|
Showing reviews from 1 to 50 (total: 74)
|
|
 |
This is a 9 for me. The cast is incredible and the screenplay was great. Fun movie for those rainy days.
9/10
29.12.2007 -
annick,custeau@ - age: 26-35
| | | | |
It's an amazing movie about the conception of the family and its problem and destruction. It is a paragon between parents and sons... It's full of allusions and enigms. A singular american movie. :)
9/10
14.5.2007 -
ubetok@ - age: 18-25
This was halfway to a 9, but not quite, but worth seeing, even owning! Great movie!
8/10
1.4.2007 -
roachmasta@ - age: 26-35
| | | | |
The quintessential film of P. T. Anderson's career, Magnolia is an epic suburban drama tackling the seldomly discussed issue of forgiveness. Paying homege to Robert Altman's Short Cuts, Anderson moves his cast of brilliant characters seamlessly through a byzantine trail of lives struck with tragedy. Ferocious in its style and statement, Magnolia is a must!
10/10
31.3.2006 -
tommyboy_3d@ - age: 18-25
Good movie, I enjoyed it. I'd give it 7.5 if I could. I'd do so because I sense some courage in presenting this form to a mass audience. The production is well rounded, dialog is fine. There's just something missing, maybe in the bond we develop with the caracters, that makes this movie come just short of a great piece of work. Maybe if I'd been made to care a bit more about who these people are and what they're going through. I did like this movie, ending included.
7/10
3.9.2005 -
lhcampagna@ - age: 26-35
A great film. Has good characters & development, the story line arfe interesting and intriging, even with so much going on the movie has a good flow to it and it is very enjoyable.
10/10
2.5.2005 -
cfh_trendkill@ - age: 18-25
| | | | |
I found this movie very interesting and all the characters were very intriguing. I loved the soundtrack it was wonderful. Everything was blended together without showing seams. The acting was superb, especially by Phillip Seymor Hoffman and Julian Moore. They were very good. I love this movie rent it now.
10/10
2.4.2005 -
lab_lover89@ - age: 13-17
| | | | |
Along with "the opposite of sex" this is one of the films of the nineties. Again, like the Don Roos film it failed to get the box office success it deserved, mainly because half the people going to see it didn't get it, but that's how life goes. If you want a tough but rewarding film, magnolia will examine you, examine your passions, examine your fears, and examine your mortality. If you fancy taking a second look at life, go see this film. If you want to see some titties and big explosions, piss off!
10/10
12.4.2004 -
vodka_and_mash@ - age: 18-25
LIke many of Anderson's movies it is bothing moving and fascinating on so many levels yet speaks to the same human basic themes of need-redemption/ payback "The book says you may be through with the past but the past ain't through with you." Side bar I find Anderson's movies really connecting on a 12 step level as well. Bart Ewing in the Midwest.
10/10
18.8.2003 -
bgewing@ - age: 36-49
I saw this for the second time last night and was absolutely blown away again. Superb cast, brilliant use of music, compelling storylines... absolute genius.
10/10
30.7.2003 -
chathe@ - age: 26-35
This movie was one of my all time favorites, it's a moving story of how all the small things can make the biggest difference. A lost son, a cop just trying to help, drugged up daugter, all unique in all there own ways. It had a whole backround off details. I watched it like 10 times and studied it, a movie of coincedens or is it? Was it fait? It's for you to decide.
10/10
29.7.2003 -
spankey_20@ - age: 13-17
Film directors who take themselves and their "craft" so seriously are a hoot. I love independent, break out films but Magnolia is just an example of Hollywood types contemplating their navel and calling it entertainment. Any one who has a real life and a bit of intelligence is just bored by this type of self-indulgent garbage. This movie was a waste of many talented actors and their abilities.
4/10
3.7.2003 -
mosesrise@ - age: 36-49
Pretty cool movie. Inspringly imaginative scenes. And it's the first time that I found Tom Criuse so charming..
8/10
13.5.2003 -
deerwhisper2003@ - age: 26-35
The "frog debate" is solved by the movie itself in the very first game show scene. Just as Jimmy is emerging to open the show there is a crowd shot which lasts for several seconds and one of the audience members is holding an Exodus 8: 2 sign which the usher takes away and stowes behind a curtain. Of course Exodus 8: 2 states "And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs." There, that's it. The End.
