Is "Magnolia" worth a blind-buy? - Blu-ray Forum

insomniac013 · 12-23-2010, 10:20 PM

It's really cheap on Amazon right now and after watching "There Will Be Blood", i want to see more of this guy PT Anderson's work!

So, is it worth seeing and even owning on Blu Ray?

Bruce Morrison · 12-23-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insomniac013

It's really cheap on Amazon right now and after watching "There Will Be Blood", i want to see more of this guy PT Anderson's work!

So, is it worth seeing and even owning on Blu Ray?

It's definitely worth seeing, but I wouldn't recommend it as a blind buy. Some love this film and some really dislike it. Probably better to rent it first.

buggerlugs · 12-23-2010, 10:41 PM

I say buy it. Worst case scenario you can watch it and sell it on ebay for a few pounds less than you paid for it.

I love the film but other people i know found it slow and dull.

nametag · 12-23-2010, 10:43 PM

I'd have to agree. Not sure how we're supposed to tell you whether it's worth it or not since we'll all have different tastes.

If you've seen Altmanesque films like Crash (which I actually hate but it is a useful comparison) with a good ensemble cast telling lots of interweaving stories, then this (for me) is the best example of such a film. Impeccably edited with loads of really affecting emotional crescendos, with one of the best soundtracks ever. Really well-realised, interesting characters played wonderfully and Tom Cruise in his best performance.

But the last half hour has some, shall we say, surreal moments which aren't really 'explained' as such and that puts a lot of people off. But if you appreciate good character drama, you'd probably enjoy at least 2 hours of it.

I saw it when I was about 14 and at the time found it pretty amazing... it was one of the first more 'alternative' films that I saw and I think of it as a pretty important one to me in becoming the movie geek I am today, and for that reason it's actually one of my top 5 favourite films of all time.

Your collection indicates you do have pretty good taste, IMO

so hey, may be worth a go. I'd probably recommend Paul Thomas Anderson's equally brilliant Boogie Nights as the first film of his to check out after TWWB if you want to know more about his work, personally. It is structurally similar but a bit more straightforward (and some would argue, less pretentious) than Magnolia.

TimBob · 12-23-2010, 10:59 PM

As others have said we can't comment due to not knowing your taste. But I will say that I absolutely hate this film beyond all levels of comprehension. I saw it at the cinema over ten years ago and despite it being the only time I've seen the film it still remains the worst thing I've ever had to sit through.

Although I'll say one thing for it, it certainly left an impression!

ps: I really didn't like "There will be blood" either and it wasn't until after I saw that I realised it was a Paul Thomas Anderson film and perhaps I wasn't a fan of his work.

insomniac013 · 12-23-2010, 11:20 PM

Wow, i'm overwhelmed with all this feedback! I think i'm just gonna buy it, i mean, 5,99£ is not alot of money. I love a lot of the actors in it and i like when Tom Cruise plays a different character other than himself, so... Thank you all!

... And I will definitely check out Boogie Nights as well, since i hear its really good!

Although, I remember blind-buying Requiem For a Dream a while ago and, well.. I don't want to see that movie ever again, despite the amazing soundtrack. I love his (Darren Aronofsky) other movies though

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBob

ps: I really didn't like "There will be blood" either and it wasn't until after I saw that I realised it was a Paul Thomas Anderson film and perhaps I wasn't a fan of his work.

Really? I thought There Will Be Blood was amazing! Okay, most of that is because of Daniel Day Lewis, but i thought the direction and writing was great too.

Clark Kent · 12-23-2010, 11:28 PM

This is a much different movie and script than There Will Be Blood. Some people have accused Magnolia of being pretentious and a little too cute with certain elements in it. The movie is probably worth watching at least once to see the Tom Cruise cameo.

Humanity Dick · 12-24-2010, 12:39 AM

I think it's worth a blind buy. It's different if nothing else. In fact, I think it would've been an exceptional movie had it been 40mins or so shorter. A certain character's story offers the film very little, and there are one or two scenes which I really disliked

[Show spoiler]

and only work to the detriment of the whole experience, in my opinion.

Basically, there is a brilliant movie muddled in Magnolia's bloated story. That's the best way I can describe it. Although it has been a while since I've seen it.

KubrickFan · 12-24-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

This is a much different movie and script than There Will Be Blood. Some people have accused Magnolia of being pretentious and a little too cute with certain elements in it. The movie is probably worth watching at least once to see the Tom Cruise cameo.

I wouldn't call Cruise's role in the movie a cameo, but one of the main actors.

NHassell18 · 12-24-2010, 06:25 PM

I blind bought it months ago, and have never watched it. Its just too long.

adamhopelies · 12-24-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

I wouldn't call Cruise's role in the movie a cameo, but one of the main actors.

Indeed. It's an ensemble film and he's a valuable member of said ensemble. In fact, he was nominated for all the major supporting role awards that year.

I love Magnolia. Sure its long, but so what? Its a rich film, filled with wonderful performances, and is a very rewarding experience. PTA is one of my favourite filmmakers, and while you shouldn't go in expecting TWBB, there are over-riding themes that cross over, as with all of his work.

