So I started my 34 days of Oscar with "The Tree of Life." This film has been nominated this year for 3 Academy Awards. Best Picture, Best Director: Terrence Malick and Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki.
For anyone wondering what exactly a cinematographer does, it is the person responsible for the camera and lighting decisions on a film. The artistic and technical decisions that decide what the image looks like to the viewer on screen are made by the cinematographer. If you are watching a movie and think it looks too dark or you think a shot of a sunset is beautiful, that is the responsibility of the cinematographer.I mention all of that because the movie "The Tree of Life" is a very beautiful film. Only natural light was used while making it and the results are amazing. There were numerous shots where the true colors of nature stand out and you can't help but think of how beautiful this film is. I can certainly see why "The Tree of Life" was nominated for Best Cinematography.
Terrence Malick did a decent job directing this, but I feel as if he has taken all of the emotion of
of the movie with his scatter shot directorial approach. Too many times, the camera swings up and away from the actor and actress on camera never giving them time to actually act and set up their character. The times he lingers on a actor, it feels as if he is trying to make the camera act for them. There is also an extended 15 minute break during the movie where Malick suddenly decides to give the viewer a history of the Universe. Overall, the images are beautiful, but the directorial style Terrence Malick uses ends up making a very cold film.
of the movie with his scatter shot directorial approach. Too many times, the camera swings up and away from the actor and actress on camera never giving them time to actually act and set up their character. The times he lingers on a actor, it feels as if he is trying to make the camera act for them. There is also an extended 15 minute break during the movie where Malick suddenly decides to give the viewer a history of the Universe. Overall, the images are beautiful, but the directorial style Terrence Malick uses ends up making a very cold film.This movie was also nominated for Best Picture. For the life of me, I can't see why. I have rarely been so confused and bewildered by one movie before. The plot is non-linear and there is no real story to speak of. If you were to gather 5 people who say they understood the film and ask them to describe "The Tree of Life" you would get 5 completely different responses. If you know someone who finds "Inception" or "Pulp Fiction" confusing, tell them to see this movie. I guarantee that after "The Tree of Life" their definition of a confusing movie will be forever changed.
Overall I would give "The Tree of Life" 2 out of 5 stars. The cinematography is beautiful, but the movie is just not my cup of tea. I will be the first person to admit I didn't quite understand what Malick was aiming for with this movie. I will give it 2 out of 5 stars and unless someone gives me a very good reason, I will not be watching this 2 hr, 20 minute movie again.
Tonight I have a softball game (maybe), so the chances of a review are slim. If that happens, I will make up that movie this weekend.
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