8/10
21.3.2003 -
mr_green132000@ - age: 26-35
I'm always amused when people say that the frog scene is unrealistic, and that it undermined their enjoyment of the movie. I'm not amused at their expense, rather, I am amused that a phenomenon like raining frogs has occured as many times as it has without getting the kind of publicity you would think that such a thing would warantee. I myself had no idea that it has rained frogs and toads until after I had seen Magnolia. Since then I am constantly searching for newspaper articles on this. The most recent one I have found happened in East London in 1998.
10/10
26.2.2003 -
the_otherway@ - age: 18-25
Too many people and scenerios. Was too confusing, nothing made sense. Too, too long. Got totally bored 2 hours in and could not possibly watch the rest. Really sucked.
3/10
22.2.2003 -
mchapman001@ - age: 26-35
| | | | |
And then there's the frogs."And if Thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs..." Things can happen. Magnolia really hit me like a bomb, I cannot think stright anymore... All you do is wonder... Magnificent, unbelievable.
10/10
10.2.2003 -
rmbijlholt@ - age: 18-25
[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Movie not good. No explanation for frogs. Many loopholes. Can we ever really take seriously an actor who once played "The Shoveler" in "Mystery Men? " (If you dont know, I am speaking of WIlliam H (gag) Macey) I would appreciate it if someone would be so kind as to give me the REAL reason the movie is titled "Magnolia" and explain the loopholes of the dead body found in the begining, the arrested woman, THE DAMN FROGS, and the dog eating the pills and later dying.
1/10
3.2.2003 -
strahcj@ - age: 18-25
Total waste of time, far too long, and not enough interesting scenes to keep me interested!
3/10
6.1.2003 -
patnkat@ - age: 26-35
| | | | |
PT Anderson is our best young director going, a director who dares challenges his audience and the society around us which he exposes for the fakes most of us are yet reveals the deep beauty in all of us waiting to explode out. This is a classic as was Boogie Nights et all. I also love Anderson small troop of skilled actors. A theme (there are multiple ones) in many of his movies is about reaching happiness by letting go of control and accepting helplessness. The frogs scene... frankly I don't know if I cared I was just thinking to myself, "This is so [...] cool" Whenever it rains hard now I say "It's raining frogs out there". Some things in life are just too huge to explain like the human condition.
10/10
29.9.2002 -
bgewing@ - age: 26-35
If you're looking for a DVD worthy enough to be kept in your collection. Magnolia is the first to consider.
10/10
24.9.2002 -
aalmal1@ - age: 18-25
Amazing! Unbelievable! Not for the average joe though!
10/10
24.9.2002 -
k_hectic@ - age: 18-25
I just finished watching the movie and I'm speechless. The lessons we learn from this movie are endless. This movie portrays our life very precisely. I just loved the frog-scene although I never heard about it anywhere else before. I understood right away what it meant. You should all do some thinking while watching this movie. It's not for those of you who would like to just chill out. It's for those who want to enjoy a movie.
10/10
24.9.2002 -
a_maleh@ - age: 18-25
| | | | |
I looked over the comments here... Why people say the "frog rain " is so much bounded up with the Bible? Why we're always trying to discern something secret between the lines? I think, the main idea of the movie (fortunately, this movie has it) is just to give people a chance to think about themselves; about the life; about the life's regularity - what are the causes and what are the effects. And, obviously, this is not the movie to go to spend an enjoyable time with a girlfriend or to have a nice family evening. This movie is a serious one and has excellent rhythm (not a "trample" like somebody said here) At the beginnig it seems the alternate intrigues develop independently. But all they are magnolia-petals, the petals of one flower - our life. A life can have different scenarious, but every one has the same principle - the balance of bad and good acts. Bad things we do are not going away forever. Sooner or later we'll come to their overcomprehention. The "frog rain" is the symbol of this overcomprehention, the magnolis stem. Afterwards, every movie character finds his own truth... Everytime I saw this movie I thought about what I did wrong and what I must do right. Thinking is helpful!
9/10
25.7.2002 -
stasik@ - age: 26-35
While understand the assumption people make to the biblical "plague of frogs," I felt that was farthest from Anderson's purpose in using them. He starts the film by pointing out how bizarre happenstance, coincidental things just occur to people, and it's true. There is no "reason" for most of the things that happen in life. In hat sense, if there's a biblical message to the movie, it's taken from Job, not Exodus. The movie goes on to point out how all these totally unconnected people are going about their weird lives, without connectedness at all, until whammy, out of the blue... We're all connected by "Indra's net, " karma, serendipity, what have you, and the frogs were just a metaphor for that bizarre interconnectedness of the universe My two cents' worth.
