Denzel Washington to Star in Book of Eli

[Rishi]

Me and my bud made a video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wu6AGT5OB0

I liked the movie but I gotta (and forgot to) say that it asks you to make some pretty big leaps of faith at the end.. that I could do but was well aware of the fact that I was ignoring something/turning my brain off. I think there might be some undertones (religious of course) that explain them, but I think that's all I'll say on the subject.

Great cinematography in the film. Was surprised to see this is the same DP from Spider-man 1 and Terminator 3 - two movies that I didn't like the look of.

 

[Rishi]

Also as per the spoiler, imo: Half.

 

[Doctor Jones]

But how is the film as a whole? To me this seems like it has a great look and a great potential theme but can be thrown aside for action and style.

 

[E-Man]

Spoiler

I've heard theories that Eli might not actually be his name. He could have found the bag the same way many people found most of their resources those days, just scavenging. It shows him in the beginning taking shoes from a dead man. I really don't know either way. I kind of like the idea of him just being a regular joe before the war, just some kid who worked at a Kmart, but at the same time I like the idea of him being a nameless wanderer much like "Nobody" in the westerns. In fact, that's the first thing I thought of when Gary Oldman's character asked him who he was and he replied "Nobody.", and that "Eli" was more of a moniker that was given to him, but never responded to. I guess it doesn't really matter much either way, just thought it was something interesting to think about.

Another thing to think about is when did his blindness occur? Pre-war or post. I'm not sure it really gives any clues in the film.

That's not a bad way of looking at it. I could see it, but if that is true then

Spoiler

his blindness probably occurred after the war. If he found the bag that said his name was Eli, then he must have been able to read it with his eyes. The tag wasn't in braille. Another thing to think about with his blindness is that he could've gone blind in order to read the book. Since the book he found was in braille, maybe he learned to read it and went blind along the way.

 

[Team Andino]

I went yesterday an going in I didnt know what to expect really. I just knew that Denzel an Oldman in a movie together gave me enough incentive to want to see this in theaters. I'm not religious at all but I did enjoy the overall theme of how powerful the whole concept is behind the book an how in real life it can be used in such a powerful way in either negative or positive light. I look forward to picking it up on DVD when it comes out

 

[COAL TIGER]

The Book of Eli is now one of my favorite movies. I'm diffenetly getting this on Blu-Ray. F**k DVD. I gave this a 10.

I loved the surprise of the movie that...

Spoiler

Eli was blind the whole entire time.

 

[RockSP]

Good movie especially the first two-thirds. The last act is kinda iffy and rushed. Not mad I paid to see it, though. And I rarely pay to see flicks (though this year looks to be one where I'll be in the theatre often).

 

[Heretic]

I went into this movie kind of not caring. I am an atheist, so the subject matter wasnt thrilling me. I like Oldman and Denzel...and my girlfriend is a fan, so she was excited about going. Eh...

But...I'd say there was a lot more to this movie than I expected! There was action, and I didnt get bored...but there was plenty of story as well. I really liked the concept of religion as a weapon. I wasn't aware that Mila Kunis was in this, and that girl is smokin hot.

I kind of winced at the very ending that hinted at a sequel...but there's a lot of cool ways one could take the concept.

Spoiler

Is he a new messiah type figure? How bad has that town gotten? Is Mila Kunis a new witness with "god powers". Did they update the Bible with a new book from Eli (his speech at the end)? If they did, perhaps there are prophecies and secrets buried within...tons of ways to go.

Oh, and I really liked the look of the film.

 

[RockSP]

The projector or whatever screwed up at one point when I went to see this. A few people actually walked out instead of waiting a couple minutes for a theatre employee to fix it...

 

[Heretic]

There was one theater in a city I used to live in that screwed up the projector EVERY TIME I went there. The worst was when...I'm not even sure how this happened...but they showed us the end of the movie first...they caught it before the credits rolled, but we already knew who lived and died throughout the film...

 

[Anjow1060]

As per the spoiler/twist...

Spoiler

I honestly do not think he was blind. Shooting the people. Seeing the IPod had a low battery. I highly doubt he was blinded by the flash and amidst all the death someone stopped and taught him brail. Regardless, he did have 30 years to learn brail. I think that he saw the cross on the front cover and managed to teach himself brail over time. I mean, it's like they said in Zodiac about decoding - all you really need are a few letters. If he knew the opening passages of the bible he could figure out letters from there.

