list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Magnolia on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Magnolia/135301/default.aspx Title: Magnolia
Year: 1999
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Plot: Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), a successful producer of television game shows, left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (Julianne Moore). Now, Earl has cancer himself, and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband, whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son, Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise), known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy," in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her, and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants, Stanley (Jeremy Blackman), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (Michael Bowen), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile, Donnie Smith (William H. Macy), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child, is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (Melora Walters), who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 90
Number of Lists: 119
Number of blog posts: 16
Number of discussion threads: 34
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:50:50 GMTMagnolia1999Paul Thomas AndersonWriter/director <a href="/players/P___231996/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Paul Thomas Anderson</a> followed his critical and commercial breakthrough <a href=/films/114547/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Boogie Nights</a> with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), a successful producer of television game shows, left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (<a href="/players/P____50325/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Julianne Moore</a>). Now, Earl has cancer himself, and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband, whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (<a href="/players/P____32716/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Philip Seymour Hoffman</a>) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son, Frank Mackey (<a href="/players/P____86295/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Tom Cruise</a>), known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy," in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her, and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (<a href="/players/P____29805/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Philip Baker Hall</a>), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants, Stanley (Jeremy Blackman), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (<a href="/players/P_____7725/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Michael Bowen</a>), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile, Donnie Smith (William H. Macy), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child, is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (<a href="/players/P____74521/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Melora Walters</a>), who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of <a href=/films/114547/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Boogie Nights</a> and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter <a href="/players/P___271469/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Aimee Mann</a> and a musical score by Jon Brion. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide90Tag Target (>10)11916344http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u36346zcpa6.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Magnolia/135301/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/risselada/archive/2009/9/16/43916.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Risselada Blog
Post Date: 9/16/2009 12:35:10 PM
Body: This is the fifth feature length film I've seen by director Paul Thomas Anderson. I chose to watch this film based on previous good ratings I've given other films by this director and to better my favorite directors by algorithm listing. There Will Be Blood I'd seen all of P.T. Anderson's other films up to this point. I had been hoping to see There Will Be Blood in the theater because I had huge expectations for it. The reason being is that Anderson's trend for me was that I thought each of his subsequent films was better than the last. It seemed like maybe he was going to keep on perfecting himself in my eyes. Now however the trend has ended. There Will Be Blood for me did not surpass Punch-Drunk Love (which may forever remain my P.T. Anderson favorite) or even Magnolia (also pretty darn close to perfect), but apart from those comparisons it is still an exceptionally great film. Of course the film has a lot different about it from any of his past films. It's the first period films he's ever done, and the first adapted from another source (although apparently loosely). And although he's done other films that achieve running times of two and a half hours or more, those other films are much more of ensemble films than this one. When you put Daniel Day-Lewis in your movie you have to expect him to steal the show. And this film is really singularly about him with only the character of Eli Sunday coming anywhere close to being as important of a character. Thus because the film is really about one person than an ensemble, it feels a lot longer to me. I can't fault anything about the film. Captivating story. Amazing sets. Fantastic acting. I guess unlike most of Anderson's other films though, I couldn't find anyone to really sympathize with. Also it was lacking a bit in some of the same kind of humor as his other films. But again, I'm comparing a bit unjustly probably. It's fantastically done for what it is. Paul Thomas Anderson:Total feature length films seen: 5Previous average film score: 9New average film score: 9 Rating: 9/10
