Rating: 
Summary: A Unique Masterpiece
Review: MAGNOLIA is not a film for everyone. In fact, anyone who disapproves of foul language, long films, or frogs should not even consider this film. However, if you can look past these things, you'll find a deep, and great film. For a walk in a rocky garden of sin, buy MAGNOLIA today.MAGNOLIA is the story of nine people in the Valley. Each is having a bad day, and yet, they are all somehow linked. We have characters ranging from likeable Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly)to the vulgar and hateful Frank Mackie (Tom Cruise). The characters are each memorable. The film also has standout performances by Philip Baker Hall, Jason Robards, and Melora Walters. Through various plots we become familiar with the characters, and if we can make it through three hours, we see how they are linked. The soundtrack by Aimee Mann is wonderful. However, like any film, this one has flaws. The language is excessive as is typical of P.T. Anderson films, parts do not make sense, and certain scenes are underacted. Anyone familiar with Anderson's films will see familiar faces and themes. For anyone not familiar with Anderson, the film will be different to say the least. My suggestion is that you rent the film first. If you like it, then buy it. Also, look for symbolism and hidden themes. And above all, enjoy this flowery film.
Rating: 
Summary: Magnolia: a Deeper Look.
Review: I saw "Magnolia" in the theatre in January, 2000. While I wasn't wetting my pants over the film as many critics were, I liked it enough to buy the DVD later that summer. Now that I've given it a recent viewing, I've concluded that "Magnolia" ranks up there with "Doctor Zhivago," "The Piano," and "Gladiator" as one of the most overrated films to hit the silver screen. There's as much to admire as there is to pick at, and while "Magnolia" has great performances and a promising premise, it's a strange step backward for the director who gave us the vastly superior "Boogie Nights." To summarize, 11 people in southern California are somehow united through circumstance, tragedy, or bloodlines. None of the characters are very likeable, and a handful of them are so stupid or immersed in their own angst, you pray they get hit by a lightening bolt to put them out of their misery. The Black characters, all background roles, offer little more than crass stereotypes: the fat and boisterous ghetto woman, the preteen pickpocketing "rapper," and the timid journalist who gets disrespected by a smug, self-help guru (Tom Cruise). Some scenes require you to suspend disbelief to digest fully. How that cop (Reilly) was able to befriend and romance that train wreck of a drug addict without so much as suspecting her condition is beyond me, and for that reason, that subplot failed. And while Paul Thomas Anderson is a gifted and articulate screenwriter, he must have skipped the class in film school that taught dramatic subtlety. The score, while lush and beautiful, gets overempowering for a huge portion of the movie as it tries to underscore the film's dramatic tension. Completely unnecessary. Hitchcock will tell you that less is often more. And the film's bizarre final scene, which aimed to "tie up everything together," was unacceptable and showed that Anderson failed to come up with a way to coherently end the film. And the length? I've seen three hour movies that dragged at a worse pace, but a film like "Magnolia" could have been trimmed by at least one hour. You'd think that by reading the above, I would despise "Magnolia." Quite the contrary. While there are good performances and intriguing moments, I don't think it deserves to be put on such a high pedestal. For that reason, its considerable warts earn the film a mere B- in my school of cinema.
Rating: 
Summary: natural flora incense sticks
Review: ??
i'm tempted to quote jim morrison from a certain new york doors concert... but that probably wouldn't get posted...
it seems to me that a lot of people, as they do with music, don't pay attention to film. or maybe they do, but would rather not care to remember. it's tough to say. anderson is a beautiful human being. look closer? -- i'm sure "enemy at the gates" is a much better movie. much.
