THE TREE OF LIFE Review
Most movies I see are designed to appeal to the broadest audience possible. They have to. Mainstream films are at the intersection of art and commerce and the best you can hope for on an intellectual level is that the star-studded, effects-laden blockbuster might have some interesting subtext or challenge you in some minor way. But most films keep subtext and challenges to a minimum because after a long week of work or school, the average audience member just wants to enjoy their movie. Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life is not for these audience members. It is slow, ponderous, obtuse, stranger, and bewitching, and it doesn’t always hit its mark. But when so many movies are trying to do the bare minimum possible when it comes to making audiences use their brains, it’s tough to fault Malick for overreaching.
The Tree of Life spans eons, from the dawn of the universe through the time dinosaurs ruled the Earth to the present day and to the end of time. But at its core is a simple, human story about Jack (Sean Penn), a man trying to reconcile his feelings about his aggressive, domineering father (Brad Pitt) and his gentle, spiritual mother (Jessica Chastain). The majority of the film is spent in flashback where we see Jack (Hunter McCracken) as a boy and witness his growing anger at his father. This father-son relationship is juxtaposed against an exploration of the ultimate father-figure, God.
Malick’s film is many things, but it’s not a plot-driven narrative. When a movie starts out with a character narrating the thesis, “There are two ways through life: the way of nature and the way of grace,” don’t go in expecting an average family melodrama. The movie sets up an obvious parallel between the father being the way of nature and the mother being the way of grace and Jack’s struggle to reconcile the two is mirrored by a 40-minute sequence exploring the universe and the early history of the planet. Through the beauty of these images and Malick’s admittedly heavy-handed use of choral chants, we can see that grace and nature are one in the same, but it appears the two have diverged in the present day.
But before we reach 40 minutes in the heavens, the film starts out with the emotional punch that Jack’s brother has died. What seems like the emotional starting point of the film never comes to fruition and one of the key problems with The Tree of Life is that it’s constantly falling away from itself. The movie begins in grief over the loss of Jack’s brother, and we see the grief of the mother and father, but we also see present-day Jack wandering around through a haze. Malick makes heavy use of windows in this opening act as something we can see through, that reflects us, but also works as a barrier.
Then the film goes into celestial mode and leaves almost all of the family stuff behind. We only sense their presence with a few whispered lines of narration regarding abstract notions of faith. When we finally return to Jack’s story and see him as a boy, his story no longer feels important. Everything appears insignificant when compared to the majesty of the universe and Malick sets himself back to square one as he attempts to convince us that the emotional drama of a middle-class Texas family in the 1950s is equal to the grandeur of heavenly bodies and the birth of life on Earth.
The closest relative The Tree of Life has in terms of its scope, its pacing, and its visual wonder is Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, it also shares that film’s cold, cerebral tone and its struggle to find humanity in its characters. The Tree of Life has an easier go of it by setting the meat of its story in the confines of a family drama, but that issue is undermined not only by what came before, but how the family drama is presented. The narrative begins strongly enough as we clearly see the dichotomy between the mother and father. More importantly, the father is a balanced character. He’s strict, stern, and overbearing, but you never get the sense that’s he cruel or abusive. When the father speaks about the merits of ruthlessness and ambition when it comes to getting ahead in the world, we understand that the viewpoint comes not from cold-hearted evil, but from a place of human frustration. Pitt understands the role, plays it perfectly, and continues to demonstrate that he’s one of the best and most versatile actors working today.
Unfortunately, as the film wears on and the father-son relationship deteriorates, the conflict begins to feel petty and belittles Malick’s magnum opus. Remember, there’s a clear comparison going on between Jack’s relationship with his father and mankind’s relationship to God. The film even begins with a biblical passage from Job 35:4—
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
(The quote leaves out the final passage of the verse: “Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.”)
When you see a little kid mad at his daddy, that biblical story begins to once again feel small.
Another major problem in the film is its delivery. As I mentioned before, the story fails to build any momentum in its pacing. It’s not that the film needs to be faster as much as it needs a tighter structure to tie its grandiose ideas together into a cohesive whole. Rather than break the film into distinct acts and have those acts rarely, if ever, reference each other, Malick could have used visual rhyming to better integrate the images of the heavens with the temporal struggles of Jack’s childhood. All of the film is shot and scored so magnificently that I doubt there would be much trouble in blending the separate elements together rather than space them so far apart.
