Comments on: The Road Review

By: Movie Review – “The Road” by Screen Rant – 4.5 out of 5…It sounds like it is everything I was hoping for, I can’t wait.. « The Studio Gates

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:31:54 +0000

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By: Billychic

Billychic — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:03:39 +0000

I loved this movie. It was depressing and dark, but the haunting beauty of the acting, story, cinematography – everything – made it worth it. I stood staring at the screen for like 10 minutes afterwards, thinking about it.

Very true – it does make the audience (at least, this audience member) “what would I do in that situation?”

Brilliant.

By: Frytz

Frytz — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:41:57 +0000

Having read the book last year, I knew the movie was going to be great when I first the the initial scenes from the trailer. Before I saw the title of the film, I told my wife, “They made a movie of “The Road”. Hillcoat totally nailed the look and feel of the novel. It’s hard to believe this is his first directorial feature of note.

My take on the story was more along the lines of maintaining your integrity and morales while all around you have lost theirs. I really can’t see anyone leaving this movie without feeling something, be it disgust, depression, revulsion, or dare I say, hope?

Great art, whether literature or cinema, makes you FEEL something. In this respect, “The Road” is an unqualified success. In a time when most major motion pictures make little to no impression upon me, “The Road” totally got under my skin and ripped me apart inside. No greater compliment for a work of art can be offered.

By: 790

790 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:29:09 +0000

Gil James Bavel, you sound a tad biased,,,

Good point there Kofi on the parenting aspect,,,
I so can’t wait to never have kids!!!

By: Gil James Bavel

Gil James Bavel — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:58:01 +0000

The book stinks, there’s not a decent bit of dialogue in it, there are few encounters, and in the trailer there are more encounters than take place in the ENTIRE book. The movie isn’t playing here, either. John Shirley’s The Traveler series is FAR better than The Road as far as post-apocalypse fiction goes.
A metaphor for parenting it may be, but will be lost on today’s parents as they are children themselves. Selfish, inconsiderate, self-centered snarky little kids.
The only reason The Road won a Pulitzer Prize and was a NYT #1 bestseller is that if immediately followed NCfOM and its Oscar–the first paperback edition featured “Now a major motion picture with Viggo Mortensen!” and debuted at #1 before anyone had even read it, editor OR critic.
It it had played here, at the local 12-plex, I would have wasted nine-fifty on it–which I can’t afford. Just as well they chose a limited release. Even if it were faithfuly adapted, it would be a short, mostly silent, poorly-executed, substandard excuse for a film.

By: Vic Holtreman

Vic Holtreman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:10:55 +0000

@Kofi

I have a feeling that when you get there you’re going to do a fine job, bro.

Vic

By: Kofi Outlaw

Kofi Outlaw — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:14:10 +0000

The story is really just an extreme metaphor for parenting.

Parents want their kids to be good people.

Parents are also scared of that the big bad world out there will harm their children.

Parents act in crazy ways to protect their children but want their children to always act sane.

Children often hold their parents (for better or worse) to the “practice what you preach, papa” creed. Often to the annoyance and then reluctant acquiescence of the parent.

Parenting: It ain’t an easy job, folks…

By: chris

chris — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:14:38 +0000

i think they should make steve a;yens the loch into a films,and remake the creature from the black lagoon. i also cant wait for the wolfman,and splice,and a remake to resident evil with a director like the guy who done the road,or someone like chris nolan to make it.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:12:29 +0000

i cant wait to see this film and the brothers film. im so tired of the action films with no story, just action action. i wish more films were taken seriouse with writers who actually make good stories and characters,and then action. im ready for movies to be thought about before just rushing to make slop. we need well though films.

By: 790

790 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:10:03 +0000

I shouldn’t have typed the book is bad, what I meant was that it was super depressing.
(Bad choice of words on my part)

There was a lot of affection between the two characters in the film. I don’t think it would have worked any other way…
It was clear to me that the kid was learning how to be a caring person as his father was turning into a ruthless person. Interesting twist there toward the end.

By: JessSayin

JessSayin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:02:26 +0000

The book won the Pulitzer Prize for a reason, it was BEAUTIFULLY written. In spite of that, it was THE most depressing piece of literature I’ve EVER read.

OrangeRush2112 wrote above, “you will at least “feel” the love between the father and the son and how deep seeded it is”
-My biggest gripe with the book was the lack of affection spoken or physical between the father and son. Maybe that was addressed in the film as Viggo is a father himself.

To each his own. It seems there are just as many who loved it as didn’t.

By: 790

790 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:15:31 +0000

Hey Kofi, can you explain the reason some of the humans were missing their thumbs?

By: 790

790 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:18:55 +0000

So JessSayin your not going to see the film because its more depressing then the book?
I heard the book was pretty bad,,,

By: JessSayin

JessSayin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:14:07 +0000

I read the book and that’s the only reason I won’t be seeing the movie. I just knew when they pushed the release date back and added all the scenes that are in the trailer and not in the book (at least half) that it was just too dismal for wide release.

Looks like after the additional re-writes and re-shoots it’s still too depressing. In fact, the ‘cellar’ scene (in the book) really creeped me out.

(And I really wanted to see Viggo, Duvall, and Charlize in the same film!)

By: 790

790 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:45:11 +0000

Saw this today,,,
You end up leaving the theater with the fear that were headed toward this future,,,

The film was powerfully dismal, yet had a very emtional ending that gave you some hope…

Amazing performances,,,,

By: Fenix

Fenix — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:21:36 +0000

DrSamBecket

I have heard of both of those movies are good but I haven’t gotten around to seeing them. They both are a little bit darker and more mature than what I’m used to seeing him in so maybe I was a little put off by them. Still doesn’t mean they are bad movies so I will def check them out thanks for the comment!

By: Vic Holtreman

Vic Holtreman — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:19:59 +0000

@Vincent

No. This is just one of those films that didn’t get a super-wide distribution because they don’t think it has mass appeal and will make that much at the box office.

Don’t fret, there’s always DVD/Blu-ray, folks!

Vic

By: Vincent

Vincent — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:20:24 +0000

I just found out that The Road will not be playing in my state. Does anyone know if the studios are doing one of those ridiculous marketing ploys where you have to email them to get the movie to your town, or am I just going to have to wait for it to come to DVD?

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie…

By: neontiger21

neontiger21 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:13:25 +0000

It sounds like an interesting movie, but I’m kinda worried I’m gonna leave the theater feeling bad and depressed. Are these concerns valid?

By: OrangeRush2112

OrangeRush2112 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:15:15 +0000

just got back from seeing the road. and it was amazing. it was just like the book. i couldnt help but get choked up. its a shame as to the limited release of this picture. i was thinking why? and all i could think of was how were they going to market this – its obviously not your typical feel good, or big budget end of the world like 2012, but im still affected by it – and whether you have any religious based beliefs or feel anything spiritual – you will at least “feel” the love between the father and the son and how deep seeded it is. i know that this will prob not happen, but either duvall or mortenson should get an academy nod for this picture. i am a die hard scifi fantasy adventure dude, but i beg you – GO SEE THIS MOVIE. i know what i will be thankful for tomorrow – my two daughters, my wife and my family and friends and the country that i live in. thats my spiel.