The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

well he doesnt have to get main, supporting is good enough. The dude needs an Oscar! He's by far the most flexible actor out there!

He's a very good actor and better than people give him credit for (just like Jolie), but he's nowhere near the most flexible actor. Not even top 20 for active actors.

[Q?]

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

Wow, not a pleasant movie to watch, but it's a well crafted movie. The actors are what carries it all, strong performances by everybody, Lumet is definitely an actors director. Sometimes you need to watch a movie where everything goes horribly wrong. I bought the DVD really cheap, so it was a great blindbuy, I don't think the Blu-ray would enhance the experience that much. As I said the actors are what carries it.

8.5/10

[iam1bearcat]

Walkabout (netflix instant)

i'm gonna state it very simply: i didn't get it.
i mean, i think i got the general gist of the story, but there were a lot of strange, bizarre scenes. a lot of "back and forth" scenes that were at first very different, but yet somehow related. and then constant shots of animals and the Australian outback. but as the movie progressed i found myself more and more confused by what the director was showing me, and at times got increasingly agitated because i didn't understand what the hell it all meant

i think the story is very simple, but the fashion in which it is portrayed seemed to indicate it was more advanced / intertwined than it needed to be. at least i felt that way. but maybe i am just too dense to understand art, or maybe i was looking to deep into it? either way, i feel i kind of missed part of the mark of the film. and i can see myself probably enjoying it more if i ever go back to watch it again.

the film focuses on a teenage girl and her younger brother (around 8? maybe) who are lost in the Australian outback after a shocking tragedy. it truly was a "WTF?!" moment and instantly had me wondering why what just happened had happened. maybe it doesn't matter? maybe it didn't have anything to do with the main story, and i get that, but seriously, who the F just

[Show spoiler]starts shooting at their kids? and then kills himself? and why start the car on fire. they were almost out of gas anyway, so they wouldn't have gotten far. and why did the dad kill himself?

a lot of questions that may not matter to the "overall picture" but they were constantly on my mind. not to mention when the film goes back to that moment, it didn't help erase what i already was shocked and confused about.

my biggest issue, not that there were a lot of issues, was the writing of the small boy. what the kid goes through and witnesses doesn't fit at all with what he says and how he acts. and the same can be said for the girl. i think anyone at any age would have SOME reaction to...

1)

[Show spoiler]witnessing her father shoot at her brother

2)

[Show spoiler]shoot himself

3)

[Show spoiler]blow up the car

4)

[Show spoiler]realizing they were abandoned in the middle of a dangerous place

which makes me wonder, was this THEIR walkabout? did they know this was going to happen? the kids have that radio and they constantly listen to it and it seems to offer advice at times about some things, but the girl DEFINITELY didn't dress properly for being out doors. but she (and he) seemed to know a lot of how to survive in such harsh conditions. and why would you not walk in the direction you came in? they leave in the opposite direction?! a few of these things piled up made me very because i didn't understand the logic of the characters.

never ONCE do you see them break down. never ONCE do you see them actually care about where they are and what's happening. they seem to have all the faith in the world that they're perfectly fine. it made little sense to me and i know i would be a completely wreck and panicking constantly if i was left with my little brother in the middle of Australia. maybe that's just me?

a few other oddities i had were

[Show spoiler]the science team

and what this was supposed to mean or show. i know this then makes us understand where the

[Show spoiler]balloon

comes from. but why all the close up shots of

[Show spoiler]the female?

things like this that make me think, "is this pure genius and i'm just totally NSE?" but to be completely honest, i didn't mind it. but i definitely didn't understand it. and i feel it didn't need to be in the film.

and as the movie progressed, the last 25 minutes or so were really baffling. a hodge podge of "WTF?" continued on and never seemed to let up. more instances where the characters are completely emotionless and about as excited as wet cardboard. does anything excite these people?! their never angry, never sad, never happy, never hopeless. just, "eh, whatever" which seemed to me to be highly unrealistic.

and maybe none of that matters? i have no idea.

i know i sound critical, but i did enjoy the film for the most part, overall. even though i understand very little of it and i'm thinking that the themes of the film are that they enjoy the simple life better than the hectic city life? at least i got that from what the last two scenes show us... or that she learned to appreciate the simple things?

and i'm guessing their native friend

[Show spoiler]killed himself because he tried to get them to stay (the odd, 14 hour dance?) and they weren't going to and after he saw the "white guys" in the truck kill 87,000 animals he was depressed because he thought they'd turn into the same type of people? or did he like the girl and this was a dance of romance that she unknowingly rejected?

