Movie of the Day – The Tree of Life

November 23, 2011 1 Comment

So I am calling up an older movie review as my movie of the day post for today.  It isn’t without merit that I am reaching back into the limited vault that I have for film reviews, but mainly because I finally got my copy of The Tree of Life on blu-ray today and was reminded the review that I did for the movie.  It was really one of the most humbling movies I have seen in ages.  A private looking into the secluded life of the director and personal story that had far reaching meaning to my life and those of the viewers.  It’s a movie that demands a lot out of you.  It’s a long run time film, the story isn’t in the standard three section or traditional format that a movie story should be in and it is more a series vignettes that play out on the screen.  The Tree of Life demands that you open yourself up to a movie that such a personal touch to the way it was and the way the story plays out like memories from a long time ago.  Personally, I had a hard time really describing the movie and writing about it, but once I sat down and started the review, I found myself exploring more of the story and what I felt during the viewing of the film.  Continuously writing about it was the only way that I could decompress after it’s initial viewing and in some ways, I am happy to have seen it and experience the film.

So today I am posting linking to the review I wrote oh so many months ago and hope that if you haven’t read the review or seen the movie, that you will take the time out of your schedule to rent the movie.

Enjoy!

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Movie Review – Another Earth

September 7, 2011 5 Comments

If you have been following along with this blog since the beginning, or maybe part way through my 50th post, you will have read about me talking about this movie.  I am a lover of science fiction films, but not only that, I am a lover of the unexplainable.  Life is about the uncertainty that we all go through everyday.  Science fiction writing and film is about capturing that essence and either explaining it or give us more to think about.  Another Earth had me hooked from the start of the trailer.  I have honestly never felt so enraptured by a trailer and leaving me with this void that I couldn’t explain.  Was it the quizzical nature of science fiction trying to explain why there is the existence of another planet Earth?  Was is the deeper, moral reflection on our existence and what it means to internalize our decisions in life?  Maybe it was the fact that the most chilling aspect of the trailer was that it presented you with the idea that there is another you, living on the second Earth.  It could be that the trailer song done by Patrick Watson and The Cinematic Orchestra that evoked such a calm and tranquil feeling that you should close your eyes and just go with what happens in the movie and life.  If you felt moved by the trailer, perhaps you are a lover of the science fiction genre and need an answer.

So while I was fully in love with the trailer and concept of the movie, I was able to finally see this movie with two friends in tow and a belly full of Indian food.  I think in some aspect, I was prepared for what I was going to see.  My excitement was at a fever pitch and I wanted all these questions I had answered.  When the lights went down and screen illuminated by the glow of the bulb, I just let myself be immersed in a science fiction realm where the impossible seemed possible.  I was ready to view Another Earth.

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Movie Review – The Tree of Life

June 19, 2011 2 Comments

This is a movie that I have been talking about for a while, mainly with myself and Dexter who is only interested in licking himself and not paying attention.  But I have posted trailers on Facebook, featured it in two of my articles, and followed the movie as much as I could.  My general interest in the movie is because of the director, Terrence Malick.  Malick is one of the most reclusive directors out there, never giving interviews and although he has been making movies since the early 70’s, he has only made 6 movies to date.   So when a director like this decides to make another movie, there is more interest devoted to it than most movies will ever receive.  I fell into this category of obsession because I was interested in seeing a movie that took almost 3 years to edit and piece together.  I have seen almost all of Malick’s films, but when the trailer first appeared over a year ago, I was fascinated about a movie that told me little about the movie.

So to my surprise and excitement, our local art theater was graced with the opportunity to show the movie.  Before the movie began, there was a special introduction with former (sad) Kansas City Star film critic Bob Butler, giving us a bit of insight into the movie.  He prepped the audience for a movie that we may not be expecting in terms of length, subject and overall flow of the movie.

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