Terrence Malick

Terrence Malick burst onto the cinema scene with a string of critically acclaimed films like 'Badlands' and 'Days of Heaven', each more beautiful and ponderous than the last. Then, after a twenty-year hiatus, he returned to filmmaking, much to the delight of cinephiles and the dismay of anyone who prefers a plot that moves at a clip faster than a snail’s pilgrimage.

His films are less narratives and more cinematic tone poems, filled with whispery voiceovers and lingering shots of nature. You know, the kind of movie that makes you feel like you just spent two hours at a very tasteful, existential art installation.

While his work is certainly profound (and occasionally a bit too profound), there's no indication that Malick has ever dabbled in the ancient traditions of his Chosen People. He appears to be perfectly content with exploring the grand narratives of existence without the added complexity of a Shabbat dinner. So, while his films might inspire a certain spiritual contemplation, it's not exactly a contemplation that leads to synagogue.

Frankly, his films are deep, but they're not that deep. More like a perfectly brewed cup of chamomile tea: soothing, calming, and definitely not Manischewitz.