Rating: 
Summary: Only for the open minded...
Review: What can I say about Magnolia? Excellent script, fantastic acting, wonderful soundtrack, beautiful cinematography. It's just a beautiful film. Sometimes the actual beauty of it all overwhelmed me and I found myself teary eyed. And that wasn't even because of the story. I have seen many people praise this film highly, and others say it's garbage. This is not just in the reviews posted here so far but also from my friends, teachers, and the media. This film definitely isn't for everybody. It's a complicated film released in a simple world. Just as music lacks complexity today, so do films, for the most part. With films like American Beauty and Being John Malkovich, and especially Magnolia, it seems an artistic revival is coming back. I honestly don't understand how anybody could dislike this movie, but I realize that it takes a certain kind of person to enjoy it. And I'm that kind of person. As for the DVD itself, it's a great buy, especially when you like the movie. For one thing the sound and picture is great, and it contains a 2nd DVD full of bonus goodies.
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia
Review: If you don't like artsy movies, don't watch artsy movies. One "critic" said this is for psuedo-intellectuals. My response to that would be, if it makes you feel better to call me a pseudo intellectual because you didn't get it - then so be it. He is right though, you do need brains to watch and understand this movie. I know it is not one of those big special effects and eye candy drivel movies that the other "critic" probably likes, but I figure it did the trick for me. Stunning and captivating! I thirst for more, enlighten me again Mr. Anderson. Life is dark and beautiful at the same time, don't you think? My favorite line from the movie is, "You may be done with the past, but the past is not done with you."
Rating: 
Summary: do not rent, do not buy, do not borrow
Review: i would give anything to get those hours of my life back. again i listened to some reviewer's comments and paid the price. i watched this movie to the end for some sort of redemption and/or resolution. needless to say i wasted my time.
Rating:
Summary: Intense, Captivating Drama
Review: Strange things happen in life; random occurrences sometimes so bizarre that the reality of it is often stranger than fiction, things one would say could only happen in a movie, and if they did, you wouldn't believe it. But then again, maybe those things happen in movies because they actually do happen in real life. And when they do, is it fate, or coincidence? Are these "random" acts isolated, or merely pieces of some larger, synchronistic puzzle that somehow fit together in the end? Thought provoking questions for the ages, some would say, proficiently addressed here by writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson in his discursively brilliant film, "Magnolia." Anderson puts the lives of a diverse cross-section of individuals and seemingly unrelated incidents under the microscope for an examination of these random acts and coincidences, from which he ultimately draws some conclusions about providence and happenstance. What he finds is fraught with irony and underscored by the notion that what happens to one must and does, in fact, effect another sooner or later, for better or worse. All of which serves to point out that no man stands alone; in the end, bills come due and must be paid. We must all face the consequences of past decisions and actions, at which time the relevance of the irrefutable symbiotic nature of Man comes so vividly into play, wherein dissimilar individuals may reap the benefits of simply being a part of the community of Humankind. Or then again, perhaps not. The story Anderson weaves is fast-paced, sometimes frantic, and thoroughly engrossing, achieving levels of emotional intensity that are at times remarkable. The quick pacing of the film belies the gradual way the story comes together to form the tangible connections derived from the intricacies of the plot. It's a dynamic piece of filmmaking, extremely well written and delivered by Anderson and his superb cast. There are a number of memorable performances here, among them Tom Cruise, who plays Frank T.J. Mackey, a self-styled guru of the "men's movement," whose teachings are anathema to feminists everywhere. It's an intense performance (for which he deservedly received an Oscar nomination), quite unlike anything he's done before, and possibly his best work since "Rain Man." Other notable performances are turned in by William H. Macy, as "Quiz Kid Donnie Smith," the once gifted youth who emerges dysfunctional in adulthood, and by John C. Reilly, as Officer Jim Kurring, a caring individual with a truly benevolent nature. But the most superlative performance of the movie is given by Philip Seymour Hoffman, as a male nurse named Phil Parma. His sensitive, subtle portrayal of this caretaker to dying man Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), is delivered with nuance and incredible depth, and provides some of the most poignant moments in the film. While taking nothing away from Cruise, who was outstanding as well, Hoffman is the one who should have been nominated, moreover, should have won, the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his work here. A performance just doesn't get any better-- or more real-- than this, and it is unacceptable that it should not be recognized as such. Rounding out what is, in essence, an ensemble cast, are Philip Baker Hall (Jimmy Gator), Julianne Moore (Linda Partridge), Melinda Dillon (Rose Gator) and Melora Walters (Claudia Wilson Gator). One of the best films of 1999, "Magnolia" conveys a moral without moralizing, is rich in metaphor and altogether captivating, with an ending that may take you aback, if indeed, you haven't been paying close attention (there are at least two clues during the film, admittedly obscure, but there nevertheless). It is intense, unremittedly so, and may leave you breathless and pondering the mysteries of life; but this is filmmaking at it's best, and especially for avid movie-watchers, one that absolutely must not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Complicated, but worth it.
