The Book of Eli (Hughes Brothers, 2010)

[EvilShoe]

Anyone agree? (http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thebookofeli/)

(Visuals I mean, story to a lesser degree.)

[Dukefrukem]

pretty damn close...I see some I Am Legend in there too.

[megladon8]

I'll see it.

[Skitch]

Nice title...thats the first thing I thought when I saw the trailer. I'm pretty pumped for this.

[Ezee E]

Hughes Brothers! Looking forward to this.

[Fezzik]

I thought you guys were kidding about the Fallout 3 vibe, but there were shots in that trailer where I thought I was watching the game.

The story is pretty spot on, too:

"The film is a post-apocalyptic action movie in which Washington plays a lone warrior named Eli, fighting his way across a desolate wasteland. The Earth has been a hellhole for thirty years, but Eli has information which can bring back civilization and he’ll kill to protect it."


Plus, its got Denzel in kick-ass mode, Gary Oldman AND Kunis with sunglasses and a sword? Um..yes please :D

I'll definitely see it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Hope the action's more mannered than those ridiculous swordfights and "badass" explosions.

I'll see it.

[BuffaloWilder]

So, it's like an American Mad Max 2, basically.


Well, alright.

[Grouchy]

I also liked the trailer and got the same Fallout flashback, except I've only played the 2.

We can't get enough of Oldman as a bad guy.

[megladon8]

I think it looks great. I'd never even heard of this before now.

I'm not the biggest fan of Denzel, but I love post-apocalyptic, "last man alive" type genre pictures. And knowing that it's the Hughes Brothers is some mighty delicious icing on the cake.

[BuffaloWilder]

Holy god, this is eerie. Watching the trailer, there are bits and pieces that look like they've been ripped out of that short I just finished writing.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD

[D_Davis]

It's cool to see Gary Whitta's name attached to stuff like this.

[Grouchy]

Holy god, this is eerie. Watching the trailer, there are bits and pieces that look like they've been ripped out of that short I just finished writing.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD
Once I was writing a script that started with a guy in a hotel room with a briefcase filled with money open, staring at the wind fan on the cieling.

Then I took a break and some time later I watched Blood Simple for the first time on TV. There was the same wind fan shot I was thinking of earlier.

[BuffaloWilder]

Well, now I'm excited.

http://homepage.mac.com/damaggio/.Pictures/page%201/Overpass.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/damaggio/.Pictures/page%201/freewayPass%20copy2.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/damaggio/.Pictures/page%201/Balcony.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/damaggio/.Pictures/page%201/catlight%20copymine.jpg

More concept art can be found here (http://homepage.mac.com/damaggio/PhotoAlbum18.html). Also -


On the set of The Book of Eli, starring Denzel Washington with other actors including such notables as Gary Oldman and Tom Waits, and lensed by Don Burgess, they had a car crash scene where a Red camera was set up on a high hat to get a close-up of the car going airborne and flipping. Well the car went further than expected and landed right on top of the Red camera. When they dug the camera out from underneath the wreckage, not only was the camera and footage still intact, but the camera was still running.

http://www.studiodaily.com/blog/?p=1349

[megladon8]

I'm really looking forward to this movie.

[Morris Schæffer]

new trailer also:

http://www.davestrailerpage.co.uk/

Top of page!

EDIT: Very nice. I like what I'm seeing. I'm just not sure what is propelling the plot. Earth is a wasteland. Some people are savages. Others run away from them?

[BuffaloWilder]

The book is The Bible.

http://bicoastalbaseball.files.wordpr ess.com/2006/11/i-called-it.jpg

Well, this certainly ought to sate my hunger for a well-made post-apocalyptic film - at least until 2011, or thereabouts.

[megladon8]

There has to be something different about it. Maybe it's one of those books that has a hollowed out section, and there's a vial of something in there.

I dunno.

I just hope it's not just a Bible...that would be really lame, and terrible.

