Too bad the sequel was such a downer.

It was a bit. But I do love the first one, which I deny is cheesy. It was written by George MacDonald Fraser (Flashman) so all ironies were intended, including the casting of Heston.

Overall, I'd say that I enjoyed Tree of Life muchly. It was highly experimental, and I'd say the experiment was about 80% successful. While there were parts of the movie that blew me away on several different levels, there were other parts that had me wondering just what the heck I was watching.

There were certain parts that honestly felt like Virginia Woolf had done a rewrite of 2001: A Space Odyssey. In large part, I liked those parts, but I did think that the dinosaurs were a bit over the top.

Acting-wise, I would say this is some of the best work Brad Pitt has ever done.

Finally saw the trailer for The Tree of Life. Reminds me strongly of The New World, which I love fiercely.

Dinosoaurs you say?

What was experimental? I'm curious.

Juliebird, there were in fact dinosaurs. Very well done dinosaurs, too.

As for experimental, the movie went into what seemed like very odd tangents depicting the creation of the world, lots of dreamy metaphysical segments played against the details of daily life in Waco TX, scenes that may or may not be someone's inner mindscape, and bits that really did seem like the trippier parts of 2001.

I liked it, but I can also see why a lot of people would not. Having some degree of familiarity with the book of Job is kind of key to picking up on what the director is getting at.

In the trailer, the creation of the world elements are what really hooked me.

--If only because once upon a time I was working on a fanvid that used footage of black holes, big bangs, supernovas, and eclipses as a metaphor for love and heartbreak. In a The Fountain sort of way.

Anne, have you seen The Fountain with Hugh Jackman?

It sounds like The Tree of Life might be similar. Nearly everyone hated it though...I liked it. Like I like What Dreams May Come.

I can forgive a lot of trippy in favor of great visuals and deep emotion.

Those bits were very nicely done. Just gorgeous.

Edit: Bonny, I have not, but I very much want to.

So much love for The Fountain!

Even though the end broke the mood with the whakadoodle killer flowers. I eventually got on board with the violence with that scene, but it took me awhile to stop cracking up over tree semen and Night of the Living Petunias.

Julie, I totally blotted that scene out of my memory. I'm with you, entirely.

I laughed out loud in the theatre watching that.

I also had it worked out at one point why the tone shift made sense, maybe something about the violence of rebirth, but I've lost it now.