The story of Christopher McCandless is one of amazement and inspiration, while at the same time being horribly tragic.

Last year I read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, in anticipation of watching the film. I wrote a review about it if you want to know if it was worth reading and what the book was all about, but I can tell you right now that it was awesome and definitely something to add to your collection.

The movie Into the Wild basically takes the book and puts it on the screen for you to see, without any real changes to its heart, content or message. The chapters in the movie are really the only difference that I noticed. The film is broken up into segments, like a book, that describe Christopher’s journey as a trip through a human being’s life. Childhood, adolescence, adulthood and wisdom.

Emile Hirch, who was in the recent and very underrated Alpha Dog, gives a pitch-perfect performance as McCandless.

The main controversy surrounding this entire saga of McCandless is whether or not he was a selfish child who thought of nothing but himself. The way he leaves his family behind without a single word to any of them, even his beloved sister, causes most people to think of him as totally uncaring and selfish.

The other area of debate is McCandless’ mindset, especially concerning his Alaskan trip. Many think he was ill-prepared for such a huge undertaking and deciding to venture out into the wilderness was akin to suicide.

Was he suicidal?

I wont give you my answer, but I think if you read the book and watch the movie, you’ll come to the correct conclusion. At least, the one I think is correct.

As for whether or not he was selfish, that’s a different story. He was escaping something and trying to find out who he was, and this was the way he went about doing it. Did he hurt the ones who loved him? Absolutely. Was it right?

Who knows?

The movie is just a beautiful piece of film making, with amazing cinematography and some great supporting roles by actors such as Hal Holbrook (who won Best Supporting Actor), Kristen Stewart (right) and Catherine Keener. But I really loved Jena Malone and her overall narration during the film. Her voice conveyed a lot of the emotion that you could feel overtaking the family during the two years he was gone.

From what I can tell from the credits, the film is shot all over the country, presumably at most of the exact locations that McCandless was known to have visited or passed through. The authenticity this adds to the movie is very apparent.

The other wonderful aspect of Into the Wild was the soundtrack, done by Eddie Vedder. He agreed on the spot, according to IMDB, to do the soundtrack when director Sean Penn asked him about it.

You can view a sample of it below in a music video made for the film.

As I said at the time, I felt Atonement should not have been nominated for Best Picture this year, and in its place I would have put Into the Wild.

Mike’s rating: 9.5 out of 10

Hard Sun Music Video – Eddie Vedder – Watch more free videos

Into The Wild

I read the book awhile ago because I wanted to get the real story on what happened to Christopher McCandless back in 1992-93. The book was outstanding, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about this film. It’s out on HD-DVD too, so I may pick that up just to see it in beautiful high-def.

My Kid Could Paint That

An interesting documentary on a child who paints some art that sells for a ton of money, and then the validity of the work is questioned. Michael Phillips, who guest hosted with Richard Roeper this week, called it the best documentary of 2007. If you get into docs, this might be one to rent.

Other DVDs

• Things We Lost in the Fire – Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro…heard it’s decent, but not really two actors I get thrilled to watch. At least…not Berry.
• Mrs. Doubtfire (Behind the Seams edition) – Really?
• The Love Boat: Season 1, Vol 1 – You Love Boaters can finally rest easy that it’s out on DVD.

Blu-Ray

• Aquarium Impressions (Navarre Corporation)
• Fireplace Impressions (Navarre Corporation)
• Into the Wild (Paramount)
• Mystic Forests (Navarre Corporation)
• No Reservations (Warner)
• Things We Lost in the Fire (DreamWorks)

Early this morning the Screen Actors Guild, or SAG, announced their award nominations for their award show set to air on January 27th on TNT and TBS.

This is an award show I tend to take seriously, much like The Oscars. They tend to get it right.

I haven’t watched all the movies that they’ve nominated here, nor all the shows, but who could possibly do that unless you’re being PAID to see them all? Regardless, I find some of the nominations once again baffling, and it’s not just the SAG Awards that have gotten a bit loopy.

I’ve seen Grey’s Anatomy nominated for Best Drama elsewhere, and now it’s up for Best Ensemble Cast in a Drama. I honestly have no clue what these people are thinking. Lost was heads and tails a better show last year, and let’s not forget Battlestar Galactica which seems to get screwed right and left.