]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:35:10 GMTRisseladaRisselada Blog9/16/2009 12:35:10 PMThis is the fifth feature length film I've seen by director Paul Thomas Anderson. I chose to watch this film based on previous good ratings I've given other films by this director and to better my favorite directors by algorithm listing. There Will Be Blood I'd seen all of P.T. Anderson's other films up to this point. I had been hoping to see There Will Be Blood in the theater because I had huge expectations for it. The reason being is that Anderson's trend for me was that I thought each of his subsequent films was better than the last. It seemed like maybe he was going to keep on perfecting himself in my eyes. Now however the trend has ended. There Will Be Blood for me did not surpass Punch-Drunk Love (which may forever remain my P.T. Anderson favorite) or even Magnolia (also pretty darn close to perfect), but apart from those comparisons it is still an exceptionally great film. Of course the film has a lot different about it from any of his past films. It's the first period films he's ever done, and the first adapted from another source (although apparently loosely). And although he's done other films that achieve running times of two and a half hours or more, those other films are much more of ensemble films than this one. When you put Daniel Day-Lewis in your movie you have to expect him to steal the show. And this film is really singularly about him with only the character of Eli Sunday coming anywhere close to being as important of a character. Thus because the film is really about one person than an ensemble, it feels a lot longer to me. I can't fault anything about the film. Captivating story. Amazing sets. Fantastic acting. I guess unlike most of Anderson's other films though, I couldn't find anyone to really sympathize with. Also it was lacking a bit in some of the same kind of humor as his other films. But again, I'm comparing a bit unjustly probably. It's fantastically done for what it is. Paul Thomas Anderson:Total feature length films seen: 5Previous average film score: 9New average film score: 9 Rating: 9/10 http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Which_of_these_film_directors_with_the_name_Anders/657/43311/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 7/29/2009 1:50:50 PM
Body: Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Again it's kind of an arbitrary comparison I know, but I still thought it was interesting how many Andersons there were as famous directors. I know Roy Andersson has an extra "s" in it, but as far as I know it's pronounced the same. Please vote only once in each poll. Some of the movies from these directors: Lindsay Anderson - This Sporting Life, If...., O Lucky Man! Paul Thomas Anderson - Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood Paul W.S. Anderson - Event Horizon, Resident Evil, AVP: Alien vs. Predator Wes Anderson - Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Roy Andersson - A Swedish Love Story, Songs from the Second Floor, You, the Living
]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:50:50 GMTRisseladaMovie Polls7/29/2009 1:50:50 PMPlease reference this thread for the rules of this group. Again it's kind of an arbitrary comparison I know, but I still thought it was interesting how many Andersons there were as famous directors. I know Roy Andersson has an extra "s" in it, but as far as I know it's pronounced the same. Please vote only once in each poll. Some of the movies from these directors: Lindsay Anderson - This Sporting Life, If...., O Lucky Man! Paul Thomas Anderson - Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood Paul W.S. Anderson - Event Horizon, Resident Evil, AVP: Alien vs. Predator Wes Anderson - Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Roy Andersson - A Swedish Love Story, Songs from the Second Floor, You, the Living http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_July_6_The_Song/625/42988/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 7/10/2009 3:20:12 PM
Body: I love the "music video" montage in The Naked Gun to the song "I'm Into Something Good" by Herman's Hermits. I always picture it when I hear the song. Jim Jarmusch films were my introduction to Tom Waits music. Love the songs from Rain Dogs on Down by Law. The Coen brothers O, Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack was all individual songs, mostly new recordsings of old favorites, but some classic archives too. The thing won a Grammy for Best Album of the Year! Not that I take much stock in Grammys, but I love the songs and the film because the songs are so critical to the film. And their soundtrack for The Big Lebowski is just as great! From the front and center of Kenny Rogers' "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" to the Creedence Clearwater Revival Permiating the film, to the little songs you catch in the background like "I Hate You" by the Monks playing over bowling lanes speakers in one of the bowling scenes. The Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas soundtrack is just perfect too. I would name every song and what's happening in the film when it comes on, but that would take too long. This is maybe my favorite altogether soundtrack feature individual songs. Many of the songs, like a lot of the best ones used in movies like this are diagetic too, making them so important to the actual story. Wait, scratch that last statement about Fear and Loathing being my favorite soundtrack. I think I'm going to have to replace it with Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. Magnolia has a bittersweet little singalong to an Aimee Mann song. Simple Men has a pretty spontaneous dance sequence to what I think is a Sonic Youth song, but I don't know the name. I think anyone who has seen Beetle Juice would think of the movie at least once any time they hear the song O Day Banana Boat Song by Harry Belafonte. And I think I heard Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" enough for a lifetime after just seeing Groundhog Day once. The same is true for "California Dreaming" by The Mamas and the Papas in Chungking Express. Although I was just sick of that movie altogether. I almost wanted to name the amazing musical moments in Tsai Ming-liang's The Hole, but I think then I am getting a little to close to the Musical genre, which is kind of different from what we are discussing here.