Review: Yes, this movie is long, and yes, it can be boring. Of course, that depends on what you find boring. I loved the entire movie, and wouldn't change anything. Many people hate this movie, and that is because it is complicated with no direct plot, though there are plenty of surprises. The movie never tells you exactly what it is about, you decide that for yourself. This is the type of thing you watch with friends, then discuss it afterwords. If you watch this movie, you will either hate it or love it. Do yourself a favor, watch it. Maybe you'll feel like you wasted three hours of your life. Maybe you'll love it and watch it again and again (each time I see it, it's like seeing it for the first time). You'll probably find yourself asking people if they've seen it, and you'll ask them what they thought about certain scenes. I did. Just take a chance and watch the film.
Rating:
Summary: Oh my god, what a movie
Review: Yeah it's long. The first time I saw it I didn't think it was anything special, either. But I watched it again and you see all the suffering caused by selfishness and resentment and life is too short to hold on to the hurt and the only way out is forgiveness. The movie's scope falls like a net over these people who are all tied back to the two dying dads. I found myself identifying with every single character in one way or another. Combine that with the excellent performances and the masterful direction, and what you have is a beautiful interlocking mosaic of a movie that may take two or more viewings to fully appreciate. And the the very ending, after the frog rain, is almost too much to take in its emotion. Wow.
Rating: 
Summary: PT Anderson is good but...
Review: Well, this is a very well directed movie, but that does not cover up for the weak story. The plot is a jumbled mess that flies all over the place, and never comes together the way you were expecting. The ending as well, is very dissapointing. Whats good, about it? The acting, is top notch, by far. Everybody (a very impressive cast) shines as an actor, and inspite of disliking this movie, I will see anything that PT Anderson does in the future. He's young and filled with promise, and I am sure in the future he will outdo this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome, but not for everyone
Review: I had heard so many bad things about this movie that I when I borrowed the DVD from a friend, I had very low expectations. I wanted to see it out of curiousity more than anything. But this movie really surprised me. Yes, it is a tad too long, but the strength of the story, the characters, the acting, and even the soundtrack more than make up for the length of the film. Bottom line, it is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. If you ever have a little time on a rainy day and want to see a truly unique film, go see Magnolia.
Rating:
Summary: Worst film award '99 goes to.... MAGNOLIA
Review: How can you make a 'film' as poor as this? Critics use words like "Gripping... Astonishing... Brilliant... A must see... blah..." to describe it. My opinion is that they just don't have a mind of their own and were caught in all the hype of it, and probably think they're part of some elite who have understood some of the more deep/subtle issues the film deals with. Many people say only crap films have a soundtrack going all the way through, and this film just confirms this to be a valid theory. Also if it's such a good film, why is the F word in every sentence? What's the hidden meaning there then mr. critic? DO NOT BUY THIS FILM if you don't like a film that can only express itself through obscene language. If you choose to buy it, just watch every one of the 86 painfully boring minutes of it, and then cry with laughter at the pathetic attempt at symbolism of the frog-rain at the end (apparently having 'biblical overtones', how very intellectual), and then you will understand why I hate this film so intensely.
Rating:
Summary: i'd rate it lower if i could
Review: This movie was trying to make a point that could have been done in half an hour, or in that actual first 10 minutes of the movie. I'd watch the dvd again to see if i missed any other points but i'd rather be at the dentist for 3 hours. Anderesen is a failed wanna be Quentin Tarantino, atleast Tarantino keeps you interested.
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