Rating: 
Summary: the best film of 1999
Review: I saw this film out of curiosity with p.t. anderson. After his remarkable Hard Eight and the very good Boogie Nights, I have become very much a fan of this young director. I heard this was a love/hate type film, but I, for one loved it. the story of chance, coincidence, despair, hope, and even divine intervention proved to be most impressive.Tom Cruise, who redefined himself after Eyes Wide shut is amazing a a hatable sex guru, but his is only one of several great performances, including John C. Reilly, one of the most underrated actors out there, the legendary Jason Robards (His monologue about regret is beautiful) and the amazing Melora Walters, who should have been this year's best supporting actress. Her flawless portrayal of a desperate soul longing for and pushing away any attempts to feel good about herself is what acting is all about. Her final close up at the end is a reassurance at the joyous possibility that can arise after even the worst experiences. Magnolia is a sad, beautiful, and hopeful journey into the human experience. You will learn something about people and maybe even yourself after this movie. Perfect.
Rating:
Summary: Not Just a Another Movie
Review: Magnolia was one of the most amazing films I have ever seen. But I was shocked to hear that some people thought some of the seens where stupid, and funny. That is when I relized just how deep this film was. So some scenes may look weird, and crazy at first glance, you have to look deeper at what the movie is really trying to tell you. It isn't just some people singing along to a Aimee Mann song, it is much more. So for people who can not grasp the true meaning of these scenes, this movie is weird, and bad at some parts. But for those who can, this movie is an amazing look into people's lives, and how they all need to be excepted, and forgiven. So yes I am a 12 year old boy, and you probably think that my opinion is nothing, but I do know that this film was remarkable, and that it should not be put down at first glance.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie of 1999 and top 10 of the decade
Review: Yes, this was my favorite film of 1999. This film is absolutely a piece of brilliance. Yeah, I've seen people criticize PTA for adopting Altman and Scorcese for his film style. But did any of you ever think he might be doing it better? I'm not taking anything away from those two classic directors but I just want to let everyone know there is a new kid in town and he's not going anywhere but up. This movie left me thinking for weeks. Even those who gave it a bad rating are probably still thinking about it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I am sure expressing mine, but you should give this film a second look. I cannot wait for this DVD and the boogie nights double platinum. This was by far the best acting for a cast of this size in a number of years. Who cares if they're in all of PTA's film? They do their best work for him and they give the audience their best. I can't wait for PTA's next adventure. I like films that make me think. I like films that take me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. If your intelligence is only for popcorn films then please stay away from this one. Thank you Mr. Anderson for giving us something special for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting and complex. A masterpiece!
Review: This movie is not for the casual moviegoer. If you liked "Navy Seals" you WILL NOT like this movie. For the person, however, who wishes to witness a genius filmmaker at his best, P.T. Anderson's "Magnolia" is perfect. The characters have great depth and the film moves effortlessly between stories, picking up the pace and slowing it down at just the right spots. With a cathartic ending of "biblical" proportions, you won't be able to stop thinking about it for days. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: How to Enjoy this film
Review: This is the best movie ever made. Unfortunately, the many characters and quick cuts loose viewers. Here is how to enjoy the film. 1 - broadly stated, the film is about the ways people manage their pain. Each character chooses a remedy or balm. typically these choices are destructive, i.e. heavy cocaine use. 2 - while the movie cuts from one character to the next, the scenes are grouped narratively. the remedy selected by the character leads to consequences. each character manages the consequences in the same way in the same grouping. 3 - the characters become slaves to their dectructive remedy choice. They are freed from the slavery in the same way the jews were freed from slavery in the Bible. this moment, a moment of grace, is the real message of the movie. 4 - don't worry about the relationships of the characters (as in who works for the company owned by another). Rather, marvel at the shadowed parallels in the character's lives; such as the former whiz kid and the present whiz kid. like faulkner, the work will wash over you the first time you experience it. as you walk away your mind plays with the richness of the details and the power of the craftsmanship of the director and actors. Brilliant film. terribly underrated. get it and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia" is a brilliant film. Its brings us through a town where some people are just not having the greatest day. We meet an amazing array of different characters from a lonely cocaine addict to a loveless former television child genius. Anderson beautifully directs this film to perfection, and makes us want more. For me, 3 hours of this film wasn't quite enough. This film will keep you hooked from the beginning to the final conclusion, and I highly recommend it if your a fan of Anderson's other 2 films. Also to be applauded is the music, by Aimee Mann. Pick up the soundtrack while your at it.
