Magnolia (Blu-ray)

'Magnolia (1999)' is an epic on the cosmopolitan human being and his/her endeavor quests. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, 'Magnolia' is a notch within a catalogue of movies distinct in a legacy of interpretations on the 'living with yourself' struggle. The famous magnolia has six pedals on its flower, and is the emblem fronting advertisements for 'Magnolia' the film. 'Magnolia' highlights ten persons, but the movie has instead stories, about eight, which may be separated and defined as aquaintanceship passage worlds.In a critical or naive observer's relinquishment to pleasure, the identification of these abstracted meanings from specific interactions of people forces definitions for description. Adoration is nurtured without actual conscious or physical permission on our part. Paul Thomas Anderson's illumination of the randomness of actions and events which induce interior dilemma and Anderson's anecdotes in relief of uncanny tropes and foibles is a defining generation genre.The chaotic and furtive haphazard trials of the various casual and upscale cliques of San Fernando Valleyers is the-such a thing, what do ya call it?-that Anderson has made an obsessive relationship with, harnessing analogous excitement growths. The Californian populace of contemporary social tone colors has been a-work within-globe of malleable music that Anderson has accentuated in elevation mania. The icons of the silly, arbitrarily thrown together situation dictated these brash illuminations. Anderson has modeled social mischievousness, abrupt intemperance, and heart awakening recognitions in his cumulous variable scrutiny.Speaking of drama, in 'Magnolia' big things-the issues-are stated outright. Stanley Spector(Jeremy Blackman), the host for the quiz show 'What Kids Know', says: "I'm dying of cancer." T.J.Mackie(Tom Cruise) calls his father, who is dying, a terrible name. In P.T. Anderson's multi-pane quilt the substrations of ominous trouble are sustainable even though we look at larger than life oil-paint figures. One hangs on to a semi-recognizable caricature because outside these concupiscent lives are anecdotal coincidences waiting to deliver any detachment into unsolicited irrelevant involvement.'Magnolia' demonstrates that lottery chance, and unanticipated meetings happening against numerical unlikeliness are significant because the persons, the targets of serendipity have their own perogatives. Earl Partridge(Jason Robards) has a deathbed speech about his guilt over having cheated on his wife. Listening to Earl Partridge we hear his evidences for feeling what he calls 'the regret', and they are quite rational. Anyone can play at being lonely or hurt, or feign having dynamic enthusiasm, but even if these traits are intemperately assigned-like a child improvising theater scenes in front of his tape recorder-there are back story details to make all the ostentatious gestures legitimate again.Donnie Smith(William H. Macy) is a former contestant on 'What Kids Know' and is grown into adulthood. Donnie is in a bar, confessing peremptorily that "I have love to give". The ensuing dialogue references points of former conversations. It is drama! The words stay in our minds, not because they are ornate syllables that are worked out in meter. In fact, the conversation between Quiz Kid Donnie Smith and Thurston Howell(Henry Gibson) is filled with vulgar language, but, because the characters articulate their pains, sympathy is cognated.Strange coincidences involve mixing with other people. When the moods are cast, staring at a tense face, watching a conversation from a low camera, these actors are themselves vectors of surprise; loaded up with anxiety, ready to implode. It's revelatory, a quixotic sweetness when there is an impromptu offer to help, and at times, a query could be from a stranger who is disinterested. The best example of this is seen in the tale of Jim Kurring(John C. Reilly) who is a cop with the Los Angeles Police Department. Jim narrates some of his scenes as he describes his work and uncovers indiscreet individuals. The sequences are true to life in the well documented drama vein. Again, broad values are said in directness and are also indicative of a caring person. Jim's solicitations to Claudia(Melora Walters) , in his loyalty to those in need, form endearing sentiments and bring joy that goes beyond 'being touched'. The resources during negotiable struggles in novel emotion are consistent to fumbling real likenesses, but there is much force in the words.Traditional epics make use of the conventions of the physical environment to forge an outcome based on a hero's choices, and this protagonist has already, a prescribed personality. The denizens in Anderson's sketches must make decisions about their values or approaches to their perceived problems having been made partners with sidetracked happenings or detouring calamities. These are stories where physical objects mark dramatic arcs as they relate to events to entwined aquaintances or strangers. From a higher perspective a commonplace singular theme exists in the fact that the people in 'Magnolia' are from the city of Los Angeles and do in ways, share an absolute causality with other people, to fulfill unconnected objectives.

The best movie of its era and another underrated masterpiece!!! The cast is ALL STAR

This was the first movie that I saw, on DVD, after my release from a 3-year stay at a mental hospital. I don't know that has anything to do with my love for the film or not. I go back and watch it occasionally, 14 years later, and still find that it's a gut-clincher for the mind, heart and soul.Before... well, before misfortune overtook me... I was a twice a week film buff. When I was released, I tried to resume life as usual but just couldn't do it. I'm still sick, in some ways. I'm still sick. I have cartons of Blu-ray transfers on hand and have become almost addicted to trying to find all of my favorites up-to-date on Blu-ray.One last thing before I go. This is THE deserted island film for me. I'm not sure why I waited so long to review it. I have never been a fan of Tom Cruise – never – but he'll make you realize that there's more to his acting than you thought possible as you pick yourself up from the floor for the third time.It's unusual not to have a heart. Maybe even more difficult to not have a brain. If you lack both, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you'll feel; like I did, and all of your emotions will come roaring down upon you when you see this film. If I felt that I could adequately describe the work that these people do, I would probably ruin the film for anyone who may want to see it alone. That's what makes the movie such a one-of-a-kind – a lack of continuity that never fails.First PTA film that I every saw. Started watching all Anderson films after that. This is a one-off. As so may people have described it as the finest film that they've ever seen, I can "understand" that sentiment... seems as if it's true. Just open yourself up and belt yourself in (nice and tight) and it's off to the races. Hoffman is incredible (I can't think of a time that he wasn't ). Anderson? Anderson? Anderson?I'm not one for top 10 lists, best lists, etc., I know what I'm willing to take chances upon, though.EDIT: I wanted the Blu-ray version of this, and so I paid $28+ for the edition labeled Blu-ray. This "Multi-Format" stuff is new to me and I was too late in realising that I could have paid $9+ for the Blu-ray & Digital editions. Nothing extra or special about the $28+ version. Hey, I'm learning.