but honestly i don't know.

is this a piece about the beauty of nature without the wrecking ball of modern technology interfering and disrupting the beauty of it? is this about becoming an adult and actually living by doing things yourself? or again, am i thinking too much into it?

i'm sure others here who have seen it will bombard me with answers (or at least what they think of what i've asked) and that will (maybe) fill in some of the blanks and i will enjoy it more on a second viewing.

again, i didn't hate it. i liked it. i didn't love it though.
i really liked the first act. and to be honest i seemed to dislike the movie more and more as it went on. but it was never a severe drop off anywhere. like i said above, just a few odd, questionable scenes and / or scene structured events that made me puzzled and a few that made me more than simply this being a bad movie. it's not a bad movie, but definitely preferred taste.

I went back and read this and I didn't list many positives, so I'll do that now
The cinematography is great all scenes have a very dark, burnt feel to them that I believe probably fits the environment well. And for film that contains little in the way of dialogue it held my attention very well. I also loved the relationship build between the sister and her brother with the native man. I also find it humorous how open he was to them when they met and how cold another character is when he meets the boy and girl. Ind of shows how cold and selfish the "modern world" is. I also enjoyed MOST of the score. Although the opening song sounds and feels like a christmas song which didn't fit at all imo in the film, other moments stand out as terrific and almost hypnotic.

3.5/5

[Foggy]

The Social Network

Can you say Epic Timeless Classic Masterpiece (Jiggy will be pissed doubly with that)

Last week I did Wall Street 2 and hated it, so I can gladly say that The Social Network succeeds where that fails, it gives you a real feel for the story involved and the characters. The facts and figures have an impact while Wall Street 2's fact and figures just happen because of how jumbled it it. And don't get me wrong, The Social Network is jumbled, but it's jumbled in a way to you engaged with the story.

The actors are incredibly quick witted, Jesse Esenburg is definitely top notch here, he captures the over-confident geeky jackass that is Mark Zuckerburg. All I'll say about Andy Garfield is that he's fantastic and I can definitely see him as Spiderman (whether or not he'll be good) and Justin Timberlake was pretty great to....yes I did just say Justin Timberlake was pretty good to. I think this film will kick start a lot of careers

The only things that does hold it back is it has some slow parts, and the Boat Race scene, it's like they looked at it and went, well lets do some really artsy stuff with this. It didn't serve a point and just felt like a break in the film for a rest, one that just didn't feel needed.

I really like The Social Network, it's a film that really does have an impact on the audience, and this is the facebook movie for Christ sake.

9.5/10

[shinseiRomeo]

A worthy new age remake.

Movie: My initial reaction upon hearing about the new Karate Kid was "you've got to be kidding me". As you very well may be thinking right now "why mess with a classic?". I hope to vanquish your fears by starting off with telling you that the original producer for the first Karate Kid filmed in 1984, Jerry Weintraub, is the very same producer for the new TKK. This is never meant to be a replacement but a new age version of a classic. The story stays true to the original but adds it's own flavor, which is immediately noticeable right from the start. Some modern day changes include subtle hints about the current economy, some classic rock, and coming from far out from left field, current songs from Flo Rida and Lady Gaga.

The story itself is an emotional roller coaster, giving a wide range of reactions from pity, embarrassment, anger, joy, and sadness. Jaden Smith did a wonderful job taking over the role as the karate kid, and Jackie Chan was admirable in the shoes of the old mentor. Jackie was fantastic in one of his scenes that is a total reversal of his usual roles, leaving you feeling for him, truly putting you in his shoes. I felt TKK to be a bit too long, clocking in at 140 minutes. The first 45 minutes seem to drag on as we see Dre be abused over and over. This could have easily been cut down to 25 minutes or less and have the same effect.


Video: I don't recall saying this about any BD transfer this far, but the video in The Karate Kid is flawless. I couldn't find a single fault in the transfer. Flesh tones are accurate, colors are vibrant and never over saturated, and even the scenes filmed in the Wudang mountains that appear to be rather dull are extremely detailed.

Audio: Similar to the video but missing it by a hair is a near perfect audio track. Voices are clear and precise, surrounds are used to add matching ambiance, and the LFE is used to add "oomph" during fight scenes. The only inconsistency I found was near the very end of Mr. Han's first fight scene, I noticed some sound effects out of place.