Mr. Brightside · 12-25-2010, 08:32 AM

Wonderful film, and one that repays multiple viewings. Julianne Moore is terrific here, though the entire cast are excellent it has to be said.

Buffalo66 · 12-26-2010, 02:13 AM

It is one of my favorite films actually. It is so damn good!

HotRats · 12-26-2010, 12:02 PM

A lot depends on how much you like Aimee Mann's music which drives a lot of the film along with a Biblical quote which can be found from the numbers given in the film. A tememndous cast and some wonderful imagery especially the frogs and Wise Up and a tremendous final shot. Its bloody long though.

12-23-2010, 10:20 PM	#1
insomniac013 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Gravity Falls Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Is "Magnolia" worth a blind-buy? It's really cheap on Amazon right now and after watching "There Will Be Blood", i want to see more of this guy PT Anderson's work! So, is it worth seeing and even owning on Blu Ray?

12-23-2010, 10:43 PM	#4
nametag Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2010 Location:London, UK 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:506 DVD collection:28 Trading Score:4	I'd have to agree. Not sure how we're supposed to tell you whether it's worth it or not since we'll all have different tastes. If you've seen Altmanesque films like Crash (which I actually hate but it is a useful comparison) with a good ensemble cast telling lots of interweaving stories, then this (for me) is the best example of such a film. Impeccably edited with loads of really affecting emotional crescendos, with one of the best soundtracks ever. Really well-realised, interesting characters played wonderfully and Tom Cruise in his best performance. But the last half hour has some, shall we say, surreal moments which aren't really 'explained' as such and that puts a lot of people off. But if you appreciate good character drama, you'd probably enjoy at least 2 hours of it. I saw it when I was about 14 and at the time found it pretty amazing... it was one of the first more 'alternative' films that I saw and I think of it as a pretty important one to me in becoming the movie geek I am today, and for that reason it's actually one of my top 5 favourite films of all time. Your collection indicates you do have pretty good taste, IMO so hey, may be worth a go. I'd probably recommend Paul Thomas Anderson's equally brilliant Boogie Nights as the first film of his to check out after TWWB if you want to know more about his work, personally. It is structurally similar but a bit more straightforward (and some would argue, less pretentious) than Magnolia. Last edited by nametag; 12-23-2010 at 10:46 PM.

12-23-2010, 10:59 PM	#5
TimBob Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Rochdale, UK Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:74 Blu-ray reviews: 4	As others have said we can't comment due to not knowing your taste. But I will say that I absolutely hate this film beyond all levels of comprehension. I saw it at the cinema over ten years ago and despite it being the only time I've seen the film it still remains the worst thing I've ever had to sit through. Although I'll say one thing for it, it certainly left an impression! ps: I really didn't like "There will be blood" either and it wasn't until after I saw that I realised it was a Paul Thomas Anderson film and perhaps I wasn't a fan of his work. Last edited by TimBob; 12-23-2010 at 11:01 PM.

12-24-2010, 12:39 AM	#8
Humanity Dick Member Member since:Sep 2010 Blu-ray collection:6	I think it's worth a blind buy. It's different if nothing else. In fact, I think it would've been an exceptional movie had it been 40mins or so shorter. A certain character's story offers the film very little, and there are one or two scenes which I really disliked [Show spoiler](such as the singing montage) and only work to the detriment of the whole experience, in my opinion. Basically, there is a brilliant movie muddled in Magnolia's bloated story. That's the best way I can describe it. Although it has been a while since I've seen it.

12-23-2010, 10:41 PM	#3
buggerlugs Junior Member Member since:Dec 2010 Location:UK Blu-ray collection:57 Blu-ray reviews:2	I say buy it. Worst case scenario you can watch it and sell it on ebay for a few pounds less than you paid for it. I love the film but other people i know found it slow and dull.

12-23-2010, 11:28 PM	#7
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	This is a much different movie and script than There Will Be Blood. Some people have accused Magnolia of being pretentious and a little too cute with certain elements in it. The movie is probably worth watching at least once to see the Tom Cruise cameo.

12-24-2010, 06:25 PM	#10
NHassell18 Banned Member since:Jan 2010 Blu-ray collection:171 Trading Score:1	I blind bought it months ago, and have never watched it. Its just too long.

12-25-2010, 08:32 AM	#12
Mr. Brightside Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:76	Wonderful film, and one that repays multiple viewings. Julianne Moore is terrific here, though the entire cast are excellent it has to be said.

12-26-2010, 02:13 AM	#13
Buffalo66 Active Member Member since:Aug 2010 Location:Sweden Blu-ray collection:360	It is one of my favorite films actually. It is so damn good!

12-26-2010, 12:02 PM	#14
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	A lot depends on how much you like Aimee Mann's music which drives a lot of the film along with a Biblical quote which can be found from the numbers given in the film. A tememndous cast and some wonderful imagery especially the frogs and Wise Up and a tremendous final shot. Its bloody long though.

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