Rating:
Summary: great movie...
Review: This movie is amazing in a couple of respects: First of all, the stunning performance by Tom Cruise shows us that he can do something besides have a "million dollar grin" and perform in silly action flicks. The other thing that stands out is the intricate, intertwining plot. If you haven't seen the movie, I would offer this much: about 2/3 of the way through the movie, when you think you have it figured out, there's an event that's so jarring, so bizarre, that you won't be able to avoid thinking "What the hell just happened? " IF you've seen the movie, there are so many subtle clues as to what will happen, that you have to buy or rent the movie to see them. This movie works on many levels, and was one of my favorites last year. Worth the money...check it out
Rating: 
Summary: Life is long
Review: When I first saw magnolia, I would have given it 3 stars. Like many other people I thought it was way too long and didn't deliver what it promised. I have now seen it again and have given 4 stars. I was mostly wrong. Seeing magnolia with wrong expectations is "deathly". Because it was directed by the same director and shared many actors, I went expecting Boogie Nights. Because I knew it was about interweaving storylines, I expected Pulp Fiction or Go. I expected an "event" driven movie. I expected all of this because this is what most movies are made of. Magnolia is NOT most movies. Magnolia is not driven by events, but emotions. I still believe the prologue is a bit deceptive because of this. It leads you to believe that the characters' actions are going to unite them, but they are actually united when acted upon. I still love the prologue because it is wonderfully filmed, but it truly isn't crucial to the movie. The story is told through the feelings of the characters (a bit like catcher in the Rye). We see them slowly fall apart and come to terms with life. Part of what makes magnolia difficult to deal with, is that the pain is so real. When Earl partridge delivers his deathbed speech I thought I was going to scream. It was so long and miserable.....but now I realize that's the point. If P.T. Anderson had made a dying man "enjoyable" it would have been dishonest. People dying of cancer is not fun, therefore the cancer sequences are not fun. For the most part, this movie is about misery, so you may start feeling miserable. You begin to feel like the characters. You wonder how long can the pain last, and right when you least expect it, something amazing happens and you (along with the characters) realize that life (or at least your perspective) can be changed in an instant. Many call this amazing event that happens in the movie unrealistic and absurd, but it REALLY HAPPENS...do your research (there are several webpages discussing the topic). I initially found waiting almost 3 hours for this event to be frustrating, but now I realize it adds to the shock and surprize. I'm sick of typing because I realize I can't explain a movie that is all about experience. See it for yourself, and if you hate it, think about it, and watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: The Whatever Film
Review: Magnolia is a haunting 3 hour tale of.................whatever! At times it seems this film is meandering recklessly around in circles, never touching upon a significant point. Subtle plot lines appear and then disappear into another newly introduced plot, keeping the viewer constantly transfixed, but always baffled. Magnolia has moments of brilliance, like intense performances by the red haired actress (her name escapes me), and an unconventional style of directing by Paul Thomas Anderson (king of the zoom in close up!). The music of Aimee Mann also works effectively for this film, giving it a stately presence of somber bleakness. The ending of this film was quite bizarre, but original, leaving the viewer in question. Do you have to be a cokehead to understand? Who was talking to her? What the hell were they talking about? Why was she smiling? Was it a coke thing? AGGGGGGGGGG! Whatever!
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing, Thought provoking, Powerful, Phenomenal....NOT!
Review: 2 scenes stick to mind about this horrible movie. 1) The part were everyone is depressed and in deep thought(no, not that one)and they all start singing that god awful Aimee Mann song. They should have substituted it with Kumbaya and all kill themselves and end the movie an hour and a half early. 2) The frogs. What's up with that? I know San Fernando/LA is a strange place, but come on! Was the director smoking some pot and decided this would make people go "hmmmm..."? I would as soon watch and participate in a Billy Blanks Tae Bo video than to ever watch that "thought provoking" film again. All of you who enjoyed this movie need to seek therapy.
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