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Info on the next film from Paul Thomas Anderson
Hey folks, Harry here... As a lifelong afficionado of the Musical genre it often times dismays me to think about the current sad state of affairs. In fact, earlier this evening I was watching a print of YELLOW SUBMARINE and was talking with various friends afterwards about the magic of musicals. Traditional narrative constraints can be applied, but also... it's a medium where you can simply break all the rules. You're allowed to look directly into the camera.. you can dance OFF THE SET... the set can continue for a completely unrealistic length of time. Inanimate objects can suddenly come to life, water can flow backwards, the clouds can become staircases that you can dance up and down. In a musical... everything and anything can and should happen. What has happened is to much of reality has squeezed this fanciful form. CABARET, EVITA, A CHORUS LINE... Practical, stuck in reality.... not magical. With PTA... At least with the fanciful aspects of MAGNOLIA... he completely demonstrates that... point of completely leaving behind reality and things that just HAPPEN... and let loose with the thoughts and fanciful notions that we trivialize in our everyday lives. Whatever he chooses to do next... I can't wait to see or hear about.
Hey,
Longtime reader, first time writer blah blah blah, I'm sure you hear all
that a lot. You may have already heard about this, but I'm a die-hard PT
Anderson fan, so I thought I'd just make sure...
This is from The National Post:
Anderson has four or five musicals in his head that he'd like to make, with
Mann and Apple as possible collaborators. First, he wants to make something
small, a shift from the three-hour-plus long Magnolia.
"I have a couple of thoughts," he says, of this unwritten film. "But I
actually haven't been triggered to write it because I haven't found exactly
the right music."
Could be interesting....as many Anderson fans know there was a scene in his
first film, Hard Eight where Sam the Man Jackson is talking to Phillip Baker
Hall and tells him he knows some guys, Floyd Gondolli, Jimmy Gator and
Mumbles O'Mally. As you may remember, Phillip Baker Hall went on to play
Floyd Gondolli in Boogie Nights and Jimmy Gator in Magnolia. "I would like
to think that this is only a matter of coincidence." One could assume that
Hall would play someone called Mumbles O'Mally in this possible musical....I
also recall PT saying in an interview somewhere that he'd like to a musical
someday and he loved Singin' in the Rain (which chronicled Hollywood's
change from silent to talkies, a similarity to the way Boogie Nights
chronicled Porno's change from film to video). Anyway, I'm babbling, but
one last thing...John C. Reilly was asked in an interview about the "Wise
Up" sequence in Magnolia, and the interviewer asked if PT was ever going to
do an all out musical, and he said something to the effect of "I don't know,
I'm always telling him he should do one."
Anyway, just wanted to give ya a heads up so you can look out for any info
for us. Oh, and here's the link to the full article that Anderson was
quoted from above.
Hopefully some of this might come in handy.
Crusher Creel
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Feb 04, 2000 5:06:39 AM CST
As long as Mark Wahlberg is in it, singing old Stan Bush songs,
by brundledan
Or maybe I should just go watch "Boogie Nights" again.
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the musical has to have singing frogs that drop from the sky.
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I agree with the longing for the good old fashioned people running around singing for no reason musicals, and one of my favorite movie moments of 1999 was everyone suddenly singing "Wise Up" in Magnolia, but you're pointing fingers at some artists who aren't to blame for the downfall or "mutation" of musicals. Cabaret is one of the greatest films I've ever seen; so what if all the singing in the film is "realistic" and on stage? Remember the film won about 5 oscars more than The Godfather did in 1972 (including Best Director), deservedly so. Bob Fosse took a cattle prod and stuck it up the ass of the movie musical industry when he made that film!!! By 1972 musicals were already over. Crap like Paint Your Wagon is what buried the kind of musicals you love--bad quality! Let's also not forget that 1979's All That Jazz was a people running around singing for no reason (although it's kind of in the guy's head) musical, and like Cabaret, one of the best musicals ever made, and a heartbreakingly personal one, as it prophesized Bob Fosse's own death. There's so many different types of musicals that we've seen. The Committments was one, in a way, and a great film. Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You, while not featuring "real" singers at the top of their game, was entertaining and refreshing none the less. Before you fret too much, Kenneth Branagh's Love's Labors Lost looks like it's going do deliver the goods you're talking about. As long as we stay away from Andrew Lloyd Webber crap like Evita (I LOVE Madonna & Alan Parker, but the cheesy rock-esque music forced me to turn this off 30 min. into the film) there's still life left in the old bitch that is The Great American Musical Film.
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we actually had a great musical recently. IMO Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You" was absolutely wonderfull. You could see that he too really loves the old musicals. Mumbles O'Mally! great name by the way.
