Into the Wild (very obvious spoiler inside) (1 Viewer)

[E-Z Glider]

My favorite book of all time has finally been made into a movie. Sean Penn was all set to do this about 10 years ago when Christopher McCandless' mother had a dream that Christopher didnt want a movie made about it. The family cancelled the production instantly. Penn stayed in contact over the years. Recently someone else was set to do it without their permission, so they contacted Penn and said they were ready. It's always tough for a movie to live up to a book, especially one this good, but Im still looking forward to it.

 

[prosopis]

What is it about?

 

[E-Z Glider]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

One of the best books I've ever read. Opened it up once and didn't stop reading until finished. Not sure that it will do well as a movie though. Guess we'll find out.

 

[prosopis]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

That isnt helping me. I hear guitar music and I see a guy sitting on a bus watching horses.

 

[Hamburglar]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

That isnt helping me. I hear guitar music and I see a guy sitting on a bus watching horses.

Get the book. It's a fast, easy read. Krakauer is a very sensual writer.

 

[prosopis]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

That isnt helping me. I hear guitar music and I see a guy sitting on a bus watching horses.

Get the book. It's a fast, easy read. Krakauer is a very sensual writer.

I will. Is that the correct book title "into the wild"?

 

[Hamburglar]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

That isnt helping me. I hear guitar music and I see a guy sitting on a bus watching horses.

Get the book. It's a fast, easy read. Krakauer is a very sensual writer.

I will. Is that the correct book title "into the wild"?

Yep.Into the Wild

Also get Into Thin Air - an account of the Mount Everest disaster back in the mid-to-late 90's.

 

[prosopis]

What is it about?

http://www.intothewild.com/

That isnt helping me. I hear guitar music and I see a guy sitting on a bus watching horses.

Get the book. It's a fast, easy read. Krakauer is a very sensual writer.

I will. Is that the correct book title "into the wild"?

Yep.Into the Wild

Also get Into Thin Air - an account of the Mount Everest disaster back in the mid-to-late 90's.

Thanks

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Music by Eddie Vedder, as I've heard.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Loved the book. Liked Into Thin Air as well. Saw Krakauer speak; pretty good, but very animated in trying to get his story across.

It's true, you can't put the book down.

Look forward to seeing this movie. And I see about one a year, if that.

Music by Pearl Jam...

 

[Flying V]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

 

[Steve in Minneapolis]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

The unfortunate circumstances don't make it any less painful as you see him making one bad decision after another....

Great read, and I had not heard about this movie. I will definitely see it.

Thanks for the heads up

 

[Limp Dogg Bizkits]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

guess I don't need to watch the movie now.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

guess I don't need to watch the movie now.

Nah, it's not really about that. And you can tell early on (I would think), as in the book, that he's on that road. Regardless, maybe I should delete. Or the OP can post "spoilers inside". Sorry.

 

[blenderfrog]

Into Thin Air is superior. Into the Wild is just about a guy with little knowledge making bad decisions. The outcome was expected...no surprise, triumph or emotion. It's an interesting story but for different reasons than one may expect.

Into Thin Air was one of the best books I have ever read. The only book I've read twice other than Where the Wild Things Are.

One of my all-time favorites!Never heard of Into Thin Air/Into the Wild, but will check them out. Thanks for the info!

 

[pgreenfan]

Is "Into Thin Air" about Beck Weathers?

ETA nevermin I looked it up and yeppers that is one of the people involved. He has a son around my age who I used to hang out with some.

 

[Hamburglar]

Is "Into Thin Air" about Beck Weathers?

Yes.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Into Thin Air is superior. Into the Wild is just about a guy with little knowledge making bad decisions. The outcome was expected...no surprise, triumph or emotion. It's an interesting story but for different reasons than one may expect.

Into Thin Air was one of the best books I have ever read. The only book I've read twice other than Where the Wild Things Are.

