MAGNOLIA (1999) is an opus character study film which exposes strange coincidences of life. While we may be through with the past, the past ain’t through with us.
▶️Synopsis: An intricately woven, relatable story of interconnected families stemming from a long-spanning quiz show. Within an intense 24 hours, multiple people experience life-altering situations, all of which move toward a cathartically-needed final release.
⏩⏩Discussions include: Breaking down MAGNOLIA’s very-involved, fast-paced plot points with a character-by-actor tree, as well as the film’s themes of coincidence, failure, loneliness, death, regret, trauma and dysfunctional family patterns. The film’s aesthetic, style and behind the scenes moments which shape this emotionally-charged story are discussed, as will the two most divisive scenes — the frogs and the cast singalong. Loose ends are also tied up by explaining a character and story which were both omitted from the theatrical release. This episode seeks to open up dialogue about MAGNOLIA’s subject matter and leave the film open to individual interpretation. **Starring Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Robards, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Melora Walters, Melinda Dillon, Jeremy Blackman, April Grace. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
Lindsay’s Pick — CHICAGO CAB (1997): Taking place in one day, this is the episodic story of a Chicago cabbie experiencing a range of people, emotions and eye-opening situations. **Starring Paul Dillon, featuring John C. Reilly, Julianne Moore, April Grace, Gillian Anderson, John Cusack, Harry Lennix. Directed by Mary Cybulski, John Tintori.**
Justin’s Pick — HARD EIGHT (1996): A down-on-his-luck, inexperienced gambler is helped out by seemingly very interested and kind, yet mysterious stranger. **Starring Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.**
▶️MURRAYMOMENT: Billy’s no stranger to many themes contained in Paul Thomas Anderson films. Here, we’ll dive deep into the various levels of loneliness found within the characters of Billy Murray.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: A little more on Aimee Mann’s involvement in MAGNOLIA. And remember, strange and unexpected things happen all the time — including the ending of this episode.
▶️NEXT UP: DELIVERANCE (1972)!!
Episode 56 : Tremors
Episode 55 : Welcome To The Dollhouse
Episode 54 : Adventures In Babysitting / Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead
Episode 53 : Goodfellas
Episode 52 : Better Off Dead
Episode 51 : Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains
Episode 50 : The Abyss
Episode 49 : Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
Episode 48 : True Romance
Episode 47 : Misery
Episode 46 : I Shot Andy Warhol
Episode 45 : The Thing (1982)
Episode 44 : Thelma & Louise
Episode 43 : The Warriors
Episode 42 : Uncle Buck
Episode 41 : 80’s vs 90’s Slashers
Episode 40 : The Blob (1988)
Episode 39 : Candyman
Episode 38 : The Burbs
Episode 37 : Eraserhead
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