Rating:
Summary: "I used to be smart. Now, I'm just stupid." (4.5 stars)
Review: "Magnolia" is a long, depressing, sad, and tragic movie that is done in a very beautiful and unique way. Very rarely does a film like this come by. The film is complex, but it doesn't try to follow a basic plot structure. Characters talk like real people, instead of just talking about things that center around the plot or point. I do admit that the first time I saw this movie, I didn't really like it that much. I knew that I didn't hate it, but it was something that I didn't really care for at the time. I decided to re-evaluate it after seeing P.T. Anderson's masterpiece, "Punch-Drunk Love." I fell in love with it immediately. You know how all the critics were saying that seeing that movie really makes you want to re-evaluate Adam Sandler? Well, I decided to do the opposite. I was already impressed with Sandler long before that movie, so I decided to re-evaluate P.T. Anderson. So, I decided to give "Magnolia" another chance. And I am really glad, because this time around, I really enjoyed it. The movie focuses around several different characters, who seem to have a connection somehow with one another. It all takes place in the time frame of one day, and with that day comes revelations, strange situations, confessions, and redemption. It's like a bunch of different stories, but they're all happening at the same time. We keep going back from character to character. Each character is either being troubled, hiding a dark secret, looking for some kind of redemption, running away from the past, or dying. This film is about coincidence and chance; secrets and confessions; blame and forgiveness; sorrow and pain; and most importantly, redemption and rebirth. There are so many different stars that were in this non-commercial film. It really reminds you of the power that took place in Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." The cast includes such stars as Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Blackman, and many more. They all do a fantastic job in this very difficult movie. P.T. (Paul Thomas) Anderson is quite the writer/director. He was able to make a very complex film that doesn't have to revolve around plot. There isn't just one idea going around in the movie; there's dozens of them! Each person who watches the movie is bound to take something different from it. The writing and directing was really amazing. The DVD has a few extras to offer. Those extras are the "Frank T.J. Mackey seminar," the Mackey infomercial, a teaser and theatrical trailer, TV spots, the "save me" music video, and a documentary of the making of "Magnolia" that is over 70 minutes long! The picture quality was very crystal clear and the sound was very high quality. Be warned, this is not a film that everyone is going to like. If you do not have the time nor patience, then do not attempt this one. The film is 3 HOURS LONG! That's right: 3 HOURS LONG! It's a very depressing and tragic movie, but it is done in such an impressive and unique way. If you want a movie with a point that is very clear, a very identifiable plot, or a quickly paced story, skip it. Don't even bother putting this in your DVD player, or VCR player. This is a film that you will either love it, or you will hate it. Just be warned. I am glad that I took the time to revisit this film. I really did enjoy it more the second time around. I wasn't prepared for a 3 hour long and depressing tragedy when I watched it the first time awhile back. Now, I was able to let it soak inside my mind and fully appreciate it for what it was. This is not a commercial-friendly film; this is not a film that is going to be loved by the majority; but to those who do end up enjoying it will be rewarded big time. Overall, "Magnolia" is about second chances. I am glad that I did just that, and gave it a second chance. Maybe this is a film that the more you see it, the more you appreciate it. A very, VERY impressive film from Mr. Anderson, indeed.
Rating: 
Summary: Typical, Predictable, Unimaginative
Review: Once again, Hollywood proclaims not the most intriguing movies as the best, but the movies whose directors hobnob and schmooze like nobody's business. ...BR> Part of the director's problem may be his believing his own hype; then again, he may seriously have issues with original material. The rain of frogs at the films end (which, for Magnolia followers, is their Waterloo), which comes from the ten plagues which God inflicted on Egypt in the Moses years, is a questioning moment, a bit o magic in an insane world, tries to tie in the decadence of L.A. and selfishness of its people with the idea that coincedental interactions of people are really manifestations fo a higher plan; the director shows God. But the director fails to bring us to that conclusion in a satisfactory manner, leaving us with pathetic, arrogant fools to lead us (the acting of Hoffman and Moore) as well as "look at me" types (Cruise) who ruins his part as only Tom Cruise can (it had the potential to make the movie a bit interesting, but failed). But the director is nice to rich, powerful people, so, despite this schlock and romance novel show, I'm sure he will annoy us on Oscar night for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Subtle, and Superb
Review: "Magnolia", P.T. Anderson's philisophical and imaginative follow up to "Boogie Nights", is a daunting descent into realms of human emotion. The story of 9 main characters whose lives spin uncontrollably upon a roulette wheel of chance hits home with it's soundtrack, subtext, and intellectual brilliancy. All the actors in this film express the desire of the same kind - that inpenetrable taste of happiness, the feeling of life slipping away, the motions, motives, and madness of life. Anderson directs with somber sadness, each character's expression representing isolated soliquoys depicting defeat. While these actors subject their instincts into their character's drives and feelings, we begin to suspect that Anderson's creations are just metaphors for ourselves; rather, the emotive and ethical extremes of our daily escapades. Let's just ignore the fact that Mr. Tom Cruise is in this picture; ignore the fact that Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jason Robards appear in the film. As blockbuster names and household trivial quirks, these actors and actresses aren't what makes this film, but the story they create together. A Magnolia flower grows with each petal attached to its side, and wherever it grows, so does it's parts. Anderson, inventive, subjective, morally and immorally, creates a world of truths and lies, and does so beautifully.