]]>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:20:12 GMTRisseladaWeekly Theme7/10/2009 3:20:12 PMI love the "music video" montage in The Naked Gun to the song "I'm Into Something Good" by Herman's Hermits. I always picture it when I hear the song. Jim Jarmusch films were my introduction to Tom Waits music. Love the songs from Rain Dogs on Down by Law. The Coen brothers O, Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack was all individual songs, mostly new recordsings of old favorites, but some classic archives too. The thing won a Grammy for Best Album of the Year! Not that I take much stock in Grammys, but I love the songs and the film because the songs are so critical to the film. And their soundtrack for The Big Lebowski is just as great! From the front and center of Kenny Rogers' "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" to the Creedence Clearwater Revival Permiating the film, to the little songs you catch in the background like "I Hate You" by the Monks playing over bowling lanes speakers in one of the bowling scenes. The Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas soundtrack is just perfect too. I would name every song and what's happening in the film when it comes on, but that would take too long. This is maybe my favorite altogether soundtrack feature individual songs. Many of the songs, like a lot of the best ones used in movies like this are diagetic too, making them so important to the actual story. Wait, scratch that last statement about Fear and Loathing being my favorite soundtrack. I think I'm going to have to replace it with Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. Magnolia has a bittersweet little singalong to an Aimee Mann song. Simple Men has a pretty spontaneous dance sequence to what I think is a Sonic Youth song, but I don't know the name. I think anyone who has seen Beetle Juice would think of the movie at least once any time they hear the song O Day Banana Boat Song by Harry Belafonte. And I think I heard Sonny &amp; Cher's "I Got You Babe" enough for a lifetime after just seeing Groundhog Day once. The same is true for "California Dreaming" by The Mamas and the Papas in Chungking Express. Although I was just sick of that movie altogether. I almost wanted to name the amazing musical moments in Tsai Ming-liang's The Hole, but I think then I am getting a little to close to the Musical genre, which is kind of different from what we are discussing here. http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_April_27_3_Hours/625/41839/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: leeroy711
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 4/28/2009 9:30:25 PM
Body: [quote user="mercurial"] I think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list. [/quote] WOW! Until seeing that list, I had just assumed that I don't really care for long movies. But I'm actually really surprised at some of the films on that list because I've never really thought of them long-winded or even the least bit taxing to watch. You already mentioned Magnolia, which I pretty much figured on a bit over two hours. Schindler's List is one of my all time favorite films, weighing in at 195 minutes.... But on the other hand, there are some on this list I definately think would have benefited from a bit of cutting room floor action. I really think La Dolce Vita could have used about a 20 minute trim or so. (don't kill me).