[BuffaloWilder]

Well, you might be right, given Oldman's whole "it's not just a book - it's a weapon!" thing. But then again, could be something else.

[megladon8]

Well, you might be right, given Oldman's whole "it's not just a book - it's a weapon!" thing. But then again, could be something else.


Seriously, with lines like that, if they're just talking about a Bible, I'm going to give this movie a ZERO.

[BuffaloWilder]

Eh, if that is the case, depending on how it's used, one bad McGuffin won't ruin the rest of the film.

[megladon8]

Eh, if that is the case, depending on how it's used, one bad McGuffin won't ruin the rest of the film.


...that's not a MacGuffin.

A MacGuffin means that the audience doesn't know what the object/plot device is.

If it's just a Bible, and Denzel's goal is to "bring religion to the people", that's terribly, awfully lame. And not a MacGuffin.

[Scar]

Main Entry: Mac·Guf·fin
Variant(s): or Mc·Guf·fin \mə-ˈgə-fən\
Function: noun
Etymology: coined by Alfred Hitchcock
Date: circa 1939
: an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance

[megladon8]

Main Entry: Mac·Guf·fin
Variant(s): or Mc·Guf·fin \mə-ˈgə-fən\
Function: noun
Etymology: coined by Alfred Hitchcock
Date: circa 1939
: an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance


Yeah, but isn't it also something that is shrouded in mystery?

Like the briefcases in Ronin and Pulp Fiction. We never know what's inside them, but they're apparently very important.

[Scar]

Yeah, but isn't it also something that is shrouded in mystery?

Like the briefcases in Ronin and Pulp Fiction. We never know what's inside them, but they're apparently very important.

No, those are just examples. They can be specific, or they can be ambiguous. Pulp Fiction and Ronin are ambiguous and get all the press 'cause people just gotta know what's in the box.

What's in the box?!?!?!

http://globalnerdy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/compusa-whats-in-the-box.jpg

[megladon8]

Very true, Sir Scar.

You have bested me this time. But the war has just begun...

[Grouchy]

Seriously, with lines like that, if they're just talking about a Bible, I'm going to give this movie a ZERO.
Why? Arguably, the Bible has been a very powerful weapon throughout history.

Frankly, I'm interested in the whole premise of this movie.

[The Mike]

Yeah, I don't have any problem with the Bible being used.

Looks cool.

[number8]

They're really pushing the Biblical angle really hard.

[Dead & Messed Up]

There's something inside the Bible, for Pete's sake. The Gideons have taken steps to ensure that thousands of the damn things will survive any apocalypse.

[Rowland]

Wha?

[The Mike]

There's something inside the Bible, for Pete's sake. The Gideons have taken steps to ensure that thousands of the damn things will survive any apocalypse.You sounded like Jon Voight just then.

[Dukefrukem]

God I love Gary Oldman....

[Qrazy]

There's something inside the Bible, for Pete's sake. The Gideons have taken steps to ensure that thousands of the damn things will survive any apocalypse.

I'm guessing it's seeds, maybe even apple seeds.

[MadMan]

This movie looks pretty badass.

[megladon8]

The book contains a vial of sperm. Jesus' sperm, to be exact.

12 of Jesus' sperm, to be even more exact.

The moment before Denzel's character dies (c'mon, we all know he will) he has to use a syringe to inject Jesus' sperm into his own testicles. Then when he dies, his spirit will bang the crap out of Mila Kunis (who is a virgin) causing a second immaculate conception.

Her child will be born on December 26th, and his name will be Jessie.

[The Mike]

The book contains a vial of sperm. Jesus' sperm, to be exact.

12 of Jesus' sperm, to be even more exact.

The moment before Denzel's character dies (c'mon, we all know he will) he has to use a syringe to inject Jesus' sperm into his own testicles. Then when he dies, his spirit will bang the crap out of Mila Kunis (who is a virgin) causing a second immaculate conception.

