re: What the hell happened to Terrence Malick?

Yeah he definitely has an axe to grind. He thought he was going to be the star of a comeback (from self-imposed seclusion) film directed by the most built-up and worshiped supposed greatest auteur director around and he did press for it beforehand, told everyone he was the star and then came to the premier dressed up, ready to see his movie, only to discover that he wasn't in it. That's insanely embarrassing. Humiliating. Crushed everything he'd built up in his own head about his future. I mean... he still cashed the check, so I'm not crying for him, but putting myself in his shoes... you bet I'd be angry and bear a grudge against Terry. So I get where he is coming from. It definitely colors his view of the film, so no one should even ask him what he thinks of the final product. Of course he's going to say it stinks.