Xixax Film Forum

The Director's Chair => Paul Thomas Anderson => Topic started by: Alethia on April 08, 2003, 10:32:02 PM

Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on April 08, 2003, 10:32:02 PM
just interested in what you all think is the greatest single scene Paul thomas anderson has ever written and directed.........while there are a ton to choose from (I don't think he has ever written and directed a scene that i wouldn't have been proud to have made myself), i narrowed my selection down to this:

the scene in MAGNOLIA when Donnie Smith tells Brad the Bartender he loves him - that entire sequence is sheer fucking genius...get's me every time.

--- i'm new here by the way...
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Duck Sauce on April 08, 2003, 11:39:14 PM
Frog Raining sequence
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: cine on April 09, 2003, 01:11:31 AM
I like the raining frogs will be a very common answer, so I'm going to exclude that and say the Boogie Nights scene where the three go to sell the coke to Alfred Molina.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 09, 2003, 01:49:39 AM
Likewise. The entire Long Way Down (One Last Thing) sequence of Boogie Nights is probably the best in terms of most everything. The performances, the music, the cinemtography, the editing. By the time 99 Luftballoons begins, it fels as though you've witnessed the greatest sequence of late 1990s cinema [the cocaine/FBI sequence of GoodFellas being the greatest of the early 90s]. It is a tour de force of a sequence, that one.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Newtron on April 09, 2003, 01:54:09 AM
Donnie throwing up.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Redlum on April 09, 2003, 05:18:56 AM
The slow push in on Claudia. It brought closure to a 3hr 15minute film with 9 threads to its story, in a way that was completely emotionally satisfying.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: phil marlowe on April 09, 2003, 07:10:19 AM
the poolparty scene in boogie nights. it can somehow be compared to the opening shot but i think this one does better. everything is sliding so fucking smooth. the camera movement, the dialogue, the acting, the music, the atmosfere...damn...

same can be said about the bar scenes in magnolia.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: chainsmoking insomniac on April 09, 2003, 07:19:02 AM
I'm going to have to go with Mr. Marlowe's pick for the pool party scene....when I watched that scene, I just wanted to be at that party...with the music, the beautiful women, everything about that was so fucking great....
But if I had to pick one more scene, I think it would be with John C. Reilly and Phillip B. Hall (the diner scene) in Hard Eight, when they first meet each other. There was something about the dialogue, and how they react to each other, that struck me as being fucking brilliant. I don't know.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: MacGuffin on April 09, 2003, 09:29:27 AM
The "On The Prowl" sequence in "Boogie Nights". From Jack Horner's intro making film history...on video, all the way till Buck steals the donut money. The "Clementine Loop" is perfectly used here.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: SoNowThen on April 09, 2003, 09:50:50 AM
The "I lost my gun" Jim & Claudia dinner conversation scene in Magnolia.
Two people trying so painfully hard to be honest with one another.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Link on April 09, 2003, 11:00:12 AM
I have favorites from all, like Hard Eight, the sequence where he goes to Jimmy's place, gets the gun, and waits for him.  The music rocks my socks.  In Punch-Drunk Love, from when Barry gets pudding, dances in the aisle, talks on the phone, punches the wall, starts crying, and all of a sudden He Needs Me starts playing.  It's great (also the pay phone seen in Hawaii).  In Magnolia, Mackey's scene where he comes back after the interview.  It's just instensity to the 5th power, dudes.  But:

I have two major favorites from Boogie Nights.  While I love the pool scene SO much, my favorite is the short awards ceremony.  You got a great song playing, and it just shows the different shots of Amber, The Colonel, and Jessie all announcing Dirk, and it's just so great, and Dirk does his little speech, and adds some Karate moves.  Gotta love it.  

My second one is actually a deleted scene, and, coincidentaly, it's the OTHER awards ceremony.  I dunno how to describe it, but it's just so cool, and semi-surreal, and I wish it was in the movie.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Ernie on April 09, 2003, 03:51:44 PM
Quote from: punchdrunk23I'm going to have to go with Mr. Marlowe's pick for the pool party scene....when I watched that scene, I just wanted to be at that party.

I was at that party...I experience PTA movies, I don't watch them. There are other filmmakers that do that to me, PTA is definitely one of them.