Her child will be born on December 26th, and his name will be Jessie.Geez Meg, bitter much? :pritch:

[megladon8]

Geez Meg, bitter much? :pritch:


There's bitterness there? :confused:

I thought I was just making fun of religious allegory...

[The Mike]

There's bitterness there? :confused:

I thought I was just making fun of religious allegory...Internet not express tone well. Mike sorry for misconstrue.

[Thirdmango]

I did actually think during the entire trailer until near the end that it was going to be a Fallout 3 movie.

[MadMan]

The book contains a vial of sperm. Jesus' sperm, to be exact.

12 of Jesus' sperm, to be even more exact.

The moment before Denzel's character dies (c'mon, we all know he will) he has to use a syringe to inject Jesus' sperm into his own testicles. Then when he dies, his spirit will bang the crap out of Mila Kunis (who is a virgin) causing a second immaculate conception.

Her child will be born on December 26th, and his name will be Jessie.If the ending is anything remotely resembling this post, you are getting rep. Hilarious.

[Dukefrukem]

I did actually think during the entire trailer until near the end that it was going to be a Fallout 3 movie.

Thank you for reminding me to install this.

[Dukefrukem]

Since we don't have a fallout thread yet, I'm posting this in here.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/photosizer/timthumb.php?src=/photosizer/upload/thefallout103109.jpg&w=600&zc=0

[number8]

It's not based on the game, you know that, right?

[number8]

I was feeling charitable today.

[Dukefrukem]

did you guys read my text above the image?

[number8]

did you guys read my text above the image?

I did. I also read your other post about the Gens movie. I'm saying The Fallout, the movie, has nothing to do with Fallout, the game.

[Dukefrukem]

I did. I also read your other post about the Gens movie. I'm saying The Fallout, the movie, has nothing to do with Fallout, the game.

Gotcha.

[megladon8]

Gens' movie is totally unrelated to the "Fallout" game series, Duke.

[Dukefrukem]

Gens' movie is totally unrelated to the "Fallout" game series, Duke.

Gotcha x 2.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Whoa, there's a Fallout movie coming out?

[number8]

Whoa, there's a Fallout movie coming out?

Troll!

[EvilShoe]

I have reported Duke for ruining my fantastic thread.

Everyone, say goodbye to Duke. He'll soon be banned.

[Morris Schæffer]

I have reported Duke for ruining my fantastic thread.

Everyone, say goodbye to Duke. He'll soon be banned.

One appearance every 12 months and this is what you post? :)

Go watch De Helaasheid der Dingen. It is genuinely, truly fantastic filmmaking. ;)

[EvilShoe]

One appearance every 12 months and this is what you post? :)

Go watch De Helaasheid der Dingen. It is genuinely, truly fantastic filmmaking. ;)
If you didn't like my first post in 12 months, you'll hate the second one: I've seen Helaasheid der Dingen, thought it was ok, liked the book and Van Groeningen's previous films better.

[Grouchy]

Eh, Duke, the movie has nothing to do with the videogame. Just so you know it.

[Dukefrukem]

...

[Raiders]

This forum is full of surprises. :P

I feel quite certain that your continuous ragging on specific poster tendencies and retorting them in sarcasm is the most condescending trend I see.

[Dukefrukem]

i wish neg rep was still around

[Raiders]

Okay, that's a fair point, but does that automatically preclude me from noting condescension in others? Can you condescend to those who condescend? I guess so. But, really, did you exorcise all your bitterness with that post? Cause you seem to be the most seriously indignant of all the people I've apparently assailed with my sarcasm. I hope you haven't taken anything personally because, really, has anyone else I've come in contact with? I've noted a few observations in a tone not that divorced from other cases of playful pomposity typical to this board and now you're precipitately chastising me as if it's the worst thing evar. Have you been dying for an opportunity to fit in a reply like this? As ironic as this advice may come off, don't care that much about something of such little import. Unless you just wanted to scratch a sanctimonious itch today.