]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:30:25 GMTleeroy711Weekly Theme4/28/2009 9:30:25 PM[quote user="mercurial"] I think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list. [/quote] WOW! Until seeing that list, I had just assumed that I don't really care for long movies. But I'm actually really surprised at some of the films on that list because I've never really thought of them long-winded or even the least bit taxing to watch. You already mentioned Magnolia, which I pretty much figured on a bit over two hours. Schindler's List is one of my all time favorite films, weighing in at 195 minutes.... But on the other hand, there are some on this list I definately think would have benefited from a bit of cutting room floor action. I really think La Dolce Vita could have used about a 20 minute trim or so. (don't kill me). http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_April_27_3_Hours/625/41833/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 4/28/2009 10:48:27 AM
Body: [quote user="mercurial"] I think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list. [/quote] I'm kind of the opposite than you Merc. I tend to think shorter films are better. If a filmmaker can fit an amazing film into somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half I think that's a great feat. Of course there are many long films I love. I actually just watched a 201 minute long movie, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles at the Gene Siskel Film Center about a week ago. And let me tell you, the time did not fly by. That three and a half hours felt more like three days. But in actuality, that's how much time actually passes in the film, so I think that was sort of the anticipated effect. Yet despite this, I picked up a the Gene Siskel Film Center publication and saw that in may they will be playing all three parts of Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition trilogy. Part I is 208 minutes. Part II is 183 minutes. And Part III is 196 minutes. I'm going to be spending about 10 hours at that place next month it appears. After watching Kobayahi's stunning Harakiri recently, I'm really quite stoked for this!
]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:48:27 GMTRisseladaWeekly Theme4/28/2009 10:48:27 AM[quote user="mercurial"] I think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list. [/quote] I'm kind of the opposite than you Merc. I tend to think shorter films are better. If a filmmaker can fit an amazing film into somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half I think that's a great feat. Of course there are many long films I love. I actually just watched a 201 minute long movie, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles at the Gene Siskel Film Center about a week ago. And let me tell you, the time did not fly by. That three and a half hours felt more like three days. But in actuality, that's how much time actually passes in the film, so I think that was sort of the anticipated effect. Yet despite this, I picked up a the Gene Siskel Film Center publication and saw that in may they will be playing all three parts of Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition trilogy. Part I is 208 minutes. Part II is 183 minutes. And Part III is 196 minutes. I'm going to be spending about 10 hours at that place next month it appears. After watching Kobayahi's stunning Harakiri recently, I'm really quite stoked for this! http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Weekly_Theme_for_April_27_3_Hours/625/41829/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: mercurial
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 4/28/2009 3:05:28 AM
Body: I think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list.
]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:05:28 GMTmercurialWeekly Theme4/28/2009 3:05:28 AMI think I've been slacking recently with my regular movie watching schedule due to the inordinate number of 3+ hours films I've seen lately. I'm not sure what it is, but watching such epic films makes me wish that it wasn't such an oddity. I personally think it's a sign of a pretty amazing filmmaker when a film lasts more than 180 minutes and that time goes by without the death knell of feeling the need to check the time on your watch or cell phone. Grindhouse has definitely founds its place among my favorite 3+ hour films. It was so exhausting after watching it for the first time and trying to absorb everything that had happened I thought that it might be a while before I got around to watching it again. However, thanks to the Starz channel I've watched the entire film twice this past week and it has managed to keep my attention both times. Magnolia was just one of those films that I watched at the right time of my life. Every aspect of the film just clicked for me and I have probably watched the 188 minute film more than 20 times. And I am definitely going to get a lot of criticism for this but who cares. Titanic remains the only film I have ever paid to see on the big screen twice. It wasn't entirely my own need that led me to see it twice (not that I'm trying to justify it but my mother did lay a whole guilt trip on me about her going alone to see it and that she really wanted me to go with her even though I had already seen it), but anyways, it was a great film and kept me glued to the screen the entire time. Both times. So Yes or No? Should movies stick to the typical 90 minute standard? Are long movies just that, too long? Let's get talking! If you're having trouble thinking of films, Wikipedia has a fairly comprehensive list. http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Re_Which_of_these_eponymous_nonfilmmaker_adjective/657/40517/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 2/18/2009 10:16:49 AM
Body: In spite of what I said about Dostoevsky, I still voted 'Shakespearean,' mostly because it's the only one I've ever applied to a movie on my own initiative. For some reason I think of "Shakespearean" in terms of his tragedies. I have therefore described Magnolia as Shakespearean, and this is one of the highest compliments I can give to a film. Magnolia, like Macbeth and King Lear, strips away all of my poise and confidence and nonchalance, makes me confront the real evil and frailty of humanity. These works show me, to reference Lear, naked man -- "the thing itself."