Extras: Included are a wide variety of extras, from behind the scenes and making of, production diaries, music videos, and even basic Mandarin lessons. The interactive map shows historical information and details on how much effort went into the scenes in locations such as The Great Wall, Beijing, and the Wudang Mountains. The map layout can be a bit cumbersome though as you have to choose each location, then the area within, waiting for constant loading in between. I thoroughly enjoyed the making of, which to me hit a sweet spot of around 20 minutes. It was fascinating to see direct comparison between the two movies but a major irritation with me was the constant advertising in the scenes showing the original Karate Kid, with incessant flashing of "Now available on Blu-ray and DVD".

Overall: I was a bit nervous going into the new Karate Kid. The original is such a classic and I had concerns that altering it would be a crime against cinema. Thankfully what I discovered was a fantastic modern day version of the original. It's faithful yet adds it own flavor, and serves as a great complement. The video is flawless, the audio near perfect, and the extras, while varied but ultimately short, provide a brief look into the production and the history of locales around China. The Karate Kid (2010) comes highly recommended

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by shinseiromeo

A worthy new age remake.

Movie: My initial reaction upon hearing about the new Karate Kid was "you've got to be kidding me". As you very well may be thinking right now "why mess with a classic?". I hope to vanquish your fears by starting off with telling you that the original producer for the first Karate Kid filmed in 1984, Jerry Weintraub, is the very same producer for the new TKK. This is never meant to be a replacement but a new age version of a classic. The story stays true to the original but adds it's own flavor, which is immediately noticeable right from the start. Some modern day changes include subtle hints about the current economy, some classic rock, and coming from far out from left field, current songs from Flo Rida and Lady Gaga.

The story itself is an emotional roller coaster, giving a wide range of reactions from pity, embarrassment, anger, joy, and sadness. Jaden Smith did a wonderful job taking over the role as the karate kid, and Jackie Chan was admirable in the shoes of the old mentor. Jackie was fantastic in one of his scenes that is a total reversal of his usual roles, leaving you feeling for him, truly putting you in his shoes. I felt TKK to be a bit too long, clocking in at 140 minutes. The first 45 minutes seem to drag on as we see Dre be abused over and over. This could have easily been cut down to 25 minutes or less and have the same effect.


Video: I don't recall saying this about any BD transfer this far, but the video in The Karate Kid is flawless. I couldn't find a single fault in the transfer. Flesh tones are accurate, colors are vibrant and never over saturated, and even the scenes in the Wudang that appear to be rather dull are extremely detailed.

Audio: Similar to the video but missing it by a hair is a near perfect audio track. Voices are clear and precise, surrounds are used to add matching ambiance, and the LFE is used to add "oomph" during fight scenes. The only inconsistency I found was near the very end of Mr. Han's first fight scene, I noticed some sound effects out of place.

Extras: Included are a wide variety of extras, from behind the scenes and making of, production diaries, music videos, and even basic Mandarin lessons. The interactive map shows historical information and details on how much effort went into the scenes in locations such as The Great Wall, Beijing, and the Wudang Mountains. The map layout can be a bit cumbersome though as you have to choose each location, then the area within, waiting for constant loading in between. I thoroughly enjoyed the making of, which to me hit a sweet spot of around 20 minutes. It was fascinating to see direct comparison between the two movies but a major irritation with me was the constant advertising in the scenes showing the original Karate Kid, with incessant flashing of "Now available on Blu-ray and DVD".

Overall: I was a bit nervous going into the new Karate Kid. The original is such a classic and I had concerns that altering it would be a crime against cinema. Thankfully what I discovered was a fantastic modern day version of the original. It's faithful yet adds it own flavor, and serves as a great complement. The video is flawless, the audio near perfect, and the extras, while varied but ultimately short, provide a brief look into the production and the history of locales around China. The Karate Kid (2010) comes highly recommended

I just see it as so unnecessary, especially since the original already has 3 sequels, including one without Daniel. May check this out when it can be had for $10-, though.

[shinseiRomeo]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I just see it as so unnecessary, especially since the original already has 3 sequels, including one without Daniel. May check this out when it can be had for $10-, though.