Finally, while Pitt gets to shine (Penn’s role amounts to little more than a cameo of him looking sadly off into the distance), the movie never gives enough characterization to the mother. While it’s clear that the mother and the father are necessary in the household (if it were just the mother, the kids would most likely be hippies), the mother never becomes the transcendent figure the script sets her up to be. Her whispered narration of poetic dialogue eventually becomes corny and ham-fisted and Chastain is at her best early in the film when she has to play the human emotions of a mother who has lost her son.
Malick deserves credit for what he attempts to accomplish even if he doesn’t always hit his mark. There are plenty of interesting and worthwhile concepts floating around The Tree of Life and they’re worthy of thoughtful exploration. But because he never blends the story into fully-formed piece, Malick’s reach exceeds his grasp.
Another Major Villain May Be Starring in THE AVENGERS
This article is going to get deep into possible spoilers for Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. Since I know a lot of you are trying to steer clear from spoilers and very little about the film has been released, I’m going to include this news after the jump. There will be spoilers about a possible new villain as well as villains that have been mentioned previously, but you may not have seen that news. I’ll also be making mention of what happens after the credits in Thor, so again, steer clear if you want to stay in the dark. Sorry for the run-around, but we’re trying to be considerate of those who want to stay spoiler-free.
Hit the jump to find out about a major villain who could be joining the fray. The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film opens in 3D on May 4, 2012.
Okay. Here comes the potential spoilers. Seriously, stop reading if you’re going to be bothered by them.
Those who have seen Thor and stayed through the credits have correctly surmised that the villain in The Avengers will be Loki (Tom Hiddleston). We previously learned that possible plot of the film could involve Loki using the Cosmic Cube (what you saw in the case in the post-credits scene fromThor) to call down an alien race known as the Skrulls. However, the villainy in the film may extend beyond a Norse God and a malevolent alien race bent on conquering the Earth.
Latino Review is reporting that the Mad Titan, Thanos will also be in the film. So who is Thanos? Here’s how LR breaks down the character:
Debuting in the Bronze Age of comic books, the character has featured in over three decades of Marvel continuity and a self-titled series. The character’s name is a derivation of Thanatos, the personification of death and mortality in Greek mythology. One of his more prominent storylines to date—the Infinity Gauntlet series—portrayed him as a mad cosmic tyrant bent on slaying half of all sentiences existing then in Marvel’s multiverse in order to appease the Marvel Universe’s actual (and more powerful) embodied personification of Death in an attempt to win its love.
What makes this news convincing is that this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the Infinity Gauntlet. If you blinked then you probably missed it in Odin’s vault, but Marvel brought the item to last year’s San Diego Comic-Con alongside Mjolnir and Captain America’s shield.
Latino Review won’t say how Thanos figures into the movie and I’m grateful for that. However, it’s clear that Marvel is going bigger than we previously imagined. Not only will The Avengers be going up against a Norse god and angry shapeshifting aliens, but now they have to contend with a titan who has faced down Silver Surfer and even regarded himself as the god of Death. There are few villains in the Marvel Universe more powerful than Thanos and it will be interesting to see how he figures into the plot when it seems like the only Avenger that would have a chance against him is Thor.
Here’s an image of the Infinity Gauntlet from Comic-Con:
And here’s a look at it from Odin’s Vault:
Confirmed: Orlando Bloom Will Reprise His Role as Legolas for THE HOBBIT
Back in December, we reported that Orlando Bloom might reprise his role as Elven sharpshooter Legolas for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. Today on his official Facebook page, Jackson confirmed that he had Legolas bow:
Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.
Bloom is the latest Lord of the Rings cast member to join The Hobbit. While Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Gollum (Andy Serkis) actually appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, Jackson has apparently made room for Legolas, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), old Bilbo (Ian Holm), and Frodo (Elijah Wood). Hit the jump for the synopsis of the novel. The two-part 3D film is set for December 2012 and December 2013.
Here’s the synopsis for J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit:
Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, is a peaceful sort of cozy hole in the Shire, a place where adventures are uncommon and rather unwanted. So when the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on a treasure hunting expedition with a troop of rowdy dwarves, he’s not entirely thrilled. Encountering ruthless trolls, beastly orcs, gigantic spiders, and hungry wolves, Bilbo discovers within himself astonishing strength and courage. And at the ultimate confrontation with the fearsome dragon Smaug, the hobbit will brave the dangers of dark and dragon fire alone and unaided.