None of my comments have been that awful or upsetting for anyone, and if they have, I'll certainly apologize and lay off. Since I've only been observing those who condescend or are prone to a touch of arrogance, I'm sure they all have a tougher skin than that. Unless you're going to be the first to take it too seriously. So, either disingenuously attempt to placate me with rep again or let's both move on for real.

I see nothing different about what I did there than what you've been doing, except I was simply straight-forward instead of casually sardonic. And maybe I do need to have thicker skin, but I take personally attacks against the nature of the board in general and the people here who have a cadence they have had for years and everyone but you seems OK with it. On a serious note, I dedicate a lot to this site and perhaps feel somewhat protective of it.

Oh, and there was nothing disingenuous about the rep last time. It's probably the most sincere offering I can think of on an internet message board where tone is nigh impossible to judge.

[BuffaloWilder]

Dill-holes.

[number8]

In a childish bout, I broke someone's trust and spilled a secret I was entrusted with. That was wrong of me and I am really, really, really sorry. :sad:

I've deleted my original post.

[Raiders]

Don't misread me. I'm not upset at all. I don't really take this as seriously as you must assume nor am I attempting to be sanctimonious. I was simply airing a grievance... and one unrelated to the other thread where we had a disagreement. My last post was only attempting to give a possible reason for why I, more than others, might care about what you say. But really, even then I have no interest in stopping you from posting whatever is on your mind.

I suppose this is what I get for entering a thread about a video game adaptation starring Denzel Washington and directed by Xavier Gens...

[number8]

I suppose this is what I get for entering a thread about a video game adaptation starring Denzel Washington and direction by Xavier Gens...

RAGE.

[BuffaloWilder]

In a childish bout, I broke someone's trust and spilled a secret I was entrusted with. That was wrong of me and I am really, really, really sorry. :sad:

I've deleted my original post.

I thought it was a joke. Huh.

:lol:

[number8]

I was thinking you'd go and evince a tougher skin, not showcase a softer one. Also, I would have thought you'd be capable of showcasing creativity that goes beyond that of typical schoolyard fictions. Lacks wit.

So, okay, so here's the deal. I thought my apology from before stood but I don't know anymore. The Yoda shirt is fine. I shouldn't have brought that up back then. It was my own unnecessarily low and witless move In addition, you're not overly condescending and I blew that out of proportion a tad. I don't think you even realize you're doing it half the time (or I'm really the only who thinks you're doing it, you choose). I was only ever ribbing you, anyway. K, there, that should cover anything I've done to deserve your puerility. Can you get over it? Because I'd prefer we drop the chips on both of our shoulders, and move on out from the fun (but oh so petty) world of extrapolation and annoying observation-ville. Unless you want to keep thinking about, and/or creating imaginative scenarios involving, my penis for more than two posts. That's your call.

Well, this is immensely awkward, because I've never had anything against you (or anyone on this site, for that matter), and it didn't even occur to me that you were even directly ribbing on me. I don't really know what this is about, because I've never been anything but joking around. I thought everyone on Match-Cut would be aware of that habit of mine by now.

But... Yeah, sure?

(P.S. What did you say about the Yoda shirt, by the way? I honestly don't think I remember.)

(P.P.S If that's your impression of me, you probably think this whole post is my way of being flippant and superior. But it's not. Now I really do feel bad because apparently something went on without my knowing and I've made it worse.)

[number8]

(P.S. What did you say about the Yoda shirt, by the way? I honestly don't think I remember.)

On second thought, if you insulted my awesome Yoda shirt, I retract my truce and I'm going to say your penis smells like fungus.

You about to cross some fucking lines.

http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/robertdjr.jpg

[number8]

My sense of humor is elaborate.

[MadMan]

Yeah, I'll come back to this thread when the movie comes out and I go see it. DRAMA! :P

[number8]

So...