As for a favorite scene? there's no way i'm picking just one. I'll just say one that I don't think many other people will say...the part in Hard Eight when Syd, Clem and John are walking out of the hotel room after the whole fiasco with the fucking guy not giving Clem the money and all that...that scene is shot perfectly. The camera gliding around and all, it's just very beautiful to me. That's the stuff that gets me. I love how it's like all in one shot, it's cool. The music is cool too...very fucked up, but also cool.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pedro on April 09, 2003, 04:04:56 PM
Any scene in magnolia...especially Earl Partridge's "Regret" monologue.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: atticus jones on April 09, 2003, 04:45:46 PM
you liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?
Title: one of my all time favorites
Post by: Alexandro on April 09, 2003, 04:53:04 PM
Not only on Anderson's filmography but on any films is the Dance sequence in Boogie Nights...It's a great fun moment. It represents exactly what is going on at that point of the story...It's fucking genius..!!!
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Dendy on April 09, 2003, 04:55:36 PM
PTA is the master at making me stick to my seat, eyes wide open, thinking "what the frick just happened?"

This has happened several times for me:

In Boogie Nights when Little Bill shoots himself in the face, then cuts to title card (80s).  A perfect transition from the fun loving 70's, to the downfalls of the 80's in one unforgettable moment.

In Magnolia with the rain of frogs.  Definitely was not prepared for that after 3 hours of distress, heartbreak, and sadness.  That's why it was so perfect.

In Punch-Drunk Love when the SUV flipped in the beginning.  After about a year and a half of anticipation and of not knowing what to expect, that scene was exactly what I needed to reassure my excitement for the movie, and prepare me for what was to come.

yep.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: phil marlowe on April 09, 2003, 05:11:44 PM
Quote from: miss jonesyou liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

nah...jibberish to year and a half old baby maybe.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Ernie on April 09, 2003, 05:32:07 PM
Quote from: miss jonesyou liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

I'm sorry but...lol. Are you just kidding around? I hope so. Check your dome dog, word up.

who are you to criticize anybody's writing...much less PTA's?

Peace out.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: phil marlowe on April 09, 2003, 05:34:11 PM
Quote from: ebeaman69who are you to criticize anybody's writing...much less PTA's?
hah!
this is so akward.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Ernie on April 09, 2003, 05:40:14 PM
Quote from: Phil Marlowe
Quote from: ebeaman69who are you to criticize anybody's writing...much less PTA's?
hah!
this is so akward.

I'm sorry but she must have been just be kidding around. I just don't get it. I mean, the guy was suppose to sound a little messed up, wasn't he? He was on his death bed for fuck's sake. But what he said still definitely made sense. It's a complex monologue...a coherent one spoken by a dying man...that's not easy to write. You write me a better one and I'll shut up right now.

But seriously, I wasn't trying to make fun of her...I wasn't trying to start a "battle" as it's called...I just don't understand what was wrong with that piece of writing. I think it was one of the best monologues written...PT had to put himself in the shoes of a dying man to write that scene and I totally bought it...of course Jason Robard's talent added to this a lot. I don't know, whatever. If she thinks I'm wrong, whatever...fuck me, I don't care. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way and that will defend it though. Obviously I'm not...Phil Marlowe already did.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: phil marlowe on April 09, 2003, 06:00:57 PM
phil marlowe does and says many a things. from the outside he looks like a cold and unsensitive being, but he really has soft side and a heart of gold.

where am i again?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: MacGuffin on April 09, 2003, 06:43:29 PM
Quote from: ebeaman69
Quote from: miss jonesyou liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

I'm sorry but...lol. Are you just kidding around? I hope so. Check your dome dog, word up.

who are you to criticize anybody's writing...much less PTA's?

ebeaman, all I'll say is, PTA made fun of that scene in the That Moment Magnolia doc being too long. miss jones must be thinking about that. :yabbse-wink:
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 09, 2003, 06:50:58 PM
QuoteMy second one is actually a deleted scene, and, coincidentaly, it's the OTHER awards ceremony. I dunno how to describe it, but it's just so cool, and semi-surreal, and I wish it was in the movie.