They also have The Closer and Boston Legal with SAG nominations, and I don’t watch them, but I fail to see how it’s possible that Boston Legal could be better than Lost. I just don’t get it.

Redeeming themselves, the SAG Awards have 30 Rock and The Office in their Best Ensemble Cast in a Comedy, so there is some hope. I also like Tina Fey being up for Best Actress in a Comedy, Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock and Best Actor in a Comedy, a category which also includes Steve Carell, Ricky Gervase and Jeremy Piven. That’s some tough competition for the guys.

As far as movies, until I see them all, I really can’t say much, although George Clooney is very deserving of a Best Actor nod for Michael Clayton. I also hear Ellen Page just rocked in Juno, so it’s nice to see her up for a Best Actress.

Here are the rest of the SAG Award Nominations, comment as you wish on anything you see wrong.

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® NOMINATIONS

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton – “Michael Clayton� (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview – “There Will Be Blood� (Paramount Vantage)
RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom – “Lars And The Real Girl� (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)
EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless– “Into The Wild� (Paramount Vantage)
VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai – “Eastern Promises� (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age� (Universal Pictures)
JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona – “Away From Her� (Lionsgate)
MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose� (Picturehouse)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl – “A Mighty Heart� (Paramount Vantage)
ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff – “Juno� (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford – “The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford� (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men� (Miramax Films)
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz – “Into The Wild� (Paramount Vantage)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell – “No Country For Old Men� (Miramax Films)
TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens – “Michael Clayton� (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Jude – “I’m Not There� (The Weinstein Company)
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas – “American Gangster� (Universal Pictures)
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres – “Into The Wild� (Paramount Vantage)
AMY RYAN / Helene McCready – “Gone Baby Gone� (Miramax Films)
TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder – “Michael Clayton� (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)

CHRISTIAN BALE / Dan Evans
RUSSELL CROWE / Ben Wade
PETER FONDA / Byron McElroy
GRETCHEN MOL / Alice Evans
DALLAS ROBERTS / Grayson Butterfield
VINESSA SHAW / Emmy Roberts
BEN FOSTER / Charlie Prince
ALAN TUDYK / Doc Potter
LOGAN LERMAN / Will Evans

AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)

ARMAND ASSANTE / Dominic Cattano
JOSH BROLIN / Detective Trupo
RUSSELL CROWE / Richie Roberts
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR / Huey Lucas
IDRIS ELBA / Tango
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Nicky Barnes
CARLA GUGINO / Laurie Roberts
JOHN HAWKES / Freddie Spearman
TED LEVINE / Lou Toback
JOE MORTON / Charlie Williams
LYMARI NADAL / Eva
JOHN ORTIZ / Javier J. Rivera
RZA / Moses Jones
YUL VAZQUEZ / Alfonse Abruzzo
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Frank Lucas

HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)

NIKKI BLONSKY / Tracy Turnblad
AMANDA BYNES / Penny Pingleton
PAUL DOOLEY / Mr. Spritzer
ZAC EFRON / Link Larkin
ALLISON JANNEY / Prudy Pingleton
ELIJAH KELLEY / Seaweed
JAMES MARSDEN / Corny Collins
MICHELLE PFEIFFER / Velma Von Tussle
QUEEN LATIFAH / Motormouth Maybelle
BRITTANY SNOW / Amber Von Tussle
JERRY STILLER / Mr. French
JOHN TRAVOLTA / Edna Turnblad
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN / Wilbur Turnblad

INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)

BRIAN DIERKER / Rainey
MARCIA GAY HARDEN / Billie McCandless
EMILE HIRSCH / Chris McCandless
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz
WILLIAM HURT / Walt McCandless
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres
JENA MALONE / Carine McCandless
KRISTEN STEWART / Tracy Tatro
VINCE VAUGHN / Wayne Westerberg

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh
JOSH BROLIN / Llewelyn Moss
GARRET DILLAHUNT / Wendell
TESS HARPER / Loretta Bell
WOODY HARRELSON / Carson Wells
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell
KELLY MACDONALD / Carla Jean Moss