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I love those old musicals and wish they'd come back as much for the great music as for the awesome dancing. I especially like the old Rodgers and Hammerstein ones like "Oklahoma," "South Pacific" and "Music Man." I saw "Top Hat" this week and watched "Grease" on video (the last great musical IMHO) a few weeks ago. These days it seems that the musical has been regulated to animated fare like the Disney films and "South Park" which is fine but it's not the same as seeing real people bursting into song and dance. As for PT Anderson, I liked "Boogie Nights" much better than "Magnolia." I can't say "Magnolia" was a lousy film because it had some awesome acting and I was entertained while I watched it. My problem with it was that it left me empty once the film was over. I felt like the filmmaker didn't tell a complete story and I wondered what the point of the entire film was. The vignets at the beginning seemed to be saying that the movie was about how there are strange coincidences that happen and that maybe they aren't coincidental at all. But then the movie itself didn't seem to reinforce this at all. I left the theatre wondering why Anderson felt this story needed telling. I also found the scene where the cast burst into song to be off-putting and completely out of sync with the rest of the story which had up to that point been told in a very realistic manner. And could somebody please explain to me the significance of the amphibian scene? I don't want to be more specific in case someone hasn't seem the movie yet. If you've seen it then you know which scene I'm talking about. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and didn't seem to have any rhyme or reason at all. It ruined the end of the film for me. At the end I just felt like I'd been introduced to these characters for no reason. Please let me know just what it was about "Magnolia" that I didn't get.
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Okay, a bit overstated but the climate today might just be ready for an all out musical WITH LIVE ACTORS. First as many have alluded to on talk back when the subject of animation comes up there are equal parts sneers/cheers for the music found, and I am primarily referencing Disney animation from LITTLE MERMAID to present. With these films, Disney has inadvertantly found itself gatekeeper of the modern American Movie Musical. PERIOD. They have courted some of the best composers and lyricists from Broadway and in many cases have given them a taste of pop music success. But the advantage with Disney animation as movie musical is its overall success does not live or die by the music alone contained within. All the other elements of good storytelling, artisitic execution and god let's not overlook the crucial juggernaut of markting, virtually diffuse the risk of failure speaking commercially of course. Now start conversing with a theatre queen or musical diva in trying to make these points and watch patience snap and blood boil. Even with the animated triumph of Beauty & Beast-- at time of release The collective dismissal of the idea that animated films approached the very stature of movie musicals of the 40's '50's heyday. Then as a few years passed these same eyes rolled when BEAUTY & BEAST went legit attacking the Disneyfication of Broadway and the continued cookie cutter production of more animated musicals from the Disney factory. But people were attending and overall loving the music/film marriage Then, in a moment that will certainly resonate even stronger with the perspective of time, THE LION KING well after posting 300 plus million domestic, then becoming in it's first day of home video sales, the single biggest specific consumer product in history, opened on Broadway. The buzz was palpable before its opening, but when it premiered it was a lightening bolt that literally seared the cultural elite into realizing that the state of the American Movie Musical and Broadway Theatre will once again mesh and triumph. As this production is proving,to tens of thousands monthly a redefinition both artistically, and emotionally is paving in- roads and opening doors for a new generation that now will be open for the likes of PT to give film musical a whirl, or Spielberg to quit saying he'd like to direct one and just go for it. (Just take a look at the opening of Temple of Doom, he has the finesse). The mind reels at the possibility of a gritty noir like thriller set to song and directed by Sam Mendes. And go back these past ten years give or take, you'll see this all started up again with a fishprincess who wanted to be up there and a crustacean named Sebastian... and of course the embrace (some silent) of a generation born sometime between the first episode of Gilligan's Island to the election of that president whose earlier career highlight was sharing top billing with a monkey.
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You know what, folks, if it's done right, people WILL go see it. However, my feeling is that a big studio is not the way to go with this. What if (gasp!) there was an INDEPENDENT movie musical? Hmmmmmm? I think PTA and Sam Mendes are stellar choices. Keep it low key, don't expect much, and no one will get hurt. This will set groundwork for future projects. Rome wasn't built in a day, y'know? This kind of thing could take a while, but the results would be extraordinary. And BTW, ever wonder if Jim Brooks will have the balls to release the excised musical sequences from I'll Do Anything on DVD?
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Magnolia was an energetic, sexy, beautiful film..all the acting was right on..the writing/directing had much style...and of course the photography was simply..amazing..all these things coordinated to create a wonderful experience, another uniquely pta experience.. but most seem to try to attribute hidden metaphors..when Magnolia is for the most part what you see is what you get...everything was spelled out..neatly constructed to answer it's own questions..of course there are oddities such as..why did an audience member of WDKK have a sign of Exodus 8:2? Who was the Worm..the irony of fighting oppression?
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Stan Bush is a cock rock God! Just ask Rodimus Prime. If you've gotta ride Daniel, ride in style! "Dare" is one of the best songs in any genre. His two songs in Transformers the Movie were just plain revolutionary as far as cock rock sountracks are concerned. That and Peter Cetera. If I ever had to do a soundtrack, these two would get first dibs. Without a doubt. Okay, I now have no respect from anyone.
