Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on July 23, 2011 at 10:24:10

In Reply to: RE: It has a VERY heavy, overstated "message" that could have been posted by RedGrant on July 22, 2011 at 16:13:06

At a very young age, people question why they are here, what its all about. The central ideas of the film not only are clichés, they are repeated for effect for HOURS. And they are breathlessly mouthed in the most simplistic imaginable dialogue. The universe is a cold place and we are emotive, emotional beings. People die and there doesn't seem to be any reason.
Now, I don't mean to imply people don't think about these things as they mature; but most people have found answers at a young age--- after a tragedy, it is what allows them to continue on.
Malick's unforgivable gaffe is that he had to beat us over the head, BOTH visually and aurally, with this thought. A good filmmaker would let events speak for themselves. In "2001," and I hesitate to compare a Sistine Chapel panel to a graffiti wall, a great filmmaker shows how to address somewhat the same questions--- and many more--- in a clever, non-obvious, and original manner. Malick hasn't made a good film since his first one, "Badlands." He never reaches for anything but the 9-pound hammer.