I thought the same thing but keep in mind the original is now 26 years old. The point of this remake appears to be to tell the same story and teach the same values but with a new age twist. For me personally it isn't a must own as I have no intention of having it in my collection, but I absolutely recommended it as a watch for a good alternate storytelling but superb A/V. I borrowed my copy from a friend.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It's Malick, so don't worry...unless you're very familiar with his four films and his life, it's difficult to truly understand what his purpose is in his films. The fact that you have a desire to rewatch it with new expectations is great though. I love getting a new perspective on films and re-watching them.....

......with the exception of the ridiculous Prestige theory that was proffered here. I'm still growing back the brain cells I lost.

More and more, I find that many films (especially many Criterion ones) require multiple viewings to appreciate. "The Seventh Seal" is one example; the second viewing was way more enjoyable and interesting than the first.

As for "The Prestige"...I already forgot about the alternate theory. And I forgot to read over that thread (sorry Surfdude will get on it soon...if I dare...).

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by Q!

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

Wow, not a pleasant movie to watch, but it's a well crafted movie. The actors are what carries it all, strong performances by everybody, Lumet is definitely an actors director. Sometimes you need to watch a movie where everything goes horribly wrong. I bought the DVD really cheap, so it was a great blindbuy, I don't think the Blu-ray would enhance the experience that much. As I said the actors are what carries it.

8.5/10

I really enjoyed this movie. I know it gets alot of hate on the boards, but I'd rank it a solid 4/5. Sidney Lumet did a fantastic job.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Walkabout (netflix instant)

3.5/5

Nice review! No you're not batty -- you had the same issues as Squid (and Jhiggy, I think).

Check out these posts:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

and

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

as far as the underlying theme: originally I thought it was the obvious

[Show spoiler]trespassing white man into aborigine territory, for greed, etc, and the drastic consequences that result -- the skinned animal carcus sticks out as a metaphor for the rotting white man's soul -- his acts reflect his inner state

, but found its far deeper and goes right to

[Show spoiler]basic communication! think back to the scene when girl and boy are at the tree and aborigine first approaches. girl keeps saying "water! water!", aborigine looks back with "WTF" look boy says "water!" but also gives non-verbal sign of drinking and aborigine laughs and recognizes the boy's message and says water out loud in his language, and finds them water. the boy went above and beyond to try to communicate. this scene is the essence of the film. the boy tried harder than the girl to communicate, but neither tried hard enough in the end. the aborigine also didn't try hard enough, so no real link was established. the consequences? death for aborigine and near-death for the kids. when the aborigine started the mating dance, the girl thought he was trying to kill her -- a misunderstanding resulting in bad consequences for both of them. its the same in real life -- we meet people all the time, even those who speak our language, and never try to fully understand them, and thus, never make true communication, resulting in poor results at best and disatrous results at worst

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Ok, here's my pixar ratings...which are subject to change...based upon mood

Bolded are my favorites.

Toy Story 4/5
Toy Story 2 5/5
Toy Story 3 5/5
Wall-E 4.5/5
Cars 5/5
Finding Nemo 3/5
The Incredibles 4/5
Monsters Inc 5/5
A Bug's Life 4/5
Ratatouille 1/5

Up haven't seen it yet

Ratatouille 1/5????????? Holy smokes.

You should see UP ASAP.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

He's a very good actor and better than people give him credit for (just like Jolie), but he's nowhere near the most flexible actor. Not even top 20 for active actors.

You can name 20 current actors with better range than Pitt?

I'd be mighty impressed.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Q!

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

Wow, not a pleasant movie to watch, but it's a well crafted movie. The actors are what carries it all, strong performances by everybody, Lumet is definitely an actors director. Sometimes you need to watch a movie where everything goes horribly wrong. I bought the DVD really cheap, so it was a great blindbuy, I don't think the Blu-ray would enhance the experience that much. As I said the actors are what carries it.

8.5/10

This film was like a Coen film, without the humor.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Nice review! No you're not batty -- you had the same issues as Squid (and Jhiggy, I think).

