First let me say how much I love Boogie Nights. This is one of my favorite films ever. I saw Boogie Nights for the first time in May of 1998. I immediately thought it was fantastic. I rented it two or three times that summer and tried to copy it to a tape of my own. Yes, that was wrong. The only reason I didn't buy it on tape of course was that I was going to be getting a DVD player that Christmas. My friends also liked Boogie Nights. We did, or course, get the film on DVD and watched it again and again. It was pretty much a full year of Boogie Nights in our Apartment. Along the way came a liking for the film's director, Paul Thomas Anderson. Since the film was conceived, written and directed by him, we considered ourselves P.T.A. fans. And so we eagerly awaited his next movie.
Magnolia. aka PTA's I can do whatever I want film.
After Boogie Nights, PTA got pretty close to blank check and free reign to do what he wanted with his next movie, and thats what he did.
The Trailer was very promising. And I admit, expectations were high.
Then we saw it. My feelings were all over the place. Watching the movie I was engrossed in all of the Hoffman/Robards scenes, but not so much in the others. When the Frogs came at the end, I really loved it. My first reaction was that I really liked it a lot. Though I talked with Brian that night about it, and the more I examined it, the more I was dissappointed. Then I watched the trailer a few more times. I love this trailer. And I started remembering all the things I loved about the movie. I went back to see it again, and was dissappointed. Brian, on the other hand, loved it the second time.
Thus began a 6 year debate over what is or is not wrong with this movie. For years we have talked about this thing, and for years I have been frustrated about how the movie isn't what seems/claims to be.
My problems with the movie. First, it's too long. Say what you will. Call me a low-brow Joe Six-Pack if you want. It's TOO DAMN LONG. It's not even that there are unneeded scenes, its just that scenes go on too long.
Second, it doesn't really work as well in the coincidence department as it wants too. They set up the film with a series of interesting though not really relevant urban legends. At least two of which are untrue. They use them as a way to set up the idea that strange things happen all the time. The film's characters are all somewhat interconnected and are all experiencing harrowing and bizarre events on one day in a small area of Los Angeles. This never comes through as well as it should or could. I read recently that initially there was a scene where it is explained that all of this is happening within a one square mile part of town, but it was cut for time reasons. THREE HOURS LONG and this is what they cut out?
I have watched this film a few times since the first time. Probably 4 or 5 now. And one thing is true. Generally I have been more and more happy with it each time. Last night, I watched it again. And a something occurred to me. I really like this movie. A lot. And I really always have. And what I realize, after dealing with the DaVinci Code movie reviewer debacle last week, is that I am grading this movie unfairly.
I still generally feel about its problems, the same way I have always felt. Actually its not its length that as much as the pacing. Its plods along in the end, when it really should pick up the pace. The idea of the freakishness of the situations linked by a freak of nature event still does not come across as well as it should. But the movies is really good. It could be great. I mean really great. But its only very good. I have been treating it like it could be good, but instead is bad. I've been giving it the DaVinci Code treatment. Like I think it should be an 85 but its so its a 35. The truth is, it IS an 85, but it COULD BE a 95.
So let it be said. I like Magnolia. If I ever said I didn't, I take it back. I like it. Its a very good movie. Its a great movie. I love it. I really like it. Its not even that it has some problems any more. I can think of some things that would have made it better, but that does not detract from what is there.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
The Davinci Code
So I went to see the Davinci Code today. First off, I'm glad to finally know what the heck all the fuss is about. And I must say, its pretty darn cool, and I'm glad to finally be in on it. And as of right now. It just posted a 29.5 million dollar opening day. Which puts it pretty darned high up in the all time rankings. Sitting in the Star Wars weekend, a week before Memorial day, this movie could potentially a pretty big grosser.
Now, here is the first issue that needs touching on. The reviews for this movie are pretty bad. Actually, the reviews seem to be only slightly bad. Its just that there are a ton of them. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a fresh rating of 16!! Thats extremely low. But it calls out the inherit problem with the rotten tomatoes system. In this case, its seems that most reviewers don't think its THAT bad, but just that 123 out of 150 think its kind of bad. So it makes it look worse than it is. That said....Are they NUTS!!!!
