The Tree Of Life

That doesn't look like the official trailer I saw a couple of weeks ago?!?

when is this movie coming out, I want to see it:)
 
Saharanturtle said:
That doesn't look like the official trailer I saw a couple of weeks ago?!?

when is this movie coming out, I want to see it:)
Click to expand...

It opened on Friday June 10, 2011. In the DC area it looks like it is playing at the Landmark E Street Cinema in DC, the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema in Bethesda and the Charles Theatre in Baltimore, according to Moviefone anyway.
 
I saw it tonight... Wow! Holy Cow! Both the visuals and the audio work were stunning.


*** SPOILER ALERT ***



I think a lot of the audience had no idea what they were in for, especially with the slow pacing and minimal dialog. By the end of the first "journey through space sequence" about 10 percent of the audience left their seats and never came back. I would love to have played editor and cut this space sequence way back, or move it to the second space sequence at the end, as it definitely was alienating a big chunk of the audience. There were moments where I was wondering if this was going to become Terrence Malick's "Koyaanisqatsi in Space" tribute. Visually interesting to look at, but it went on for too long, and any sense of narrative gets thrown out the window for a while.

There was one CGI dinosaur shot that I thought looked very fake. It was the close in shot of the dominant dinosaur looking down at the submissive one. The skin texture looked very fake compared to the other shots which were generally very well done.

The main story of a boy's POV growing up in 1950's middle class suburbia was brilliantly done. I grew up decades later, but the whole boy's perspective on life was one I could identify in so many ways. I did many of the things the main character did, and had similar experiences with my strict military dad. I remember boys ( and kids in general ) being a lot more unconsciously cruel with the stupid things we did, but I think that would have made the main character less sympathetic if that element of realism was stirred in to the mix.

My only other dig at this film is the DOP's love of using "window light" in every shot, even night shots that are supposed to be lit by a 60 watt incandescent bulb in the boy's bedroom. Beautiful to look at, but absolutely no sense of reality at all. ( kind of the opposite of Clint Eastwood's "The Unforgiven" where everything is shot as if it was naturally lit, which makes interior shots dark as all get out )

Overall, I loved this film, and will definitely see it again.
 
Yeah a few people I saw walked out and alot of sighing. I would say though it's more of a contemplation film, like - the audience is supposed to be more engaged with themselves and wonder off in their own zone rather than have the film dictate everything for you. It did make me abit tired and restless jumping between the growing up scenes and the more abstract voice-overs and scenary scenes. If you like Koyaanisqatsi, BBC's Planet Earth, Walking with Dinosaurs etc brilliant.

I kept thinking in the back of my head how similar the film's third act was to a certain TV show.... like the next shot would be an airplane veering noise... then BOOOM... with title credits: LOST



Overall it was good, although personally I prefer films like A Serious Man or Monty Python's Meaning of Life lol.
 
I wonder if this film will ever make it out to the mid-west. I've been watching the trailer for a couple of weeks and I think it's going to be good. It strikes me as one of those films that I'm going to have to prepare myself to watch... possibly like Revolutionary Road--very emotional.
 
Last edited:
I realized there is a theatre nearby my that is playing this. Can't wait, just have to get myself in the proper mood before hand.
 
Loved the family bits. Thought the rest was too pretentious. Best cinematography of the year. The story? A reflection of one man (Malik) trying to make sense of the world. The family bit is the director at his most humble- and powerful- mode. When he goes into space, molecule, choir divine music (in other words, into pretentious territory) he just loses his focus and the film, at least for me, loses focus. He could've said what he wanted to say only with the family: and everyone would love it.
 
Tree of Life is going to be released, as a Blu-Ray...
Click to expand...

Just to confirm, Blu-ray edition is fantastic.

He could've said what he wanted to say only with the family: and everyone would love it.
Click to expand...

Then it would be just another drama. I think 'Tree of Life' is a testament by an artist giving his Magnum opus, he'll be remembered for this one.
I will be surprised if he makes another film...
 
Prepare to be surprised not once but twice...

http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/afm-...night-of-cups/
Click to expand...

Yes i knew about them, it is still surprising though. What else more can he tell after 'Tree of Life'? I guess we'll see soon.
{Also knowing that Tree of Life was a life long project(under the name project Q) for Mr Malick, I am sure he pursued few other film projects on the side easier to materialize, likes of these 2 about to be released...}
 
Keep in mind TM's tendency to 'take his time' when editing his movies.... he may be shooting them quicker but I doubt that means we'll be seeing too soon. Still great to have him so productive.
 
Rented this film and couldn't get through more than about a half hour of it. In fairness, I'm very story-oriented where cinema is concerned, so this sort of trippy-visual approach does little for me. Roll back my life a few decades, reintroduce some mind-altering substance and there might have been a different outcome...

I believe someone described this film as "a 2 1/2 hour cinematography reel". I tend to agree, for at least as far as into it as I could endure...

To all the many who enjoyed it, I'd say:

Vive la difference...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top