch), and I hope this is as good. We'll see.

[Canuck]

Without giving away too many spoilers, why are they being chased by rednecks?  It's like that river movie but  post-apocalyptic.

[kathode]

Without giving away too many spoilers, why are they being chased by rednecks?  It's like that river movie but  post-apocalyptic.

Not a huge spoiler, but this is what I recall:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Pretty sure it's not explicitly stated in that scene what the guy wants.  It's more of a general sense that it's every man for himself and running into a group of armed strangers in the wilderness is a bad thing.  Among the horrible things that people could do to you (and a young child), a big theme of the book is that people have turned to cannibalism to survive.

[Blackadar]

Without giving away too many spoilers, why are they being chased by rednecks?  It's like that river movie but  post-apocalyptic.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Because they are FOOD

[Larraque]

The book was one of the greatest things I've ever read. Very dark, yet gripping and compelling. I have no hope that the movie will live up to how awesome the book was in my opinion, simply because...

Spoiler for Hiden:

in the book, they had very few scenes with the mother, and never mentioned what the disaster was

In the trailer, they spend the first thirty seconds showing the disaster, and the rest of the first minute with scenes with the mother.

So I doubt they'll be as true to the book as I would hope. One of the key points of the book is that the father and son were never named - and I doubt they'd be willing to go the entire movie without giving them a name.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

The book was one of the greatest things I've ever read. Very dark, yet gripping and compelling. I have no hope that the movie will live up to how awesome the book was in my opinion, simply because...

Spoiler for Hiden:

in the book, they had very few scenes with the mother, and never mentioned what the disaster was

In the trailer, they spend the first thirty seconds showing the disaster, and the rest of the first minute with scenes with the mother.

So I doubt they'll be as true to the book as I would hope. One of the key points of the book is that the father and son were never named - and I doubt they'd be willing to go the entire movie without giving them a name.

Again, according to the Esquire article

Spoiler for Hiden:

the disaster is never shown or explicitly dealt with in the movie. And while the mother has a bit more of a role in the movie than in the book, it's not much more. I think they showed her a lot in the trailer since she's being portrayed by a famous actress.

[CeeKay]

I have feeling the watching this and The Wrestler back to back might push a lot of people into deep depression.   Add the Crow in for good measure

the Crow depressing?  you should have gone with Star Trek Nemesis  

[PeteRock]

I've always told my wife that Pittsburgh is a depressing place.  And not only depressing, but post-apocalyptic.   

[Jaddison]

The Crow is damn dark and depressing...and the graphic novel conveys a sense of pain and inner agony so clear and so direct at times it is overwhelming.

I listened to The Road and it also felt overpowering at times.....as did Blood Meridian.

[Windows95]

One of the key points of the book is that the father and son were never named - and I doubt they'd be willing to go the entire movie without giving them a name.

The current cast listing for the film simply has Viggo Mortensen as "The Man" and the actor playing his son as "The Boy". Considering the nature of the dialogue (mainly between father and son), I don't think it will be an issue not giving them names.

[Blackadar]

I read The Road and was underwhelmed.  I'll see the movie because Viggo is usually excellent and the material lends itself to being a decent movie, but I really don't understand the overwhelming praise for the book.

[Razgon]

Never heard of this,but am definitely interested - Also, Viggo is a cool guy. Having thrown down a few beers with him once,you couldnt tell he was a megastar from the way he was.

[Windows95]

I’m excited about the film, I thought the Road was an excellent story.  It’s a very bittersweet tale in an extremely vivid setting.  I’d also argue it’s one of McCarthy’s most readable works along with No Country for Old Men.

On my first read, I was under the impression it was a nuclear war.  But you're quite right, the book is quite ambiguous.

From the book....

Spoiler for Hiden:

The clocks stooped at 1:17.  A long shear of light and then a series of low concussions.  He got up and went to the window.  What is it? she said.  He didnt answer.  He went into the bathroom and threw the lightswitch but the power was already gone.  A dull rose glow in the windowglass.  He dropped to one knee and raised the lever to stop the tub and then turned on both taps as far as they would go.  She was standing in the doorway in her nightwear, clutching the jamb, cradling her belly in one hand.  What is it? she said. What is happening?
    I dont know.
    Why are you taking a bath?
    I'm not.

Reading that passage gave me the impression of some kind of missile strike, and the instant power loss made me think nuclear.  But most towns seem to be still intact (except for decay), and I don’t remember any worries about radiation and the like.

[Zinfan]

After all the hype the book got I thought it was pretty disappointing.  Not bad, but when it was over I just felt like "That was it?  Really?"

Yep same for me although I had the book on AudioCD.

[depward]

Interesting trailer.  I really enjoyed the book and it will be interesting to see the differences between the book / movie.

[Canuck]

I’m excited about the film, I thought the Road was an excellent story.  It’s a very bittersweet tale in an extremely vivid setting.  I’d also argue it’s one of McCarthy’s most readable works along with No Country for Old Men.

On my first read, I was under the impression it was a nuclear war.  But you're quite right, the book is quite ambiguous.

From the book....

Spoiler for Hiden:

The clocks stooped at 1:17.  A long shear of light and then a series of low concussions.  He got up and went to the window.  What is it? she said.  He didnt answer.  He went into the bathroom and threw the lightswitch but the power was already gone.  A dull rose glow in the windowglass.  He dropped to one knee and raised the lever to stop the tub and then turned on both taps as far as they would go.  She was standing in the doorway in her nightwear, clutching the jamb, cradling her belly in one hand.  What is it? she said. What is happening?
    I dont know.
    Why are you taking a bath?
    I'm not.

Reading that passage gave me the impression of some kind of missile strike, and the instant power loss made me think nuclear.  But most towns seem to be still intact (except for decay), and I don’t remember any worries about radiation and the like.

