tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post2797435929541200603..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: To the WonderAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-2659797578398745772013-06-08T17:26:59.140-04:002013-06-08T17:26:59.140-04:00Yes, that helped tremendously. Seriously, Jeff, we...Yes, that helped tremendously. Seriously, Jeff, well done.<br /><br />I knew once I let this film settle for a few months, the impact of it (and Bardem's scene specifically) would fully sink in. And it have. I'd now give the film an A. And I'd love to watch it again with the understand of Bardem's character through your theory. And you're right, one can only have theories with Malick. And yours is a damn fine one.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-17391188292568295472013-06-07T07:43:19.045-04:002013-06-07T07:43:19.045-04:00I can try to offer a theory into Bardem's trou...I can try to offer a theory into Bardem's troubled preist character, with Malick one can only offer theories, he is the physical manifestation of the disillusionment the lovers feel as their affair wears on. Marina is seemingly in a constant ballet with herself, always smiling and energetic, on the other hand Neil is grounded and a blank slant. "Why doesn't he share my enthusiasm for everyday things?" she must think. So she goes to the local church, she is a foreigner in a strange land tradition is her only comfort, in hopes of finding the answers as to why her love is not what she thought it would be. Something everyone has experienced, I myself one too many times, but instead of comforting her the preist can only relate to her crisis. As he is also disillusioned with the world around him "Where is god/love amongst all this suffering?", so instead of helping her, he only exacerbates the growing divide between the two. In the end both the Preist and Marina have epiphanies, that even though God and Neil don't show them love everyday doesn't mean they are not helpless. The preist can still help the down-ridden and poor, and Marina can leave and be her on her own... she sees that she can be just as happy as when she was with her supposed "great love" in the Mount Saint Michel. Don't know if that helped you out or not, it's only my own way of putting together the beautiful film mosaic here. Jeffhttp://cityuponahillmedia.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-44509361492276498322013-04-29T15:23:34.183-04:002013-04-29T15:23:34.183-04:00Thanks so much! Really glad you liked this one - s...Thanks so much! Really glad you liked this one - seems like we're both really on point here. I agree that Malick's intentions were exactly what is presented on the screen. I really dug it, but can completely understand why many would not.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51141825112513233602013-04-29T15:14:04.906-04:002013-04-29T15:14:04.906-04:00A hard film to watch, I felt the pace was taxing a...A hard film to watch, I felt the pace was taxing and personally I think that's what Mallick was going for. He wanted to show this tender love between Affleck and Kurlyenko's characters deteriorate in a cold, dragging fashion. Their interactions become so uncomfortable to watch. Mallick's visual work is exceptional as always. I really liked this movie but man, I can see how lots would not. You raise a number of very strong points. Great read!Tokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48511775505308758092013-04-23T10:54:54.291-04:002013-04-23T10:54:54.291-04:00Awesome man. I loved that you loved this. You know...Awesome man. I loved that you loved this. You know, they more I reflect on the movie, the more I appreciate it (which is always the case of Malick's films for me).<br /><br />I'm hell bent on watching it again and paying particular attention to Bardem's scenes. I think a rewatch (or two...) will help me get to where you're at in terms of understanding his subplot.<br /><br />Thanks as always for such a great comment!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-44140560357069715802013-04-22T20:35:53.642-04:002013-04-22T20:35:53.642-04:00Loved this film. Loved it, loved it, loved it, eve...Loved this film. Loved it, loved it, loved it, even when I hated it. And you know, I totally understand why someone might watch this and - as that quote at the top implies - not know what's happening but this was the first time I've seen a Malick film where I felt the whole time like I knew exactly what he was up to the entire time. It just opened up for me in a way none of his other films (most of which I've liked) have.