Reviews
Magnolia (1999)
Although I don't get it,
Well, the movie is good, but still a little weird. This movie comes along near the end of the Oscar year, and of course, will have buzz surrounding it until and after the nominees are announced. The reason, if not because of a genuinely enjoyable film, is because of its strikingly original screenplay. 1999 Has undoubtably been a great year in moviemaking, and along with titles like Being John Malkovich, and American Beauty, this movie is definitely going to top critics' lists.
Watching this movie reminded me of P.T. Anderson's most notable work to date, Boogie Nights, in lots of ways. The most obvious to me, while maybe not so to many others, is the incredibly long steadycam shot during the first quiz show scene. The camera follows (typically from behind) lots of different characters, as though the audience is strolling through the halls of the studio. Like the opening of Boogie Nights, this is just simple exposition, but is really slick and comfortable. And on aside from the actors (the cast is basically the same as Boogie Nights), the long, slightly relentless shots of high emotion are everywhere (Jack & Earl for example), and while being almost too long (my attention almost drifts), the shots do make the viewer uncomfortable.
The story (or stories) throughout this movie left me impressed, as although they all aren't connected, I found myself interested in all of them. Each time the focus shifted from one subplot to another, I found myself thinking 'o ya. I wanted to find out what was happening here'. Some might complain that so many stories lead to the 'tedious' three hour length, but I didn't even notice the length, because I found myself always interested in coming back to a story that was left hanging a few minutes prior.
The ending of Magnolia will be forever talked about as being completely unique, and without giving too much away, it is reminiscent to 2001 in its cryptic style and context. This movie just impressed me from start to finish. Every time I leave a movie thinking "I don't get it," but still feel like I've been entertained, I feel like it was $8.50 well-spent.
Go see this movie. You'll either like it, or completely hate it, there doesn't seem to be a happy medium with this one.
Starstruck (1998)
An amazing movie...
I found this film to be outstanding. There's nothing more refreshing than a blatantly sexual film depicting overweight bakers in a race against time, trying to prevent death by popcorn drowning. What's more, the ending, a satirical look at today's current events, is more satisfying than that of the likes of the Shawshank Redemption, or the Deer Hunter. I give this movie a ten out of ten, for not only good acting, but a horribly unbelievable plot which actually seems plausible.