It is The Bible.

[Fezzik]

So...


It is The Bible.



And here I was hoping they'd pull a fast one and be like "Aha! Gotcha."

Oh well :)

I'm still seeing it tonight.

[Fezzik]

I can't believe I'm going to add to the drama, but...


But, really, doesn't the sardonic attitude keep a serious, ferocious fight from being unleashed?

This isn't aimed at Amnesiac, so I don't want him (or anyone else) to think this is a personal shot, but, he asked the question, so...

In my opinion, no. In fact, all it does is exacerbate the issue, especially if the sardonic comes across as a device rather than a real attitude.

I'm not saying yours does, but there are few people I want to punch in the face. Those who adopt an artificial sardonic attitude to set themselves apart from the conversation or from the rest of the crowd are number one on the list.

It reeks of passive-aggressive behavior, and its phoniness irks the hell outta me.

Just have your opinion, state it plainly, and move on.

Sorry for the derail. Back to our regularly scheduled program.

[MadMan]

So...


It is The Bible.
Figures. And the bad reviews are starting to convince me that I'm better off renting it. We'll see. Plus this thread reminded me that Amnesiac even existed, or posted here.

http://madkitty.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/seriousbusiness.jpg

[BuffaloWilder]

Man, great set-up and e'ything. And, it turns out terribly.

Herm.

[megladon8]

I kind of feel like the book was never meant to be much of a surprise.

What were we expecting? A bird watcher's manual? A guide/walkthrough to "Fallout 3" and all of its expansion packs?

[Ezee E]

The Book of...

That already gives it away. Didn't know it was suppose to be a surprise.

[number8]

I kind of feel like the book was never meant to be much of a surprise.

What were we expecting? A bird watcher's manual? A guide/walkthrough to "Fallout 3" and all of its expansion packs?

The Qur'an? Torah? Dianetics? I dunno.

[Fezzik]

Man, great set-up and e'ything. And, it turns out terribly.

Herm.

Agree 100%. I walked out thinking this was a huge missed opportunity. The concept is pretty badass. Then it falls apart.

And yes, its clear early on in the movie what the Book is, so it was never meant to be a surprise.

I do have a question, though...

When he is quoting Genesis at the end, is it me or do his eyes glaze over? I got the impression that he was blind before, his sight was restored for his mission and then it was taken away again. It would explain the braille Bible, but I wasn't sure if I was reading too much into it.

Thoughts?

[number8]

It's not a surprise within the movie, but they hide it in the marketing. Probably afraid of turning some people off.

[megladon8]

I think it would have been a lot more entertaining if they had gone total blaxploitation with the movie, and Denzel was carrying around "The Book o' Jive".

Gary Oldman's character is trying to figure out what it is about black guys that makes them so desirable to women, and figures the answers must be in that book.

The entire soundtrack would be new renditions of '70s funk and soul songs.

[B-side]

I think it would have been a lot more entertaining if they had gone total blaxploitation with the movie, and Denzel was carrying around "The Book o' Jive".

Gary Oldman's character is trying to figure out what it is about black guys that makes them so desirable to women, and figures the answers must be in that book.

The entire soundtrack would be new renditions of '70s funk and soul songs.

:D

[[ETM]]

The Qur'an? Torah? Dianetics? I dunno.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy would have been cool.

[The Mike]

I liked it a lot. The action was pretty clumsy, but the idea works and the ending, albeit basically stolen, fits.

Nothing special, but not worth dislike.

[Watashi]

So are you going to give this movie a zero, meg?

[MadMan]

I think it would have been a lot more entertaining if they had gone total blaxploitation with the movie, and Denzel was carrying around "The Book o' Jive".

Gary Oldman's character is trying to figure out what it is about black guys that makes them so desirable to women, and figures the answers must be in that book.