9/10
8.7.2002 -
midorihafu@ - age: 50+
This one is my all-time favorite. I watched it about 20 times and still love it... You have to see it!!!
10/10
4.7.2002 -
goetz,datko@ - age: 18-25
Majestic and a flaewd masterpiece (much like the decade it represents - the 90's)
10/10
4.6.2002 -
nnaomi38@ - age: 18-25
The movie is about human nature. As nasty, ugly, unattractive it may be, some little things make hope for better. And know that each thing you do affects the world around you (bridge to Amelie Poulain)
9/10
11.3.2002 -
xvenice@ - age: 26-35
I did enjoy this movie to a certain extent. It kept me interested until the frogs. I consider myself a pretty intelligent person. I haven't read the bible. I have no idea what that meant. People are claiming to know what the point of the frogs is (I understand the point of the movie) but never say what that point is, and furthermore call people who do not understand it "not intelligent". Could one of you geniuses please e-mail me and explain it to my little brain. Other than that, the movie was good but not excellent.
7/10
14.2.2002 -
tadfsu@ - age: 18-25
I see a lot of movies and had great expectations but in the end the director takes the audience for granted by trying to spoonfeed us at the beginning so that us morons would know it is about the connecting of random events. I could go on and on at nauseum, but that would make me too magnolia ish.
1/10
9.2.2002 -
dggray,pso@ - age: 36-49
| | | | |
First of all, I would like to comment on the infamous "Frog Scene". Yes, I know that it's meant to represent the Apocolypse and is a reference from the Bible, but MOST people in the world haven't read the Bible. Even if you knew what was going on, having the entire audience (what was left of it) break out in laughter is a good way to destroy the mood. It would have been retardedly easy to have someone in the movie read a passage about raining frogs earlier in the movie so that the average Joe could understand what the hell was going on. Anyway, this is the only movie I have ever come close to leaving... after a while, I basically gave up trying to enjoy the movie and tried to earn the $12.50 I'd paid for the movie by enjoying making fun of the movie with my girlfriend. It was absolutely horrendously put together. The editor should never be hired again... trash like this should not be so goddamn long. Maybe this movie deserves a 2, but I wasnted to make sure I dropped the ratings as much as possible so that any poor fool who sees the current rating (6.8 when I voted) is not dissallusioned into thinking that this movie is ok... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
1/10
30.1.2002 -
gwarrack@ - age: 18-25
Anderson needs a film editor with a stonger hand, but otherwise, a pretty darned interesting film. I have watched it twice and could easily eliminate 1 hour of repetitive information and long "I got it two minutes ago" pauses. Great music and visuals, though and some interesting messages and comments on the human condition.
7/10
27.11.2001 -
cbifilms@ - age: 36-49
I thought this movie was very disjointed. I couldn't get interested in any of the characters because of all the flipping between scenes. And I didn't like Tom Cruise in that role. Just not him. And what was with the frogs? I obviously missed the significance. I was very disappointed after all the hype about this movie. Too long as well.
3/10
19.10.2001 -
brili@ - age: 26-35
I enjoyed this film... NOT! Yes, I cannot debate the fact that the acting was great. But I felt as though I was sitting in the livingroom of a large-dysfunctional family, tideously watching the hours go by. If I wanted to see something like that, I would not have paid money for it. Dramatic? Yes, but then again, so is watching my wife fight with her hair in the morning. The film tramples upon uncertain ethics and leaves far too much up to assumption. I think Mr. Anderson needs to get his mind out of the gutter and look at the other half of life, before he makes his next picture. Making a picture that is complex is not difficult; however, making a picture that is honest is. I think honesty is what Paul Anderson tried to portray here, and somehow, got lost along the way.
5/10
18.8.2001 -
pyrhuss@ - age: 36-49
| | | | |
A typical controversial "artsy" film which some people pretend to understand, and some openly admit they're confused about. Everything but the end of the movie was mediocre, it was a typical drama about people's lives, people who seemed completely unrelated, and then... what was with the frogs?
5/10
1.7.2001 -
crystallight_99@ - age: 13-17
| | | | |
I loved this movie, I saw it twice when it was in the theaters. This film is not for everyone (especially the frog scene), so I will not dispute anyone who did not like the film. All I saw is that I think it was one of the best films to come out in 1999.
