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We have the technology to see the outer reaches of the universe, and others! The Hubble telescope showed humankind we have so much more to explore. At the same time, we can look at the most minute worlds going on under our feet. This film takes us all those places and then some and poses the question: does any of it make us more content with our existence? And, where do we as humans fit into all this.
The Tree of Life (2011)
PG-13 | 2h 19min | Drama, Fantasy | 17 May 2011 (France)
The story of a family in Waco, Texas in 1956. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence and struggles with his parents’ conflicting teachings.
Director: Terrence Malick
Writer: Terrence Malick
Stars: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain
Terrence Malick directed “Days of Heaven” and “Badlands” and many more pictures that I thoroughly enjoyed. He certainly has a gift as a storyteller. This film is a little different, it has a lot of out space and nature scenes. There are even a few dinosaurs and pop up, seemingly in the spirit of “2001 a Space Odyssey.”
Jessica Chastain really plays the mother role well here. Brad Pitt plays the conflicted father who seems discontent with where he has ended up in life. He even tells that to his sons which I found reprehensible. Overall though, we have a sensible healthy family here in this story just trying to make it somewhere between their “nature” and “grace.” This film took some patience and I have to admit I watched it twice before it really appealed to me. In the end, I truly loved it. I give this piece of beauty a 10/10.
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Since A24 is gaining a credibility I don’t think it altogether deserves, I thought I’d republish my review of an early film they produced. This film had a lot of potential but didn’t get there for me. I think THAT is really what defines this brand and that really sucks. I hope that changes. I wrote the content below when this film came out.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin
Ralph Ineson as William
Kate Dickie as Katherine
Harvey Scrimshaw as CalebRobert Eggers
Robert Eggers
Horror
Rated R for disturbing violent content and graphic nudity
1h 32min
I saw this film not knowing what to expect. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating in the 80% range so I was naturally curious since I rarely see horror films doing so well. The audience was not favoring it quite as much so that made me wonder what was going on here. Sometimes that means it’s a “movie makers” movie and not one the average American is going to “get.” I was right about that I think. This film has received a Sundance “best director” award and all sorts of other laurels on its poster. Usually those mean foreign film but in this case they are festival awards. This movie is taking the critics by storm. I think the audience will get on the bus sooner or later. Please understand, this film is not the easiest to understand but it still combines several powerful themes to make a hard hitting horror film and I love it!
It displays the cruelty of religion in the same way the Crucible and the Scarlet Letter. It takes it all the way into the psyche of a Puritan family and causes them all to question whether each other are witches. Mind blowing. It’s not a horror movie per se but it uses elements of diverse themes to create an original movie. Don’t watch this movie hoping it to make sense but rather dwell among the family and observe the sickness that religion can become. The ending may perplex some or it may be an awakening. I think the director wants us to draw conclusions but not in a concrete way. Why does the heroine walk naked into the trees? What caused this transformation? Did she make the choice or was it destiny made for her by her family? Is the family innocent? This dark tale raises more questions than answers. Though much is never explained, it’s the experience of these unexplained things that is the essence of the ride. We may not want to get off but the director pulls off our seat belts at the credits and says GO NOW! Then, we have to think about it. I’ve been doing so for 2 days straight and it’s lovely. 7/10
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Lawyers are fascinating to watch, especially in courtroom dramas. This film always comes up in a search of them. They also can be thrillers. Audiences are drawn to the theme of law and the courtroom because we all think we know the truth. This film shows, as many others do, that the truth can be altered and made to look differently than it is. The question then becomes not a “what” but rather a “why” did the lawyer take that road.
Michael Clayton (2007)
R | 1h 59min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | 12 October 2007 (USA)
A law firm brings in its “fixer” to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multibillion-dollar class action suit.
Director: Tony Gilroy
Writer: Tony Gilroy
Stars: George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson
Our director here Tony Gilroy has been around the block and shown his meddle in movies. He directed many amazing films including “Devil’s Advocate,” and “Nightcrawler.” He has a clean, straightforward style that shows us the facts and lets us make the conclusions.