The entire soundtrack would be new renditions of '70s funk and soul songs.Hell yes that would have been brilliant. And of course Denzel would have to utter something along the lines of "Gonna get yah, sucka!"

[megladon8]

So are you going to give this movie a zero, meg?


What? No, I haven't seen it.

I just thought my idea sounded better than what people are saying actually happens.

[Watashi]

What? No, I haven't seen it.

I just thought my idea sounded better than what people are saying actually happens.


I kind of feel like the book was never meant to be much of a surprise.

What were we expecting? A bird watcher's manual? A guide/walkthrough to "Fallout 3" and all of its expansion packs?


Seriously, with lines like that, if they're just talking about a Bible, I'm going to give this movie a ZERO.

Hmmm.

[Ezee E]

Yeah, having it as the Bible is hardly intended to be a twist in the movie.

With that, there are several other twists in the movie. Most of them are pretty silly. Yet, The Hughes Brothers could careless about it, and don't even try to make it a "surprise." They simply go with it and make this into a very entertaining movie that talks about the importance (and possibly the danger) of culture. If summer movies were more like this, I'd be a happy person.

It's probably glanced over, but I imagined several other "Eli" trips occurring, as the various books are brought to Alcatraz.

Afterwards, I read a few reviews, and there's one in particular that talks about this movie as being more like Ancient Greek Literature than a Graphic Novel. I love that comparison. It fits perfect.

Technically, the Hughes Brothers throw all their efforts in hopes that they won't have such a long layover between movies. Colors are practically drained, but the compositions are beautifully done. The action sequences have a sense of geography and are very fun.

Yeah, I liked this a good deal actually. Mila Kunis isn't a good actress at all though.

[Dukefrukem]

Agree 100%. I walked out thinking this was a huge missed opportunity. The concept is pretty badass. Then it falls apart.

And yes, its clear early on in the movie what the Book is, so it was never meant to be a surprise.

I do have a question, though...

When he is quoting Genesis at the end, is it me or do his eyes glaze over? I got the impression that he was blind before, his sight was restored for his mission and then it was taken away again. It would explain the braille Bible, but I wasn't sure if I was reading too much into it.

Thoughts?


If that is what they were reaching for, I surely didn't get that impression.
I was under the impression he was blind for the whole movie... which is really far fetched. Was this not the case? Why else would Gary be screaming; "That's impossible!"


This movie was alright. I liked the fight scenes, I liked the reasoning for Gary Oldman to lust over the bible so badly (and loved his reference about the weak and desperate), but the twist I felt was way way too out there. I thought this movie would have been pretty damn good up until that point.

[BuffaloWilder]

From Rex Reed's review:

songwriter Tom Waits may be the worst singer who ever lived

Oh, you did not.

[number8]

Who the fuck?! Fuck you.

[Raiders]

Sheesh. What gloomy, portentous nonsense. Where's the humanity? Where's the spirituality? It's not enough to make the central book the Bible (this is NOT a spoiler), you've got to actually have a feel for why that book would be so important.

[Fezzik]

Sheesh. What gloomy, portentous nonsense. Where's the humanity? Where's the spirituality? It's not enough to make the central book the Bible (this is NOT a spoiler), you've got to actually have a feel for why that book would be so important.


Now that you say this, Raiders, I think that's exactly my problem with it.

I didn't get the great sense of humanity. Spirituality I didn't expect at all - nobody's seen one of these books since before "The Flash" so of course there's no compass for spirituality, but you're right. It lacked humanity.

Thanks. I couldn't articulate my biggest problem with the entire thing - you just did.

[SirNewt]

I liked the soundtrack quite a bit. Felt like a poor man's Vangelis mixed with some Zimmer.

I think I would've dug this more had I not seen it so close to The Road. Any attempt at showing the desperation of the world paled in comparison to that film/book.

[Skitch]

Wow, I actually enjoyed this! I would never argue for it though. Didn't like it? No problem, there were a list of complaints myself. But I dug it nontheless.