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I really wanted to like Magnolia. I wanted to like "PT Anderson". Magnolia was one of the worst I'd ever seen. PTA didn't deliver on the promise the movie made in the very beginning with the urban myths and how they fit together. By the end, nothing fit together. Nobody cared, etc. There were a few isolated characters/scenes that were great. Stanley was great, Officer Jim Curran, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the scene with the camera tracking on the characters while they are singing was inspired. The rest was a jumbled mess. So if you are listening Mr. Anderson, whatever your next project may be, please KNOW YOUR LIMITS!
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I've posted this before, but this is how it is:
And the truth shall set you free
(the meaning of Magnolia)
Magnolia is a religious allegory. Meaning biblical.
It's an allegory for the Book of Exodus.
Chapter 8 Verse 2 specifically. The bible in general.
Okay. Here we go.
Late into the book of Exodus, we find out about the 10 commandments.
These are all broken by the characters in Magnolia. My order may be off.
There is only one true god. To pray to another (false idols) is
wrong. Every character in the movie prays at the alter of television. It
informs their lives and gives them purpose. The TV is on in the background
during the entire film. "I am a jealous god and I will punish those who bow to a false idol." More on that later.
Respect your elders. Much misunderstood. This means for
middle-aged people to care for the aged. (Not for little kids to be subservient.) Both Claudia Gator and Frank Mackie ignore this.
Don't murder. The Worm fills this quota.
Don't adulterate. Several characters cheat on their spouses.
Don't steal. Quiz Kid Donny.
Don't commit false testimony. Many do it, I'm thinking primarily
about Jim Curren and Claudia Gator's conversation about this in the dinner.
Don't covet another's place or possessions. Donny towards Brad and Stanley.
(My brains slowing -- you get the point.) Don't forget that angry God.
The major point: Exodus Chapter 8 Verse 2.
When this arrives in the bible, the King of Egypt is not allowing children of Israel to make sacrifice to God. Moses informs God. God makes threats towards the Pharaoh, including, yes, "I will cover the land in frogs, so deep that you will be immobilized." He makes good on his threat. Frogs everywhere. They stink up the land and the Pharaoh must reconsider his position.
Why does this happen? Because the Pharaoh, "father," will not lesson his grip on the "children" of Israel. JUST LIKE IN THE FILM. Let them go, Moses pleads. He does not, so he must be punished. JUST LIKE IN THE FILM.
The fathers of the film (even the worm) have an insidious hold on their children. And they push the false idol, television. During the plague of Frogs, they are punished.
Coincedence? "This is not just -
Paul Thomas Anderson is cute.
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Feb 04, 2000 11:49:55 AM CST
sorry for such a long post, but some of you guys were asking for
by amateurscientist
I'm sorry... and maybe I'm not. I'm just trying to emphasize that magnolia was a damn good and very WELL MADE movie. often we need our films to be spoon-fed directly to us, with plots and characters, but this required we work a little harder - and I liked that about it. it's a magnificent film. I just think that those that don't get it, should just say that they don't get it, and leave it alone, but to say it was bad... that's just not right. please try a little harder. AS FOR A MUSICAL: if p.t. anderson tackles that next, I'm sure it'll be great. thanks for letting me post my rant, and thanks for listening... back to physics class.
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The thing about musicals is that you are supposed to suspend the belief that in reality people will not break out into song (unless they smoked some bad weed). In a good musical, a combination of a good storyline and great music make it work because it creates its own reality, but if it has any problems COUGHEvita!COUGH you just sit there going, "What the hell are they doing?" A musical that has music all through it is not a musical, also, it is an opera or operetta.***As far as the Disney musicals on the stage go, I've heard that the "Lion King" musical is a very good one because of the way they don't use people in animal costumes, but use representations of animals instead. I heard it's a fascinating musical to watch.
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Although the prospect of a PTA musical is very tantalizing, I gotta tell you the truth: this excerpt is kinda misleading. He wasn't waiting for the right musical music, he was just saying that he writes EVERYTHING with music in mind and whatever he does next will spring from music, musical or not. But I damn well hope he makes a musical. On a side note, completely unrelated, has anyone seen the new RUSHMORE CRITERION DVD. I love that movie and this is now one of my favourite DVDs.
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woops. i really enjoyed magnolia and boogie nights was sweet. and i think PTA is a proven director.......but he needs to think a lot about what he does next. the rumors in hollywood are that a lot of big wig directors don't care for the young man, and they are waiting for him to fuck up. so as magnolia goes, mr. anderson needs to wise up on what he selects next. a musical sounds interesting, but i don't know if the movie going public will flock to see a wierd singing movie by a director who is known to push the envelope on every film he has done. well whatever he does i hope it kicks ass.
chili -
Lars von Trier's next is a musical too, and it's got Bjork going for it to boot. John Woo keeps talking about a musical with Travolta. You'd have to think Jennifer Lopez has visions of a West Side Story remake dancing somewhere in her Puff Daddy-addled little head. How about an all-hip hop musical starring Snoop, who CAN act? Hell, Hollywood is choked right now with singers who want to act, and actors who want to sing. Synergy isn't just a buzzword, people. Smarten up. The musical is begging for a revival. Just don't let Disney within a million miles of the live action stuff- Newsies, anyone?
