I thought it would be along the lines of "Capote" but no - just nothing redeeming at all. Just a bunch of no-good, despicable characters.
And it was almost as if someone said, "Hey John Cusack, how would you like to play one of the most loathesome, disgusting, disturbing characters ever?" and he said, "Sure! Sign me up!"
It would take watching "Say Anything" about a hundred times to erase the mental images I have of him now.
Rotten Tomatoes: "The Tree of Life is either a triumph of artistic cinema or an almost inscrutable load of film wank. I'm still not entirely sure which."
After suffering through this last night, I assure all interested parties that it is an inscrutable load of film wank.... to be certain. As both its writer and director, Terrence Malick was provided all the noose he needed to hang himself. No one kept in him check, which is surprising given that Brad Pitt is one of the film's producers. It was an insufferable piece of lengthy drivel, with extended scenes borrowing heavily from both Cosmos and the BBC's Planet Earth. Toss in a little Ice Age for good measure (WTF?). And never having seen an enjoyable movie in which Sean Penn was one of its stars, that should have been enough of a tip-off to me to avoid this POS.
Rotten Tomatoes: "The Tree of Life is either a triumph of artistic cinema or an almost inscrutable load of film wank. I'm still not entirely sure which."
After suffering through this last night, I assure all interested parties that it is an inscrutable load of film wank.... to be certain. As both its writer and director, Terrence Malick was provided all the noose he needed to hang himself. No one kept in him check, which is surprising given that Brad Pitt is one of the film's producers. It was an insufferable piece of lengthy drivel, with extended scenes borrowing heavily from both Cosmos and the BBC's Planet Earth. Toss in a little Ice Age for good measure (WTF?). And never having seen an enjoyable movie in which Sean Penn was one of its stars, that should have been enough of a tip-off to me to avoid this POS.
So you didn't like it huh? :)
I almost rented this today and after reading this so glad I did not.
I watched "The Tree of Life" last night. It put me to sleep.
Rotten Tomatoes: "The Tree of Life is either a triumph of artistic cinema or an almost inscrutable load of film wank. I'm still not entirely sure which."
After suffering through this last night, I assure all interested parties that it is an inscrutable load of film wank.... to be certain. As both its writer and director, Terrence Malick was provided all the noose he needed to hang himself. No one kept in him check, which is surprising given that Brad Pitt is one of the film's producers. It was an insufferable piece of lengthy drivel, with extended scenes borrowing heavily from both Cosmos and the BBC's Planet Earth. Toss in a little Ice Age for good measure (WTF?). And never having seen an enjoyable movie in which Sean Penn was one of its stars, that should have been enough of a tip-off to me to avoid this POS.
Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Jan 13, 2012 - 12:39pm
OlderThanDirt wrote:
A couple of days after we saw this film, L subbed for an ailing middle school teacher whose class included Amara Miller, the younger daughter. L says that Amara's character, Scottie, was just Amara being Amara.
That does not surprise me.
That is another thing about the movie . . . . in my opinion, the characters, other than the possible exception of the Clooney character, really were not likable.
I would not say this falls into the category of don't see it, but I'm too lazy to find a more appropriate thread . . . . . The Decscendants.
It's a decent film, but I did not think that much of it, and, frankly, did not even enjoy it all that much. It's a decent film, with lots of beautiful scenery, and George Clooney does a decent acting job. I see where it is being lauded and considered a favorite for best drama or best picture as we move into award season — and I don't get why.
I heard a critic say today that it really isn't a comedy nor is it a drama. It's a hybrid. I guess I would agree with that, but it appears to be more of a drama in the slice-of-life category. I did not find the humorous parts to be all that funny. On the drama side of the equation, I just did not connect with a message from the film. I usually assess more serious films by asking: What lesson or message did I take away from that movie? For this one, I can't isolate anything that I took away from it.
A couple of days after we saw this film, L subbed for an ailing middle school teacher whose class included Amara Miller, the younger daughter. L says that Amara's character, Scottie, was just Amara being Amara.
I would not say this falls into the category of don't see it, but I'm too lazy to find a more appropriate thread . . . . . The Decscendants.
It's a decent film, but I did not think that much of it, and, frankly, did not even enjoy it all that much. It's a decent film, with lots of beautiful scenery, and George Clooney does a decent acting job. I see where it is being lauded and considered a favorite for best drama or best picture as we move into award season — and I don't get why.
I heard a critic say today that is really isn't a comedy nor is it a drama. It's a hybrid. I guess I would agree with that, but it appears to be more of a drama in the slice-of-life category. I did not find the humorous parts to be all that funny. On the drama side of the equation, I just did not connect with a message from the film. I usually assess more serious films by asking: What lesson or message did I take away from that movie? For this one, I can't isolate anything that I took away from it.
I like Clooney a lot when he's being deadpan funny and he can do a good serious guy too, but he's pretty much phoned every thing in since Syriana.
Not that I can blame him- I'd be distracted by Stacy Kiebler too.
I would not say this falls into the category of don't see it, but I'm too lazy to find a more appropriate thread . . . . . The Decscendants.
