I just saw Magnolia!! (not just saw it but whateverz)

[Leticia]

I saw Magnolia a couple of days ago...


Craziness!!!

Okay si first mistake was being high off my ass and trying to put all of the pieces together..


Why did it rain frogs!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh.

This movie was amazing...I will watch it again sober,lol.

[patsopinion]

i posted somewhere that i saw the movie and was seeking answers
the frogs is biblical and the movie wants to be great
everyone that worked on it it seems wanted some universal truth that would make everone who saw it hole and i think they had really good intentions of saying how to treat one another

but its pretentious like a corked French wine.
enjoy not getting it and keep looking for your own answers and remember the version you saw stoned
youll enjoy it more

[Yerdaddy]

Thanks for reminding me of a thread topic I forgot to post a while back: Best director's commentary. Paul Thomas Anderson gives great commentary.

I don't think PTA was seeking universal truths in the movie. I think he was more asking universal questions, which I prefer. Love the movie. Love the frogs. I even like Tom Cruise in it. (I think Cruise might be gay. Am I alone on this one?) But I do think it's interesting that Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character had so much less going on in the movie and yet he made so much more of a lasting impression on me years later. That's called "acting" Tom. Try it sometime, Maverick.

Great movie. I don't think Paul Thomas Anderson has made a bad movie yet. Still waiting for his "Intolerable Cruelty".

[sailor]

ambivalent on magnolia. loved the interconnectedness of the little throw-aways in the beginning, and was waiting for something like that on an earth shattering level in the movie. the movie just never really struck a chord with me.

[drusilla]

i don't know if i have ever hated a movie more

[BeerBandit]

Why did it rain frogs!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh.



Things fall down, people look up, and when it rains it pours.


Love this movie.

[TheMojoPin]

Fucking love this movie...the performances are incredible. Everyone dwells on the frogs like they're supposed to have this great, deep meaning, but they don't. They're just an expecially dramatic deus ex machina that unifies all the various storylines, like the glowing briefcase in Pulp Fiction. The "why" of the frogs doesn't matter, and it doesn't need to. It's what they cause that's important. Yerdaddy's right, PTA has yet to make a bad film. I'm dying to see what he does next. But he's wrong saying Intolerable Cruelty was a bad movie.

[StupidGirlllll]

I do not really get Tom Cruise movies...Can someone please explain Vanilla Skies..I have not hated a movie so much in my life. I was on K when i watched it & still hated it

[TheMojoPin]

I do not really get Tom Cruise movies...Can someone please explain Vanilla Skies..I have not hated a movie so much in my life. I was on K when i watched it & still hated it

You don't "get" Tom Cruise movies?

Uhhhhhhhhh...

The dude usually makes the most popcorn-y of popcorn flicks.

Vanilla Sky is a mess.

I was on K when i watched it

And so are you.

[MobCounty]

I have a friend that shot loads for that movie... He pumped it up too much, and the thing passed up my tolorance for self indulgence in a few minutes.

[StupidGirlllll]

You don't "get" Tom Cruise movies?

Uhhhhhhhhh...

The dude usually makes the most popcorn-y of popcorn flicks.

Vanilla Sky is a mess.



And so are you.

What does that mean>

[Furtherman]

Why did it rain frogs!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh.

the frogs is biblical

I didn't see it as a biblical meaning, just as what was said in the movie which was something like "this is something that happens".

It does rain frogs sometimes. Although not as exaggerated as the movie shows. It's an actual event that happens when a tornado or cyclone scoops up frogs, fish and other animals and then dumps them when the winds die down.

[TheMojoPin]

I didn't see it as a biblical meaning, just as what was said in the movie which was something like "this is something that happens".

Exactly. PTA is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't without them...with them, he gets a singular event that brings together all the storylines with a little bit of flare. He also gets, however, people focusing on the frogs instead of everything else...responding like the frogs "mean" something or hold some kind of "clue" or "answer" to a movie that isn't that type of movie.

[mikeyboy]

I love this movie as well.


Exactly. PTA is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't without them...with them, he gets a singular event that brings together all the storylines with a little bit of flare. He also gets, however, people focusing on the frogs instead of everything else...responding like the frogs "mean" something or hold some kind of "clue" or "answer" to a movie that isn't that type of movie.

As for the frogs, I always saw it as merely symbolic of the "breaking point" of all of the tension being built. Also, it seems to me to be a nod to the earthquake at the end of "Short Cuts".

[torker]

It's the rainbow connection.
http://www.ugo.com/images/galleries/muppets_top11_dvd/kermit_th.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

I love this movie as well.




As for the frogs, I always saw it as merely symbolic of the "breaking point" of all of the tension being built. Also, it seems to me to be a nod to the earthquake at the end of "Short Cuts".

Well, the whole movie is pretty much a nod to Short Cuts.

Except much, much, MUCH better.

Yeah.