<br /><br />I feel like Bardem's character fits in thematically with the rest of the film just fine and while the film wouldn't suffer without him I also don't necessarily think his story seems out of place. Malick's structure is always so incongruous to begin with that it's allowed to fit right in. <br /><br />I like to imagine that Malick's movies aren't even "edited" so much as they are assembled by the spirits. In that way (and I admit that's insanely obtuse), it all works.Nick Priggehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17895803287589438170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-3467199450422198102013-04-19T11:22:46.586-04:002013-04-19T11:22:46.586-04:00Hey man, great to hear from you. I loved this film...Hey man, great to hear from you. I loved this film, but it really is for Malick fanatics only. Hope you enjoy it!<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words about the hacking nonsense, I really do appreciate that.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73907829377272270862013-04-18T23:40:22.103-04:002013-04-18T23:40:22.103-04:00Happy to find someone that gives this movie a favo...Happy to find someone that gives this movie a favorable review. Most that I have seen did not like it. But thanks for convincing me otherwise.<br /><br />[Also, tough to hear about the hack. You do a phenomenal job with this blog and don't deserve that in the slightest. Please do re-post, and keep up all the hard work.] <br /><br />We all love it. Gregory Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07577274465428200193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-55764564178292814582013-04-18T09:15:45.315-04:002013-04-18T09:15:45.315-04:00If I'm being totally honest... if you were bor...If I'm being totally honest... if you were bored by The Tree of Life, I think you'll be <i>fucking</i> bored by To the Wonder. I didn't think this was as obscure as The Tree of Life, but there is much less dialogue and much less of a coherent narrative. I loved it, but it definitely isn't for everyone.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-64031172669791142302013-04-17T21:38:13.925-04:002013-04-17T21:38:13.925-04:00I'm very hesitant about seeing this one. I was...I'm very hesitant about seeing this one. I was completely bored with The Tree of Life despite it's beauty and great acting. To the Wonder seems like it has more depth that I could appreciate, but I still haven't been persuaded yet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-31160458327852231342013-04-17T14:31:02.915-04:002013-04-17T14:31:02.915-04:00I really want to watch it again too. I really want to watch it again too. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-65084000311973890502013-04-17T14:21:11.514-04:002013-04-17T14:21:11.514-04:00That's fair, no qualms against you liking it m...That's fair, no qualms against you liking it more than I did. I've noticed it's been on-demand, I may catch it again soon. But my backlog of films to watch is growing.Evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09270889107081469274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-68359687857922235892013-04-17T11:01:21.879-04:002013-04-17T11:01:21.879-04:00Thanks Ruth!
Ha, well, it made the festival round...Thanks Ruth!<br /><br />Ha, well, it made the festival rounds last year, and was at risk of not picking up a distributor. Finally, Magnolia Pictures picked it up, and they released it in theaters and on demand this past Friday. So it's been pretty easy to get ahold of in the States. Hope it comes your way soon!<br /><br />Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73153058391554576782013-04-17T10:58:39.297-04:002013-04-17T10:58:39.297-04:00I think when I rewatch it, and I bring the context...I think when I rewatch it, and I bring the context to Bardem's character that you and a few other people are talking about, then I'll appreciate the movie more as a whole. I too agree that this is Malick's weakest film so far. But an A- is a damn fine weak film indeed.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8390733124655479682013-04-17T10:55:58.625-04:002013-04-17T10:55:58.625-04:00Hmm, very interesting. I'm definitely on the f...Hmm, very interesting. I'm definitely on the fence about Bardem's character, but I truly thought McAdams' character added a great deal to the material. <br /><br />Never a common line to be reached in a Malick film. Such a divisive filmmaker. <br /><br />Either way, I really appreciate you stopping by and lending your thoughts!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39453689970957078832013-04-17T10:54:16.217-04:002013-04-17T10:54:16.217-04:00Thanks man, a weak A is where I'm at as well.