Rating:
Summary: Let it rain frogs...
Review: Wow! What more can I say? This was probably the best ending to a great movie I've ever seen. The whole movie sets up for what's coming at the end, and I guarantee you'll like it! What a great cast with a good story and music. I'm usually not for mushy dramatic movies, but this one won me over. How could anyone not like this? It has comedy, romance, drama, action, and brains...all the ingredients the perfect movie needs. This movie is simply about a day in the lives of several different people who are all connected in some way with either blood or chance meeting. All of their lives cross each other and mix into one on this fine day. However it takes a few viewings to understand...but not fully. To completely understand it, you'd have to live it. The DVD is exactly what this fine film deserves...the royal treatment. The packaging and cover are nice to look at and the DVD comes with many bonus features that could keep you busy for hours. It makes you laugh and cry all at the same time. When I think of The Perfect Movie, I think of this. Be prepared for the ending...
Rating:
Summary: "Stories of Coincidences, Chance & Intersection"
Review: How do you follow up a brilliant two and a half hour film about the 70's porno movie industry and the interpersonal relationships of the people who are part of it("Boogie Nights")? If your writer/ director, Paul Thomas Anderson you create a brilliant three hour opus titled "Magnolia", involving a television quiz show and nine desperate, lonely, interelated characters.This is sort of the film version of the pop culture game, "The Six degrees of Kevin Bacon".But instead of Kevin Bacon, everyone has some sort of connection to a Jeopardy style game show. Some characters are intricately involved with the show, while others have a fleeting connection.The movie introduces us to a lonely police officer, a sexist motivational speaker, a dying old man, his unstable younger wife, a male nurse,a drug addict,a has-been former child celebrity, a game show host and finally a child prodigy.Besides the TV program, all these characters share that they are in desperate, lonely, pain (emotional,physical or sometimes both).All these characters feel that they have love to give, but they just don't know where or how to place it.They have all made mistakes in the past and they want a second chance.As John C. Reilly's lonely cop says, "sometimes people need a little help, sometimes they need to be forgiven, that's a tricky call". P.T. Anderson has crafted and structured an amazing film. In the first forty minuets, everything seems messy and all over the place. With lightning speed pacing and cross cutting he presents us facts about all nine people.But as time goes on, the pacing slows down and we strip away layer apon layer (or petal after petal) and learn about what motivates these people. You would think that this would be a depressing film, but it actually has quite a cathartic feel to it (especially the very stange, out of nowhere, ending). The wonderful script is brought to life by a great ensemble cast.Standouts include Julianne Moore, Melora Walters, John C. Reilly, William H.Macy and Tom Cruise. But to be honest all the actors give fantastic performances.Special note should also be made for the wonderful soundtrack made up of songs written and sung by music artist, Aimee Mann. Supposedly these songs inspired Anderson in writing this film.The DVD of the movie is superb. It has a wonderful clear picture and sound. There is a whole second disc packed with extras including an hour and a half, detailed, video diary of the making of the film. This is a great DVD and a must for fans of good drama!
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Worst Movies Ever/ Fans of This Should Be Ashamed
Review: Really! This movie has impact and impressive enough acting, but is it really worth praising with SO MANY MISTAKES? The worst movie I ever saw was "Natural Born Killers" because it glorified violence with villains so just cruel, selfish and blatantly undisturbed by their actions that I could not find anything redeeming about the film's "message." It could be argued that "Magnolia" and the other abomination I just described are clever and have "artistic" merit. I say PHOOEY TO YOU! Even though I liked particular actors in the picture and was able to at least sit in the theater for three hours waiting for a conclusion to the various plots, the "reptile storm" was both unnecessary and poorly executed, propelling this movie from a bad film to a truly despicable one. I couldn't help but think how cheated I felt out of the three hours of my life taken from me from this meaningless and ultimately dismal picture. Best Picture of 1999? PHOOEY!
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Magnolia is a Masterpiece
Review: Brilliant. Brilliant. The performances here are blistering and unforgettable - Cruise, Robards, Moore, and Macy absolutely sensational. Everything is connected in the film, the songs, the television, the people. The past never fades, but grows stronger and stronger. Anderson shows the importance of family love, and what havoc, what hell, a bunch of [bad] Dads can inflict on their children. I know there are those who dissent, but I believe this is one of the most important movies of the decade. The "ecological" conclusion is so beyond description and so fitting. Although it's too long, it's truly worth watching over and over again. Aimee Mann's song are also magnificent.
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