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The last great live-action musical where people actually break into song was LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
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You know you just would have been jerking off and smoking crack with the time anyway. At least this way you got to see the single greatest sequence of the '90s, even if it did go over your pointy little crack-addicted head.
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whatcha think about that one....we could have some great songs in there....i mean iam sure liu kang can belt em out....it would be great i mean EVERYONE loves that mortal kombat album that came out a while back this would be the next best thing and if they are worried about if the guys can sing.....easy thing just get nathan lane to play the part of shau kahn....iam sure he would look GREAT in that armor.....hows about it guys whatcha think...i think it would be greta the tag line would be 'FIRST 2 TIMES THEY FOUGHT THEIR ASSES OFF NOW THEY WILL SING THEM OFF"
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I was hoping for someone to explain all the biblical stuff, so thank you, Amateur Scientist. I appreciate it. I loved PTA and loved most of Magnolia, especially the first hour and "The Scene" was one of the most startling events I've ever seen on film. But I think all the allegory while very interesting, for me can't sustain a film on it's own. The story has to hold up the themes, not the other way around. Especially at three hours. I just think the script needed more structure. The basic story should be sound even without Exodus. But the guy's obviously brilliant. A musical would be perfect (the disco sequence in Boogie Nights was electrifying). P.S., I've been waiting for Spielberg's since that dance contest sequence in "1941". Now THAT was fun!
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never seen it, but i've read easy riders raging bulls. don't do it paul. learn from 'em. listen to what beatty and scorcese and coppola, or the ones that didn't make it out so good, like bogdonavich have to say. Stay off the drugs, son. I can't emphasize this enough. The only nerds in the seventies who didn't do any drugs... Lucas and Spielberg. and don't even think about getting married until your mid thirties and your used to the truckloads of starlet booty you're offered per diem. Please.
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your pta makes movies?wow my parent teacher asscoation just bickers about water fountains and funds for the music department......btw i think this year we will be getting that new tuba...fingers crossed and all that
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You are a moron. Let me repeat it so it sinks in. You are a moron. The reason his movies fail at the boxoffice is becsuse of people like yourself. Your a part of the 95% of the population who dont know a good movie wehen they see one. Thats why movies like armageddon and independence day make mass amounts of money and movies like magnolia dont. Magnolia is a critically acclaimed movie. so unless your gonna post intelligent things to say please dont.
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yeah i think seriously that paul is a great writer/director but just like some of these posts that ive read today he seems to be getting pretensious..which i dont have to wory about becoming because i cant even spell the damn word.....
thats what scares me about creative people they start to listen to the buzz around em then the next thing ya know we get stuck with shit like "lost highway"....
its worse in the music biz but its just as bad here in movies....i hope that paul and everyone else c just sit back understand that movies are just an escape, and laugh at themselves and enjoy the movie and not be looking for hidden things or overanalyzing stuf just enjoy whats there
thanks this message by the way was brought to u buy the church of jesus christ and the latter day saints..our motto:wouldja like a copy of "the watchtower..we got plenty!!!!" -
yeah i think
seriously that paul
is a great
writer/director but
just like some of
these posts that ive
read today he seems
to be getting
pretensious..which i
dont have to wory
about becoming
because i cant even
spell the damn
word.....
thats what scares me
about creative
people they start to
listen to the buzz
around em then the
next thing ya know
we get stuck with
shit like "lost
highway"....
its worse in the
music biz but its
just as bad here in
movies....i hope
that paul and
everyone else c just
sit back understand
that movies are just
an escape, and laugh
at themselves and
enjoy the movie and
not be looking for
hidden things or
overanalyzing stuf
just enjoy whats
there
thanks this message
by the way was
brought to u buy the
church of jesus
christ and the
latter day
saints..our
motto:wouldja like a
copy of "the
watchtower..we got
plenty!!!!" -
You tried to draw a distinction between MAGNOLIA and other films which are "spoon-fed" to us. But what could be more spoon-fed than having every character suddenly sing about how he/she has to "wise up"? It was pretty damn obvious that they were making some important life choices. I didn't need to have it spelled out for me.
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Thanks to the amateur scientist for explainig the biblical references in Magnolia. But I agree with Shrevie that the story(ies) have to hold up on its own. While mostly interesting, it still felt like a series of acting class exercises. As for PTA and a musical, obviously he should hook up with the Muppets and have it star Kermit. The Lion King (Broadway) was amazing. It is the only show I've seen that has gotten applause for its staging. Finally, if Spielberg does a musical, it should be Les Miserables, which is the best thing ever to appear on a Broadway stage.
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I really don't see Anderson being a Goodfellas type of guy. I think that its been proven over time that there are those who can direct mob movies. Anderson is way more into social commentary, and mob movies are so far from the actual truth that I don't think Anderson would touch one with a ten foot pole. Moreover, I would be dissapointed if he did.
