Reclusive filmmaker Terrence Malick tries to explain the meaning of all existence in “The Tree of Life,” a sprawling, non-linear drama now available on Blu-ray and DVD (but not on Netflix or Redbox until Nov. 8).

The film enthralled some and frustrated more with its fragmented storytelling, minimalist dialogue and lengthy sequences in space and with dinosaurs. Most of the movie, however, follows a young family in the 1950s, with Brad Pitt starring as the stern father to three boys. He’s particularly hard on Jack (Hunter McCracken), the oldest son who grows up to be played by Sean Penn in a few brief but pivotal scenes set in the present day.

There’s an hour stretch of the film that takes place exclusively in the 1950s with loosely connected scenes of Jack’s upbringing and the contrasting relationships he shares with his father and mother (Jessica Chastain). While his mother is more of a nurturing free-spirit who skimps on discipline, his father is determined to teach Jack the skills to survive an unfair adulthood, a worldview he has adopted from his own professional failures.

But wait! Malick isn’t weaving a simple coming-of-age tale. The film opens with the death of one of Jack’s brothers, which takes place sometime in Jack’s early adulthood. “The Tree of Life” then jumps way back to the creation of the universe, leading into the Earth’s formation, the development of primitive life, and the emergence of dinosaurs. Then we get the 1950s and Brad Pitt, and then things get really weird. (more…)

In politics, loyalty is more important than doing the right thing.

So says “The Ides of March,” the political thriller directed, co-written and co-starring George Clooney.  Set during a Democratic presidential primary race, “Ides of March” doesn’t have a positive opinion on the business of politicking. Even the players who work with a self-established ethical code will make sacrifices for a chance at the White House.

Based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon, with a screenplay by Willimon, Clooney and Grant Heslov, “The Ides of March” has the tone, pacing and theatrics consistent with those of a high-pressure political campaign. It also has a few plot twists that belong in a different movie.

Ryan Gosling, already a standout this fall in “Drive,” stars as Stephen Meyers, an idealistic junior campaign manager working for Governor Mike Morris (Clooney) on the eve of a vital primary in Ohio. Stephen’s mentor and boss, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to secure the endorsement of an influential Senator (Jeffrey Wright), while the opposition’s campaign manager Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti) calls Stephen with inside information and a potential job offer. (more…)

There are two halves to “50/50” that wouldn’t be very entertaining if they each expanded into its own full-length movie.

A movie about fighting a rare form of cancer isn’t many people’s idea of escapist entertainment. And watching Seth Rogen laugh through yet another raunchy stoner comedy wouldn’t be so annoying had he not already made three or four movies exactly like it.

Combining the two, however, turns out to be a winning formula in “50/50,” a very funny story about cancer that contains moments of powerful, devastating drama. The pot jokes help to ease the blow. (more…)