Ridiculous and telling, though it probably does not surprise anyone.

I saw zero point in showing Saturn, numerous scenes of water, and the horrible dinosaur scene other than just adding it in for leverage to try and get Best Visual Effects.

He does not even see the problem, David.

Funny thing is if you did cut the two things you hate this would probably be much more Oscar-friendly. Right it's a contender in spite of those two things.

You're such a rebel, jmovies.

I know right?

Terrence Malick tries to manipulate the viewer into thinking the movie is important through whispered ramblings to god and strong imagery. As the movie drags out, you slowly discover that it isn't trying to say anything, but only trying to make you wonder at the marvel of it all. Big fail. I can get the same experience from watching the discovery channel.

I've become terrified to watch this film . I'm afraid I won't care much for it. A friend of mine shut it off after 20-30 minutes.

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.

You too may end up hype-notized like so many drones before thee.

You've never bothered to watch any Malick film before. Why stop now?

Mike prefers talking about watching films to actually watching them.

That's not true. I just like to talk about ones I'm interested in in anticipation of actually watching them .

I haven't seen ToL yet, but man does that sound Thin Red Line esque, in a bad way

standing by this movie review

Watched it for the second time yesterday and it definately grew on me. It's a beautiful film and there are parts which are a bit too much for me but I got totally lost in the film and that's what I love about it. A-

I actually really dug the evolution by Malick sequence and all of the Sean Penn scenes, including the visual/audio epic mode at the end

The 100 minutes or so of the kids, on the other hand, I did not give a single fuck about. For a movie that clearly considers itself deep, I thought the majority of scenes were surprisingly flat and completley dead and without life. Maybe that's the point being the memories of a depressed guy and Pitt and Chastain were supposed to be one sided characterizations as memories and not 'real', but watching that kid run around was painstakingly boring and flat to me

Had its moments but flawed and unwatchable for 2/3s of the running time - Solid B I guess?

8/10 -> B

Good movie. I like the idea behind it and I mostly like how Mallick approached it.

loved the movie. hated all the god crap.

Loved the visuals and the artistry involved. A little too abstract for me though, so I had a hard time following it. I'd probably give it a B overall.

The dinos in the creation section were the best ever on film IMHO. After the one runs off after it's encounter with the one laying by the river, I kind of wanted to be watching that movie instead of going back to modern time.

THE TREE OF LIFE - 8/10 (B+)

Oddly enough during the first half hour I despised this movie. I would have given it an "F." I don't blame anyone who shuts it off during this, like I know many have. I forced myself to stick it out though, and am glad I did. The middle part of the film is beautiful. The cinematography is breathtaking and the film possesses a real dreamlike quality. There are some really great moments within this film. I just wish the creation sequence and the last 15 minutes (give or take) were excised from the film. These things weakened it for me. Though I can't say I would get rid of the part with the dinosaurs. That was beautifully done. This is where it started getting more interesting for me. Everything with Sean Penn as a grown-up Jack could have been cut. I can't say I really understood what was happening during the end. It's just bizarre. It's definitely an ambitious film. A little too ambitious and showy at times. But it's also beautiful and a unique film experience. I can't think of anything like it. Would I really be able to recommend it to anyone? Probably not. I can't imagine it will appeal to many, what with its non-linear storytelling approach. It will be a very trying film for most. But it's certainly worth a look if you see it with a very open mind.

Hypnotic in its presentation and interesting throughout. I didn't love every bit of it, but it's still a great film. I do kind of want to watch it again, though not right away.

I keep feeling like it's a very good movie made by a very good director who's hoping he's a great director. Nothing wrong with very good. But probably not what Malick's going for.

***/****

Wow. Finally got around to watching this, kind of wished I saw it in theaters, I imagine it would have been a much more appropriate experience.

I think I need to process it more but I definitely liked it. Don't know if I would ever watch it again though.

Translation of most reviews in this thread: "I didn't understand it so it must be brilliant."

Yeah, I think a lot of people fall in that category. Not everyone, but a lot.

I just enjoyed what I watched. Can't give it the "brilliant" title though.