In psychology circles, this film is cited as an example of a character with bipolar disorder. Not the main character though. My wife has an advanced degree in psychology and she agrees this is an excellent illustration of mania. Beside that, this is an excellent legal thriller that I truly enjoyed watching. It reminds me of other Davey and Goliath/ firm vs. individual legal films like “A Civil Action” and “Erin Bockovich.” I recommend this film highly. 10/10.
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Extremes in geology have always amazed me like how lava is melted rock. To watch a film about caves and paintings that are 32,000 years old, captivated me. Werner Herzog did an amazing job explaining and presenting these ghostly artifacts.
“Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France and captures the oldest known pictorial creations of humanity.” -IMDBWerner Herzog Himself/Narrator
Jean Clottes Himself
Julien Monney Himself
Jean-Michel Geneste HimselfWerner Herzog
Werner Herzog
Documentary, History
G
Fri 25 Mar 2011 UTC
IMDB Rating: 7.4
Among other arcane effects in these drawings, the most alluring to me was the “animated” horse head. The cave person tried to make the animal appear as it does in life, moving.
I think about the significance of the years gone by. We lie about 100 years in one lifetime. 32,000 divided by one lifetime then is 320 lives back to back, one death signaling a birth every 100 years and so on, 320 times. All those lifetimes ago, someone painted these cave walls. The film takes you into the caves and tells you haunting stories that summon images of people like us, living and creating art.
An archaeologist explains in vivid detail the mental anguish he suffered being in the cave for weeks doing studies. It’s one of the most powerful moments in the film for me. I can almost feel what he’s talking about. Seeing what they painted without seeing them. He is, and so are we through the film, observing a way of life portrayed in images without having anyone connected with and living it to explain.
If their way of life seems simple to us now, how will future generations view ours? In fact, will ours have any artifacts at all?
This is an example of a perfectly done documentary film. I highly recommend it.
10/10
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I’ve seen a few films recently where people use the black arts or occult spells like The Alchemist’s Cookbook and A Dark Song. This is another to add to that list.
Pyewacket (2017)
1h 30min | Horror, Thriller | 23 March 2018 (USA)
A frustrated, angst-ridden teenage girl awakens something in the woods when she naively performs an occult ritual to evoke a witch to kill her mother.
Director: Adam MacDonald
Writer: Adam MacDonald
Stars: Nicole Muñoz, Laurie Holden, Chloe Rose
Adam MacDonald is our director. He is known for “Backcountry” the bear horror movie. He does a good job here. I’ll definitely be looking for more from him especially in the horror genre.
Leah is our protagonist here. She has all the trappings of a high school student: hates her mom, into black magic, cuts herself … well unfortunately these days all those are common things. There is tension throughout and an awesome score helping to make that happen. I like it that the scares are more drawn out thoughtful ones and not jump scares. It builds the story slowly and has a spooky tone throughout (which I value in horror).
This is certainly one to check out for all you horror buffs out there. Enjoy. I gave it 7/10.
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In this one, man’s best friend is exiled to an island due to something called the “snout flu.” Hilarity ensues on the island as the dogs band together, form alliances, and try to survive. For the most part, they are successful. There’s enough humor here to fill a movie theater and it certainly does.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
PG-13 | 1h 41min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy | 13 April 2018 (USA)
Set in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows a boy’s odyssey in search of his lost dog.
Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Wes Anderson (story by), Roman Coppola (story by) | 3 more credits »
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton
Director Wes Anderson makes movies with animation and live action conventions. His films can almost always appear silly to the first-time Wes Anderson viewer. But to the “informed” eye, a lot of thought and practical prep work must go into his work. Each film looks like a masterpiece painting worthy of the Louvre. This one is in line with all that have come before. The animation is reminiscent of “The Amazing Mr. Fox.” All the dog characters are hilarious and Scarlett Johanssen’s girl dog character is loveable and fluffy 
Furthermore there is a lot of understated humor thing, if you enjoy that like I do.
It was a quirky, fun film. I quite enjoyed it with my 11-year-old daughter. For that sort of film, I give it a 9/10. Highly recommended.
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