The Online Film Critics Society has just announced that it has picked Terrence Malick's THE TREE OF LIFE as 2011's Best Picture and Malick for Best Director. While I'm probably in the minority here, I have to say that I found the film ponderous, pretentious, and self-indulgent. Reminiscent of too many student films, it asks us to accept impressionistic images and elliptical cutting as a substitute for character development and honest emotional storytelling… What angers me is that Malick is one of the few directors working who has the potential for doing something startling or original. Yet he avoids any sustained conflict in favor of ephemeral — if stunning — snapshots that remind me of National Geographic (with apologies to Adam).
Just saw The Artist as well. Talk about having the courage to make a totally original statement. To make a film about the advent of sound on film… and make it silent and in B&W. In an offbeat way, it's kind of the flip side of Singin' in the Rain (right down to tap dancing to save the day). Makes you want to tip your top hat to Michel Hazanavicius.
"A Separation" is…dare I say it…the best film I have seen all year. All the characters are just trying to do their best, you understand what each of them is doing and why, and therein lies the conflict. Drama as Chekhov would have written it. (AL)
Elise
January 19th, 2012 at 5:58 AM
Does anybody know where Rocket Video sent their inventory?
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Comments (5)
Garner Simmons
January 3rd, 2012 at 5:12 PM
The Online Film Critics Society has just announced that it has picked Terrence Malick's THE TREE OF LIFE as 2011's Best Picture and Malick for Best Director. While I'm probably in the minority here, I have to say that I found the film ponderous, pretentious, and self-indulgent. Reminiscent of too many student films, it asks us to accept impressionistic images and elliptical cutting as a substitute for character development and honest emotional storytelling… What angers me is that Malick is one of the few directors working who has the potential for doing something startling or original. Yet he avoids any sustained conflict in favor of ephemeral — if stunning — snapshots that remind me of National Geographic (with apologies to Adam).
Joanna Perry-Folino
January 8th, 2012 at 4:06 AM
My favorite film all year. Pure delight.
Garner Simmons
January 9th, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Just saw The Artist as well. Talk about having the courage to make a totally original statement. To make a film about the advent of sound on film… and make it silent and in B&W. In an offbeat way, it's kind of the flip side of Singin' in the Rain (right down to tap dancing to save the day). Makes you want to tip your top hat to Michel Hazanavicius.
CulturalWeekly
January 17th, 2012 at 5:21 PM
"A Separation" is…dare I say it…the best film I have seen all year. All the characters are just trying to do their best, you understand what each of them is doing and why, and therein lies the conflict. Drama as Chekhov would have written it. (AL)
Elise
January 19th, 2012 at 5:58 AM
Does anybody know where Rocket Video sent their inventory?
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