[C_T]

No need to dis Short Cuts to say Magnolia is a good movie. I love PT Anderson's work, but there is not doubt he owes a large debt to Altman.

[TheMojoPin]

No need to dis Short Cuts to say Magnolia is a good movie. I love PT Anderson's work, but there is not doubt he owes a large debt to Altman.

I like Short Cuts a lot, but I think it's really overrated and that PTA pulled off a better film with Magnolia. Altman has done a lot better with the "Altman-style."

[LiddyRules]

I like Short Cuts but think Magnolia is a lot better.

[Mike Teacher]

As for the frogs, I always saw it as merely symbolic of the "breaking point" of all of the tension being built. Also, it seems to me to be a nod to the earthquake at the end of "Short Cuts".

Absolutely and precisely. The absurdity of the frogs is a climax/setup for the deunoument.

I love depressing movies, and this is one seriously depressing movie. Great acting all around. I loathe Tom Cruise, but hos performance had my jaw on the floor the first time, and it's his high water mark, imho.

Swear on my Dads grave; as todays show was unravelling around Ron I thought of exactly this movie; I think Magnolia serves to remind of that as bad as we think we may have it, someone out there has it a lot worse. Also it's not the shit that life throws at us that defines us, but how we stand up to said Life-Shit.

Damn wheres my screen cap with the genius kid hearing the frogs. What a scene...

[LiddyRules]

Magnolia was on IFC a few months ago, I started watching it in the middle of the first showing and could not turn it off and ended watching the second showing in its entirety. If they had a decent DVD of it, I would so buy it. Great soundtrack too.

Also, IFC showed it letterboxed and without commercials.

I too love depressing movies. This weekend I saw Leaving Las Vegas for the first time. I never went from wanting to go on a drinking binge to crawling in the fetal position so quickly.

[Mike Teacher]

Oh, and I read people asking why the Frogs.

Yep; Frogs are one of several things historically to rain on us. Fish, Rocks, and Rain are also on that list.

PTA decided on Frogs after reading Charles Fort's work [we get the word 'Fortean' from him, 'The Fortean Times' is a sorta journal/magazine of weird/strange occurrances.

The Web also gives: A Scientific American article from 1873 states, "A shower of frogs, which darkened the air and covered the ground for a long distance, is the reported result of a recent rainstorm at Kansas City, Missouri."

and as mentioned in the Bible:

Exodus 8:1-15, "And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs."

[TheMojoPin]

Magnolia was on IFC a few months ago, I started watching it in the middle of the first showing and could not turn it off and ended watching the second showing in its entirety. If they had a decent DVD of it, I would so buy it. Great soundtrack too.

Also, IFC showed it letterboxed and without commercials.

I too love depressing movies. This weekend I saw Leaving Las Vegas for the first time. I never went from wanting to go on a drinking binge to crawling in the fetal position so quickly.

What's wrong with the DVD that's out? I'm pretty picky about the DVD's I buy, but this one is pretty good.

[LiddyRules]

What's wrong with the DVD that's out? I'm pretty picky about the DVD's I buy, but this one is pretty good. I thought it just had the feature and one of those DVDs that you had to 'flip' like the first release of JFK, I might be wrong though.

[Mike Teacher]

Ahhh yes, b4 the dual layer DVD you had to flip some long movies; ny old 'The Right Stuff' DVD has that.

They also used to put the widescreen on one side and the full screen [aka pan and scan aka ruin the bloddy movie] on the other side. Then some marketing genius got wise.

[TheMojoPin]

I didn't own Goodfellas for the longest time because the dual-disc was the only option...but my Magnolia is a two disc set (one sided, movie on one disc) deluxe edition. (http://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Line-Platinum-Michael-Bowen/dp/B00003CWTI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-8726099-9286563?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1182300603&sr=1-1)

[mikeyboy]

I thought it just had the feature and one of those DVDs that you had to 'flip' like the first release of JFK, I might be wrong though.

I had to pull out my copy because Amazon doesn't list the special features. It doesn't make it appear that it's easy for the average consumer to tell the special features because they are all listed on the inside. Anyway, here's what they have on the supplemental material disc:

1. Frank T.J. Mackey seminar (I think this is extended footage of the seminar in the movie)
2. Mackey infomercial (the full infomercial that you see on tvs in the movie) If I recall, it's about 10-15 minutes
3. teaser
4. trailer
5. tv spots
6. "Save Me" video
7. "Magnolia Diary," a documentary about the making of "Magnolia" by Mark Rance - this is pretty good by my recollection, and I think it runs an hour+.

I recall that there are some cut scenes in there as well. I don't recall if that was an easter egg or included with the doc. I recall there was a little on the cut storyline involving the criminal that John C. Reilly was looking for (played by Orlando Jones).

Overall, they are solid extras. Obviously, some movies have more, but this is still pretty good. The lack of a commentary is distressing, though.

