The Tree of Life

stlrman · « **on:** 19 Jul 2011, 07:39 pm »

I saw this film last weekend.
I highly recommend seeing this movie on the big screen! We were talking about the movie for days.
Great performances and stunning cinematography!

Berndt · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Jul 2011, 08:09 pm »

I enjoyed it too.
Haven't seen so many people walk out of a movie since blue velvet...

IonMoon · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 04:00 pm »

I enjoyed it... wish I had taken a better count of before/after audience members. There were few in the theater when I got there and few when I left- but I don't know if anyone walked out.

It didn't present any new perspective or anything though, IMO. It is like a mirror- everyone will look at it and interpret it according to their experiences and current ideologies. It doesn't present any challenges to existing beliefes- but can ignite interesting conversations.

The cinematography, acting, etc were great. Each scene was well directed and I personally enjoyed the fragmented feel of it- it was like jumping into someone's brain and viewing their thoughts, memories, etc.

stlrman · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Feb 2012, 10:34 pm »

The Tree of life is up for three Academy awards.
Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor (Brad Pitt)
It was also the highest rated film on Metacritic.

Chromisdesigns · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Feb 2012, 11:54 pm »

Quote from: Berndt on 19 Jul 2011, 08:09 pm

Haven't seen so many people walk out of a movie since blue velvet...

You betcha! My partner left after an hour -- I stuck it out another 30 minutes or so; then it occured to me, it was entirely possible I might DIE before the movie ever ended, and if so, was THIS the way I really wanted to spend my last several hours of life? I was outta there about 30 seconds later.

It was an interesting example of time-dilation; even the paltry 90 minutes I spent watching it SEEMED like eternity.

S Clark · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Feb 2012, 12:43 am »

I commented to the wife that it reminded me of some grad students directing project. Definitely needed editing.
I stuck it out to the end, and regretted the decision.

Folsom · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Feb 2012, 03:27 am »

I thought it was decent. However I feel like existential movies these days are sorta throw up from Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. They don't always have to annoyingly vague and funny feeling to present something of interest.

Tyson · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Feb 2012, 03:38 am »

C'mon people, have you never seen a Malick film before? Anyone that has seen Badlands, Days of Heaven, Thin Red Line, or The New World knows what's in store. I loved it. To me it is what I would imagine it's like if you are dying and your life passes before you.

S Clark · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 23 Feb 2012, 03:38 am

C'mon people, have you never seen a Malick film before? Anyone that has seen Badlands, Days of Heaven, Thin Red Line, or The New World knows what's in store. I loved it. To me it is what I would imagine it's like if you are dying and your life passes before you.

I realized that I hadn't seen another Malick film all the way through, so I picked up Thin Red Line. Again, although better than Tree of Life, three hours later I wished that I had my three hours back. Sorry, not my cup of tea. Won't be checking out Mr. Malick's other work.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 10:21 pm »

The Thin Red Line was an excellent film imo. It far surpassed the simplistic emotionalism of Private Ryan, which was released at the same time. I liked Private Ryan as well, but the Thin Red Line held a more intellectual vision and the existentialism, more profound. To me Malick is like a smarter, more sophisticated Gaspar Noe. From the trailer, I would wonder if the Tree of Life will be a better version of Enter the Void.

S Clark · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Mar 2012, 12:18 am »

Quote from: fredgarvin on 12 Mar 2012, 10:21 pm

The Thin Red Line was an excellent film imo. It far surpassed the simplistic emotionalism of Private Ryan, which was released at the same time. I liked Private Ryan as well, but the Thin Red Line held a more intellectual vision and the existentialism, more profound. To me Malick is like a smarter, more sophisticated Gaspar Noe. From the trailer, I would wonder if the Tree of Life will be a better version of Enter the Void.

