Comments on: Film Endings That Perplex, Surprise or Just Leave You Hanging, Part Two

By: Jackie R.

Jackie R. — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:47:55 +0000

I'm with you Rusty. I didn't get Mickey One either and felt like I was a dope. But now I'm not sure Arthur Penn or Warren Beatty knew what it was about either. They were trying to discover what it was about by making the film. That's the difference between filmmaking in the 60s and now. Sometimes you have to bring something to a movie like that to get something out of it and all I brought was an empty shell that wanted to be filled up with entertainment…some laughs…some thrills. Guess I should have done my research.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:56:06 +0000

What the heck is going on at the end of Mickey One? A little personal history. I watched Mickey One as part of a high school film study class. Film study teacher played the entire film, rewound the last couple of minutes of the final reel (yes, this was the days of 16mm film and film projector). Played the end of Mickey One a second time. Rewound the film and played the end of Mickey One a third time...at a slow film speed. You know what? I still did not understand the final few moments of Mickey One. Here is what I remember. Warren Beatty is standing on a stage. Beatty is lit by a very bright spotlight. Beatty looks directly into the bright light. Beatty mumbles into his microphone something like, "...is that what it is all about?" Back to spotlight. Spotlight does not respond to Beatty's question. Audience watches as very bright light slowly turns into a sun ray looking thing and...the end(?).What is Beatty looking at? What is Beatty talking about? Why the sun ray thing? I have more questions, but I think three questions are quite enough...thank you. So, any answers?Rusty

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:48:07 +0000

I would think the The Incredible Shrinking Man ( written by Richard Matheson ), as well as the movie adaption, are both perplexing in what exactly happens to the title character. Does he shrink beyond the universe as we know it? We really don't know. We can only speculate.And 2001 : A Space Odyssey ends in a vague and confusing fashion. A visual exercise ( or trance ) at the end that really never brings anything into clarity ( which is contrary to Arthur C. Clarke's writing style ). Kubrick's ending leaves a lot to be desired. Are you listening, Dave?A far cry from typical science fiction movies, these films end with a question mark ( beyond, "are the aliens coming?"). And excellent in each their own right, they are somewhat unsettling as well.

By: MikeJ

MikeJ — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:11:59 +0000

“Life’s a bitch.” “What did he say?” “He said you’re a bitch.” (Loosely but idiomatically translated.)

By: Mr. Blobby

Mr. Blobby — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:04:48 +0000

Sword of Doom. Did that actually have an ending? I thought there was something wrong with the DVD when it stopped at the freeze frame. I mean I wanted to see that mean SOB get what he deserved! And I was denied the pleasure. Talk about frustration. But you're right. The ending is hard to forget. There is no closure even though we know the guy is doomed hence the title.

By: Jackie R.

Jackie R. — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 21:48:50 +0000

If you hadn't read the novel and were seeing GONE WITH THE WIND for the first time, you'd have to admit the ending was not at all typical for what it is considered one of the greatest Hollywood movies ever made. I mean, Scarlett, the heroine, isn't allowed the romantic fade-out ending. She's abandoned by the man she finally realizes she loves. Not only that but some of the main characters die along the way – Scarlett's daughter, her father, Melanie. Scarlett is even forced to kill a trespasser. Ashley ends up lost and disillusioned and Rhett storms off in anger and bitterness. Not the typical Hollywood ending.