Into Thin Air was a great book, but there are so many other "climbing gone bad" stories out there that the whole topic is a bit watered down for me. Ive read many of them and after a while they are all pretty much the same. The best book ever on this topic, IMO, is Touching the Void. If you liked Into Thin Air, you have to check it out.I liked Into the Wild so much because Ive always sort of dreamed of dropping everything and just wandering around. Unfortunately, Id probably find the same fate as Chris, and find it much quicker. Another similar book that really intrigued me is An Island to Oneself which is a story about a guy who sold everything and moved to an island to live by himself. Extremist like this fascinate me.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Is "Into Thin Air" about Beck Weathers?

ETA nevermin I looked it up and yeppers that is one of the people involved. He has a son around my age who I used to hang out with some.

Beck actually wrote his own version of the fatal day in Left for Dead

 

[Flying V]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

True. But Alaska wasn't his first wilderness adventure. You'd think experience would have taught him a little more respect for the dangers involved. Either through arrogance or ignorance, he ignored advice from the more experienced and made horrendous decisions. It wasn't bad luck that lead to his demise. He was lucky to have made it that far in the first place.

 

[Chaka]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

guess I don't need to watch the movie now.

Pretty sure Krakauer discloses this fact in the first chapter of the book. I knew before I read it and it didn't make it any less fascinating.Into Thin Air is overrated. A few idiots made some awful decisions and some people were lucky enough to survive them.

If you want to be fascinated by a story of survival read Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.

 

[Hamburglar]

The fact that Krakauer was on the Everest expedition makes it very personal though. A first person account of the horrible, and yes, stupid, tragedy is nonetheless a great read from a talented author.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

True. But Alaska wasn't his first wilderness adventure. You'd think experience would have taught him a little more respect for the dangers involved. Either through arrogance or ignorance, he ignored advice from the more experienced and made horrendous decisions. It wasn't bad luck that lead to his demise. He was lucky to have made it that far in the first place.

He took some measures, but yeah, not enough. It said that, even after his previous experiences, he studied at a local library in Alaska before he headed out. Not that that alone changes anything, but I think he had more respect than you're giving him credit for. I just think he got too confident. I've seen your viewpoint echoed before, and it is too easily cloaked in a, "F'n idiot, didn't respect nature" thing. Makes it an easy open and shut case like that, which I don't think is fair. Some his age die making wrong decisions in a car -- I wouldn't call all of them losers. He was what, 22 or so? Kind of an invincible time, if you ask me, but no point in arguing over it. I don't want to talk about spoilers for those that haven't read it.Anyway, to simply conclude that he was a "loser" is pretty judgmental. Too easy being the cynic. He was a good kid. Who knows where he'd be today...I would think doing better than most...pretty sure of that actually.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

My favorite part of the book was the chapter on all the other looney loners who wandered off by themselves - some great characters in that chapter that seemed much more interesting to me than Chris McCandless.

 

[Flying V]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

True. But Alaska wasn't his first wilderness adventure. You'd think experience would have taught him a little more respect for the dangers involved. Either through arrogance or ignorance, he ignored advice from the more experienced and made horrendous decisions. It wasn't bad luck that lead to his demise. He was lucky to have made it that far in the first place.

He took some measures, but yeah, not enough. It said that, even after his previous experiences, he studied at a local library in Alaska before he headed out. Not that that alone changes anything, but I think he had more respect than you're giving him credit for. I just think he got too confident. I've seen your viewpoint echoed before, and it is too easily cloaked in a, "F'n idiot, didn't respect nature" thing. Makes it an easy open and shut case like that, which I don't think is fair. Some his age die making wrong decisions in a car -- I wouldn't call all of them losers. He was what, 22 or so? Kind of an invincible time, if you ask me, but no point in arguing over it. I don't want to talk about spoilers for those that haven't read it.Anyway, to simply conclude that he was a "loser" is pretty judgmental. Too easy being the cynic. He was a good kid. Who knows where he'd be today...I would think doing better than most...pretty sure of that actually.