This movie was very good. VERY GOOD. Its now three weekends in a row where I am left to deal with the ridiculous fact that reviewers are morons, and I don't understand what it is they are looking for in a movie. What's different about this movie from Stick It and Posiden is that I feel they were waiting to love this movie. The Reviewers (calling them writers would give them too much credit at this point) are continuing to bring too much baggage into the movies with them. They clearly went into Stick It and Posiden chomping ready and eager to pounce on them. Armed with catch phrases and pithy remarks already written just waiting for the opportunity to use them.
It would seem that Davinci Code was different. It seems to me that they are all desperately dissappointed by a film that they inexplicably assumed would be the next Schindler's List. When it turned out to be just another very good film, they couldn't handle it.
I am pretty much done with movie reviewers at this point. We will go ahead and add most of them to ESPN personalites on the list of people with the most power but the least understanding of what they are talking about.
The second thing of interest about this film is the religious aspect. I know there have been protests. I met a person recently who said he wouldn't see the movie because he "was a Christian." I told him I consider myself a Christian and I can't wait to see it.
Having seen the movie I can now examine my thoughts on the subject. I thought it was great. And from a religious point of view I thought it was interesting. First things first, it's fiction. It does not mean that Ron Howard or Tom Hanks or anyone involved believe what it says. Its fiction. Its just like Star Wars or Superman. Its a story, fabricated to excite people. Furthermore, the movie never really claims to prove that its story is true. They say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen and that she gave birth to a daughter after the Crucifixion. In the end, characters in the movie assert that this is true and that one character in the movie is a descendant of Jesus. They are searching for the final resting place of Mary Magdalen which is essentially the big mystery. They mention doing DNA testing to verify. However that would only prove that she was related to Mary. In the end, the very best that they could do was prove that all of this was about Mary Magdalen and her descendants. There is still no definitive proof that her unborn child was that daughter of Jesus.
In addition to all that is this. I am speaking of myself. If I were to find that this is true. If I were to find out that Jesus was a man. Had a wife, and a child. Would this change how I feel about God and my religion. The answer is no. I would not feel different. I have always believed in God. I have always felt the power and comfort of my religion. And I have always been aware that things in the bible are stories that are designed to illustrate the best way to live life. I could believe that the story of Jesus could fit that discription as well. What the Davinci Code is about, in my opinion, is plausible. But it would not change how I live my life and how I practice my faith.
I do, however, understand why some people will be upset. I do not know much about the Catholic Church in general, but I understand why many would feel that they had been living a lie if this were to be true. I just know for myself, it would not affect me that way.
-T
Now, here is the first issue that needs touching on. The reviews for this movie are pretty bad. Actually, the reviews seem to be only slightly bad. Its just that there are a ton of them. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a fresh rating of 16!! Thats extremely low. But it calls out the inherit problem with the rotten tomatoes system. In this case, its seems that most reviewers don't think its THAT bad, but just that 123 out of 150 think its kind of bad. So it makes it look worse than it is. That said....Are they NUTS!!!!
This movie was very good. VERY GOOD. Its now three weekends in a row where I am left to deal with the ridiculous fact that reviewers are morons, and I don't understand what it is they are looking for in a movie. What's different about this movie from Stick It and Posiden is that I feel they were waiting to love this movie. The Reviewers (calling them writers would give them too much credit at this point) are continuing to bring too much baggage into the movies with them. They clearly went into Stick It and Posiden chomping ready and eager to pounce on them. Armed with catch phrases and pithy remarks already written just waiting for the opportunity to use them.
It would seem that Davinci Code was different. It seems to me that they are all desperately dissappointed by a film that they inexplicably assumed would be the next Schindler's List. When it turned out to be just another very good film, they couldn't handle it.
I am pretty much done with movie reviewers at this point. We will go ahead and add most of them to ESPN personalites on the list of people with the most power but the least understanding of what they are talking about.
The second thing of interest about this film is the religious aspect. I know there have been protests. I met a person recently who said he wouldn't see the movie because he "was a Christian." I told him I consider myself a Christian and I can't wait to see it.
Having seen the movie I can now examine my thoughts on the subject. I thought it was great. And from a religious point of view I thought it was interesting. First things first, it's fiction. It does not mean that Ron Howard or Tom Hanks or anyone involved believe what it says. Its fiction. Its just like Star Wars or Superman. Its a story, fabricated to excite people. Furthermore, the movie never really claims to prove that its story is true. They say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen and that she gave birth to a daughter after the Crucifixion. In the end, characters in the movie assert that this is true and that one character in the movie is a descendant of Jesus. They are searching for the final resting place of Mary Magdalen which is essentially the big mystery. They mention doing DNA testing to verify. However that would only prove that she was related to Mary. In the end, the very best that they could do was prove that all of this was about Mary Magdalen and her descendants. There is still no definitive proof that her unborn child was that daughter of Jesus.