It's a decent film, but I did not think that much of it, and, frankly, did not even enjoy it all that much. It's a decent film, with lots of beautiful scenery, and George Clooney does a decent acting job. I see where it is being lauded and considered a favorite for best drama or best picture as we move into award season — and I don't get why.
I heard a critic say today that is really isn't a comedy nor is it a drama. It's a hybrid. I guess I would agree with that, but it appears to be more of a drama in the slice-of-life category. I did not find the humorous parts to be all that funny. On the drama side of the equation, I just did not connect with a message from the film. I usually assess more serious films by asking: What lesson or message did I take away from that movie? For this one, I can't isolate anything that I took away from it.
That sounds kind of similar to a small-ish movie called 'Grand Canyon'. A bit too 'heart-warming' for my tastes, but not a bad movie.
Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Jan 13, 2012 - 7:50am
I would not say this falls into the category of don't see it, but I'm too lazy to find a more appropriate thread . . . . . The Decscendants.
It's a decent film, but I did not think that much of it, and, frankly, did not even enjoy it all that much. It's a decent film, with lots of beautiful scenery, and George Clooney does a decent acting job. I see where it is being lauded and considered a favorite for best drama or best picture as we move into award season — and I don't get why.
I heard a critic say today that it really isn't a comedy nor is it a drama. It's a hybrid. I guess I would agree with that, but it appears to be more of a drama in the slice-of-life category. I did not find the humorous parts to be all that funny. On the drama side of the equation, I just did not connect with a message from the film. I usually assess more serious films by asking: What lesson or message did I take away from that movie? For this one, I can't isolate anything that I took away from it.
That may have been the case. I probably would have finished it, but hiccup had enough by that point. Some high points of the portion we watched -
All scenes were shot several seconds too long. The best example was when the lead actress dropped in to tell her wholesome mother that she has A.) met a terrific new guy and B.) been selected as a Victoria's Secret model. Wholesome mother stops folding cold cuts (not kidding) long enough to offer congratulations and give daughter a thumbs-up. Thumbs-up lasts about 5 seconds, with wholesome mother staring at camera.
Lead actor calls lead actress to ask her on a date. Again, the Victoria's Secret model thing comes up (bear in mind they've just met earlier in the week). Lead actor offers his congratulations on her selection and states "You'll look GREAT in them lingerie!"
Solar panel company rep stops by lead actor's house to hash out the details for installing a panel for him. Lead actor asks where the panel will be installed. In the back of my mind, I'm riffing the film...I think "basement". Nope, they found a way to make it even more ridiculous. Both characters exit the house. It becomes clear that the house is very obviously a multi-family dwelling - duplex or townhouse. Solar guy points to roof above the neighbors' garage and says "There."
Location: right behind you. no, over there. Gender:
Posted:
Jan 12, 2012 - 7:12am
JrzyTmata wrote:
you weren't drinking enough
That may have been the case. I probably would have finished it, but hiccup had enough by that point. Some high points of the portion we watched -
All scenes were shot several seconds too long. The best example was when the lead actress dropped in to tell her wholesome mother that she has A.) met a terrific new guy and B.) been selected as a Victoria's Secret model. Wholesome mother stops folding cold cuts (not kidding) long enough to offer congratulations and give daughter a thumbs-up. Thumbs-up lasts about 5 seconds, with wholesome mother staring at camera.
Lead actor calls lead actress to ask her on a date. Again, the Victoria's Secret model thing comes up (bear in mind they've just met earlier in the week). Lead actor offers his congratulations on her selection and states "You'll look GREAT in them lingerie!"
Solar panel company rep stops by lead actor's house to hash out the details for installing a panel for him. Lead actor asks where the panel will be installed. In the back of my mind, I'm riffing the film...I think "basement". Nope, they found a way to make it even more ridiculous. Both characters exit the house. It becomes clear that the house is very obviously a multi-family dwelling - duplex or townhouse. Solar guy points to roof above the neighbors' garage and says "There."
Edit: I also have to mention - if you watch it, look for the lead actor's distinctively awkward walking style. There are a lot of scenes of him walking, and it's just...weird.
We attempted it last night. hiccup made me shut it off after a little over half an hour. It's uncomfortable to watch, really. As several of the Netflix reviewers noted, it's really hard to believe someone made this, watched it, and thought they'd done something worthwhile.
And some fools actually paid good money to watch it!
We attempted it last night. hiccup made me shut it off after a little over half an hour. It's uncomfortable to watch, really. As several of the Netflix reviewers noted, it's really hard to believe someone made this, watched it, and thought they'd done something worthwhile.
We attempted it last night. hiccup made me shut it off after a little over half an hour. It's uncomfortable to watch, really. As several of the Netflix reviewers noted, it's really hard to believe someone made this, watched it, and thought they'd done something worthwhile.
You mean the director's not "Master of the Romantic Thriller™"?
We attempted it last night. hiccup made me shut it off after a little over half an hour. It's uncomfortable to watch, really. As several of the Netflix reviewers noted, it's really hard to believe someone made this, watched it, and thought they'd done something worthwhile.