]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:16:49 GMTSkyPilotMovie Polls2/18/2009 10:16:49 AMIn spite of what I said about Dostoevsky, I still voted 'Shakespearean,' mostly because it's the only one I've ever applied to a movie on my own initiative. For some reason I think of "Shakespearean" in terms of his tragedies. I have therefore described Magnolia as Shakespearean, and this is one of the highest compliments I can give to a film. Magnolia, like Macbeth and King Lear, strips away all of my poise and confidence and nonchalance, makes me confront the real evil and frailty of humanity. These works show me, to reference Lear, naked man -- "the thing itself." http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/12/24/38807.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 12/24/2008 10:02:49 AM
Body: We’ve known for months that absolutely nothing was wrong with Valkyrie, and now we’re just a few days away from watching this tiny independent feature storm the box office, redeem United Artists as a production entity and make Tom Cruise a respectable household name again. Of course, there is the slight problem: he’s portraying Nazi Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who may have disagreed with the party politics, but still rocked the swastika and straight salute.  How exactly did Cruise, one of the great symbols of the “Blockbuster Film” and American culture, wind up so perfectly suited as a crippled, over-zealous Nazi embroiled in conspiracy? We’ve excavated evidence from his filmography to track the transformation. Taps As resident wide-eyed reactionary Cadet Captain David Shawn, Cruise is always ready to go out guns blazing. After their coup to keep the Bunker Hill military school, the boy soldiers are dwindling, tired and worn-out after playing pretend guerillas costs a few lives.  As they finally give up when the real Army threatens to come in with a tank, Cadet Captain Cruise gets to showcase his suicidal genius: take on a tank with an M60 Machine Gun from his “fortified bunker” (read: dorm room) after everyone else has surrendered.  Later, he’d still have the right idea (use a suitcase bomb to kill Hitler) but wrong way to do it (placing said suitcase under heavy oak table, killing others but leaving Hitler with a few minor injuries.) Magnolia If there’s one necessity over all others to be a convincing Nazi, it is possessing the ability to brainwash the masses with the most general of terms.  Cruise’s Frank Mackey is slimy, misogynistic and has a loyal cadre of slobs who’d do anything he commands. Why? Because they all have cocks and that means they’re pre-destined to rule their homes/relationships/beds and women must respect them thanks to “Seduce and Destroy.”  Stalking around the stage, Cruise perfects the magnetism for converting those of weak minds to do his bidding. Mackey plays brilliantly on inadequacy and makes further strategic choices to disarm those around him (ie: doing press in his underwear, breaking down when he realizes his persona is cracking.) Born on the Fourth of July Of course, when considering ideology, one must also take into account copious baby killing and twisted politics. Ron Kovic (Cruise) starts out a patriot ready to die for his country, but becomes horrified by the haphazard war he’s been thrown into: opening fire on a defenseless village, accidently murdering one of his own in friendly-fire and then being shoved away into a decrepit facility in the Bronx where he may as well be dead.  Kovic drifts into miserable alcoholism and tries to recover from being the victim, but not before this scene with Charlie (Willem Dafoe) as his veneer shatters.   The quiet dread here would lead to Kovic would going forth and fighting for Veterans’ rights, and can be paralleled to von Stauffenberg’s own break-down that lead to leading the insurrection. Minority Report Nothing says “Nazi Training” like teaming up with Steven Spielberg on a film wedding crazed government officials, secret police and Max von Sydow.  As the head of the “Precrime” unit in Washington, D.C., Tom Cruise expertly knows how to find untrustworthy scum and black-market organs—especially when he’s on the run for a crime he didn’t commit (yet.)  