Sony Ditches David O. Russell’s UNCHARTED Script; New Details on His Departure
Yesterday, we reported that director David O. Russell had left Sony’s adaptation of their hit video game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. No reason was given at the time but it looked like O. Russell was moving on to direct an adaptation of The Silver Linings Playbook instead. Today, 24 Frames has new details on O. Russell’s departure from the project. It appears that O. Russell’s script was so long, ambitious, and perhaps most damning (from Sony’s perspective), it added plenty of characters who weren’t in the video game. As we reported last year, O. Russell had apparently changed Nathan Drake from a lone adventurer to a participant in a family of treasure hunters. That change wasn’t totally surprising considering that most of O. Russell’s filmography explores family dynamics, but for fans and for Sony, such a change is probably anathema to what they want: their video game faithfully transplanted to the big screen.
Sony will hire a new director and screenwriter to work from an earlier draft by Conan the Barbarian screenwriters Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer. Mark Wahlberg has most likely left the project and a summer 2012 release looks doubtful.
Shannon Elizabeth Joins AMERICAN REUNION
It appears that the reunion is officially complete. Deadline reports that Shannon Elizabeth has signed on to reprise her role as foreign exchange student Nadia in American Reunion. Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, and Jennifer Coolidge are all confirmed to return for the fourth film in the American Piefranchise. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle wrote and are directing the flick, which is currently filming in Atlanta. Katrina Bowden (30 Rock) recently joined the cast as Klein’s girlfriend. The story revolves around the gang reuniting for their high-school reunion. American Reunion is set for release on April 6th, 2012.
Famous Flashback: Christina Aguilera
Take a look at this "dirrty" girl! Back in 2001 Christina Aguilera had a whole lot going on -- like a wild mane with magenta extensions (to match her lipstick), rhinestone eye makeup, a whole lot of spray tan, and what looks to be a drawn-on mole. Wow.
The diva rocked this look for the MTV Video Music Awards a decade ago, where she won the Video of the Year prize for "Lady Marmalade." During her acceptance speech she said: "I guess the big hair paid off."
The hit song from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack also featuredLil' Kim, Mya, and Pink, and it soared on the charts. It became the most successful airplay-only single ever! Xtina said she'd love to team up with the gals again: "Of course, this is the closest I get to be in a girl group," she said in September 2001.
At this point, Christina was also getting ready to release her fourth studio album, Stripped. The album sold more than 330,000 copies when it was released in the fall of 2002, and it showcased her racier side with songs like "Dirrty," which was accompanied by a controversial music video. Her next single "Beautiful" put her back in the public's good graces a bit and she's been bouncing in and out of the spotlight since.
Over the last few years she's toned down the striped hair, but she's still rocking the bright lipstick, fake eyelashes, and overly bronzed skin. Some things never change.
Video of the Day: The Secret Lady Gaga Never Told Beyonce
Lady Gaga opened up to MTV about her life before she was a superstar. Apparently, Beyonce was her inspiration when she was younger! Watch below:
http://www.zimbio.com/Video+of+the+Day/articles/XKsvE2p9VMh/Video+Day+Secret+Lady+Gaga+Never+Told+Beyonce
Kim Kardashian Will Probably Make More on Her Wedding Than She'll Spend
There's no doubt that Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kris Humphries will be extravagant. The reality television personality is bound to pull out all the stops planning her upcoming nuptials: The bigger the rock, the bigger the party, and Kim's got 20 carats on her finger.
But the most famous Kardashian sister probably won't have to spend all that much on her wedding, seeing as it's the marketing opportunity of a lifetime. If momager Kris Kardashian has anything to do with it, Kim's wedding is going to be the television special of the year. Given Kim's history of public endorsements, it's safe to say she won't mind picking up some extra cash by accepting services from different bridal vendors for the show. What's more, Kim's close with so many big-name performers, she'll have no problem securing someone like Kanye West to perform at her reception.
Then, of course, there are the picture rights: Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's wedding shots sold for $300,000, but Kim's pictures could snag around $2 million, according to PopEater. And once Kim's married, the possibilities for spin-off shows are endless. Get ready to see much more of the Kardashian Klan...
Kim Kardashian Makes First Post-Engagement Public Appearance With Fiance
For to the event attended by Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert, and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock, the star of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" opted to go with a simple floor-length white gown, while her fiance looked sharp in a grey suit, blue shirt and sunglasses. The newly-engaged couple posed together for the press line where she showcased her 20.5 carat diamond sparkler.
On the same day, Kim tweeted, "Backstage at the Matthew Williamson fashion show! He is amaze! Prince Albert & Charlene here too! About 2 go on stage! I always get nervous." Hours later, she posted another tweet, "Fun night of fashion with Matthew Williamson," along with a photo of her with the fashion designer.