BIC. -
The musical sequence in "Wise Up" was NOT an example of something being spoon fed to us. Anderson himself said in an interview that the musical score of the movie was to be take as "an omniscient voice" that is, all seeing or all knowing. This sequence was the film's collective voice speaking to the audience in a different manner. It was not to tell us "Hey guess what guys, just in case you didn't figure it out, these people are fucked up!"
It was to IRONICALLY suggest to the audience that perhaps this life isn't worth it at all and we should just "Give Up", as Aimee Mann says at the end of the song. Ironically because of the Biblical idea that one should never give up as long as he/she walks with God.
After this sequence things began to turn around for everyone. Their lives weren't perfect or anything, but they all began to see the light, this was finalized with the smile at the end of the movie.
I would go as far as to say that there is NOTHING spoon fed to us about this movie. I don't consider myself a stupid person and I struggled with the movie for two weeks after seeing it. Three readings of exodus and three viewings of the movie later I finally feel I might have a clue about PTA's vision. If you think this film was spoon fed to you I can only think of two things to tell you.
1.You're a fucking genius.
2.You need to look into the movie's ironies and subtleties a little more. -
First of all, dipshit, I didn't say the entire movie was spoon-fed. My post was obviously referring to ONE FUCKING SCENE that was. And if, as you say, "(a)fter this sequence things began to turn around for everyone. Their lives weren't perfect or anything, but they all began to see the light," then having people say they have to "wise up" is a clear example of spoon-feeding us the characters' revelations. There's no fucking irony involved, you pompous ass.
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what kind of advice is that? You point out that of all the seventies directors, only Spielberg and Lucas didn't do drugs? Yeah, and they also happen to be the two guys that brought about the Summer Blockbuster mentality that still exists on Hollywood. These 2 jokers were the LEAST artistic out of the famous (and infamous) 70's mavericks. Why the fuck would any young filmmaker want to model themselves after them? To make money? I'm glad PTA is riffing on Scorsese and Altman as opposed to the Popcorn Pals. Let him fall on his face at the box office. You think Altman gives a shit that his films don't rake in the dough? No compromise is something to admire. Maybe it's a coincidence that a lot of these guys did drugs (Altman, who's over 70 still smokes marijuana for creative purposes) and also broke a lot of boundaries, but their counterparts in music would suggest otherwise. It's not good to turn into a coke fiend like Scorsese and nearly kill yourself, but drugs can still be a mind opener and inspiration. More names to think about, all whose best films are better than Spielberg and Lucas': Bogdanovich (Last Picture Show), Friedkin (Exorcist), Hal Ashby (Five Easy Pieces, Shampoo), Altman (Nashville), Hopper (Easy Rider), etc.
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First of all, I think Ted Terrific nailed it when he said Magnolia was like a collection of acting class exercises - that's what I was thinking when the film was over. Having said that, I liked Magnolia - I thought it was pretty good, with some outstanding sequences - TJ Mackey's rallying the troops, the sing-along, the "occurence," Curran's date with the cokehead - but not great overall. Maybe I'll like it more the next time I see it, but it did seem repetitive and trite at times. But what I really want to speak to is this notion that if you didn't like the film, you just didn't understand it. I think it's quite possible, and critically valid, to grasp the Exodus allusions, etc, and to still not like it. To say anybody who didn't like it simply didn't understand it is a massive cop-out, and it's not "wrong," amateur scientist, to say it's a bad movie if you can back your opinion up. A couple of other posters said a Biblical subtext does not a movie make, and I strongly second that. Again, I did like Magnolia, but I can see why others didn't, and it's not necessarily because they're clueless. They may have simply found it shrill, repetitive, overlong, pointless, or obvious. It's good to be passionate about your likes and dislikes, but not to be pedantic about it and slam anybody who has a different opinion.
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It doesn't matter if it was a series of acting class exercises, or a biblical allegory, or a post-modern soap opera. (Personally I thought the movie wasn't about the individual story arcs at all but the connections between the stories, about most people's inability to 'read between the lines' and see the similarities which allow us to bridge that awful empty chasm seperating me from you.) And if you didn't like it, that's fine too, because it's not an easy movie to like, it demands a lot from its audience. But to say 'I got it, I just didn't like it'- THAT I take exception to. You might think you UNDERSTAND it. You might even be right, although I doubt it because I've seen it three times now and I'm still picking up new things, so I don't think I fully understand it. But you very obviously don't 'get it', because if you 'got it' you'd be gushing over it like the rest of us. 'Getting it' isn't just understanding, it's absorbing and internalizing. You can't 'get' something and still have walls up between it and you. If you don't like it, fine, that's your loss. Most great films aren't fully appreciated on their inital release anyway. But don't claim you 'get it' when you don't.
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To bad Magnolia sucked...anyone else think that if his next film doesn't get out of the red that he's back to doing music videos the rest of his life? (He allready prepared halfway through when the enitre cast started singing the same stupid song)!
