The Master (2012)

[Akijama]

The Master Blu-ray



The Master Blu-ray review

IMDB 7.7 Rotten Tomatoes 85%

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood), the 1950s-set drama centers on the relationship between a charismatic intellectual known as "The Master" (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Moneyball) who creates a belief system which catches on with other lost souls - and a young WW-II veteran (Joaquin Phoenix, Gladiator) who becomes his right-hand man. In addition to Hoffman and Phoenix, the film also stars Amy Adams (Doubt) and Laura Dern (Little Fockers).

Haunted by his past, WW-II veteran and drifter Freddie Quell crosses paths with a mysterious movement called The Cause, led by Lancaster Dodd aka "The Master" and his wife Peggy. Their twisted relationship is the core of this film that is "a glorious and haunting symphony of color, emotion and sound with camera movements that elicit an involuntary gasp and feats of acting that defy comprehension (A.O Scott, The New York Times)."

Joe Neumaier of The New York Daily News declared THE MASTER, "the season's first Oscar contender." THE MASTER received the following 2012 Academy Award® nominations - Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Philip Seymour Hoffman for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Amy Adams for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film received three Golden Globes® Nominations including Best Actor in a Drama Joaquin Phoenix, Best Supporting Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams.

Awarded Best Actor for both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson at the 2012 Venice Film Festival, THE MASTER is a film "that casts a spell like a fever dream (David Ansen, Newsweek)."

The Master Official Trailer (2012) [HD]

[bam777]

Finally seeing this in theaters this weekend. Can't wait! It feels likes it's been so long since There Will Be Blood, so it's gonna be great to finally see a new P.T. Anderson film on the big screen. If it's as good as I think it's gonna be then I'll definitely pre-order.

[Oscar Rothman]

I will be seeing "The Master" in 70MM.Hope it lives up to expectations

[Livelong420]

Reigning in your expectations makes for a better cinematic experience.

[PBateman87]

I WANT to see it this weekend but probably won't...I will see this in theaters though. PTA never disappoints.

[sarpedon2]

According to the blu ray specifications, it said the aspect ratio will be 1.85:1. I hope that isn't the case, considering the original aspect ratio of the master is 2.20:1, like all 70mm productions.

Edit: Just saw that its aspect ratio is indeed 1.85:1. I wonder why P.T.A would cut out all that information you get with 70mm?

[42041]

The 70mm print I saw was matted to 1.85:1 or thereabouts.

[Dubstar]

while most 70mm is traditionally 2.20 - can't a filmmaker matte a film from 1.85 to 2.76?

[whitesheik]

Originally Posted by sarpedon2

According to the blu ray specifications, it said the aspect ratio will be 1.85:1. I hope that isn't the case, considering the original aspect ratio of the master is 2.20:1, like all 70mm productions.

Edit: Just saw that its aspect ratio is indeed 1.85:1. I wonder why P.T.A would cut out all that information you get with 70mm?

Because he wanted it in 1.85 just as Jacques Tati shot Playtime in 70 and 1.85.

[Dragun]

Originally Posted by sarpedon2

Edit: Just saw that its aspect ratio is indeed 1.85:1. I wonder why P.T.A would cut out all that information you get with 70mm?

It's simple. He wanted the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with the quality of 70mm.

I saw it in 70mm a few days ago, and I'm going to see it again this weekend. I'm still processing the film, trying to figure out what I think of it. It did look great in 70mm. I wish TWBB was also shot on 70mm.

[lolwut]

Saw it in 70mm tonight. I'd give it an 8/10 for the amazing acting and beautiful cinematography. The first half was perfect but it really ran out of steam in the second half. I think like There Will Be Blood it will grow on me - that's a film that I was extremely disappointed in the first viewing, and now it's one of my favorites.

I'll definitely get the Blu-ray though - no doubt it will be a 5/5 presentation.

[mirheum]

Originally Posted by lolwut

Saw it in 70mm tonight. I'd give it an 8/10 for the amazing acting and beautiful cinematography. The first half was perfect but it really ran out of steam in the second half. I think like There Will Be Blood it will grow on me - that's a film that I was extremely disappointed in the first viewing, and now it's one of my favorites.

I'll definitely get the Blu-ray though - no doubt it will be a 5/5 presentation.

"The Master" includes "masterful" performances by P.S. Hoffman and
Joaquin Phoenix , but it is very difficult to sit through over 2 hours
of this spectacle of degraded humanity. At the end I felt totally
devoid , empty and degraded myself. He did achieve his goal of
debunking scientology and all cults , but I am not sure this effort
represents great cinema.

[Booker Dewitt]

Even watching it in the standard digital presentation it looked really nice.

As for the movie, I felt out of the loop for most of it, getting the basic linings of it but anything above not so much. Hopefully subsequent viewings help out.

[dkelly26666]

Yes, after much anticipation, this film seems to be getting a very mixed reaction from critics and audiences alike. I haven't seen it, yet, but still consider it essential in spite of the mixed reviews.

As someone else said, sometimes films like this grow on you over time, with multiple viewings and the passing of time.

Many famous films were received poorly at first, than later became all time classics.

Sometimes you just need time to get your head around it.

[Snicket]

This isint a Scientology film. Don't let the Internet hype fool you.

It's a film about fanaticism. It could easily be applied to any religion or group. I think people claiming it as such are just eager to find another reason to make fun of scientology.

[vertigo12314]

One of my favorite movies this year.

I agree with the above post. This movie is about any hierarchy based on beliefs. PTA in one interview includes obsessional beliefs in diets, etc.

[mmyersisgod]

Can't wait for this. Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses in Hollywood right now and it will be good to see her and PSH together again.

[aequalszero]

This will be a must-buy since PTA's films so often reward (or even require) repeat viewings.

Having now seen it, this isn't the most accessible of his works. But if you're the kind of person who thinks they might like it, you probably will - and visa-versa.

[Monty70]

The Master was the best film I saw this year. I attended a 4K digital projection, if the BD is similar to what I witnessed it will look outstanding.

[Doomnaut]

What is taking so long with the release news? Criterion treatment? I hope so.

This film will definitely be the best looking blu-ray ever.