10/10
21.1.2001 -
smallcourtney@ - age: 18-25
| | | | |
I wasted 3 hours of my life watched this movie... 3 hours I'll never get back! There was no point, no message... zip. I was truly disappointed because I was really looking forward to seeing it but in the end this movie really did not deliver. One question... why frogs!!! Don't bother.
2/10
9.1.2001 -
julie,lambert@ - age: 26-35
The movie was ok until the frogs starting falling from the sky...
5/10
20.11.2000 -
kingstl@ - age: 26-35
I thought Magnolia was a well made film. Tom Cruise and William H. Macy were fantastic. The story was strong and all the actors combined together to deliver a potent performance which added to the power of the message behind the film. I thought it was gripping and am still left talking about the film months after seeing it.
8/10
2.11.2000 -
razorsmile@ - age: 26-35
Truly great acting, excellent story with very real, sad characters. It is way too long though and for the pseudo-intellectuals who claim to understand the deep meaning of the frog scene, get over yourselves. I've yet to hear one good explanation of it, but that's ok, as it is very cool to watch.
9/10
3.7.2000 -
statik2@ - age: 26-35
OH my God I can't believe that this movie was not up for more Oscars. I can't wait for it to come on DVD because I'll be the first to buy a copy, and I don't even own a DVD player!!!!
10/10
16.5.2000 -
bunicci@ - age: 26-35
We went to see it tonight, thought it was nicely paced, it may not be to everyones liking but we enjoyed it. Similar to Robert Altman's movies. It pictures life's realities eventhough it may not always be what we would have liked or expected. "We can try to leave the past behind but the past does not leave us" We have to see it as it happened and make amends to move on... We would go see it again!
7/10
30.4.2000 -
janine19@ - age: 36-49
Amazing. Pure Art. Worth seeing twice... Pay attention, it all connects up. A rough ride, though, not for people who don't like to face the raw truth of life.
10/10
18.4.2000 -
deborah@ - age: 36-49
This was one of the best movies of the year, beats American Beauty anytime. People seem to think it sucks but go see it for yourself it's worth it! 3 hours seems like 1/2, it's really fast paced. It's a 9.
9/10
14.4.2000 -
elpoz@ - age: 18-25
God this movie suuuuuuuuuucked big time. The rain of the frogs rrrreally kills it just when you are willing to give the movie a chance. You gotta understand that it represents the apocalypse and the message of the movie is not that bad but the whole thing put together is nothing but a waste of time. Sorry for the dudes who liked it a lot... stop smoking up before watching movies.
1/10
3.4.2000 -
sabster77@ - age: 18-25
I would say that I enjoyed the film very much, but raining frogs. Just a little too bizarre and unecessary for me. The acting and all the stories were excellent. I remember 3 quarters of the way through saying to myself," this is a great movie". After watching the end, I can only say that I liked it and found the frograining RETARDED! It kind of ruined it for me. Still any intelligent human can appreciate.
7/10
21.3.2000 -
sakhaneft@
Amazing movie! Definitely one of the most original plots in a long time. Great acting by most of the cast, many of whom are veterans. Most of my friends who came along were crying and they are definitely not the type. The only realy drawback was the really long runtime, I started to get uncomfortable in my seat, not because of boredom but because I'd been sitting for so long. Other than that, you should definitely not miss this one.
9/10
1.3.2000 -
djarvis@ - age: 18-25
I thought it was AWESOME. It wasn't anything I've seen before or expected. The whole cast, expecially Tom Cruise were excellent. I will be going back a second time!
9/10
19.2.2000 -
cpriess@ - age: 36-49
At the risk of sounding pretentious, I will go ahead tell everybody who didn't understand the film, what it is about -- it's about nihilism -- yes, that scary word that means so much about so little... The film is a masterpiece; the commentaries from the ignorant fools who didn't get the frog scene are completely unwarrented because this scene, while maybe a litle over the top, was fundamental to the chaotic nature of the direntors goal. Not a film for those who hate philosophy or despise thinking about life and existentialism.
10/10
11.2.2000 -
pbraganza@ - age: 26-35
Great cast - although I don't think Cruise was acting - but a calamitous array of mixed metaphors and jumbled storyline. None of the Pulp Fiction magic. Nothing redeeming here. Don't even bother with the video.
1/10
10.2.2000 -
riaustin@ - age: 36-49
| 