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The Exodus sign. The falling frogs. The vignettes at the beginnig. PTA took a story that was normal but at the same time very bizaar. He is giving us this film and daring us to accept it. Why will you accept The Matrix but will not accept characters singing and falling frogs? There is more documentation of falling frogs then there is for slowing down bullets as "Whoa!" boy did in the Matrix. Magnolia was not the perfect film by any means. It was though very poignant and beautiful. I dare you to accept it. I dare you to believe it. Oh and by the way why don't you look up Exodus and read it. You might learn something.
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One word defines the complete and total danger of musicals: NEWSIES. Anderson is a blasted genius, more so than Tarantino. That said, I don't think he could pull off a musical. While pta uses non-orchestral music very well in his scenes, I have to question the sanity of 2 hours of flat-out singing. It worked in MAGNOLIA because it was not contrived (it seemed natural), and sometimes people actually sing in real life. However, no one ever stops in the middle of the street and begins a freakazoid choreographed dance number with random people joining in complex lyrical harmony. You want a musical? Watch THE BLUES BROTHERS. We need from pta what we can't get from Andrew Lloyd Weber: sprawling complex stories told with a balance of humor and raw emotion. (Total props to Amateur Scientist, too.)
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just wantedd everyone that was wandering to know that yes we are getting the tubas after all..thank god
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I'm sorry, but Magnolia was a por film because it had no story. For some reason PT decided to cram every human trqagedy into the film as humanly possilbe...that's why it lasts 3 hours. Granted, the acting was top notch, but there was no point. Look at Grand Canyon...eveything was not linked between the characters, but they did have an overall arc & story...Magnolia just tired to survive on loose connections and symbolic gimmicks. I belive the frogs were there just as a last attempt to tie the whole piece togehter....yes I did get the biblical reference the first time I saw it (28 on rooftop scene...which was "borrowed" from an episode of Law & Order, and in the studio). And what the hell was the point of the entire cast busting into the song...granted the lyrics apply to them, but we (the audience) is not stupid...we see their pain, they don't have to tell us outloud that they are suffering.
It reminds me of the best quote I ever read about PT from Variety, "Paul Thomas Anderson likes to boast that he's never read a screenwriting book. He's also never completed a film in less thatn three hours." -
One story that needs to hit the big screen which PTA could bring a great angle to is the Thin Lizzy story. To hell with musicals when there are so many great Rock 'n Roll stories to be told better than VH1 can imagine!
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Okay, so let me apologize in advance for being way off the subject, and for cross-posting this, but I'm stumped. I want to know in what movie Dennis Hopper (at least I THINK it's Dennis Hopper) tells this guy that his "mother's cunt stinks like ... carpet cleaner." Anybody? My friends and I have been trying to figure this out for two fucking years. I thought I could figure it out, but, alas, no dice. Somebody please help me before I go completely batshit. Thanks.
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Dear friend: Were you as high when you saw the film as you were at the time of your post, or is your spell check not working properly? I find it difficult to take your opinion seriously when you demonstrate such a feeble comprehension of either grammar or spelling.
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I want to thank you for you post. I did not read it before I posted mine because I was fed up before I got to yours. I do not know if you have read my previous post (you do not need to) but I tried what you beautifully did but after reading yours I failed miserbly. That was a ramble. I enjoy most films but love the one that make the audience think. I believe that America has been dumbed down. I do not mean this as an insult because it has been so gradual that most do not realize it. Film is a powerful meadium. I believe in film as a means of frivilous entertainment but I also believe film can create a change or atleast make people think. I am not saying that PTA is trying to change the world but he is asking you to invest some time and some thought into the film. Everyone needs to know that most 3 hour films are not meant for mindless entertainment. This movie is not meant for everyone and it is ok to say that you do not like it. You do not need to agree with me but please atleast wrestle with what the film is presenting. I will say again that this is not the perfect film. (Julianne Moore was not fleshed out enough for me) I will say that this is a film that needs to be studied. Thank you for you time.
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Copacabanaholic:
Please read above post directed to Eliot.
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While I admire PTA and the ambitiousness of Magnolia, I can't bring myself to call it great. One thing that could have improved it that I haven't heard a lot of discussion about is this: Why couldn't PTA have cut out the Quiz Kid Donnie Smith character? I mean, I love Bill Macy as much as anyone, but he was basically a useless appendage in Magnolia. He wasn't really connected to any of the other characters, didn't advance the plot, and his scenes were the weakest by far. I have no problems with long films, but I don't see any benefit to including this character other than Bill Macy is part of PTA's usual ensemble.
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AAArrgghh!! Does anybody know WHAT THE HEELL ever happened to Batman: The Musical that was all set for Broadway a year and a half ago that Nicholson had signed on for to reprise his Joker role? Shivers magazine reported on that 18 months ago, but still no word. Ditched project or bad reporting to make an extra buck...