I love that deleted sequence too. I especially love the story behind it. Imagine. They look up at see PTA at the podium instead of Dirk. Their reactions are real.

Quote...much less PTA's?

Is it just me, or does it seem that most of the members here just want to be Paul Thomas Anderson?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pedro on April 09, 2003, 06:51:40 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: ebeaman69
Quote from: miss jonesyou liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

I'm sorry but...lol. Are you just kidding around? I hope so. Check your dome dog, word up.

who are you to criticize anybody's writing...much less PTA's?

ebeaman, all I'll say is, PTA made fun of that scene in the That Moment Magnolia doc being too long. miss jones must be thinking about that. :yabbse-wink:

Haha that's about my favorite part of that doc.  I love him being all the different critics....hehe

And fiona is so damn cute there, too...
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: snaporaz on April 10, 2003, 03:16:50 AM
long way down [one last thing]

in my opinion, it's the greatest scene in cinematic history.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 10, 2003, 03:49:43 AM
I put many scenes before it.

Lawrence Of Arabia
The bar scene.
"We've taken Aqaba".


Apocalypse Now
The attack on the village.
"He says they're gonna play music!".


Raging Bull
Jake tunes the television.
"You fuck my wife?".


Casablanca
The last scene.
"Round up the usual suspects".


And then our favourite from Boogie Nights!

:-D
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: oakmanc234 on April 10, 2003, 06:04:59 AM
Greatest PTA scene. I'm totally blowing my brain at the moment. Where to start? His films are free-flowing showcases of great scenes. I just cannot narrow ONE down, not even in one film.

Sorry, but I gotta put at least TWO fav scenes/sequences from:

Hard Eight:

-The 'I love you' bit over the phone. Touching scene.
-Sydney waits in a dark house for an ill-fated Jimmy.....

Boogie Nights:

-The dance sequence. LOVE it.
-Todd wants what's in the other room.......

Magnolia:

-'Wise-up'.
-A random frog falls from the sky with a deafening thud on the windshield. Then another; it's raining frogs in the Valley before you can say 'What the f***'. Cue car crashes, destruction and cinematic genius.....

Punch-Drunk Love:

-Barry is suddenly accosted, beaten and chased through town by four thugs in the middle of the night. All the while our hero sprints off, sobbing and squealing like a wild boar. A scene as hilarious as it is intense.
-The whole plane, Hawaii arrival and silhouette kiss set to the strains of the lucid track 'He Needs Me'.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on April 10, 2003, 08:40:57 AM
Quote from: The Silver BulletIs it just me, or does it seem that most of the members here just want to be Paul Thomas Anderson?
it's just u. also, are u aware that this site was created as a refuge after the demise of the board at ptanderson.com?

Quote from: Phil Marlowethis is so akward.
if, and only if.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: sphinx on April 10, 2003, 09:09:50 AM
Quote from: Phil Marlowehah!

yes, it is hysterical, but you should conserve your laughter and keep it for times when it is needed

sus
pic
ion
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Sigur Rós on April 10, 2003, 09:57:19 AM
Just be nice to each other!  :oops:
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: BrainSushi on April 10, 2003, 11:17:07 AM
I've got a favorite from each:

Sydney: The scene where Sydney is driving with John around that beginning. John says, "Can you pull over?" We hear a horn fly by, jump cut to John in the front seat.

Also, in that same scene. John explains why he doesn't use matches. Cut to John waiting in line at the movies, his pants catching on fire. "Whoa! Whoa!" Notice how the people in front of him don't even notice him!

Boogie Nights: Two scenes from here again. The montage that basically describes how successful Dirk becomes. The various characters are reading the article, we see some of the article fly across the screen, we see som clips of the pornos, there's like, four sub screens within the widescreen, and then it all ends with an great dance number

Little Bill shooting his wife and the big stud, and then shooting himself in the face. It was definitely a real pivitol moment in the movie. You know he's gonna shoot her, and the suicide really made me jump. It's even creepier that he smiles right before he does it. Jump cut to a title card; "The 80s"

Magnolia: The first two sections of the prologue. I especially love how the "Greenbury Hill" scene was shot full frame with an old crank camera. That made it all the more better. The Sydney Barringer scene, I love. It's interesting and well done, but I can never get over the badly edited part when Sydney gets shot.