I think he just happened to mention that the clock stopped at that time.  It seems that whatever the disaster was, it must have been 7 or 8 years previous (depending on how old the boy is).  I assume the clock would run on batteries and like everything else in this post-apocalyptic world, those would be in short supply and they would all die eventually.

[CeeKay]

I’m excited about the film, I thought the Road was an excellent story.  It’s a very bittersweet tale in an extremely vivid setting.  I’d also argue it’s one of McCarthy’s most readable works along with No Country for Old Men.

On my first read, I was under the impression it was a nuclear war.  But you're quite right, the book is quite ambiguous.

From the book....

Spoiler for Hiden:

The clocks stooped at 1:17.  A long shear of light and then a series of low concussions.  He got up and went to the window.  What is it? she said.  He didnt answer.  He went into the bathroom and threw the lightswitch but the power was already gone.  A dull rose glow in the windowglass.  He dropped to one knee and raised the lever to stop the tub and then turned on both taps as far as they would go.  She was standing in the doorway in her nightwear, clutching the jamb, cradling her belly in one hand.  What is it? she said. What is happening?
    I dont know.
    Why are you taking a bath?
    I'm not.

Reading that passage gave me the impression of some kind of missile strike, and the instant power loss made me think nuclear.  But most towns seem to be still intact (except for decay), and I don’t remember any worries about radiation and the like.

I think he just happened to mention that the clock stopped at that time.  It seems that whatever the disaster was, it must have been 7 or 8 years previous (depending on how old the boy is).  I assume the clock would run on batteries and like everything else in this post-apocalyptic world, those would be in short supply and they would all die eventually.

would an EMP fry a battery operated device?

[Moliere]

This movie is being released tomorrow! Can't wait. Here's a great summary from Wired talking about how the Director went around the U.S. looking for real backgrounds that would fit the story without having to resort to CGI. Looks like PA is pretty much the best place to go for these settings. 

[Chaz]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this, though I think the early trailers showed too much and used way too many colors.  I think the word "gray" was the most-used in the book.

[ericb]

It was an excellent, dreary and bleak book that I read in one sitting.  Damn depressing and probably too realistic.  I don't think I'll see this in the theater though.

[ATB]

It was an excellent, dreary and bleak book that I read in one sitting.  Damn depressing and probably too realistic.  I don't think I'll see this in the theater though.

There's no a way a film will be able to capture the sparse narrative effectively.

[Ironrod]

I read that it's opening on fewer than 100 screens in 35 major markets. They scaled back expectations because it's competing with a cartoon about a fox (2,000 screens).

It won't get me out of the house, but I do look forward to renting the DVD.

[Chaz]

Wait, they're scaling back the release of a movie based on a best-selling Oprah's book club pick starring Viggo Mortensen in order to avoid competition with the new Wes Anderson movie? His last two were good, but I didn't think they were big ticket box office affairs.  The Road has the potential to hit both the post-apocalyptic geek fans and the soccer mom Oprah fans.  That seems strange to me.

[Kagath]

Never heard of this,but am definitely interested - Also, Viggo is a cool guy. Having thrown down a few beers with him once,you couldnt tell he was a megastar from the way he was.

Wait, what? When was this?

[Ironrod]

Wait, they're scaling back the release of a movie based on a best-selling Oprah's book club pick starring Viggo Mortensen in order to avoid competition with the new Wes Anderson movie? His last two were good, but I didn't think they were big ticket box office affairs.  The Road has the potential to hit both the post-apocalyptic geek fans and the soccer mom Oprah fans.  That seems strange to me.

Normals expect uplifting family-friendly crap during the holidays. Not really Cormac McCarthy's audience.

[farley2k]

It seems like the film most likely to push up those holiday suicide numbers! 

[Chaz]

Wait, they're scaling back the release of a movie based on a best-selling Oprah's book club pick starring Viggo Mortensen in order to avoid competition with the new Wes Anderson movie? His last two were good, but I didn't think they were big ticket box office affairs.  The Road has the potential to hit both the post-apocalyptic geek fans and the soccer mom Oprah fans.  That seems strange to me.

Normals expect uplifting family-friendly crap during the holidays. Not really Cormac McCarthy's audience.

I'd be surprised if the Wes Anderson movie provided that.  It's a family movie in disguise!

[Ironrod]

Wait, they're scaling back the release of a movie based on a best-selling Oprah's book club pick starring Viggo Mortensen in order to avoid competition with the new Wes Anderson movie? His last two were good, but I didn't think they were big ticket box office affairs.  The Road has the potential to hit both the post-apocalyptic geek fans and the soccer mom Oprah fans.  That seems strange to me.

Normals expect uplifting family-friendly crap during the holidays. Not really Cormac McCarthy's audience.

I'd be surprised if the Wes Anderson movie provided that.  It's a family movie in disguise!

Is this really a family film? No more or less so than “The Incredibles,’’ which covered similar psychic turf in a more exuberant, less eccentric fashion. Actually, “Fantastic Mr. Fox’’ rescues the very phrase “family film’’ from an industrial entertainment complex that has warped it beyond all recognition. Anderson deals with generational dynamics - a dad who needs to be forever young, a son looking for the best way to grow up - in a way everyone can access, from kids to grandparents. The movie isn’t funny ha-ha but funny-beguiling, and I think most children will be puzzled and fascinated with it, the way you can be taken with something weird but true.

Which is to say that Anderson’s whimsies work better in this context - with more wit and playful warmth - than in his ostensibly grown-up movies.

So yeah, it's probably a subversive version of the sunshine and lollipops that its target audience will be expecting. In fact, it sounds quite good. You can probably see why it's going to leave The Road in the dust.