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

MICHAEL KEATON / James Jesus Angleton – “The Company (TNT)
KEVIN KLINE / Jacques – “As You Like It� (HBO)
OLIVER PLATT / George Steinbrenner – “The Bronx is Burning� (ESPN)
SAM SHEPARD / Frank Whiteley – “Ruffian� (ABC)
JOHN TURTURRO / Billy Martin – “The Bronx is Burning� (ESPN)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

ELLEN BURSTYN / Posey Benetto – “Mitch Albom’s For One More Day� (ABC)
DEBRA MESSING / Molly Kagan – “The Starter Wife� (USA)
ANNA PAQUIN / Elaine Goodale – “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee� (HBO)
QUEEN LATIFAH / Ana – “Life Support “ (HBO)
VANESSA REDGRAVE / Woman – “The Fever� (HBO)
GENA ROWLANDS / Melissa Eisenbloom – “What If God Were the Sun?� (Lifetime)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano – “The Sopranos� (HBO)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “Dexter� (Showtime)
JON HAMM / Don Draper – “Mad Men� (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House – “House� (FOX)
JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore – “Boston Legal� (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “Damages� (FX)
EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano – “The Sopranos� (HBO)
SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker – “Brothers & Sisters� (ABC)
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “Saving Grace� (TNT)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson – “The Closer� (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 Rock� (NBC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “The Office� (NBC)
RICKY GERVAIS / Andy Millman – “Extras� (HBO)
JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold – “Entourage� (HBO)
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “Monk� (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “Samantha Who?� (ABC)
AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty� (ABC)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 Rock� (NBC)
MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin – “Weeds� (Showtime)
VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater – “Ugly Betty� (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)

RENE AUBERJONOIS / Paul Lewiston
CANDICE BERGEN / Shirley Schmidt
JULIE BOWEN / Denise Bauer
SAFFRON BURROWS / Lorraine Weller
CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON / Jerry Espenson
TARAJI P. HENSON / Whitney Rome
JOHN LARROQUETTE / Carl Sack
WILLIAM SHATNER / Denny Crane
JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore
TARA SUMMERS / Katie Lloyd
MARK VALLEY / Brad Chase
GARY ANTHONY WILLIAMS / Clarence/Clarice Bell
CONSTANCE ZIMMER / Claire Simms

THE CLOSER (TNT)

G.W. BAILEY / Det. Lt. Provenza
MICHAEL PAUL CHAN / Lt. Tao
RAYMOND CRUZ / Det. Sanchez
TONY DENISON / Lt. Andy Flynn
ROBERT GOSSETT / Commander Taylor
GINA RAVERA / Det. Irene Daniels
COREY REYNOLDS / Sgt. David Gabriel
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson
J.K. SIMMONS / Asst. Police Chief Will Pope
JON TENNEY / FBI Agent Fritz Howard

GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)

JUSTIN CHAMBERS / Alex Karev
ERIC DANE / Mark Sloan
PATRICK DEMPSEY / Derek Shepherd
KATHERINE HEIGL / Izzie Stevens
T.R. KNIGHT / George O’Malley
CHYLER LEIGH / Lexie Grey
SANDRA OH / Cristina Yang
JAMES PICKENS, JR. / Richard Webber
ELLEN POMPEO / Meredith Grey
SARA RAMIREZ / Callie Torres
ELIZABETH REASER / Jane Doe/Ava/Rebecca Pope
BROOKE SMITH / Erica Hahn
KATE WALSH / Addison Montgomery-Shepherd
ISAIAH WASHINGTON / Dr. Preston Burke
CHANDRA WILSON / Dr. Miranda Bailey

MAD MEN (AMC)

BRYAN BATT / Salvatore Romano
ANNE DUDEK / Francine Hanson
MICHAEL GLADIS / Paul Kinsey
JON HAMM / Don Draper
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS / Joan Holloway
JANUARY JONES / Betty Draper
VINCENT KARTHEISER / Pete Campbell
ROBERT MORSE / Bertram Cooper
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson
MAGGIE SIFF / Rachel Menken
JOHN SLATTERY / Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER / Harry Crane
AARON STATON / Ken Cosgrove

THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

GREGORY ANTONACCI / Butch DeConcini
LORRAINE BRACCO / Dr. Jennifer Melfi
EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano
JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano
DAN GRIMALDI / Patsy Parisi
ROBERT ILER / Anthony Soprano, Jr.
MICHAEL IMPERIOLI / Christopher Moltisanti
ARTHUR NASCARELLA / Carlo Gervasi
STEVEN R. SCHIRRIPA / Bobby “Bacala� Baccalieri
MATT SERVITTO / Agent Dwight Harris
JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER / Meadow Soprano
TONY SIRICO / Paulie “Walnuts� Gaultieri
AIDA TURTURRO / Janice Soprano
STEVEN VAN ZANDT / Silvio Dante
FRANK VINCENT / Phil Leotardo

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK (NBC)

SCOTT ADSIT / Pete Hornberger
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy
KATRINA BOWDEN / Cerie
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon
JUDAH FRIEDLANDER / Frank Rositano
JANE KRAKOWSKI / Jenna Maroney
JACK McBRAYER / Kenneth Parcell
TRACY MORGAN / Tracy Jordan
KEITH POWELL / Toofer
LONNY ROSS / Josh Girard

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)

ANDREA BOWEN / Julie Mayer
RICHARDO A. CHAVIRA / Carlos Solis
MARCIA CROSS / Bree Van De Kamp Hodge
DANA DELANY / Katherine Mayfair
JAMES DENTON / Mike Delfino
NATHAN FILLION / Adam Mayfair
LINDSY FONSECA / Dylan Mayfair
TERI HATCHER / Susan Mayer
ZANE HUETT / Parker Scavo
FELICITY HUFFMAN / Lynette Scavo
KATHRYN JOOSTEN / Mrs. McCluskey
BRENT KINSMAN / Preston Scavo/Porter Scavo
SHANE KINSMAN / Porter Scavo/Preston Scavo
JOY LAUREN / Danielle Van De Kamp
EVA LONGORIA PARKER / Gabrielle Solis Lang
KYLE MacLACHLAN / Orson Hodge
SHAWN PYFROM / Andrew Van De Kamp
DOUG SAVANT / Tom Scavo
DOUGRAY SCOTT / Ian Hainsworth
NICOLETTE SHERIDAN / Edie Britt
JOHN SLATTERY / Victor Lang
BRENDA STRONG / Mary Alice Young

ENTOURAGE (HBO)

RHYS COIRO / Billy Walsh
KEVIN CONNOLLY / Eric Murphy
KEVIN DILLON / Johnny Drama
JERRY FERRARA / Turtle
ADRIAN GRENIER / Vincent Chase
REX LEE / Lloyd
JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold
PERREY REEVES / Mrs. Ari

THE OFFICE (NBC)

LESLIE DAVID BAKER / Stanley Hudson
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER / Kevin Malone
CREED BRATTON / Creed
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott
JENNA FISCHER / Pam Beesly
KATE FLANNERY / Meredith Palmer
MELORA HARDIN / Jan Levinson
ED HELMS / Andrew Bernard
MINDY KALING / Kelly Kapoor
ANGELA KINSEY / Angela Martin
JOHN KRASINSKI / Jim Halpert
PAUL LIEBERSTEIN / Toby Flenderson
B.J. NOVAK / Ryan Howard
OSCAR NUÑEZ / Oscar Martinez
PHYLLIS SMITH / Phyllis Lapin
RAINN WILSON / Dwight Schrute

UGLY BETTY (ABC)

ALAN DALE / Bradford Meade
AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez
CHRISTOPER GORHAM / Henry
MARK INDELICATO / Justin
ASHLEY JENSEN / Christina
JUDITH LIGHT / Claire Meade
ERIC MABIUS / Daniel Meade
BECKI NEWTON / Amanda
ANA ORTIZ / Hilda
TONY PLANA / Ignacio
REBECCA ROMIJN / Alexis
KEVIN SUSSMAN / Walter
MICHAEL URIE / Marc
VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

300 (Warner Bros.)
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (Universal)
I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.)
THE KINGDOM (Universal)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24 (FOX)
HEROES (NBC)
LOST (ABC)
ROME (HBO)
THE UNIT (CBS)

Screen Actors Guild Awards 44th Annual Life Achievement Award

Charles Durning