Terrence Malick takes his film crew to Mexico

Terrence Malick's untitled film formerly known as Lawless that has been scurrying around Austin, Texas, for a month or so has apparently headed down south to old Mexico.

Is it just me or is that international look of disdain coming from Ryan Gosling?

At least he's smiling in this photo. And in this one he just looks like a busy actor.

Oh, and for a guy with a cult following like Malick, it certainly makes sense that this music-industry-set film would include music from the band the Cult.

'Red Wing' to shoot in North Texas

Will Wallace will direct the film Red Wing in Dennison Whitewright, Texas, starting on July 16. Why should you care? Well, if one-upon-a-time teen heartthrob Luke Perry as a star doesn't do it for you, consider the Malick factor.

Terrence Malick originally developed the story, and his Sunflower Films' mate Ed Pressman is producing the film. Wallace has had roles in Malick film's including The Tree of Life, The Thin Red Line and The New World. Oh, and Wallace is Malick's stepson.

Given the Malick connection, I have no clues as the story, except for the casting notice.

Terrence Malick's Oklahoma film gets a new name

Formerly The Burial, it's now To the Wonder according to The Playlist, and, who knows, this completed film about a love triangle and shot in Bartlesville, Oklahoma,  featuring Ben Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Javier Bardem, Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen and Amanda Peet, may come out soon. First it has to find a U.S. distributor. But, hey, it's rated R for tasteful nudity and is said to have a similar tone to The Tree of Life!

Meanwhile, we're still awaiting more info on Terrence Malick's Texas-set (and to be Texas shot?) films whose names may or may not at this moment be Lawless and King of Cups and what this all has to do with pal/mentee David Gordon Green moving to Austin.

'Tree of Life' gets Oscar noms

Yes, Smithville-shot The Tree of Life got nominated for best picture, best cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki) and best director Academy Awards. Will director Terrence Malick show up? Did Bridesmaids really get a screenplay nomination and Life didn't? That's another story...

Oh, and Brad Pitt got nominated for best actor--not for Life but for Moneyball.

Oh, and Belgium film Bullhead was nominated for best foreign film. Why should you care? Austin's Alamo Drafthouse's distribution arm snapped up right to the film and will distribute in theaters soon. Party at Tim League's house tonight, right?

Oh, and good to see high-school-football doc Undefeated up for best documentary. I saw it at the South By Southwest Film Festival and loved it.

Malick's 'The Tree of Life' to premiere at Cannes

Yes, Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, just a year later than expected and in competition. It's the only film from a U.S. director in competition this year. Largely shot in Smithville, it stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.

'Tree of Life' Trailer to hit theaters this weekend!

The Playlist is reporting that the first trailer for Terrence Malick's Smithville, Texas-shot The Tree of Life is set to hit theaters this weekend before showing of the film Black Swan. It's a safe bet the trailer will soon after appear online.

'Tree of Life' eyes 2011 release

Yes, the long-awaited Smithville-shot Tree of Life is now set to come to the big screen in 2011. Thus sayeth The Hollywood Reporter.

Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the mysterious Terrence Malick film starring Brad Pitt.

Searchlight presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley (who can speak simultaeously) said, "Terrence Malick has crafted a deeply moving, keenly observed and magisterial film. Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and the entire cast's performances are simply amazing. This is a signature film by a signature filmmaker and we are proud to be releasing it."

Malick's next film in Oklahoma?

Reports are surfacing that Terrence Malick will shoot a "romantic drama" in Oklahoma starting in October, but he may already be shooting in Bartlesville, the town where he grew up (he went to high school in Austin).

Thewrap.com sez Ben Affleck and Rachel Weisz have joined the cast, which is also said to include Christian Bale, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams and Olga Kurylenko (though Affleck may be replacing Bale in the picture). Affleck has been spotted in the area and talked about playing a fisherman.

Talk of the film first began at the Berlin Film Festival in February.

Just like the cloud of secrecy that surrounded Smithville-shot Tree of Life (no one would talk for the full year of rumors and casting), this one is getting the big denials in Okie-land.

As for Tree of Life's future, it's as weirdly up in the air (no, don't look for it at the Toronto International Film Festival) as any Malick release, but word of the Oklahoma activity does hint that Malick is finally close to an end of tinkering with the very personal film. The folks at ThePlaylist.com have a nice rundown of a 2007 script of the film.

'Tree of Life' doesn't grow (yet) in Venice

The Venice Film Festival announced most of its competition films today. Not included was Terrence Malick's Texas-shot Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt. But there is still hope: The fest's surprise “in-competition” film, won’t be announced until Sept. 6.

Making the Venice list was Robert Rodriguez's Austin-shot Machete, the film that came from a fake film trailer.

Will 'Tree of Life' sprout at Venice Film Festival?

I love this photo, which came from here, of Austin resident Terrence Malick and Brad Pitt walking in Los Angeles recently in matching Members Only-ish jackets. The Playlist wonders whether FX work and further Malick tinkering may keep the mostly Smithville-shot film Tree of Life out of the Venice Film Festival.

Here's a good examination of the film that Malick has been working on forever from PopMatters.

Photo from 'Tree of Life'

Perhaps the first still photo to show up from Terrence Malick's Tree of Life, which shot largely in Smithville, Texas. Still no word on when the film itself will see life....

Did Terrence Malick have a small screening of "Tree of Life?"

That's the word being spread through Facebook. Tree of Life is not making it to Cannes, it appears, but it also seems close to completion. The said secret Terrence Malick film screening was in Austin. Here's what was said about it (and take it with a grain of salt):

"It will not make Cannes. The visual effects aren’t done, but the footage that we’ve worked on is near complete. The reason for the delay in post is because of the amount
of detail IMAX 70 MM requires. I can assure you that the results are worth the wait."

Any of my readers there? I promise not to tell if you spill the beans...