- Jow

 

[Heretic]

As per the spoiler/twist...

Spoiler

I honestly do not think he was blind. Shooting the people. Seeing the IPod had a low battery. I highly doubt he was blinded by the flash and amidst all the death someone stopped and taught him brail. Regardless, he did have 30 years to learn brail. I think that he saw the cross on the front cover and managed to teach himself brail over time. I mean, it's like they said in Zodiac about decoding - all you really need are a few letters. If he knew the opening passages of the bible he could figure out letters from there.

- Jow

Spoiler

When he saw that the battery was dead, i dont recall him saying anything about it...just that he tapped it...so maybe he didnt see that the battery was dead. It was pretty clear that they were revealing that he was blind, and somehow his weapons were guided by God to give him safe passage. He had to feel around to find new shoes, unable to see if they were wearing them (and the dead guy that was hanging there was spotted through scent, lhe was even bumping into things as he walked around the house)

 

[COAL TIGER]

Spoiler

When he saw that the battery was dead, i dont recall him saying anything about it...just that he tapped it...so maybe he didnt see that the battery was dead. It was pretty clear that they were revealing that he was blind, and somehow his weapons were guided by God to give him safe passage. He had to feel around to find new shoes, unable to see if they were wearing them (and the dead guy that was hanging there was spotted through scent, lhe was even bumping into things as he walked around the house)

Yep. I saw that. I thinking maybe he didn't really do that.

 

[E-Man]

In terms of sequel, I wouldn't really want to see that. To be honest

Spoiler

I didn't like the idea of Mila Kunis being a new badass like Eli. I just don't buy it. I also thought it was really goofy when she was praying with her mother. It would be one thing if she did that after spending 3 or 4 nights with Eli, but she only heard it once.

 

[louiebling$]

I just saw this..... An Amazing Film.

Denzel and Oldman showed why they are some of the best actors alive,Ray Stevenson was a surprise but I actually liked him a lot. Kunis was also good and she was so gorgeous :heart:

As for the Plot I loved it,it kept me entertained and there wasn't one time where I was bored.The whole religous influence was somewhat inspiring and left me wanting to have faith like Eli not only in religon but in life itself.

Ok now the cinemography:

Wow was this film beautiful.... I mean the Hughes Brothers really kept me in awe. They really have a unique way of filming, very stylized.

I'm giving it a 10/10 and I highly recommened this

O yeaa

P.S.

Spoiler

Loved the Cannibal Dumbledore Cameo

 

[Heretic]

There definitely should have been some more time spent with Denzel teaching Mila Kunis' character though.

 

[louiebling$]

There definitely should have been some more time spent with Denzel teaching Mila Kunis' character though.

Yea I totally agree

Spoiler

At the end when she walked off with his gun and knife I though "When in the hell did he train her at all to use any of that let alone surive alone especially after seeing how she handled those 2 guys that tried to rape her? "

 

[Heretic]

Yea I totally agree

Spoiler

At the end when she walked off with his gun and knife I though "When in the hell did he train her at all to use any of that let alone surive alone especially after seeing how she handled those 2 guys that tried to rape her? "

Exactly.

Spoiler

We could assume that Eli's "god powers" transferred to her, but help us out a little bit here...at least show him training her a bit and teaching her about the bible. She was even shown as being asleep on a couch while Eli was getting the new bible transcribed. Seems like an extra few scenes of development of her character would make her much more believable, and get people more excited about seeing her in a sequel.

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

went and saw this...and was wow'd!
8.5/10
denzel did a great job...oldman was a beast...it was the cinematography that did it for me though...i loved it!

 

[Dark Victory]

I'm seeing this today at around noon. I'm not expecting much, but hopefully it's somewhat fun.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Maybe I should see this tomorrow or something. BUt I really need to see Avatar again.

 

[Dark Victory]

Maybe I should see this tomorrow or something. BUt I really need to see Avatar again.

I'm happy to say it gets better with every viewing.

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

Spoiler

so from what I'm reading...am I to assume Eli dies at the end?

if so...I'd rather not want a sequel.

 

[RockSP]

No sequel is needed. But you know how Hollywood is. If it makes enough money...

 

[Doctor Jones]

I'm happy to say it gets better with every viewing.

That's good to hear.