Magnolia (DVD, 2000, 2-Disc Set)

PT Anderson proves to be a master of cinema, in writing, cinematography and direction, both of story and actors. Magnolia proves to be his greatest achievement, with characters that make you sympathize for and fall in love with, and story that hooks you in from beginning to end.

He twists a conventional way of presenting his movies in the most subtle ways, through interesting camera maneuvers and elements of the story that take a while to settle in before you understand its genius.

Just a warning, for those who have not seen it yet, the ending may seem as out of nowhere and pretty much ridiculous. But allow it to settle in and give it a chance. When it's settled in, take in context of the rest of the movie and particularly the story and you'll realize it actually does fit right in.

Along with PT Anderson, we have many great supporters of the cast and crew that help it as much. Jon Brion's beautiful and intense score is a landmark achievement, as well as Aimee Mann's excellent songs that serve a great soundtrack. All the performances are top-notch, including Tom Cruise's Oscar nomination, and in my opinion, one of his only truly memorable performances, as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Melora Walters and Jason Robards, in his last theatrical release, giving iconic performances.

Overall, Magnolia is not one to miss, if not just for the moviegoing experience, but for a life experience, by proving to be very philosophical as well as an artistic achievement.

Paul Thomas Anderson (director of "Hard Eight" & the acclaimed "Boogie Nights") has poured his extensive film knowledge, distinctive style, and impeccable technique into his ground-breaking motion picture, "Magnolia." His third film is incredibly fast-paced, led by a cohesive string of intense scenes and innovative camera shots. "Magnolia" is a movie that demands the viewer's constant attention, as every little detail means a lot more to the story than perceived at first glance.
Aside from being a revolutionary director, P.T. Anderson is also one of the most brilliant screenwriters of our generation. His screenplays are incredibly detailed and complex; they are works of art even before the camera has started rolling.
"Magnolia" bears the irreplaceable mark of Paul Thomas Anderson as writer & director, but its artistic success may also be attributed to its magnificent cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Melora Walters, and Tom Cruise to name a few.
Jon Brion was in charge of creating the musical score for "Magnolia," which he achieved beautifully. His haunting orchestral arrangements go hand in hand flawlessly with Anderson's emotionally-charged scenes.
As a finished product, "Magnolia" is one of the most polished and accomplished motion pictures of the past two decades. Truly a film of epic proportions.

NORMALLY I WOULD NEVER WATCH MUCH LESS BUY A MOVIE THAT STARRED TOM CRUISE.
THIS MOVIE DID HOWEVER STAR JULIANNE MOORE WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. NEITHER TOM NOR JULIANNE DISAPPOINTED ME.
TOM WAS HORRIBLE. JULIANNE WAS GREAT.

THE EDITOR COULD HAVE REMOVED EVERY FRAME OF TOM CRUISE AND ACTUALLY IMPROVED THE MOVIE.

THIS MOVIE TO ME RESEMBLES A WELL MADE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT AS IT IS A CLEAR VIEW OF TOTAL DISCONNECTED FOOTAGE OF WHAT REMINDED ME OF ANOTHER BORING MOVIE, THE THIRD MAN.

EVEN WITH JULIANNE IT WILL NEVER BE WATCHED FOR A SECOND TIME IN MY HOUSE AND I WILL NOT BOTHER OFFERING IT TO ANY OF MY FRIENDS AS IT WOULD SOIL MY REPUTATION OF PICKING GOOD THINGS.

I ALSO SUSPECT THAT THE EDITOR DYLAN TICHENOR HAD A GUN TO HIS HEAD AS THE CONTINUITY SEEMED TO ME TO BE A INTENTIONAL DISASTER.

THE SCREEN PLAY MAY HAVE BEEN PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE AS I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE READING A BOOK WRITTEN FROM THE CONTENT OF THE MOVIE WOULD NOT ROUND FILE IT DURING OR AFTER THE FIRST CHAPTER.

MY WIFE WENT TO SLEEP IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY BUT BRIEFLY RECOVER. I CONSIDER MY WIFE TO BE THE BEST FILM CRITIC I KNOW. IF SHE SMILES AND WATCHES THE WHOLE THING IT IS A GOOD MOVIE AND IF SHE SAYS SHE WOULD WATCH IT AGAIN IT IS A GREAT MOVIE AND AN EXAMPLE OF HER RAVE REVIEW WAS APPLIED TO ANOTHER MOVIE AS A MEASURING STICK "LOVE ACTUALLY".

DRAMAS REQUIRE SOME CONTINUITY AND THIS ONE FAILED MISERABLY AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED. MY YOUNGEST BROTHER TOLD ME HE COULD NOT STAND DENNIS FRANZ WHICH SAYS THAT DENNIS DID A TERRIFIC JOB OF BEING THAT PERSON OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS AND RECEIVED MANY AWARDS. MOVIE BAD GUYS ARE NECESSARY AND ARE SELDOM RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR TALENT. IN THIS MOVIE I FIND A WORD FOR TOM AS SLIMY IF I SPELLED THAT RIGHT AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO AWARD FOR THAT.

To be honest, I didn't really want to watch this movie and I wasn't to thrilled when I had to. I did think I wanted to see it but it wasn't on the top of my mind until I got a scene from it in my acting class and had to watch it for that. It's a drama with a few funny moments... so if your usual flavor is action or comedy or even weird sci-fi you might look for something else... because this movie must be very long and ultimately unsatisfying for those who don't like the drama genre. Having said that, most if not all of the cast deliver really great performances and I'm sure it would appeal to a lot of artistic intellectuals. In my opinion the movie seems to be about strange coincidences and events bringing these characters together and pulling their lives apart... a much better film for this in my eyes is Snatch... but that's a little more action oriented. Overall I don't believe this movie isn't terrible but I had a difficult time really connecting with any of the characters and thus found no real way into the story.

Magnolia, is the combination of the stories that link lives together in a inner woven thread of all of us having a common denominator. Each of our judgements dependent on the factors of our lives and how, what, where, when and how we interacting with each other. This DVD is not for the faint of heart. It however may snap you into a reality, that you have not realized. Both life and death, the passion, the dance of life are several aspects that make this movie interesting. The way unfolds, you feel that you are there, the brilliance of the filmmaker fills the story with details of tragic realistic harmony in a world of harmonic discord. One of the all time calamities of our life. A movie that shows the darker side of the moon. Although I may not agree with the violence, the filmmaking and the talents of the actors show the ability of talented people to make a believable show of how life could be, might be and in some place time and setting really is. The story line is fast paced and the graphics realistic, hold onto your heart and your seat at the same time for this magnificent film. A full five star plus.