In addition to all that is this. I am speaking of myself. If I were to find that this is true. If I were to find out that Jesus was a man. Had a wife, and a child. Would this change how I feel about God and my religion. The answer is no. I would not feel different. I have always believed in God. I have always felt the power and comfort of my religion. And I have always been aware that things in the bible are stories that are designed to illustrate the best way to live life. I could believe that the story of Jesus could fit that discription as well. What the Davinci Code is about, in my opinion, is plausible. But it would not change how I live my life and how I practice my faith.
I do, however, understand why some people will be upset. I do not know much about the Catholic Church in general, but I understand why many would feel that they had been living a lie if this were to be true. I just know for myself, it would not affect me that way.
-T
Monday, May 08, 2006
A new attitude
I woke up this morning and decided one thing. I'm going to be in control of myself. That may seem a little over the top. After all, its not like I grope people in public or cuss and spit in church or anything. However, I do have some problems with letting my brain run wild on me. I guess that comes with the territory of being a genius. LOL
Sometimes I get a little wired up. I'm in my own head. I work a job that is juuuuuusstt brain occupying enough to keep me from thinking about anything important, but not nearly complex enough to keep my brain stimulated properly. Its been like this for just about 2 years now and I think it has taken a considerable toll on my intellect.
Its hard to explain, but I sometimes feel that this job is making me stupid. And the funniest part is this. It makes me more stupid than when I pushed carts at Wal-Mart. More stupid than when I hustled burgers at McDonalds or Fries and Sodas at the In-N-Out Burger. mmmmmmm In-N-Out Burger. When I worked Fast Food I was normally too busy working to think about anything other than what I was doing. Chop Chop, quick quick you know? When I worked the carts at Wal-Mart, it was easy breazy. Just me and my thoughts and generally pleasant phyisical outside sunshine work. I kept a notebook in my pocket and wrote down ideas all the time.
This job though leaves me stuck in brain limbo though. By the end of the day, I find that my brain has been racing all day trying to shoehorn in thoughts and ideas into every available free moment. And its all easy, low-brow, crap too. Mostly consisting of Barry Bonds and various other sports topics. Sometimes its more heady stuff like how to build high-density neighborhoods that are still family friendly. While there will certainly be a time and place for this line of thought, its not exactly helpful or productive given my current goals and objectives. Anyway, by the end of the day, I'm exhausted. All I want to do is vege out in front of re-runs. I used to think that it was the job that wore me out, but its not.
So what to do about it? Control myself....and remain calm. Another by-product of this behavior is that I tend to panic in easy situations. So I got up, I sat on the couch and I calmly collected my thoughts. I made sandwiches, I got dressed I went to work. I spent the majority of my day just listening to my Ipod and staying conscious. Staying in reality and out of my crazy world of racing thoughts.
Breath in Breath out. Remain Calm.
Reggie Bush wants to wear number 5 in the NFL (not allowed for Running Backs by rule)
...nope. Not interested. Relax, clear your mind.
Barry Bonds is just one Homerun from tying Ruth
well, its not really tying since he.........Shhht. Quiet your mind Tom and you'll hear the midi-chlorians talking to you.
And so it went most of the day. Know what? Surprisingly easy. Even easy to avoid the pitfalls of entering conversations with my co-workers about Paris Hilton and Jager Bombs.
After doing....whatver I'll name this new discipline....all day, I came home and went to the Gym. I burned 500 calories and felt pretty darned good. I read some of a filmmaking book, I read some filmmaking articles and actually felt like blogging. I feel rested, mentally rested. And it feels great!
Day 1: A success. Lets see how this works out the rest of the week. Til Then....
answers will come when you are at peace, placid.
-T
Sometimes I get a little wired up. I'm in my own head. I work a job that is juuuuuusstt brain occupying enough to keep me from thinking about anything important, but not nearly complex enough to keep my brain stimulated properly. Its been like this for just about 2 years now and I think it has taken a considerable toll on my intellect.
