Rating: 
Summary: The worst 3 hours you could spend on a voluntary activity
Review: I still cannot fatham how bad this movie was, even 2 months after the fact. The story lines were not only gross and silly, but completely boring. It is a miracle I stayed in the theatre as long as I did. There was one remotely funny part, I think I chuckled. Please do yourself the biggest favor of your life and go clean your bathroom instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of the Year
Review: I know "Magnolia" technically came out in 1999, but it's wide release was in 2000, and with this year not even half-over, I can honestly say that this movie is one of the best I've ever seen. With few and relatively minor flaws (such as trying to tackle 10 different storylines; some of them not resolved well enough by the 3-hour period)P.T.Anderson beautifully uses the camera to convey moods parallel to the characters that he writes. There are some surreal moments that are just flat-out cool, ie. the whole singing thing (that's being labeled as stupid, but aren't you supposed to leave reality at the door?) A great soundtrack that makes this movie as amazing as it is and a brilliant ensemble performance with stand-outs by Julianne Moore and John Reily (who plays the most damn convincing cop I ever seen). But I agree with the last review: Anderson should have focused on 3 or 4 storylines and explored them more. Even so, one has to admire it's gutsiness to take on themes like desperation and lonliness and do so with such conviction- (There are also symbols in this film, which at times can be confusing-but after you see this, read Exodus:8 from the bible and some of your questions will be answered.)
Rating:
Summary: The thinking person's movie
Review: If you are tired of all the Hollywood movies that seem to have come right from the script programme of a computer, if you are tired of all the films that don't have anything to tell you and if you are hungry for a film that shows people's lives and emotions in a pretty authentic way: go and see "magnolia", and make sure you will have some spare time afterwords to talk about it. you will definitively be touched and inspired by the film and the actors. a terrific cast supplies you with all the deep thoughts about life and it's sense. and still, it has a lot of humour. a very intelligent film.
Rating: 
Summary: Falls Short of Its Potential
Review: "Magnolia" is cinematic greatness in desperate need of an editor. Boasting a 188 minute runtime, PT Anderson tries desperately to cover far too broad a spectrum of topics. I felt that about seventy percent of "Magnolia" was incredibly worthwhile; the other thirty percent should have been left on the cutting room floor. It is obvious from the beginning that PT Anderson is in love with this movie that he has written and directed. At times I got the distinct feeling that he loved it more than I ever could. This isn't to say that the movie isn't enjoyable; it is very enjoyable. PT Anderson rains down the bizarre on the audience in at least one sheerly delightful moment of the film. For this, it is worth the price of admission alone. Just about every actor in the film seemed to be giving their all. Julianne Moore, Jason Robards, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Melora Walters all turned in performances worthy of Oscar nominations. Tom Cruise was a disappointment in a storyline that seemed to be nothing more than a top-billing fluff piece. "Magnolia" would have worked best with several minor storylines cut or pared down greatly with a greater focus on the storylines of the young and old Quiz Kids and the various stories of couples; the police officer and Claudia Wilson, the game show host and his wife and assistant, etc. A word of warning: This movie comes with a compelling, moving soundtrack by Aimee Mann that was simply addictive. The soundtrack overshadows the movie in that it is enjoyable to listen to over and over again, whereas I'd find viewing the movie again a chore. A very worthwhile chore, but a chore nonetheless. "Magnolia" hints at greatness and comes very close to reaching it at times, but is ultimately too watered down to recommend very highly. Whatever you do, take a bathroom break BEFORE you settle down to watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Ingenious!
Review:
Magnolia is the most brilliant movie I've seen in a long time. Not only do all the characters have wonderfully original personalities, but P.T. Anderson also amazingly displays the chaotic, disconnected and sometimes overwhelming feeling of life. The background music (mostly by Aimee Mann, an very clever songwriter) that sometimes plays louder than the dialogue, the initially random characters in the film, and the "rain" at the end (which I won't give away for those of you who haven't seen it) were ingenious on Anderson's part, and create the wonderfully chaotic and disconcerting feeling of the film. What you have to understand about Magnolia is that it is not a "feel-good" movie. However brilliant it is, it leaves you with a somber lasting impression, which it is meant to do. Don't see it if you want a lighthearted comedy, a romance, or an action movie. And especially don't see it just because you're a Tom Cruise fan-wait for Mission Impossible 2.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film I've seen
Review: I can honestly say this movie is the greatest film i have ever seen in my life. I tell everyone that hasnt seen it to see it. The style is blunt and too the point. Anderson obviously has much of a story to tell. The best scene in the Film is Jason Robards' long speech on regret near the end of the movie. It is so moving. A lot of people hate this movie, but i really love it. Please give it a chance. By the way, I've watched this movie 4 times. Believe me, it gets better every time.
Rating:
Summary: POWERFULL
Review: Magnolia is a very powerfull movie, but very very slow. Tom Cruise is great in this film, and very funny. However the rest fo the cast do tend to get boring. This movie is life at its most messed up, included a lonely, laughed at ploice officer, two dying men (both of which looking back at the terrible things they did), a messed up women hating Cruise, and a druged up women. Oh and I almost forgot the boring kid genius(and over bearing father) and the former kid genius. The movie just shows these peoples lives and how they interact. This film is no where near as good as boogie Nights (Directed by the same guy,and including a lot of the same cast) but a good movie. Just make sure your in the mood for a movie like this.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest movies ever created ...
Review: 'Magnolia' is a deep and flawless poetic story of human emotion. The sadness which echoes through the three hour length has a way of keeping your attention and not letting it go. I was lost within a swarm of emotions that were being fed by the characters and the actors' staggeringly incredible job at acting those characters. P.T. Anderson's script and direction prove his ability to understand the way we work every day trying to piece together the puzzles of life. The nine characters seem to have nothing in common, but eventually their stories come together in strange and wonderous ways. Tom Cruise most definately deserved his Oscar nomination, but everyone else got snubbed because they were all great. Seeing the rawness of fear and lost hope stripped to the bone has a lasting effect. Remorse, sorrow, grief, fear, resentment, pride, joy, happiness, and anger are all glued together within the stories told in this film. Ultimately, it all comes down to redemption in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Moves at a snail's pace.
Review: Roger Ebert called it "operatic." You'll need to patience of an opera fan to sit through this one. For the record I loved "Boogie Nights," (also directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and with many of the same actors) but there are no characters like Dirk Diggler here. Just unappealing, uninteresting losers and creeps. A lot of Indiglo moments, as this thing drags on forever.
Rating:
Summary: Remember Exodus 8:2
Review: A lot of people that see this film don't understand it at the end. There is a shot of the audience of the quiz show where 2 people are holding up signs. One of the signs says "Exodus 8:2" - that explains that film at the end. I won't give away any more than that. Overall, this film is wonderful. I love all of p.t. anderson's films. His film language is beautiful and he tells a story with the upmost intelligence. I love how the camera stays in one spot and we see almost all the characters pass by this one area and we learn how their lives are all connected. Tom Cruise is good in this film, but I don't think he should be nominated for an Oscar for it. Phillip Seymor Hoffman is wonderful. He was better in "Boogie Nights," but he delivers with as much intensity and brilliance as he did in Boogie Nights. This film is wonderful. For me, it really made me think about how I am able to cope with my own past. And, above all else, remember Exodus 8:2.
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