The Tree of Life

POSTED BY: ecgordon
UPDATED: Sunday, October 23, 2011 05:21
VIEWED: 7125
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SHINYGOODGUY

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 3:31 PM

Saw DoH back in the 70's when it first came out (actually it was a school assignment wherein I had to critique it). It was one of the films early on that both inspired and influenced me. It is one of the best storytelling pieces of it's time. Hell, it still stands up today. I was never a big fan of Richard Gere, but he was tolerable in his role. So, I'm definitely going to see Tree of Life, perhaps this coming Friday.

SGG

"Did you say Yute!? What's a Yute?"

SHINYGOODGUY

Thursday, June 23, 2011 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
It's not really like any of those movies you mention, in fact it is not very much like any other movie I've ever seen.

However, I did call it dreamlike, non-linear, and full of flashbacks. I also said it was "a cross between 2001: A Space Odyssey and the "Rite of Spring" segment of Fantasia, mixed with some esoteric opera that you know is significant if only you could understand the language."

Wait until you see the movie and then you tell me what other movie you would compare it with, okay?

EC, my friend, we may not always agree, but I've come to trust your judgement. I don't know how to describe it, but let's just say you've carved another notch in the trust department. A couple of days ago I experienced Tree of Life.
That's perhaps the best way to describe it.

BTW the theatre I saw it in was nearly full to capacity (6 p.m. showing) this past Monday, yes that's right a Monday.
At the end, a woman sitting behind me said that was the most beautiful movie she ever saw. High praise. To this day I'm still digesting it, it was that great. It has been a long time since a movie so thoroughly challenged my senses to the point of frustration, but in a good way.

Malick is a genius, a madman and an artist all rolled into one.

Soon I will give you my impressions, so much to say that I need to gather my thoughts.

Thanks EC for giving me the nudge I needed.

SGG

"Wisdom is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holdest her fast."
Proverbs 3:13-18

ECGORDON

Thursday, June 23, 2011 11:46 PM

Thanks, SGG. So you are one who liked it, now I wonder if I'll hear from 100 who don't.

FOLLOWMAL

Saturday, June 25, 2011 1:09 AM

I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie and your review/opinions have only strengthened my need to do so.
I'm a huge Malick fan, DoH being one of the most disturbing/gorgeous movies I've ever seen.
I'll try to bookmark this and come back and tell you what I think when I see it.
I am hoping it comes to my rural area, usually only "big", "blockbuster" films come here and Joplin ( my closest big town ) is a bit hard to get around still.

I'll be back. Thank you EC- your opinions are usually always spot on and I appreciate them.

http://www.kidsneedtoread.org

TWO

Saturday, June 25, 2011 3:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
It is not very much like any other movie I've ever seen.

Malick is a genius, a madman and an artist all rolled into one.

About The Tree of Life computer graphics:
"It was an exciting creative process," said Parker "primarily because, as opposed to most film work, we were invited to think beyond the pictures immediately in front of us. We had a sense of being fully engaged collaborators in a complex process under the direction of someone with a huge breadth of understanding. People working in the industry will know that this is a rare and precious feeling." - http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=6324&page=
2

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

SHINYGOODGUY

Saturday, July 16, 2011 8:57 PM

Ok, here it goes. Some impressions from the Tree of Life. It was as though I was at the museum of art and I was looking at an abstract painting. The first third of the film had me, as I stated earlier, somewhat frustrated. I couldn't quite put my finger on it as to why, but I was intriqued. Then as the film went on I decided to let go and allow the film to take me along. I didn't feel hostage though, nor did I feel manipulated as in most modern-day films.

Malick wasn't trying to persuade me or nudge me one way or the other. It was as though it was a living breathing work of art daring you to think outside the box. Hell, there was no box. He made subtle suggestions and revealed little of his thinking within the storyline. It was factual without being pedestrian, but never ever boring. It was long but rich in tone, and an abstract journey filled with impressionistic qualities (like a painting by Monet).

By the second third of the film, which suggested a more traditional storytelling flavor, I became more patient but stop trying to follow a linear path. One of my favorite scenes was when the mother was "flying" - I believe Malick presented her as Mother Mary. Angelic, nuturing and loving - unconditionally so. The mother of all mothers. I was euphoric. It was brilliantly shot and wonderfully acted by Jessica Chastain. The third act returned to abstract impressionistic mode, I felt uneasy once again. I cannot remember the last time I was challenged so thoroughly by a film. My son said it was like a visual poem, and he too described it as an abstract work of art.

It ranks among the best of the classics.

SGG

TWO

Monday, September 26, 2011 3:06 PM

"I didn't at all find on the screen the emotion of the script, which is the most magnificent one that I've ever read. A clearer and more conventional narrative would have helped the film without, in my opinion, lessening its beauty and its impact. But it's a film I recommend, as long as you go in without any preconceived ideas. It's up to each person to find their own personal, emotional or spiritual connection to it. Those that do generally emerge very moved." - from Did Sean Penn really pee on The Tree of Life? http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2011/08/did_sean_penn_pee_on_the_tr
ee_.html

The Tree of Life has escaped from FOX, those folk who killed Firefly. The owner of FOX, mean old man Rupert Murdoch, is outraged by copying, which raises his blood pressure dangerously. Since every download shortens his life, please do the right thing:
www.scnsrc.me/films/the-tree-of-life-2011-limited-bdrip-xvid-counterfe
it/
www.scnsrc.me/films/the-tree-of-life-2011-limited-720p-bluray-x264-cou
nterfeit/
www.oneddl.com/movies/the-tree-of-life-proper-ntsc-dvdr-ignition/
www.oneddl.com/movies/the-tree-of-life-2011-576p-brrip-xvid-ac3-whiizz/

How paradoxical it is to seek in reality for the pictures that are stored in one's memory. The memory of a particular image is but regret for a particular moment; and houses, roads, avenues are as fugitive, alas, as the years.

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity," where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

ECGORDON

Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:52 AM

The Blu-Ray release of The Tree of Life is the best film transfer I have ever seen, well nigh perfect. It actually looked better on my TV than it did in the theater, and I was lucky in my two theater experiences with a good presentation, which doesn't happen that often these days. I still haven't decided exactly where this film will fit on my favorites list, but definitely in the Top 10, maybe the Top 5. Then I have to decide which of the other 5 gets bumped down the list.

SHINYGOODGUY

Sunday, October 23, 2011 5:21 AM

Thanks EC, I must get a copy. Thank goodness for Blu-ray and HDTVs, that probably explains the home experience being so intense.

SGG

"Swim!?, the fall alone will kill ya'" Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid

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