I don't like the Delmer Darrion scene much.

Finally, in PDL, I love when the Brothers crash their car into Barry's. He see's Lena bleeding, walks out, whacks Brother #1, takes his crowbar, and in a matter of seconds kicks all their asses with out much effort. The use of the crowbar... the best Sandler fight ever, followed closely by Bob "The Price is Wrong, Bitch" Barker.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Dendy on April 10, 2003, 01:29:52 PM
QuoteThe Sydney Barringer scene, I love. It's interesting and well done, but I can never get over the badly edited part when Sydney gets shot.


are you talking about the cut to a close-up of sydney's stomach blowing up, or how do you mean "badly edited?"
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: bonanzataz on April 10, 2003, 02:10:24 PM
Quote from: BrainSushi
Sydney: The scene where Sydney is driving with John around that beginning. John says, "Can you pull over?" We hear a horn fly by, jump cut to John in the front seat.

done by accident. the commentary says the footage of the shot where john crosses over from the back to the front got all fucked up somehow so pta added the horn to make a cool jump cut.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Victor on April 10, 2003, 02:21:37 PM
Quote from: BrainSushi
Sydney:

Also, in that same scene. John explains why he doesn't use matches. Cut to John waiting in line at the movies, his pants catching on fire. "Whoa! Whoa!" Notice how the people in front of him don't even notice him!

ernie anderson was in that scene
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on April 10, 2003, 06:53:00 PM
yes he was.  i fucking laughed my ass off when i first saw that scene....i also love it when JCR says "well thanks for tip mr. helpful" to sydney at the beginning.  i don't know why, i think just because sydney is so fuckin cool and john aint so much that it cracks me up.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ksmc on April 10, 2003, 07:50:28 PM
From Hard Eight--Clementine waiting for Sydney in the hotel room

From Boogie Nights--Don Cheadle's "I'm an actor" plea w/ the loan officer; also the final sequence

From Magnolia--The "I lost my gun today" scene; So Now Then

From Punch-Drunk Love--The restaurant scene; Phone sex scene; Barry running the maze of hallways to Lena's apartment
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: shaun107 on April 10, 2003, 08:38:39 PM
Magnolia- The entire prologue up to, and including 'One'. Amazing.

-The scene where John C Rielly loses his gun. The lens flare from his torch and the rain drops hanging from the camera in the top of the shot look great.
           
-The 'Wise Up' scene. Even though none of them can sing very well it's still great.

-Lastly (and obviously) the frogs. Especially the ambulance flipping, Julliane Moore's arms and all the contents falling across the screen. Excellent detail.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: AlguienEstolamiPantalones on April 10, 2003, 09:25:00 PM
the drug deal gone to shit, starting with sister christian.

what can i say, fuck words. i know that sounds preteniouse. But words can never do justice to such a great scene. i can do a play by play but even then seeing it is the main thing , music acting cinamatography, all came together and WOW

and  tom cruise having his bullshit facade crumble before his eyes.
it took a tom cuise to make this GREAT role explode into something beyond the cosmos. Its that cool bagage ive talked about, its the pain and all afround fucked up-ness that only a huge star can bring to the right role . like burt in boogie nights, in lots of ways he is jack horner, burt started his acting career off as a wanna be brando, a skeet ulrich of his time if you will . Then he becomes this huge star but he never got the respect he so craved . And when he dies , they wont talk about deliverance or boogie nights, the world will remember smokey and the bandit. He walked into the jack horner role with that baggage and well he fucking nailed it

its so sad how tom burt and mark, never get the props they deserve from film snobs, i mean come one phill hoffman could never have pulled off any of those roles .
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: AlguienEstolamiPantalones on April 10, 2003, 09:40:33 PM
for pdl, its the phone scene where he wants his sister to give him lenas information.

it was the best scene in the film, and sadlly to me it represents how great the rest of the film could have been, if he would of cut out the artsy stuff and just told a story of a lonley guy who grew up in a fucked up controlling situation, then he finds someone who can take him away from all that shit, but here is the pisser she is connected to his family. so even though they do not know anything about what he is really like, they will fill this girl up with false impressions . And that kills him, that her first impression is one that is not even close to reality. But alas love concours all , and she disregards all that bullshit and sees him for who he is .