...Thanks man, a weak A is where I'm at as well.<br /><br />Love your remarks about Bardem's story. I should've been clearer: but I am DEFINITELY open to ideas and new thoughts concerning that subplot. I haven't shut the book on it or written it off by any means. So I don't think you're overthinking it at all. In fact, I think you and maskofgoijra are on to something solid.<br /><br />Fascinating indeed.<br />Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-49144567334639437822013-04-17T02:02:46.011-04:002013-04-17T02:02:46.011-04:00Is it just me, or did this one just sneak up witho...Is it just me, or did this one just sneak up without much warning? (It's probably just me, I'm woefully uneducated when it comes to Malick). <br />Still no release date for this one here :( I have my fingers crossed for Melbourne Film Festival perhaps. Wonderful review! I'm looking forward to seeing Affleck and Bardem. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175638828147935702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-77018039913792287722013-04-16T23:47:05.310-04:002013-04-16T23:47:05.310-04:00The more I talk to others about it, the more I thi...The more I talk to others about it, the more I think they're on to something when they say Bardem's character connected the movie back to reality. So much of the film takes place in the happiness of the two leads, that the grim life of a preist and his shaken faith kinda keep the film grounded. I do wish it was fleshed out a bit more, as well. I liked the film fine, but not quite as much as you. I think it's Malick's worst, which is still pretty solid. Evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09270889107081469274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48746336776864826242013-04-16T20:56:45.861-04:002013-04-16T20:56:45.861-04:00i like this film and it is obviously gorgeous to l...i like this film and it is obviously gorgeous to look at, but i think it is beyond pretentious. while i appreciate that malick has its own style, but both mcadams and bardem's characters aren't necessary and, especially mcadams, add nothing to the plot. though i love bardem in the movie, his role and mcadams' role were very arbitrary. i actually think bardem should have played affleck's character, since bardem can do a lot with very little (affleck cannot as an actor). kurylenko is also good in this. Candice Frederickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195801629178470295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-4429041178015083782013-04-16T19:29:41.349-04:002013-04-16T19:29:41.349-04:00Fantastic review man. I've seen it twice, and ...Fantastic review man. I've seen it twice, and I'm still on the fence. Right now, I'd go with a weak A.<br /><br />Bardem's subplot might seem out of place, but maybe Malick overshoots his films because he has a lot he's trying to accomplish with each film. I'm in line with maskofgojira's argument. Is the priest's struggle with faith supposed to connect to the relationships problems of Neil? Are man and woman at odds like man and God (at least on man's part)? Is that love the same imperfect, day-to-day struggle? Maybe I'm overthinking it. Like you said, does it take away from the main love story? Perhaps. Oh well. Fascinating stuff, regardless.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-50657523467023183192013-04-16T17:22:36.963-04:002013-04-16T17:22:36.963-04:00Yep, I agree completely - I'll take an average...Yep, I agree completely - I'll take an average film by any of those guys over most any other film.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-46459034948744186702013-04-16T17:18:29.108-04:002013-04-16T17:18:29.108-04:00I have read many divisive reviews about this film ...I have read many divisive reviews about this film yet I will still take a mediocre Malick film over everyone else's films unless it's by masters who are equal to the stature of Malick like Scorsese, Almodovar, Bergman, Kubrick, Kurosawa, and etc.thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-53708437655777751102013-04-16T15:37:06.159-04:002013-04-16T15:37:06.159-04:00Thanks man, glad you liked the review!
Damn, I ha...Thanks man, glad you liked the review!<br /><br />Damn, I had no idea you were such a Malick fan. That’s so cool. I’ve seen all of his films many times over (well, with the exception of this, which I’m sure I’ll watch again very very soon), and I’m so taken with his work as well.<br /><br />I really appreciate you lending your comments about Bardem’s storyline. You weren’t rambling at all, in fact, I think your description is as close to “accurate” (accurate for me, anyway) as I’ve heard yet. That makes sense. Now, does it still take <i>away</i> from the main love story at hand...? I don’t know, possibly. But either way, I loved this movie. Another Malick work of art.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-70242532113689930142013-04-16T15:31:18.997-04:002013-04-16T15:31:18.997-04:00Great review sir!
I absolutely loved this film an...Great review sir! <br />I absolutely loved this film and was actually quite surprised by the impact it had on me at it's conclusion(...?). As much as I love everything that Malick's films represent, I don't love them all (I have yet to see Days of Heaven and all of The New World), but his films always have a way of touching a part of me that no other film maker can. I feel like of the films of his that I have seen, Badlands is the only one I can claim to be perfect and a masterpiece, but this one is right up there with it/just below it. The characters are so hauntingly captivating and I was just blown away on every level. <br />Even Bardem's story hit home with me, paralleling against the main love story(s) with his own conflicting love towards God/faith/etc. I thought his story fit in perfectly as a sort of conflicting love story. He wants to be filled with love for his partner (God in this case I would say) but finds his own life to be rather empty and hollow and cannot find comfort in the words that he speaks to others. Maybe I'm just rambling, but I thought it worked. Not perfect but pretty damn close (imo). maskofgojirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18305737005899440472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-66033919934590788542013-04-16T15:24:12.193-04:002013-04-16T15:24:12.193-04:00Thanks so much Julie! It means the world to me tha...Thanks so much Julie! It means the world to me that you appreciate my writing style.<br /><br />I think you'll like this one. But hell, it's hard to tell who will or won't.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com