Kim got engaged to Kris last Wednesday, May 18 after only six months of dating. Sharing details of the romantic proposal was the couple themselves. To People Magazine, the pair revealed that Kris got down on one knee in Kim's bedroom where words "Will You Marry Me?" have been formed using red rose petals.
While the Kardashian clan are excited about the engagement, Kim's younger brother Rob Kardashian has doubt that the socialite will get married. Speaking to radio hosts Kidd Kraddick and Hyla on the Hollywood 5, the 24-year-old said, "I just don't feel confident because Kim has always been so like, you know, she's, how old?"
"She's just been through a lot of relationships and she always gets hurt or never finds the right dude, but Kris is a really good dude," he continued to point out. "They've had their own personal, private relationship a long time now and I feel like they are a really good match for each other."
Miley Cyrus Blasts Urban Outfitters for Being Shady and Anti-Gay
"Love that everybody is hating on Urban Outfitters," the 18-year-old first tweeted. In a following post, she pointed out why she has no tolerance for the retailer. "Not only do they steal from artists but every time you give them money you help finance a campaign against gay equality. #SHADYASHELL," so she wrote.
The songstress, who will be seen starring opposite Demi Moore in "LOL: Laughing Out Loud", continued on to show her support for gay rights. " 'IF WE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE NEXT THING U KNOW PEOPLE WILL BE MARRYING GOLD FISH' - Rick Santorum UO contributed $13,000 to this mans campaign," her tweet read.
Urban Outfitters was recently hit with accusation that the company has copied Stevie Koerner's necklace design. The independent artist wrote on her blog last Wednesday, May 25, "I'm very disappointed in Urban Outfitters. I know they have stolen designs from plenty of other artists. I understand that they are a business, but it's not cool to completely rip off an independent designer's work."
Eminem's Bad Meets Evil Song 'I'm on Everything' Ft. Mike Epps
It opens with a spoken interlude from comedian Mike Epps. "All these young kids, they ain't got no direction," he drops his remarks. "S**t, these lil' kids is on everything: syrup, painkillers, cigarettes, weed, Hennessey, vodka..." Royce and the Slim Shady follow him up with their own flowing bars.
Beside Mike Epps, the 9-song EP also lines up Bruno Mars as a featured guest in "Lighters", and Slaughterhouse in "Loud Noises". The album is due in the United States on June 14 via Shady/Interscope Records.
New Image from X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
A new image from X-Men: First Class has been released. This time, we get a look at Zoë Kravitz as Angel Salvadore. Early reviews for the film have been wildly positive. Steve saw it earlier this week and thought it was great, “a home-run.” Director Matthew Vaughn has been thinking abouta follow-up film, and even has an idea of how he would open the sequel. Directed by Vaughn, the film stars Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Lucas Till and Caleb Landry Jones. X-Men: First Class opens on June 3rd. Hit the jump to check out the new image.
Here’s the new image (via Latino Review):
Head over to Latino Review to check out another new image of Kravitz as Salvadore.
Here’s the official synopsis for X-Men: First Class:
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men. The film also stars Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Nicholas Hoult, Oliver Platt, Jason Flemyng, Lucas Till, Edi Gathegi, and Kevin Bacon. The screenplay is by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn.
Voldemort Poster for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2
We’ve seen Harry, Hermoine, Ron, and Neville posters for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Now it’s time for He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named/Tom Riddle/Voldemort. This is a good opportunity for me to mention that I think the franchise missed an opportunity to give Voldemort the red snake eyes that he has in the book. Perhaps they felt Ralph Fiennes couldn’t be expressive enough without human eyes, perhaps it was too expensive, or maybe it just looked goofy when put on screen. But I’ve always been curious to the what-if. But he’s still missing his nose so that’s good enough, I suppose.
Hit the jump to check out a poster you’d never put on your wall. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 opens in 3D on July 15th.
Poster via Warner Bros’ Twitter feed.
Here’s the official synopsis for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts.In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort.It all ends here.“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, reprising their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.The film was directed by David Yates, who also helmed the blockbusters “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.” David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry Potter films, produced the film, together with David Barron. Screenwriter Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.Behind the scenes, the creative team was led by director of photography Eduardo Serra, production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, composer Alexandre Desplat, visual effects supervisor Tim Burke, and costume designer Jany Temime.Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” which marks the last installment in the most successful film franchise of all time.“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will be released worldwide in theatres and IMAX, in 3D and 2D, beginning July 15, 2011.”