[The Mike]

Wow, I actually enjoyed this! I would never argue for it though. Didn't like it? No problem, there were a list of complaints myself. But I dug it nontheless.

I'm there too. :)

[BuffaloWilder]

Why do I get the feeling that this is going to be a film I'm going to enjoy more and more as time goes on?

The biggest problem with it is how, in interviews with the directors, they seem entirely at odds with what the screenplay was entirely about - there may very well be some real depth to the story, but they seem to have approached it from an entirely visual sense. We need to ask Gary Whitta about this, is what we need to do - I mean, look at this nonsense (http://io9.com/5447710/is-book-of-eli-a-christian-movie-we-ask-the-hughes-bros):


Eli really walks the line of being an evangelical film, versus a movie that's just about a mysterious new hope in a post apocalyptic world. So what had to go, in order to keep it from being too preachy?

Albert: It was more the things that the main character [Eli, Denzel Washington] should be saying, it could turn the audience off a bit, if they don't believe in that. The movie is not about that. So you want people to enjoy it, no matter what. And it's not about watering it down, it's just not that character.

Then why did you guys choose to have the book [that Eli carries across America and Gary Oldman's character covets aid him in ruling the world] be the Bible?

Albert: That was there when we got the script. That was part of the attraction to it as well. It's incendiary sometimes, depending on what you believe and kind of appealing because of the controversy in that and how you look at that. And how the story is constructed around it. If you do it right, if it's handled right, and how the audience will respond. If it's handled wrong then that's a bad thing.

And you felt it was handled right because they used the Bible?

Albert: I think the first draft was great, it just needed to be nuanced that's all, because it's dealing with anything sacred. If you talk about anything sacred, you have handle it right. You can't just go in there and make a movie and be careless about it because you are stepping on people's beliefs. You can't go into something like that being silly about it, no matter what you believe.

***

This book, which isn't revealed to be the Bible before you see the film, but is clearly noted as the Bible close to the beginning, is being described in the synopsis as a work that "provides knowledge that could redeem society, and the source of all their pain knowledge," what is that knowledge exactly, and how is that more important than knowledge of building an irrigation system, or medicine or anything survivalist?

Albert: It depends on what you believe. It could be about irrigation, if you want that kind of irrigation for your mind. Some people need to read to stimulate themselves. It could be that book or another book. That character [Eli] believes that he was told to take it somewhere. I can agree with the intent of that question, you know? But as a filmmaker, you have to believe in the story and that translation. If you're making Lord of The Rings, you have to believe in Middle Earth. If you are making Star Wars, you have to believe that there are spaceships up there going around in space, even though it's not reality. You have to believe in the mythology of that movie in order to do it.

I'm just curious. For you, why was it more important to have a character carrying a book with a message of spirituality, versus a message of "This is how you purify water?"

Albert: I would say it's the same thing nowadays. Why is it important that people are holding that book in such high regard, or thinking that it should be spoken from, or told to others as opposed to building a church talking about irrigation? You can pose that question to anybody in any time period, post-apocalypse or now, about any religious text, or any text of any sort. "Oh, it's more important to survive. We need food. So why not build churches about survival and food?"

So I guess you could say that any form of learning is a spiritual experience or should be?

Albert: No, not really, I agree with your intent behind your question, I'm not trying to be vague. It depends on who the person is and what their want is. Let's say they found water. Then what? They may need to feed their soul, and then what?

***

In the movie they state that all the Bibles, and a lot of other religious texts, were burned after the "last great war," because many people believed that religion was a catalyst for this war. If religion didn't help the people of Eli's fictional past, why do you guys as filmmakers think it will help their future?