Spielberg is a fan of the chase, whether it be by dinosaur or Ralph Fiennes. And you don’t get much more training in “how to run from authority figures” than when they use jetpacks. Of course, later, Cruise would likely ask Bryan Singer if the whole “metaphorical” sense of cat-and-mouse could be replaced with jetpacks.  Bryan Singer probably broke down sobbing at that point. We assume. Endless Love Spinning information may be one of the most important assets to the Nazi Party, but especially if you’re in the middle of high treason and an assassination attempt. Fitting then that Cruise’s first role got him into this right from the start, as a guy in cut-offs named Billy who recommends to David (Martin Hewitt) try out arson.  “I lit a whole pile of newspapers, you ever try to light a whole pile of wet newspapers? Geeze, it smokes like crazy” he shrieks in nasal tones.  “Do you want to hear the wild part? It’s like I’m a hero or something! They thought I saved the whole block! To this day, my mother thinks I’m a hero!” David leaves, inspired to mimic this same act and eventually wind up in a mental institution. Cruise cackles off-screen, having taken the first steps toward Valkyrie. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:02:49 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com12/24/2008 10:02:49 AMWe’ve known for months that absolutely nothing was wrong with Valkyrie, and now we’re just a few days away from watching this tiny independent feature storm the box office, redeem United Artists as a production entity and make Tom Cruise a respectable household name again. Of course, there is the slight problem: he’s portraying Nazi Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who may have disagreed with the party politics, but still rocked the swastika and straight salute.  How exactly did Cruise, one of the great symbols of the “Blockbuster Film” and American culture, wind up so perfectly suited as a crippled, over-zealous Nazi embroiled in conspiracy? We’ve excavated evidence from his filmography to track the transformation. Taps As resident wide-eyed reactionary Cadet Captain David Shawn, Cruise is always ready to go out guns blazing. After their coup to keep the Bunker Hill military school, the boy soldiers are dwindling, tired and worn-out after playing pretend guerillas costs a few lives.  As they finally give up when the real Army threatens to come in with a tank, Cadet Captain Cruise gets to showcase his suicidal genius: take on a tank with an M60 Machine Gun from his “fortified bunker” (read: dorm room) after everyone else has surrendered.  Later, he’d still have the right idea (use a suitcase bomb to kill Hitler) but wrong way to do it (placing said suitcase under heavy oak table, killing others but leaving Hitler with a few minor injuries.) Magnolia If there’s one necessity over all others to be a convincing Nazi, it is possessing the ability to brainwash the masses with the most general of terms.  Cruise’s Frank Mackey is slimy, misogynistic and has a loyal cadre of slobs who’d do anything he commands. Why? Because they all have cocks and that means they’re pre-destined to rule their homes/relationships/beds and women must respect them thanks to “Seduce and Destroy.”  Stalking around the stage, Cruise perfects the magnetism for converting those of weak minds to do his bidding. Mackey plays brilliantly on inadequacy and makes further strategic choices to disarm those around him (ie: doing press in his underwear, breaking down when he realizes his persona is cracking.) Born on the Fourth of July Of course, when considering ideology, one must also take into account copious baby killing and twisted politics. Ron Kovic (Cruise) starts out a patriot ready to die for his country, but becomes horrified by the haphazard war he’s been thrown into: opening fire on a defenseless village, accidently murdering one of his own in friendly-fire and then being shoved away into a decrepit facility in the Bronx where he may as well be dead.  Kovic drifts into miserable alcoholism and tries to recover from being the victim, but not before this scene with Charlie (Willem Dafoe) as his veneer shatters.   The quiet dread here would lead to Kovic would going forth and fighting for Veterans’ rights, and can be paralleled to von Stauffenberg’s own break-down that lead to leading the insurrection. Minority Report Nothing says “Nazi Training” like teaming up with Steven Spielberg on a film wedding crazed government officials, secret police and Max von Sydow.  