tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post2832990286125893827..comments2023-10-15T07:56:20.768-07:00Comments on City Lights: A Film Blog: Movie Review: The Tree of LifeLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400880202232098855noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-12064467570719288252011-07-09T07:55:05.606-07:002011-07-09T07:55:05.606-07:00Yeah, I was debating over B+ and A- myself. And I ...Yeah, I was debating over B+ and A- myself. And I agree that it was rather long. This was definitely his most challenging and artsy film, though.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08400880202232098855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-31361242858145999282011-07-08T16:21:05.809-07:002011-07-08T16:21:05.809-07:00Hmm, I'd say from B+ to A-.
You're right ...Hmm, I'd say from B+ to A-.<br /><br />You're right on it being a "challenging" film; I haven't probably seen as many art movies as you have, and so I feel it overwhelmed me when I watched it. And I still felt it over-long.<br /><br />However, when it was great it really was great, so I'd say an A- is about right for it.Alexhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/alex.rochon2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-34438128831176229462011-07-07T08:45:23.102-07:002011-07-07T08:45:23.102-07:00@Alex: I would have loved to have see it at the Li...@Alex: I would have loved to have see it at the Lightbox! Lucky you! :) Yeah, a lot of the film felt like a bunch of vignettes put together, so I agree that some of the cuts were really jarring ...especially going from the O'Brien family to dinosaurs.<br /><br />I completely understand where you are coming from! I shared a lot of those feelings while watching it ...frustration at it's length and pace being the main one. But, as you said, it was all still beautifully executed so I felt I couldn't stay mad at it for long. I appreciated the fact that it was a film that was actually asking its audience to think outside the box ...a rarity in Hollywood films.<br /><br />You make a really good point when you say: "It was enlightening to watch as a person interested in filmmkaing." I also feel like it's a movie that should be seen by film fans and, whether they loved it or loathed it is another matter ...so long as they see it and discuss it. <br /><br />What grade would you have given The Tree of Life if you were reviewing it (or have you reviewed it)?Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08400880202232098855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-62322375221798699802011-07-07T08:41:19.844-07:002011-07-07T08:41:19.844-07:00@BRENT: I still haven't seen The Thin Red Line...@BRENT: I still haven't seen The Thin Red Line all the way through, but it's definitely on my list. I LOVED The New World although I know it wasn't everyone's cup of tea. <br /><br />Directors and actors both struggled in the old Hollywood studio system. They had generic scripts written by mediocre writers and were rarely changed, even if the director or actor had a brilliant vision for it. Very frustrating, I'm sure.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08400880202232098855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-32408362558355140912011-07-06T19:51:38.410-07:002011-07-06T19:51:38.410-07:00I saw this film a few days ago at the TIFF Bell Li...I saw this film a few days ago at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, and I found it very much interesting.<br /><br />The performances were utterly fantastic, though I feel Sean Penn was rather underused.<br /><br />The cinematography? Superb. The camera angles, visual effects and colour balancing were incredible to witness. Some of the edits and cuts were somewhat awkward, but being that this IS a montage film it makes some sense.<br /><br />However, my main problem with this movie is its running time- the movie seemed to drag along VERY slowly, and I'll admit I was really looking forward to getting out of the theatre. Some parts came across as somewhat redundant to me, especially when taking into account the message of the movie seems somewhat simple (executed beautifully, mind you).<br /><br />Overall, I was infuriated by it when I first watched it, finding it very much hard to comprehend and very long. However, I definitely appreciate its merit, especially the moral behind the movie as well as its cinematography. It was enlightening to watch as a person interested in filmmaking.<br /><br />It came across as pretentiously drawn out at points, but hey. Wasn't 2001 as well?Alexhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/alex.rochon2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-63680983334789136402011-07-03T18:02:42.728-07:002011-07-03T18:02:42.728-07:00Not sure when it is released here. Release dates a...Not sure when it is released here. Release dates around the world are so varied. For instance Kungfu Panda 2 has beem played almost world wide and yet it is only this week it will be here. And yet at other times we see movies well before the rest of the world.<br /> Walks out huh! I can honestly say in 40 years I've never done that no matter how bad the film!<br />Agreed Malick is his own man and doesn't go the studio route. I like that as we the audience get 'his' film and not the studios. Malick films do tend to be slow though. The Thin Red Line wasn't a fast paced film, but I don't mind that if it is backed up with qality. <br /> This bio of Hitch I'm reading ( and within sight of finally finishing ), is riddled with interference from the studios. It is fascinating as several Hitch films can hardly be credited to him as the likes of David Selznik interfered so much they ceased to be Hitch films at all. The lodger, The Paradine Case, and Rebecca are films that could have been great if the studios had kept out of it!<br /> We need more directors like this as they cater for an audience that doesn't want movies from the never ending production line of mainstream Hollywood. I do shudder to think what cinema would be like without indie film/directors!BRENThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-1560007131415270182011-07-03T07:40:44.961-07:002011-07-03T07:40:44.961-07:00It was ...but definitely not to everyone's tas...It was ...but definitely not to everyone's tastes. There will be some people who will loathe it. There were walk-outs at the screening I went to. Some of it went over my head but I was still thinking about it two days after seeing it ...a sign of a good movie. So I gave it an A- based on that! :)<br /><br />Malick would never work as a more mainstream director. This film was definitely his most "alienating" in the sense that I think a lot of people will be thrown by how spiritual and ...slow ...it is. I think a lot of studios also get a little frustrated with his work ethic ...he filmed this movie about two years ago and it's only being released now! haha. I love when directors work against the grain and don't cater to studios.<br /><br />Yes. Agreed. Whether people like The Tree of Life or not ...it should be seen! When is out in New Zealand?Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08400880202232098855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170443308250983581.post-24168722167627558592011-07-02T17:28:54.281-07:002011-07-02T17:28:54.281-07:00Ooooooooo an A-! Must be good then! Am really wait...Ooooooooo an A-! Must be good then! Am really waiting on this one with abated breath as I'm both a Malick and Penm fan.<br /> Malick is just a visually beautiful film maker and he is an example of one who suffers from a lack of funds, and hence a lack of ability to get projects off the ground. Hence he just can't make enough fims as mainstream Hollywood hogs the limelight and controls the money strings. It is a serious problem for small time directors who have to scrimp and save to even have a chance of making on film anymore. It is not a good situation as many fine directors just give up and go home.<br /> I'm absolutely adamant that any film aficianado MUST see films like this or else all the indie stuff will be be swallowed up by the 'blockbuster' and we will subjected to The Green Lantern and Transformers as the only theatre options each week. That is not a world I'd want to live in!BRENThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com