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like coppola's and scorcese's have, at periods. like peter bogdonavich's has for quite a time. Altman hasn't got the creative control cause he doesn't have the clout. do you think that the studio would have even thought about yanking the gingerbread man away from spielberg? showbiznezz is a business, money talks & bullshit walks. I didn't say a thing about the quality or content of the films of those guys. I was only making points about their personal lives and how adversely it affected their careers. Anyone who thinks artists don't have to adhere to the rules of the matrix and can do whatever they want out of a singular vision is in a fucking fantasy world. Dennis Hopper? he's a fine actor and director. I would never let him near my children, or near my movie. Altman and Friedkin owe the sorry state of hteir careers not to box office or to critics, but to hubris. same with bogdonavich. Popcorn mentality my ass. People were going to see Love Story and The Way We Were and A Star Is Born and The Towering Inferno and The Posiden Adventure. Popcorn movies have always ruled.
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I basicly agree a lot with the "amateurscientist" post and wanted to get my two-cents in. A lot of you will not understand this unless you read last week's article in the LA TIMES, but most of it is self-explanatory. Here is my letter regarding MAGNOLIA that I sent to the TIMES:
Dear LA Times Calendar,
Considering that I spent Saturday evening at the theater viewing Paul Thomas Anderson's film MAGNOLIA for a second time, imagine my dismay when I woke up for my Sunday morning ritual of perusing the Calendar section and found Stephen Farber's commentary "Their Reputations Precedes Them, Alas" (Calendar, page 4, Sunday, 1-30-00). Since I have not even seen Anderson's first film, HARD EIGHT I certainly cannot be accused of carrying a torch for the director. I did see BOOGIE NIGHTS; yet, in my mind it did not launch Anderson up to messiah status as Farber described its affect on many of his fellow critics. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to take issue with Mr. Farber's criticism. I am not a critic; however, I do consider myself one of those "savvy moviegoers" that Farber made reference to (unless of course he is referring to those folks who flocked in groves to see END OF DAYS, BIG DADDY and DOUBLE JEOPARDY). That said, the last thing I find MAGNOLIA to be is "dreadful" or a "disaster" as the aforementioned commentary would suggest. In short, I do not share Farber's "sour view" of the film. Indeed, in my opinion, Anderson's most recent piece of cinema is a masterpiece and is worthy to be on a list of the best films of the 1990s. I certainly do not know of a more profound 1999 release. One cannot discuss every aspect of the film's brilliance in a letter of this size, but considering that there is not one piece out of place in MAGNOLIA I felt compelled to defend it.
Farber mentions the climax and the book of Exodus. This is one of the most important aspects of the film and he shrugs it off to a god-complex. Anderson goes so far as to include multiple specific visual (and one audio) references to the verse Exodus 8:2. These references precede the most surprising event of the movie. That Bible verse speaks of releasing people from bondage or suffering the consequences. The profundity applies because every character in this film is serving in some sort of bondage whether from a secrete, greed, drugs or simply the past. Moreover, MAGNOLIA offers a stark look into the human condition, revealing our need to be loved. It challenges us to live a life free of regrets--especially when it comes to how we treat those close to us. A movie riddled with cliches could not pull that off. As for the charge that Anderson lost control of his actors (witness Julianne Moore), similar charges have often been levied against another auteur, Stanley Kubrick. Personally, I think the decision to not keep the actors on a tight leash--Moore included--was a good one. What Farber deems "hysterical ranting" to me resembled something I do not often see in movies: real life. Speaking of real life, my favorite element of MAGNOLIA is its unpredictability. I defies all expectations and dares to venture totally outside the lines of what any moviegoer may be expecting. Hollywood is too busy turning out the same stories with the same neat and easily definable endings. These films are what I have dubbed "cookie-cutter-movies" and the weekly top ten gross charts indicates that 90 percent of the public is in bondage to them. Anderson's latest work certainly defies the "cookie-cutter" classification. The problem is that I am convinced that most of the movie going public (Farber included) has become so accustomed to the status quo that a non-cookie-cutter flick actually makes them uncomfortable.
I hope your readers do not discount MAGNOLIA based on Farber's article. The poor man apparently only enjoyed the few moments when Tom Cruise filled the screen. And, while I do agree that Cruise was amazing, I also believe that every person in the ensemble cast gave a flawless performance. Additionally, your commentator did not make mention of the breathtaking look of the film. Every element of the movie screams brilliance. The camera angles intrigued me, the editing was superb, the lighting knocked me out and the soundtrack and score are among the best I've ever heard. Hence, my repeat viewing.
Farber claims that the director-as-auteur theory blinds critics! Well, to keep with the Biblical theme, may I quote Matthew 7:3? It reads: "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
Hope you enjoyed this my fellow AICN friends!
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Musicals suck big time, and Paul Thomas Anderson has to much talent to ever even fucking think about such a waste of time.
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DIC? Pompous Ass? He he... have you ever heard of ad hominem? It's when you attack a person instead of their argument. Perhaps you should examine your previous post again. You said "You tried to draw a distinction between MAGNOLIA and other films which are "spoon-fed" to us."