As the head of the “Precrime” unit in Washington, D.C., Tom Cruise expertly knows how to find untrustworthy scum and black-market organs—especially when he’s on the run for a crime he didn’t commit (yet.)  Spielberg is a fan of the chase, whether it be by dinosaur or Ralph Fiennes. And you don’t get much more training in “how to run from authority figures” than when they use jetpacks. Of course, later, Cruise would likely ask Bryan Singer if the whole “metaphorical” sense of cat-and-mouse could be replaced with jetpacks.  Bryan Singer probably broke down sobbing at that point. We assume. Endless Love Spinning information may be one of the most important assets to the Nazi Party, but especially if you’re in the middle of high treason and an assassination attempt. Fitting then that Cruise’s first role got him into this right from the start, as a guy in cut-offs named Billy who recommends to David (Martin Hewitt) try out arson.  “I lit a whole pile of newspapers, you ever try to light a whole pile of wet newspapers? Geeze, it smokes like crazy” he shrieks in nasal tones.  “Do you want to hear the wild part? It’s like I’m a hero or something! They thought I saved the whole block! To this day, my mother thinks I’m a hero!” David leaves, inspired to mimic this same act and eventually wind up in a mental institution. Cruise cackles off-screen, having taken the first steps toward Valkyrie. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/Holiday_movies_pt_II_Brad_Pitt_ages_backwards/216/38731/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: spout
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 12/22/2008 4:49:21 PM
Body: Looks like Frost/Nixon finally opens wide on Christmas, but I'm still eagerly awaiting a wide release of The Wrestler. Meanwhile, here are some films that'll be everywhere on Christmas day: New Movies 12/25 Wide release 1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. The Curious Case of Mork and Mindy, er, Benjamin Button, headed Karina's list of The Most Disappointing Movies of 2008. That surprised me a little, considering the excellent cast. By the way, the studio tried to get Karina to take her review down. Hear the story in FilmCouch 98. 2. Valkyrie -- Watch the trailer. Based on a true story, Tom Cruise plays a German colonel who became part of a plot to assassinate Hitler. Cruise can play "intense" well enough, and he looks great in his eyepatch, but I've never been very interested in watching him play a hero. I think he's better suited to play suave villains (Collateral) and total creeps (Magnolia). 3. The Spirit -- Watch the trailer. Frank Miller gives Will Eisner's classic comic strip the Frank Miller treatment. My friend Kevin Buist (porcupine)saw it, and he thought it was extraordinarily bad. While most will agree that Miller's reinvention of Batman was inspired (I recommend the 1986 graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns), porcupine says Miller's mojo failed him in this re-imagining of the Spirit. Porcupine's review will appear this week on blog.spout.com. 4. Marley & Me -- Watch the trailer. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston raise a troublesome golden retriever. What can I say? If you like dogs, you'll probably like this movie. 5. Bedtime Stories -- Watch the trailer. This Disney flick is the latest family comedy from Adam Sandler. It looks kind of like a more broadly comic Stranger Than Fiction (two kids are the authors of Sandler's life), but the trailer still makes me laugh some. Limited release 12/25 6. Revolutionary Road -- Watch the trailer. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio together again, only this time it's the 1950s, they're married, and they feel stifled by their ordinary suburban lives. Looks really depressing and, just maybe...really good? 7. Waltz With Bashir -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. Based on true events, Ari Folman finds that he has almost no memories from Lebanon's 1982 invasion of Israel. Kevin Buist says in his review that it's like one part Waking Life, one part Schindler's List. I'm looking forward to it. 8. Last Chance Harvey -- Watch the trailer. Dustin Hoffman plays "Last Chance Harvey," a tired and desperate man. Then he meets Emma Thompson...