You're right. That is pretty judgmental on my part. Plenty of adventurers through history have taken the risks he did and got lucky. Some not only survived but achieved hero status.But as Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

 

[Chaka]

The fact that Krakauer was on the Everest expedition makes it very personal though. A first person account of the horrible, and yes, stupid, tragedy is nonetheless a great read from a talented author.

I thought he spent to much time trying to pin blame on the ascent leaders. He also paints himself in a fairly bright light.

 

[prosopis]

I just finished this book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think his canoe trip and time spent in the southwest would be more interesting then the Alaska ordeal and I hope the movie centers on that. The book mentions that McCandless had a photo journal going. I did a google search looking for those photos without any results. Does anyone know if they are available to be seen?

I am thinking the answer is no or they would have been in the book.

 

[Sabertooth]

Interesting footnote is that I am somehow related to the men that happened across the bus in Alaska. I don't recall the relation as I don't talk to the Alaskan relatives much. I'll have to look into that.

 

[tdoss]

I really didn't care for the book that much. It's well written, but it's basically the story of a loser that wanted to commune with nature but lacked the common sense necessary to survive. I only read it because I enjoyed Into Thin Air and Eiger Dreams so much.

Nobody starts out knowing it all. Easy to point a finger at a young man trying to find himself and lay the blame. Truth be told, and what was interesting about the book, were the extenuating circumstances surrounding his death. A lot of things went wrong, at the wrong time, for it all to fall down.I prefer to think his heart was in the right place; just made a few costly decisions.

True. But Alaska wasn't his first wilderness adventure. You'd think experience would have taught him a little more respect for the dangers involved. Either through arrogance or ignorance, he ignored advice from the more experienced and made horrendous decisions. It wasn't bad luck that lead to his demise. He was lucky to have made it that far in the first place.

He took some measures, but yeah, not enough. It said that, even after his previous experiences, he studied at a local library in Alaska before he headed out. Not that that alone changes anything, but I think he had more respect than you're giving him credit for. I just think he got too confident. I've seen your viewpoint echoed before, and it is too easily cloaked in a, "F'n idiot, didn't respect nature" thing. Makes it an easy open and shut case like that, which I don't think is fair. Some his age die making wrong decisions in a car -- I wouldn't call all of them losers. He was what, 22 or so? Kind of an invincible time, if you ask me, but no point in arguing over it. I don't want to talk about spoilers for those that haven't read it.Anyway, to simply conclude that he was a "loser" is pretty judgmental. Too easy being the cynic. He was a good kid. Who knows where he'd be today...I would think doing better than most...pretty sure of that actually.

I agree...however, using your same analogy...could you see someone writing a top selling book and then a movie about some dumb@zz who got behind the wheel and made so many bad decisions ultimately leading to his death and then somehow lifting this same individual to cult-like hero status?I respect his intentions but come on...the guy was an idiot...there was shelter, food and supplies just up the hill a ways and he died pretty close to one of the major highways in the area.

It's nothing more than a homeless guy who dies in a ditch on the side of the road from overexposure and starvation all because he was too stubborn to ask for a little help.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Saw it last night. See maybe one movie a year and this one was sure worth it.

Whether you like him and the choices he made or not, the kid had a ton of courage and was genuine. He touched deeply the people he came across from all walks of life, no doubt. Speaking of courage, took a lot for his parents to allow Penn to make that film; a LOT.

Definitely go see it.

 

[dickey moe]

Agreed that it's one of the best books I've ever read, especially if you're interested in nature, the spirit of exploration, and the manner in which one interacts with his fellow man. You can finish it a couple evenings. Looking forward to the film.

