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[Mr. Spinnington]

Yay, Magnolia!

I rented this and have viewed it twice. God DAMN it's a long one, but I did enjoy glancing at the L.E.D. flashing next to the television to see that there was still a LOT of movie to look forward to.

I found that it wasn't a movie that really changed the way you think or makes you give a second look at things, it was just a really well-told and directed story. I also enjoyed all the performances, although Tom Cruise was the most noted on the back of the case; everyone deserves equal credit.

+ 1 Aimee Mann, the "Wise up" scene was a fresh breath.

And I entirely laughed through most of the end. Things in that movie came from left, right, and behind you 80 years ago. Shit, I can't remember anything except Jon Brion did the music, otherwise I'd talk about how much I enjoyed the screenplay and direction and use his name : (

 

[Manics]

I thought Philly Seymour Hoffman and Jason Robards did some amazing work in that movie. Those scenes with them talking while he's lying on his deathbed are just fantasticly written and acted.

 

[DCX]

What's the deal with the frogs??

DCX

 

[swoon]

but i mean. short cuts.

 

[StoOgE]

One of my favorite movies.

 

[Manics]

What's the deal with the frogs??

DCX

Well, all those Bible quotes throughout the movie with "Exodus 8:2" (i think, need to look it up) refer to the scene in the Bible where the rain of frogs came down upon Egypt for refusing to set the hebrews free from slavery. This sets up the foreshadow throughout the movie leading up to the frog scene.

What exactly is the meaning behind the frogs? Not really sure about this other than to say it's "symbolic" of the characters' struggles with life, death and forgiveness (and possibly freedom from their troubles)

The director mentioned he had heard many stories about actual "rain of frogs". The theory is a violent rainstorm or tornado passes over a pond and scoops up a bunch of frogs, then when the storm passes over a populated area people see all these frogs flying out of the sky. I believe in documented cases, they are actually really small frogs, not the huge monsters he showed falling from the sky, but whatever. Anyway he wanted to include it in the movie cause he was fascinated by the whole thing.

 

[FortNinety]

The film has easily one of the greatest trailer ever in American cinema.

 

[Randam_Hajile]

I'm sure I've mentioned in other threads but I'll say it again...

Magnolia is one of the finest films ever made.

 

[DCX]

Well, all those Bible quotes throughout the movie with "Exodus 8:2" (i think, need to look it up) refer to the scene in the Bible where the rain of frogs came down upon Egypt for refusing to set the hebrews free from slavery. This sets up the foreshadow throughout the movie leading up to the frog scene.

What exactly is the meaning behind the frogs? Not really sure about this other than to say it's "symbolic" of the characters' struggles with life, death and forgiveness (and possibly freedom from their troubles)

The director mentioned he had heard many stories about actual "rain of frogs". The theory is a violent rainstorm or tornado passes over a pond and scoops up a bunch of frogs, then when the storm passes over a populated area people see all these frogs flying out of the sky. I believe in documented cases, they are actually really small frogs, not the huge monsters he showed falling from the sky, but whatever. Anyway he wanted to include it in the movie cause he was fascinated by the whole thing.

...huh...ok, well seemed out of place but i can see the effect he wanted to portray...

DCX

 

[Dilbert]

Glad that this movie is STILL getting some love. It's an outstanding movie...in fact, I should make time to watch it again soon!

 

[Solid]

Pretty decent movie. I love the scen when Tom Cruise starts to cry. Awesome perfomance!

 

[Prospero]

but i mean. short cuts.

Yes.

If you like Magnolia, you must get this. (It even comes with a Carver short story collection.)

 

[Mario_Hugo]

I'm not that big into Altman but I saw Short Cuts packaging last night and nearly bought it on the spot. Being the Truffaut fan I am, I rented Jules and Jim and called it a night.

Magnolia is easily one of my favorite American films. Too bad P.T. doesn't seem to be working on anything concrete at the moment. Any word on that rumored musical?

 

[Manabanana]

Well, all those Bible quotes throughout the movie with "Exodus 8:2" (i think, need to look it up) refer to the scene in the Bible where the rain of frogs came down upon Egypt for refusing to set the hebrews free from slavery. This sets up the foreshadow throughout the movie leading up to the frog scene.

What exactly is the meaning behind the frogs? Not really sure about this other than to say it's "symbolic" of the characters' struggles with life, death and forgiveness (and possibly freedom from their troubles)

The director mentioned he had heard many stories about actual "rain of frogs". The theory is a violent rainstorm or tornado passes over a pond and scoops up a bunch of frogs, then when the storm passes over a populated area people see all these frogs flying out of the sky. I believe in documented cases, they are actually really small frogs, not the huge monsters he showed falling from the sky, but whatever. Anyway he wanted to include it in the movie cause he was fascinated by the whole thing.

RIGHT in the beginning of the film. "82% chance of rain." Exodus 8:2. That and the themes of the film. "When things fall down people look up," and, "When it rains, it poors."

 

[Alucard]

A brilliant and very heavy movie. There is just so much going on and so many themes and ideas to take in. I've watched it once and it totally drained me. I watched it alone too, which probably didn't help matters. It's the type of movie that really makes you want someone there with you when it's all over. Great, great movie. I totally need to add it to my DVD collection.

Too bad PTA's films haven't done so hot. :-\ Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love are two of my favourite movies. I didn't think much of Boogie Nights though. I think it was the subject matter that put me off.

 

[karasu]

It's a great movie, it didn't change my way of thinking. But when Iw atched it it was nice to be reminded of how connected us humans are, and that no matter what the bullshit we're swimming through at the moment, others are going through the same or worse. I felt so sorry for these characters, especially Donnie. All they needed was some help, but there was like no one there to offer a hand.

Kevin Smith trashed this movie though, that fucker.

 

[Foreign Jackass]

Boogie Nights has Goodfellas written all over it, so it's pretty cool, and Magnolia = Short Cuts = cool.

He's a little derivative, but at least he's inspired by the best.

 

[swoon]

Yes.



If you like Magnolia, you must get this. (It even comes with a Carver short story collection.)

it's true. i mean p.t anderson films seem like the lab class in a roger altman film study class. they are fine, but he doesn't have his own style yet. just look at hard eight.

 

[ManaByte]

Too bad PTA's films haven't done so hot. :-\ Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love are two of my favourite movies. I didn't think much of Boogie Nights though. I think it was the subject matter that put me off.

For me it's Boogie Nights >>> Magnolia >>>>>> Punch-Drunk. Punch-Drunk's tone was just too bitter.

 

[karasu]

I disagree about PTS not having his own style. It's his scripts that seperate him from his influences.

 

[Mr. Spinnington]

I must check out these other recommendations. Short Cuts is first, thanks guys

 

[swoon]

I disagree about PTS not having his own style. It's his scripts that seperate him from his influences.

um. magnolia is a poorly written short cuts, down to the ending. hard eight is a diaster. booige night's is good, as an early film. the only thing good about punch drunk love is that it made people watch 3 woman. the problem with anderson is that he's a good visual director that's still make altman homage movies. boogie nights is nashville but in a porn setting, magnolia is short cuts and punch drunk love is 3 women. though i mean it's not as bad as wes anderson only using one film for all his visual cues.