Its hard to explain, but I sometimes feel that this job is making me stupid. And the funniest part is this. It makes me more stupid than when I pushed carts at Wal-Mart. More stupid than when I hustled burgers at McDonalds or Fries and Sodas at the In-N-Out Burger. mmmmmmm In-N-Out Burger. When I worked Fast Food I was normally too busy working to think about anything other than what I was doing. Chop Chop, quick quick you know? When I worked the carts at Wal-Mart, it was easy breazy. Just me and my thoughts and generally pleasant phyisical outside sunshine work. I kept a notebook in my pocket and wrote down ideas all the time.
This job though leaves me stuck in brain limbo though. By the end of the day, I find that my brain has been racing all day trying to shoehorn in thoughts and ideas into every available free moment. And its all easy, low-brow, crap too. Mostly consisting of Barry Bonds and various other sports topics. Sometimes its more heady stuff like how to build high-density neighborhoods that are still family friendly. While there will certainly be a time and place for this line of thought, its not exactly helpful or productive given my current goals and objectives. Anyway, by the end of the day, I'm exhausted. All I want to do is vege out in front of re-runs. I used to think that it was the job that wore me out, but its not.
So what to do about it? Control myself....and remain calm. Another by-product of this behavior is that I tend to panic in easy situations. So I got up, I sat on the couch and I calmly collected my thoughts. I made sandwiches, I got dressed I went to work. I spent the majority of my day just listening to my Ipod and staying conscious. Staying in reality and out of my crazy world of racing thoughts.
Breath in Breath out. Remain Calm.
Reggie Bush wants to wear number 5 in the NFL (not allowed for Running Backs by rule)
...nope. Not interested. Relax, clear your mind.
Barry Bonds is just one Homerun from tying Ruth
well, its not really tying since he.........Shhht. Quiet your mind Tom and you'll hear the midi-chlorians talking to you.
And so it went most of the day. Know what? Surprisingly easy. Even easy to avoid the pitfalls of entering conversations with my co-workers about Paris Hilton and Jager Bombs.
After doing....whatver I'll name this new discipline....all day, I came home and went to the Gym. I burned 500 calories and felt pretty darned good. I read some of a filmmaking book, I read some filmmaking articles and actually felt like blogging. I feel rested, mentally rested. And it feels great!
Day 1: A success. Lets see how this works out the rest of the week. Til Then....
answers will come when you are at peace, placid.
-T
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
My Date With Drew
Tonight I watched a great movie called My Date With Drew. The story of a guy who won 1100 dollars on a gameshow and set out to get a date with his lifelong crush Drew Barrymore. Furthermore, he wants to make a movie out of it. Here is a guy I can relate to.
While Drew is a personal childhood/early adulthood favorite of mine, I admit to not being quite as enthralled with her as this guy. He has daydreamed about this for his whole life. He was even a member of the Drew Barrymore fan club as a kid.
He gets a video camera from Circuit City. One of his buddies buys it because his credit card is declined. The plan is to return it in 30 days on Circuit City's no questions asked 30 day return policy. So he has 30 days to make the date happen.
What follows is a fantastic film about following your dreams. Its a film about being, not just persistant, but relentless. It is about being childlike, full of hopes and dreams. It is about reaching for the stars and proving that you can reach them. Yes, its also about how cool it would be to get a date with a movie star you have loved for 20 years.
This is going on my buy it list. Put it down as inspirational. Plus, at 40 minutes in, you can see the main character drive by the Burger King on Van Nuys Blvd across from our old apartment. Steph and I used to get breakfast there a lot.
-T
"If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul." - Drew Barrymore
While Drew is a personal childhood/early adulthood favorite of mine, I admit to not being quite as enthralled with her as this guy. He has daydreamed about this for his whole life. He was even a member of the Drew Barrymore fan club as a kid.
He gets a video camera from Circuit City. One of his buddies buys it because his credit card is declined. The plan is to return it in 30 days on Circuit City's no questions asked 30 day return policy. So he has 30 days to make the date happen.
What follows is a fantastic film about following your dreams. Its a film about being, not just persistant, but relentless. It is about being childlike, full of hopes and dreams. It is about reaching for the stars and proving that you can reach them. Yes, its also about how cool it would be to get a date with a movie star you have loved for 20 years.
This is going on my buy it list. Put it down as inspirational. Plus, at 40 minutes in, you can see the main character drive by the Burger King on Van Nuys Blvd across from our old apartment. Steph and I used to get breakfast there a lot.
-T
"If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul." - Drew Barrymore
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