Check out these posts:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

and

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post3430423

as far as the underlying theme: originally I thought it was the obvious

[Show spoiler]trespassing white man into aborigine territory, for greed, etc, and the drastic consequences that result -- the skinned animal carcus sticks out as a metaphor for the rotting white man's soul -- his acts reflect his inner state

, but found its far deeper and goes right to

[Show spoiler]basic communication! think back to the scene when girl and boy are at the tree and aborigine first approaches. girl keeps saying "water! water!", aborigine looks back with "WTF" look boy says "water!" but also gives non-verbal sign of drinking and aborigine laughs and recognizes the boy's message and says water out loud in his language, and finds them water. the boy went above and beyond to try to communicate. this scene is the essence of the film. the boy tried harder than the girl to communicate, but neither tried hard enough in the end. the aborigine also didn't try hard enough, so no real link was established. the consequences? death for aborigine and near-death for the kids. when the aborigine started the mating dance, the girl thought he was trying to kill her -- a misunderstanding resulting in bad consequences for both of them. its the same in real life -- we meet people all the time, even those who speak our language, and never try to fully understand them, and thus, never make true communication, resulting in poor results at best and disastrous results at worst

some thoughts i didn't add to my review that you cover in your review:

[Show spoiler]i remember seeing the guy's eyes move when he's in the trees, but i kind of just thought the actor couldn't keep his sh*t together long enough to get the shot so they just quick cut away from it. or, that he wasn't completely dead, but certainly very close to death. i did not see (or maybe i just don't remember) them showing the tree again and him being gone. or maybe i didn't recognize it as the same tree. jeez surf, you pay too much attention! and as for not tracking back the way they came. it makes sense. but she didn't want to traumatize him? she could have covered his eyes. and near the end of the movie he even says, "did dad shoot himself?" and seems all nonchalant about it. and it still doesn't help explain why neither seems traumatized or shocked about anything that happens.

and the whole issue of

[Show spoiler]communication - or "mis-communication" makes a lot of sense and i see that more clearly now with the example you gave. i think at first i thought that too, but later scenes confused me.

and i still don't get AT ALL why

[Show spoiler]the director shows the science team and keeps showing us the woman and showing certain "places" of her. that seemed kind of creepy and that also happens with the many girl (and i see Squid pointed that out as well )

but you have helped clarify some things. thanks Surf!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Walkabout

"is this pure genius and i'm just totally NSE?"

Didnt the pedophile angle bother you?

[Show spoiler]Did the native boy die? Or not?

I had all the same issues you did, and more.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by shinseiromeo

A worthy new age remake.

Movie: My initial reaction upon hearing about the new Karate Kid

[Show spoiler]was "you've got to be kidding me". As you very well may be thinking right now "why mess with a classic?". I hope to vanquish your fears by starting off with telling you that the original producer for the first Karate Kid filmed in 1984, Jerry Weintraub, is the very same producer for the new TKK. This is never meant to be a replacement but a new age version of a classic. The story stays true to the original but adds it's own flavor, which is immediately noticeable right from the start. Some modern day changes include subtle hints about the current economy, some classic rock, and coming from far out from left field, current songs from Flo Rida and Lady Gaga.

The story itself is an emotional roller coaster, giving a wide range of reactions from pity, embarrassment, anger, joy, and sadness. Jaden Smith did a wonderful job taking over the role as the karate kid, and Jackie Chan was admirable in the shoes of the old mentor. Jackie was fantastic in one of his scenes that is a total reversal of his usual roles, leaving you feeling for him, truly putting you in his shoes. I felt TKK to be a bit too long, clocking in at 140 minutes. The first 45 minutes seem to drag on as we see Dre be abused over and over. This could have easily been cut down to 25 minutes or less and have the same effect.


Video: I don't recall saying this about any BD transfer this far, but the video in The Karate Kid is flawless. I couldn't find a single fault in the transfer. Flesh tones are accurate, colors are vibrant and never over saturated, and even the scenes filmed in the Wudang mountains that appear to be rather dull are extremely detailed.

Audio: Similar to the video but missing it by a hair is a near perfect audio track. Voices are clear and precise, surrounds are used to add matching ambiance, and the LFE is used to add "oomph" during fight scenes. The only inconsistency I found was near the very end of Mr. Han's first fight scene, I noticed some sound effects out of place.

Extras: Included are a wide variety of extras, from behind the scenes and making of, production diaries, music videos, and even basic Mandarin lessons. The interactive map shows historical information and details on how much effort went into the scenes in locations such as The Great Wall, Beijing, and the Wudang Mountains. The map layout can be a bit cumbersome though as you have to choose each location, then the area within, waiting for constant loading in between. I thoroughly enjoyed the making of, which to me hit a sweet spot of around 20 minutes. It was fascinating to see direct comparison between the two movies but a major irritation with me was the constant advertising in the scenes showing the original Karate Kid, with incessant flashing of "Now available on Blu-ray and DVD".