Well, it reminds me of arguments that I used to have with Contemporary Lit class I had in grad school. The prof would throw out that the author was trying to say such and such in a symbolic way, and I would reply "why didn't they just say it". The reply was they were trying to reach only an elite audience. IMO, Malick's attempts to be "artistic" are heavy handed and eventually lead to a disruption of the story line. Speilberg's linear plot development in Private Ryan or Schindler works for me because the story line is gripping. Malick may be more "intellectual", but sometimes you can be artistic until you are no longer even sure what was the overall theme of the work. Different strokes.
Now, over in the Worst Movie thread, for those who thought Eyes Wide Shut was poorly made...

Lyndon · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Mar 2012, 12:29 am »

Berndt said:

Quote

I enjoyed it too.
Haven't seen so many people walk out of a movie since blue velvet...

What was the matter? Didn't they like Frank's choice of beers?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeWUXV89w0g

And that is a FUN soundtrack.

Greymatter · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 May 2012, 05:32 pm »

The Thin Red Line film was amazingly poetic. Epic in my opinion. The Tree of life was very involving and thought maybe it was similar to reading Plato. So intense I thought my head was going to crack! I plan on seeing it again soon to soak up the finite movements and cinematography.

Eric · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 May 2012, 04:35 pm »

I watched Thin Red Line last weekend as I roll up to Memorial Day war film fest. Loved it. I just DVRed The Tree of Life. Will watch it soon

Dr.Cmnsky · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 May 2012, 07:31 pm »

I was one of the people who walked out on the film.

stlrman · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 May 2012, 12:13 am »

Best film of the year! It was up for 5 awards. Let us know what you think.

neobop · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 Jun 2012, 04:35 am »

Quote from: stlrman on 25 May 2012, 12:13 am

Best film of the year! It was up for 5 awards. Let us know what you think.

This is a boring tedious movie. Sure the cinematography is great, but that only goes so far. There was no plot/story whatsoever. Was it 90 minutes? It seemed like a week. I watched it on cable and turned it off after the first round of _scapes. Picked it up the next day and all those scenes as kids were banal and trite. Gve me a break. Pretty pictures and a choir evoking the eternal? There wasn't one original thing in that movie. I'd rather see angels hanging out at the library and meeting every dawn on the beach. At least there was a story in that one.

Eric · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jun 2012, 05:57 pm »

I watched it over the weekend. It was a phenomenal film. I loved the way questions we have all posed were spread throughout the movie and how the tension between divine transcendence and imminency was played out.

chrisby · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 07:11 pm »

Quote from: neobop on 2 Jun 2012, 04:35 am

This is a boring tedious movie. Sure the cinematography is great, but that only goes so far. There was no plot/story whatsoever. Was it 90 minutes? It seemed like a week. I watched it on cable and turned it off after the first round of _scapes. Picked it up the next day and all those scenes as kids were banal and trite. Gve me a break. Pretty pictures and a choir evoking the eternal? There wasn't one original thing in that movie. I'd rather see angels hanging out at the library and meeting every dawn on the beach. At least there was a story in that one.

took me a while to getting around to watching this one on my PVR - I couldn't agree more - definitely beautifully photographed, but more tedious than anything I've seen in a long time

django11 · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 11:20 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 13 Mar 2012, 12:18 am

Well, it reminds me of arguments that I used to have with Contemporary Lit class I had in grad school. The prof would throw out that the author was trying to say such and such in a symbolic way, and I would reply "why didn't they just say it". The reply was they were trying to reach only an elite audience. IMO, Malick's attempts to be "artistic" are heavy handed and eventually lead to a disruption of the story line. Speilberg's linear plot development in Private Ryan or Schindler works for me because the story line is gripping. Malick may be more "intellectual", but sometimes you can be artistic until you are no longer even sure what was the overall theme of the work. Different strokes.
Now, over in the Worst Movie thread, for those who thought Eyes Wide Shut was poorly made...

Some people get symbols, some don't. Some people get some symbols, some people get others. Personally I am not terribly good at symbols and failed lit class. I was very good at history and law where things are spelled out.