 

[Team Tosh]

I just watched this movie last night and thought it was the best movie I've seen in a long time. I haven't read the book, so I don't know how true the movie was, but from what I've read online it sticks pretty close. I think Penn does an outstanding job of telling the story. You get a little Alaska and then jump back to how he got there. All the characters are great. Vedder's voice also adds some emotion and to some of the story telling throughout the film. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this movie. It's a long movie, but I couldn't believe how quickly it goes by.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

I just watched this movie last night and thought it was the best movie I've seen in a long time. I haven't read the book, so I don't know how true the movie was, but from what I've read online it sticks pretty close. I think Penn does an outstanding job of telling the story. You get a little Alaska and then jump back to how he got there. All the characters are great. Vedder's voice also adds some emotion and to some of the story telling throughout the film. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this movie. It's a long movie, but I couldn't believe how quickly it goes by.

 

[the moops]

Saw it last night. Intense movie. Very well-made.

I despised the little punk for the first half of the movie, but he grew on me. Everyone (at least everyone I know) has that desire to get out and travel and feel free. Found myself teary at least a few dozen times as his inevitable death grew closer and closer.

Oh, and fantastic soundtrack too! Eddie Vedder writes and sings 7 or 8 original songs.

 

[Joe T]

Anyone else see this movie?

I'm thinking about seeing it.

 

[ArcticEdge]

I drive past that road that leads to that bus every time I go to Anchorage, it's near the town of Healey. I feel for the kids family, but what he did should not be glorified in any way. He was just kind of a foolish kid. That's all.

 

[Joe T]

the bus is still there?

 

[ArcticEdge]

the bus is still there?

I'm sure it is. If you're going to go look at it, do yourself a favor and go in June with a four wheeler.

 

[redman]

My favorite book of all time has finally been made into a movie. Sean Penn was all set to do this about 10 years ago when Christopher McCandless' mother had a dream that Christopher didnt want a movie made about it. The family cancelled the production instantly. Penn stayed in contact over the years. Recently someone else was set to do it without their permission, so they contacted Penn and said they were ready. It's always tough for a movie to live up to a book, especially one this good, but Im still looking forward to it.

So Mom had another dream where McCandless changed his mind?

 

[SCT]

the bus is still there?

I'm sure it is. If you're going to go look at it, do yourself a favor and go in June with a four wheeler.

I would suggest May over June. By June, everything will be soggy and boggy, May it's still frozen up a bit. July/August would be better than June. Lot of discussion up here on the bus becoming a tourist trap and other people like McCandless getting in over their head trying to go visit it.I saw the movie and thought it was VERY good. Really well done. I kept thinking it was about to be over and then it would start down another path. I'm surprised Sean Penn had the time to make such a good movie considering all the time he devotes to bashing his home country.

 

[RenegadeGM]

Haven't seen the movie yet but would like to.

If you like Krakauer, another book to add to Into Thin Air and Into the Wild is Under the Banner of Heaven, which was also outstanding.

 

[Gadfly]

Based on the movie, I thought he was an idiot. Not for the way he died but for not nailing that 16-year-old hottie.

 

[the moops]

Based on the movie, I thought he was an idiot. Not for the way he died but for not nailing that 16-year-old hottie.

Kristen Stewart. I think she is 18 in real life.

 

[Ewok]

Saw the movie last night. Very good. The guy that plays McCandless did an amazing job. Movie has a pretty elite cast too.

 

[Otis]

Based on the movie, I thought he was an idiot. Not for the way he died but for not nailing that 16-year-old hottie.

Kristen Stewart. I think she is 18 in real life.

HelloHey

How's it goin?

Not bad. And you?

I've got a headache.

Sorry to hear it. Just think, things could be worse:You could look like Sabastian Bach.

 

[Hamburglar]

For the music fans, did you know that the soundtrack for this movie was written and performed by Eddie Vedder. A couple of songs were written by other people, but it's all Vedder. Fits the mood of the movie perfectly. Great album, IMO. Got it yesterday. For old PJ fans, I consider it a must have.

 

[Righetti]

just saw the movie last night.. Good flick

 

[bostonfred]

Just saw it yesterday. Holy crap did Emile Hirsch get skinny for the role. He went from just a normal, doofy looking kid to thin and diesel to emaciated. On top of an outstanding performance I think he deserves some serious credit for that