Overall: I was a bit nervous going into the new Karate Kid. The original is such a classic and I had concerns that altering it would be a crime against cinema. Thankfully what I discovered was a fantastic modern day version of the original. It's faithful yet adds it own flavor, and serves as a great complement. The video is flawless, the audio near perfect, and the extras, while varied but ultimately short, provide a brief look into the production and the history of locales around China. The Karate Kid (2010) comes highly recommended

Good review.

[Batman1980]

The Last Song 3.5/5
PQ 4/5
AQ 4/5
Really only worth watching if you like Miley, otherwise not really watchable.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]but she didn't want to traumatize him? she could have covered his eyes. and near the end of the movie he even says, "did dad shoot himself?" and seems all nonchalant about it. and it still doesn't help explain why neither seems traumatized or shocked about anything that happens.

really?

[Show spoiler]cover his eyes?? wow, I'm glad I'm not your little brother!! You forgot to cover his nose too! Seriously though, IMO its perfectly realistic what happened -- the kid is super young and his daddy is a'cookin on the grill. Case closed for me In case its still fighting you -- try this: Ebert pointed out how the Dad is obviously a drunk and most importantly, there is an uncomfortable eerie vibe between him and the kids. LIkely history of abuse. Remember the initial apartment scene? Kids in pool and daddy drinking up in the apartment staring down at kids with psycho stare? Very eerie. It all sums up to likely abuse, IMO. THis not only solidifies why she wouldn't take her brother back to car but why there isn't much emotion throughout film -- her mind pattern (and perhaps the brothers) is "thank god that dirty old man is gone and can't hurt us anymore". Another very plausible scenario. Bottom line -- those 2 explanations (emotionally protect her brother and/or relief at death of abusing scum bag) are more likely than the alternative (go back to car, cry at dad dying -- when facts suggest otherwise)

Under "emotionally protect brother" theory:

The boy isn't sad throughout film because he thinks Dad is alive - he doesn't put it together till near end.
The girl isn't sad throughout film because she can't give off a hint that Dad is dead to brother.

Under "abusing dad " theory, they wouldn't be emotional, even after they both know he's dead.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

really?

[Show spoiler]cover his eyes?? wow, I'm glad I'm not your little brother!! You forgot to cover his nose too! Seriously though, IMO its perfectly realistic what happened -- the kid is super young and his daddy is a'cookin on the grill. Case closed for me In case its still fighting you -- try this: Ebert pointed out how the Dad is obviously a drunk and most importantly, there is an uncomfortable eerie vibe between him and the kids. LIkely history of abuse. Remember the initial apartment scene? Kids in pool and daddy drinking up in the apartment staring down at kids with psycho stare? Very eerie. It all sums up to likely abuse, IMO. THis not only solidifies why she wouldn't take her brother back to car but why there isn't much emotion throughout film -- her mind pattern (and perhaps the brothers) is "thank god that dirty old man is gone and can't hurt us anymore". Another very plausible scenario. Bottom line -- those 2 explanations (emotionally protect her brother and/or relief at death of abusing scum bag) are more likely than the alternative (go back to car, cry at dad dying -- when facts suggest otherwise)

Under "emotionally protect brother" theory:

The boy isn't sad throughout film because he thinks Dad is alive - he doesn't put it together till near end.
The girl isn't sad throughout film because she can't give off a hint that Dad is dead to brother.

Under "abusing dad " theory, they wouldn't be emotional, even after they both know he's dead.

IMO the boy is too old to fall for the

[Show spoiler]"Dad is still alive gig". Plus, the bullets-o-flying would fack him up a little, even if dad was an abuser.He'd be like "Whoa...this is the next level.

Plus the

[Show spoiler]director was a perv.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

IMO the boy is too old to fall for the

[Show spoiler]"Dad is still alive gig". Plus, the bullets-o-flying would fack him up a little, even if dad was an abuser.He'd be like "Whoa...this is the next level.

I agree, because he didn't fall for it --

[Show spoiler]ultimately. So glad you're permanently on board Squid! Now stop flip-flopping damnit!

Not sure what the point about the bullets facking him up is? That he'd be more likely to believe Daddy is dead?

Plus the

[Show spoiler]director was a perv.

dude, this is why I'm SOOOOO glad Bearcat reviewed this -- the endless Squid commentary on the

[Show spoiler]perv/pedophile aspects

. I may engage in artificial debate on this and advocate some innocent artistic use here, just to laugh out loud at your posts!