Just got finished watching Magnolia for the first time

[Raban]

I was on a PTA binge earlier and save for Hard Eight, I've now seen every PTA movie.

Magnolia has to be one of the worst fucking films I've seen in a long-ass time. The whole movie features an endless cast of whiny dumb bitches with daddy problems, and the ones that shut their dumb bitchy mouths long enough to be suffered not only don't get enough screen-time, but are never rewarded for taking shit from every other character.

Watching the movie reminded me of why I hate Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise and Melora Walters and why I love John C. Reilly and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Don't get me wrong, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights were in-fucking-credible movies, but Magnolia is just a big pile of shit. The score, acting, writing and everything in between is absolute shit compared to PTA's other films. I mean for fuck's sake, it NEVER ENDS. The characters are so fucking annoying and insufferable, and the lack of any kind of reprieve or payoff in the end made me want to snap the disc in half so Hollywood Video can't rent out this piece of shit to anyone else. I may be a little late in that effort, however, since the movie came out in '99.

I've never heard EB's thoughts on this movie, so indulge me.

[Joe Molotov]

[Raban]

Seriously, why the fuck was that even in the movie? It's like they replaced any kind of closure with raining fucking frogs.

And yes, I read what it's supposed to symbolize and that it's an allusion. BULLSHIT.

[Raban]

i'm sorry :'( at least it's pretty, and john C. Reilly hits it out of the park.

I really love John C. Reilly. My next movie to rent is Criminal, and I can't wait to seem him in that.

[TVC15]

i'm sorry :'( at least it's pretty, and john C. Reilly hits it out of the park.

I think a significant portion of the cast hits it out of the park.  I also think that a movie can still have very good acting and have a significant number of boring parts.  For years, I've really wanted to like Magnolia, and on some level I guess I do, but it's hella self indulgent and pretty damned boring to watch.  It's possible for something to be well-crafted in most of the important ways and still be a misfire.  Without having seen it for a while, I'd say that the sense of cohesion in Magnolia was off, or that it lacked a driving sense of immediacy to tie everything together.

[Robo]

The opening sequence is the only part of the flick I really liked.  Tom Cruise turns in a notable performance too -- he really nails that character, love it or hate it, but I think he gets a bit too much screen time.  Direction is certainly well done from a technical perspective.

[WrikaWrek]

I thought it was an amazing movie. It blew my myndz

[CHOW CHOW]

Tom Cruise was amazing in this film... his best performance

[Human Snorenado]

Tom Cruise was amazing in this film... his best performance

agreed.  RESPECT.  THE.  COCK.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Magnolia? Watch Boogie Nights.


That's a fucking classic.

[Mupepe]

Magnolia is simply brilliant for....

"THAT AIN'T MINE"

[Solo]

One of my favorite movies.

[cubicle47b]

Magnolia is simply brilliant for....

"THAT AIN'T MINE"

I love that scene.

I haven't seen Magnolia in a long time but it was on of my favorite movies for a while.

[GilloD]

I'm glad he got this film out of the way. It works, but it's so leaden and so pretentious, it feels like someone trying to make a PTA film.

Punch-Drunk Love is the best.

[Raban]

I'm glad he got this film out of the way. It works, but it's so leaden and so pretentious, it feels like someone trying to make a PTA film.

Punch-Drunk Love is the best.

FUCKING AGREED. Punch Drunk Love is not only my favorite PTA film, it's my second favorite film of all time.

Magnolia? Watch Boogie Nights.


That's a fucking classic.

Seen it, loved it.

[GilloD]

I'm glad he got this film out of the way. It works, but it's so leaden and so pretentious, it feels like someone trying to make a PTA film.

Punch-Drunk Love is the best.

FUCKING AGREED. Punch Drunk Love is not only my favorite PTA film, it's my second favorite film of all time.

Magnolia? Watch Boogie Nights.


That's a fucking classic.

Seen it, loved it.

My wife hated PDL, but it's just the perfect film for me. Barry Egan is such a raw, naked expression of the human condition. And normally that kind of heart on a sleeve bullshit just ends up being overwrought, but it's just so right here. And the music- Is there a more aural film out there? I love the way the music is always a Cliff Note for what's happening on screen. AV Club is doing New Cult Canon on Thursday- I can't wait!

[Eric P]

like The Talented Mr. Ripley.

i really like that movie

i really love the book, but i think the movie does an excellent job as well

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

It is ok.

In comparison to Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood, Magnolia is like the distinguished mentally-challenged sibling you keep in your closet whenever guests come over.  By itself, it is a passable movie.  I saw it a few times and it has its good points but a lot of things need to be trimmed.

[Mupepe]

like The Talented Mr. Ripley.

i really like that movie

i really love the book, but i think the movie does an excellent job as well

goddamn, you are the fucking man sometimes!

the talented mr ripley is a fucking awesome, awesome movie.

also, what did you think of Ils?