Also, the first (movie) disc isn't a flipper.

Edit: Also, Amazon has it from their "new and used" vendors for under $9, so you can't go wrong.

[Leticia]

Wow... well.. I guess this got a response,lol...


Seymour Hoffman was my favorite person in this movie... He's such a good fucking actor.

I got the part about it not really mattering that it rained frogs but now that I read some of the posts.. it's makes sense that it connected to the earthquake in the beggining.


Yaaaaay... awesome movie... glad I saw it.

[waltermitty]

My favorite movie of all time.... Just raw emotion and wonderful acting from nearly every cast member....


It took me a few viewings to truly appreciate it... I guess the 3 hour and 14 min run time kinda glazed me over in the theatre..... But upon further review, I fucking love this film...

[Yerdaddy]

Oh, and I read people asking why the Frogs.

Yep; Frogs are one of several things historically to rain on us. Fish, Rocks, and Rain are also on that list.

When has it ever rained rain on us? What are you, some kinda religious nut?

and as mentioned in the Bible:

Exodus 8:1-15, "And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs."

He meant French people. This is a Biblical pestilence he's talking about - not the Amateur Hour.

[Yerdaddy]

I had to pull out my copy because Amazon doesn't list the special features. It doesn't make it appear that it's easy for the average consumer to tell the special features because they are all listed on the inside. Anyway, here's what they have on the supplemental material disc:

1. Frank T.J. Mackey seminar (I think this is extended footage of the seminar in the movie)
2. Mackey infomercial (the full infomercial that you see on tvs in the movie) If I recall, it's about 10-15 minutes
3. teaser
4. trailer
5. tv spots
6. "Save Me" video
7. "Magnolia Diary," a documentary about the making of "Magnolia" by Mark Rance - this is pretty good by my recollection, and I think it runs an hour+.



8. One complimentary bitchin sig pic.

[Yerdaddy]

Other movies that should have rained frogs at the end:


Godfather III
Mystic River
Mission: Impossible I & II
Vanilla Sky
Far & Away
just about every Tom Cruise movie or TV appearance
Tom Cruise's wedding
The birth of Tom Cruise's baby
The birth of Tom Cruise
The Matrix III
The Da Vinci Code
Crash
The Passion of The Christ (actually Mel wanted it to rain Jews but he couldn't afford to use real Jews so he dropped the idea)
Signs (actually Mel wanted it to rain Jews but he couldn't afford to use real Jews so he dropped the idea)
The Muppet Movie (just to freak the kids out)
The Patriot (would have made it more historically accurate)(actually Mel wanted it to rain Jews but he couldn't afford to use real Jews so he dropped the idea)
Pearl Harbor
Star Wars Episode I (rain frogs and then don't make Episodes II & III)
The Blair Witch Project (use really big frogs with anvils in them and really drop them on the "actors" for "realism")
Air Force One (just to distract from the fact that this was the beginning of the end of Gary Oldman's career)
Braveheart (no mention of Jews - back then he still needed their money to get a movie made)
Any movie starring Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan or any of these other teenage tabloid twats who get their balloon-knots "punked" by Ashton Kutcher just to get on the show and then piss and moan on unlistenable top-selling albums about how the press won't leave them alone and let them drunk drive between Hollywood clubs with some rap star's crack-engorged cock in their mouths like a normal person. And let the frogs be infected with a drug-resistant weaponized E-Bola virus while you're at it.

[KnoxHarrington]

It could have been a far better movie than it was. It just needed a tighter script, and far more liberal use of the editor's scissors. It's at least a half hour -- and maybe a full hour -- too long.

I agree with the opinion (and I can't remember who I heard say this first) that P.T. Anderson should direct a script written by Kevin Smith, because it would instantly fix both of their big problems making movies.

[LiddyRules]

It could have been a far better movie than it was. It just needed a tighter script, and far more liberal use of the editor's scissors. It's at least a half hour -- and maybe a full hour -- too long.

I agree with the opinion (and I can't remember who I heard say this first) that P.T. Anderson should direct a script written by Kevin Smith, because it would instantly fix both of their big problems making movies. Compare Punchdrunk Love, Magnolia and Boogie Night's scripts to Jersey Girl and Clerks 2's.

[KnoxHarrington]

Compare Punchdrunk Love, Magnolia and Boogie Night's scripts to Jersey Girl and Clerks 2's.

I should have said a good Kevin Smith script. Sorry about the omission.

[LiddyRules]

I should have said a good Kevin Smith script. Sorry about the omission.Sometimes writers blow their load early in their career. I don't want that to be Smith but evidence points that it might be.

[Furtherman]

Oh, and I read people asking why the Frogs.

Yep; Frogs are one of several things historically to rain on us. Fish, Rocks, and Rain are also on that list.



Don't forget worms!

Worms Fall from the Sky in Jennings (http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=6771977)