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7 Tips To Help You Like Terrence Malick Movies More, Maybe

The idea of your quintessential ‘art film’ and director Terrence Malick go hand in hand. His latest, To the Wonder, is one of his most polarizing, some hailing it as his latest masterpiece and others decrying it as either a typical Malick poetic snoozefest or an uncharacteristic flop from an otherwise solid filmmaker. I can’t speak to the quality of this release specifically since as far as I know it’s unavailable for those of us here in Canada, but I know that this response is somewhat predictable when it comes to Malick’s movies. He’s not someone who’s going to ever really make a universal hit. But that doesn’t mean he should be dismissed by the majority of movie fans.

[h2]7) Just keep watching. I don’t know.[/h2]

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In the end, the only thing that will facilitate a connection between you and a Terrence Malick movie is just by continuing to watch, re-watch if you want, or whatever. It’s an endeavor that can require enormous patience and for many it’s a prospect that is not worth the investment of time or energy and that’s totally fair. There are too many elusive factors that go into things just clicking when it comes to movies that rely on impressions and emotional truths and eye-grabbing visuals. They’re more subjective than your average film in my view, which I’m sure is not the commonly held expert opinion. But the reward is great, if you can take my word for it, and the effect quite profound. I’m not even sure I appreciate them the way I’m supposed to. A little adjustment to your expectations, though, can go a long way, and knowing what you’re in for with a Terrence Malick or Harmony Korine movie is half the battle. If you’re surprised by their style of storytelling, it’s a real uphill trudge. Still, it could be worth sticking out, but you have to determine that for yourself. I’m just some asshole.