]]>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:49:21 GMTspoutComing Soon12/22/2008 4:49:21 PMLooks like Frost/Nixon finally opens wide on Christmas, but I'm still eagerly awaiting a wide release of The Wrestler. Meanwhile, here are some films that'll be everywhere on Christmas day: New Movies 12/25 Wide release 1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. The Curious Case of Mork and Mindy, er, Benjamin Button, headed Karina's list of The Most Disappointing Movies of 2008. That surprised me a little, considering the excellent cast. By the way, the studio tried to get Karina to take her review down. Hear the story in FilmCouch 98. 2. Valkyrie -- Watch the trailer. Based on a true story, Tom Cruise plays a German colonel who became part of a plot to assassinate Hitler. Cruise can play "intense" well enough, and he looks great in his eyepatch, but I've never been very interested in watching him play a hero. I think he's better suited to play suave villains (Collateral) and total creeps (Magnolia). 3. The Spirit -- Watch the trailer. Frank Miller gives Will Eisner's classic comic strip the Frank Miller treatment. My friend Kevin Buist (porcupine)saw it, and he thought it was extraordinarily bad. While most will agree that Miller's reinvention of Batman was inspired (I recommend the 1986 graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns), porcupine says Miller's mojo failed him in this re-imagining of the Spirit. Porcupine's review will appear this week on blog.spout.com. 4. Marley &amp; Me -- Watch the trailer. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston raise a troublesome golden retriever. What can I say? If you like dogs, you'll probably like this movie. 5. Bedtime Stories -- Watch the trailer. This Disney flick is the latest family comedy from Adam Sandler. It looks kind of like a more broadly comic Stranger Than Fiction (two kids are the authors of Sandler's life), but the trailer still makes me laugh some. Limited release 12/25 6. Revolutionary Road -- Watch the trailer. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio together again, only this time it's the 1950s, they're married, and they feel stifled by their ordinary suburban lives. Looks really depressing and, just maybe...really good? 7. Waltz With Bashir -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. Based on true events, Ari Folman finds that he has almost no memories from Lebanon's 1982 invasion of Israel. Kevin Buist says in his review that it's like one part Waking Life, one part Schindler's List. I'm looking forward to it. 8. Last Chance Harvey -- Watch the trailer. Dustin Hoffman plays "Last Chance Harvey," a tired and desperate man. Then he meets Emma Thompson... http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_November_17_In_The_Nude/625/37566/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: mercurial
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 11/23/2008 4:14:47 PM
Body: Well, I suppose that just shows how desensitized I have become to nudity, granted those scenes were only a few seconds each. One being the scene between Jimmy Gator (the game show host) and his mistress / prostitute whatever and the other with his estranged daughter and a random guy / drug dealer. I believe the nudity was in the first one, but then again, I might be wrong. Nice call. [quote user="rjsprague"] [quote user="mercurial"] I don't recall any sex scenes in Magnolia. I know there was that scary moment when Tom Cruise is jumping around making crude gestures in his underpants, but sex scene, nope. [/quote] Watch it again then. It's Cruise's character's father and I want to say his character's stepmother, or maybe just his dad's mistress, can't remember. For further proof : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0175880/parentalguide [/quote]
]]>Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:14:47 GMTmercurialWeekly Theme11/23/2008 4:14:47 PMWell, I suppose that just shows how desensitized I have become to nudity, granted those scenes were only a few seconds each. One being the scene between Jimmy Gator (the game show host) and his mistress / prostitute whatever and the other with his estranged daughter and a random guy / drug dealer. I believe the nudity was in the first one, but then again, I might be wrong. Nice call. [quote user="rjsprague"] [quote user="mercurial"] I don't recall any sex scenes in Magnolia. I know there was that scary moment when Tom Cruise is jumping around making crude gestures in his underpants, but sex scene, nope. [/quote] Watch it again then. It's Cruise's character's father and I want to say his character's stepmother, or maybe just his dad's mistress, can't remember. For further proof : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0175880/parentalguide [/quote] http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspxlove
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