I believe (sorry if I was mistaken) that this statement would include Magnolia in "films which are spoon fed to us". Am I incorrect in my interpretation of your english? Or perhaps my judgement was clouded by your insult slinging and I really am a pompous ass who doesn't understand the subtleties of syntax in the english language. (Please pardon my sarcastic nature, I wouldn't want you to find me arrogant in any sort of way.) Thanks for your time and I would also like to thank you for your humbling nature. Oops sorry, did I not spoon feed that to you enough? -
The actor who delivered the line about the carpet cleaner was Mickey Rourke, in "Barfly". He was speaking to a bartender played by Frank Stallone, who's ass he proceeded to kick. This is a fine movie, with a script written by Charles Bukowski. Rent it tonight.
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Ok, I guess I should be more careful this time. I wouldn't want to be called a "Pompous Ass" again.
I felt that the Quiz Kid was a good addition to the film for a couple of reasons. First of all, he make a link to the boy in the quiz show (his name escapes me). Not only that he has two very important quotes in the movie that pertain to the general themes in the movie.
1."No, its not wrong to mistake children for angels"
2."I have so much love to give, I just don't know where to put it."
I felt that these quotes were important. There was MUCH reference through the movie to children and their roles in society. Firstly the relationships between Gator and his daughter and between T.J.Mackey and his father. His appreciation of beauty was also very different from that held by the rest of the characters in the movie. He had a very "romantic" view of that which was beautiful. Romantic in the sense of the Lord Byron and all those other "romantic" poets. Money didn't matter to him and we all thought that he was silly because he wanted braces just to be like a dumb ox of a bartender. But perhaps we were the silly ones? We seem to value our wallets more than love and beauty, an affliction that Donny Smith did not suffer from. To me, this was a time to stop and think about what I valued in life and how I tried to get it. The children and angels comparison/contrast served to support this idea. It did so by illustrating that children were too innocent to worry about these things and that happiness is what counted to them.
As for the second quote...It just spoke too truly to me. I can't really arugue for it as much as the last one but when he said, "I have so much love to give, I just don't know where to put it" I got the chills. I know that at times in my life I've felt as though I had to do something with my emotions, but I didn't know what. This can often lead to a misplacement of one's affections, or a misinterpretation of one's instincts. This character spoke to me very clearly, but perhaps that makes me a little biased. -
Sorry about those last 2 postings... my hand sliped and I pressed 'enter' twice instesd of 'delete', oh well. Anyways, I just got the Hard Eight DVD and IT ROCKS! theres 1 deleted scene, 3 sundance lab scenes (these were weird, shot-on-video test thingys), and 2 kick-ass audio commentry tracks, definentaly recommened to any PT fan. Can't wait to see this musical thing... he already did one cool musical scene in Magnolia to 'save me' (sucks that it didn't win the grammy, that phil collins shit SUCKED 8 POUND COCK!!!!!!!!)
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This is a response to Anton Sirius's post about "gettin' it." You're playing a semantic game here, and not very well. First of all, I liked Magnolia, my point was that to say if you don't like it you just don't understand it is a cop-out. You then said "well you can understand it but if you don't like it you didn't GET it" which basically puts us back to square one... as far as I can tell, you're simply saying x=x once again... if you loved it, you got it, and if you liked it but thought it had problems you just didn't get it. so here it is... I saw Magnolia. I liked it, I think I understood it pretty well, and I "got it." I just didn't think it was the second coming of Christ, that's all. Feel free to take massive exception to that if you want, it's all the same to me.
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First off, this is a glorious era for filmmaking. We are blessed with the best crop of young directors since the early-70's era of Coppola, Scorsese, Bogdonavich, Spielberg, etc.
That being said, we should all recognize PT Anderson for the talent he is. Anyone who hasn't seen "Hard Eight" should immediately hit a Blockbuster or Tower video. It's the BEST performance Gwyneth Paltrow has EVER given. Phillip Seymour Hoffman also has a great casino scene and the movie keeps you glued.
Also, I challenge anyone to name a 90's movie better than Boogie Nights! From the acting (superb) to the soundtrack (brilliant) this movie does not miss a beat. One of the best "redemption-theme" movies ever made. This should be required watching at film schools. Andersons control of the characters rivals Altman's genius and his knack for diaologue is simply uncanny.
And to those who bash Magnolia, I ask only this: Please see it again. There is so much biblical allegory and hidden meanings going on with this film that you do not do yourself justice with only one screening. Plus, anyone who can make a film based around Aimee Mann songs has my vote!
"I followed that dream through the southwestern tracks, the dead-ends, and the two-bit bars. When the promise was broken, I was far away from home sleeping in the back seat of a borrowed car." -
You think 'Magnolia' sucked? What movie did you see? If you couldn't understand the narrative, I suggest you stick to less challenging films...perhaps 'Superstar'...
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People, it wasn't a very good movie. I don't want to hear that I didn't UNDERSTAND it. I think I did. He could've made the same point AND subtract 75 minutes from the movie. I hope he makes a movie around 120 minutes next time. It's like trying to make a point by hitting you over the head with a sledgehammer.
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