Albert: You have some very deep, profound psychological questions there! You're applying logic to something that there is no logic in. That's part of my struggle. If you apply logic to a faith based religion — any of them — it will slowly start to fall apart. If you apply logic to Star Wars or Lord of The Rings, it will slowly start to fall apart. But if you go into it as a movie experience, as entertainment, [as] a mythology, and you don't look for the holes, and you go and believe then that's a different experience. But you're like me, I can tell by your questions. [Laughs] I can't even answer that. I can't answer some things in all of the movies that we've made. Ok, there's a good point in that. I wouldn't call it cynicism, because I'm a very cynical person, but there's that side of me where I say, "Well if it caused the problem then why do you think it's going to help anything?" Well there's those people that use it to cause problems and those that use it to solve problems. That's the only thing logically that I can say to myself to help me with that.

This may be one of the most confounding interviews of all time - I am dead serious.

[Grouchy]

Wow, I'm honestly surprised by how great this was.

LOTS OF SPOILERS AHEAD

First of all, I thought the opening scenes were really something else, establishing the mood of dystopia quickly and assuredly. Really loved the bit of character development where Eli is watching the bike gangs shoot a guy in cold blood and they're almost certainly gonna proceed to rape his woman, yet he doesn't intervene, despite the already established fact that he's a supernaturally good fighter. Although his character arc becomes about how he grows away from that attitude, most movies wouldn't even go there with such a harsh scene.

I loved the world of the movie and the colors the Hughes used. I noticed how the skyline always has some green tint to it contrasting with the brown of the land, and how as they get near the destination of their journey those colors become literal, and the truck travels from the brown bottom of the screen to a greenland. I also thought the writer made a great use of pop culture because he didn't go overboard with it like, for example, in I Am Legend - he only used something like a song when it served the plot or as a punchline. Although this goes without saying, Gary Oldman is a superb villain. Also loved the old cannibal couple - they brought some needed laughs.

Although I'm not writing a full review, I gotta touch the ending which I assume is the source of some controversy. I really liked it - I didn't see it coming although it was clearly foreshadowed throughout the entire movie. I also didn't feel it killed the enjoyment of most of the plot like Shutter Island's twist did for me. On the other hand, I thought it made it even more epic and ironic. I do wish the movie had ended right after Denzel begins dictating the Bible. The scenes after that felt superfluous for me, like they didn't add absolutely anything to the characters. The same information could even have been conveyed with a pure image montage going with Denzel's narration.

It's not a masterpiece, sure. But as blockbusters go, it's amazingly good.

END OF SPOILERS

[[ETM]]

Late to this, but I liked it. I didn't expect I would but it worked for me.

[lovejuice]

wow, this movie is such a pleasant surprise. I love the ending. It's ballsy and ridiculous, so much so that I'm willing to give them my suspension of disbelief.

Reading through this thread confuses me a bit. I thought, that it is a bible is not a secret, but that he is blind is.

As someone already mentioned, I love how Oldman lusts for the book and his reason for that. His downfall is also a nice metaphor for the power struggle between faith and force. I also like how anti-climatic the climax fight is and that it's actually not Eli who disposes of the main bad guys. Only thing that I don't care for is the ending with the girl.

The tone of the movie reminds me of Trigun and Gurren Lagaan which is a really good thing.

[Dukefrukem]

wow, this movie is such a pleasant surprise. I love the ending. It's ballsy and ridiculous, so much so that I'm willing to give them my suspension of disbelief.

Reading through this thread confuses me a bit. I thought, that it is a bible is not a secret, but that he is blind is.

As someone already mentioned, I love how Oldman lusts for the book and his reason for that. His downfall is also a nice metaphor for the power struggle between faith and force. I also like how anti-climatic the climax fight is and that it's actually not Eli who disposes of the main bad guys. Only thing that I don't care for is the ending with the girl.

The tone of the movie reminds me of Trigun and Gurren Lagaan which is a really good thing.

Which post led you to believe your statement isn't true?

[D_Davis]

I still need to see this. I really miss Gary Whitta's video game podcasts. Hope he does some again, soon.