Matt, Even though we haven't seen TREE OF LIFE yet, I have a feeling much of what you speak about in these three, thus far, essays, will ultimately be reaffirmed when we do see it. And even expanded on or directly addressed. And I think at the very least, but really especially, these essays and anyone who see's them will find they accent Malick's work perfectly, and after we see TREE OF LIFE perhaps, for lack of a better word, uncannily.
Beachtree Manningcroft   posted 14.05.11

Well done. I love this movie. I show it in my A.P. English class every year and the students write about the theme of longing as well as the themes of sin and damnation as you nicely point out in this video essay. I also like your interpretation of the role of nature in the film. Nature is indifferent to the things that, as you aptly put it, "just happen," and what happens is just a very small part of the universe Malick depicts. Interesting how Days of Heaven ends by echoing the river/camping sequence in Badlands (and it sure looks like the same location). Both respites in nature are ended by violence. Looking forward to The Thin Red Line and The New World.
Hokahey   posted 12.05.11