Magnolia

I re-watched Magnolia by PTA (Paul Thomas Anderson) today, and it just struck me, yet again, at what a marvelous movie this is. Just one of my favorite movies.

Any other fans out there?

Every performance is just spot-on perfect. Tom Cruise is astounding. I've never seen a sleaze played to such perfection. Marianne Moore. Her scene in the pharmacy is just gut-wrenching. John C. Reilly. Jason Robards. Philip Seymour Hoffman. The cast itself is an amazing line-up. William Macy. Philip Baker Hall.  Melora Waters.

And those frogs. Oh those frogs.

And I forgot to mention Aimee Mann's soundtrack.

And from the Wikipedia entry:

Following the film's release, Anderson said: "I really feel... That Magnolia is, for better or worse, the best movie I'll ever make."

If so, ya done damn good Mr. Anderson.

Did anyone else here see Aimee Mann at SOPAC this past Monday?

No.

I need to get on SOPAC's mailing list.

I did.  A nice size venue for her, and the sound was good apart from some bass issues. The hall was full.  She had 3 sidemen and, for "Goose Snow Cone" and certain other songs, the opening act sitting in (name of Coulton; he co-wrote some songs on her current album "Mental Illness").  And she did do "Wise Up" and "Deathly."  She did "4th of July," which always gets me.  I wish she had  played "Cigarettes and Red Vines."

"Now that I've met you, would you object to never seeing each other again?"

From Mann's lips to Anderson's script. I'll take the former.

That line struck me especially well today... Such a great line.

I never knew it was from a Mann song though...

DaveSchmidt said:

"Now that I've met you, would you object to never seeing each other again?"

From Mann's lips to Anderson's script. I'll take the former.

Had the same impression of the too loud bass.  I thought the band was a little too loud in general.  Undercut her vocals somewhat, but still real good show.  Coulton was the rare superb opening act, I thought.  I would go see him alone. Some of his songs reminded my wife and me of They Might be Giants.   

breal said:

I did.  A nice size venue for her, and the sound was good apart from some bass issues. The hall was full.  She had 3 sidemen and, for "Goose Snow Cone" and certain other songs, the opening act sitting in (name of Coulton; he co-wrote some songs on her current album "Mental Illness").  And she did do "Wise Up" and "Deathly."  She did "4th of July," which always gets me.  I wish she had  played "Cigarettes and Red Vines."

I'm kind of shocked so many people here haven't heard of Jonathan Coulton.

Love PTA.  His work rewards repeated viewings.

say what now who you say?

ridski said:

I'm kind of shocked so many people here haven't heard of Jonathan Coulton.

Have you seen Inherent Vice? I haven't yet - I tried a couple of times but it wouldn't hold my attention. Should I press on anyway?

dave said:

Love PTA.  His work rewards repeated viewings.

Looking forward to PTA's Christmas release, which supposedly will be Daniel Day-Lewis' last film role before retiring - 1950s London

I read the book and enjoyed the movie a lot; the book is already intentionally disjointed, so if you're not used to Pynchon's style the movie follows the book fairly closely.

drummerboy said:

Have you seen Inherent Vice? I haven't yet - I tried a couple of times but it wouldn't hold my attention. Should I press on anyway?

dave said:

Love PTA.  His work rewards repeated viewings.

me too

apple44 said:

Looking forward to PTA's Christmas release, which supposedly will be Daniel Day-Lewis' last film role before retiring - 1950s London

Bub, I agree that Jonathan Coulton was a good opening act, and with mordantly funny patter, and with funny songs.  A sad kind of funny.  But nobody out sad-songs Aimee.  All assembled on stage to put over "Goose Snow Cone" great that night, harmonizing on the chorus.  Cones up close. 

Ridski, I didn't know Jonathan Coulton's work but offspring recognized him immediately as having written song(s) sung by robots in the Portal I and Portal II video games.

Also, don't be mad but can I have your wife's recipe for sticky toffee pudding again?  Thank you. I lost it. 

breal said:

Bub, I agree that Jonathan Coulton was a good opening act, and with mordantly funny patter, and with funny songs.  A sad kind of funny.  But nobody out sad-songs Aimee.  All assembled on stage to put over "Goose Snow Cone" great that night, harmonizing on the chorus.  Cones up close. 

Ridski, I didn't know Jonathan Coulton's work but offspring recognized him immediately as having written song(s) sung by robots in the Portal I and Portal II video games.

Also, don't be mad but can I have your wife's recipe for sticky toffee pudding again?  Thank you. I lost it. 

Sure! I'll see if we can dig it up. 

Long time fan of Aimee.  Not sure "sad" is the word I'd use for her  material.  More like bitter.  A sharply worded recrimination about a man who has failed her is like the Aimee Mann blueprint.  Don't get me wrong, I love it.  But I don't think of them as get out your handkerchief, lump in the throat songs. 

Mordant.

Aimee on Portlandia.    'Nuff said.

She sacrificed a toe for the Big Lebowski.  Bad ***.

I enjoyed Magnolia when it first came out but, in the intervening years, Tom Cruise had moved into the same category as Woody Allen. Their personal lives overshadow their roles. 

I dunno. I personally find Cruise a very engaging actor - I think any movie with him in it is worth watching.  I think his decision to take the Magnolia part was pretty brave. He is not a likeable character, but I can't look away from the screen when he's on. The interview scene is amazing.

GoSlugs said:

I enjoyed Magnolia when it first came out but, in the intervening years, Tom Cruise had moved into the same category as Woody Allen. Their personal lives overshadow their roles.