That is a great fucking story, this could of been his best fucking film . But what could been a masterpeice turned out to be a ok film.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on April 10, 2003, 09:59:30 PM
im sorry - but dont u think the "artsy stuff" made that particular story just that much more accessible?  however stupid and pretenscious that just sounded, i don't think the artsy stuff was thrown in just for the thrill of having cool artsy stuff in your movie - it brought to an unprecedented degree of emotion - and brought just a touch more understanding on the audiences part to Barry.  haha - i'm laughing at how shitty that just came out.....
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 10, 2003, 10:24:59 PM
Quotealso, are u aware that this site was created as a refuge after the demise of the board at ptanderson.com?

I wasn't. It doesn't suprise me.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: sphinx on April 10, 2003, 11:10:42 PM
perhaps someday i will compile a list of who's who, so people can identify who was from the old boards and who wasn't.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 10, 2003, 11:22:50 PM
I have no problem with people loving Paul Thomas Anderson so much, in fact in the past six months he has emerged as my own favourite. But I don't try to channel him too much in my own work or anything, I don't want to imitate him. Not sure if the people around here think that, but with a thread entitled "I Want To Be PTA" you never know...
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on April 10, 2003, 11:27:15 PM
Quote from: The Silver BulletBut I don't try to channel him too much in my own work or anything, I don't want to imitate him. Not sure if the people around here think that, but with a thread entitled "I Want To Be PTA" you never know...
i'm pretty sure ppl around here don't care what u try to imitate and also that thread is a joke.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Silver Bullet on April 10, 2003, 11:33:36 PM
Don't worry. I'm not being serious. I just hate using smilies.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: brockly on April 11, 2003, 04:21:01 AM
Definatly the scene in boogie nights where they sell the fake coke. The whole scene is unbeleivable. The chinese guy doing the fireworks, the tracks in the background, the close-up of Dirk's face, Todd going nuts: "We want what's in the master bedroom, under the bed, in a floor safe . . . You understand?"

Perhaps one of the best scenes in cinema history!
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: chainsmoking insomniac on April 11, 2003, 07:28:22 AM
Quote from: miss jonesyou liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

You didn't like that monologue?!?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: chainsmoking insomniac on April 11, 2003, 07:32:32 AM
Quote from: Brock LandersDefinatly the scene in boogie nights where they sell the fake coke. The whole scene is unbeleivable. The chinese guy doing the fireworks, the tracks in the background, the close-up of Dirk's face, Todd going nuts: "We want what's in the master bedroom, under the bed, in a floor safe . . . You understand?"

Perhaps one of the best scenes in cinema history!

I take it you saw the deleted coke scene where Elswit (I think?) positioned a camera underneath a glass coffee table and just shot them improvising, snorting, improvising, snorting.....J.C. Reilly, Wahlberg and the other dude (the male stripper) are so funny to watch
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Ernie on April 11, 2003, 07:15:59 PM
Quote from: punchdrunk23
I take it you saw the deleted coke scene where Elswit (I think?) positioned a camera underneath a glass coffee table and just shot them improvising, snorting, improvising, snorting.....J.C. Reilly, Wahlberg and the other dude (the male stripper) are so funny to watch

I love that fucking scene! It could have been the funniest scene had they kept it in there and edited it a little.

"Check the spy hole Todd!"

I also love the one where Reed and Dirk are trying to think of all the different routes Todd could've taken to get the coke and be late...that's funny as hell.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: brockly on April 12, 2003, 03:11:36 AM
Quote from: punchdrunk23I take it you saw the deleted coke scene where Elswit (I think?) positioned a camera underneath a glass coffee table and just shot them improvising, snorting, improvising, snorting.....J.C. Reilly, Wahlberg and the other dude (the male stripper) are so funny to watch

Yeah, that scene was great, too. Another great improvising, deleted scene is the one with Maurice and Dirk doing the bar scene for Brock Landers. Dirk keeps fucking it up and called Maurice by his real name and stuff. Hilerious scene
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: BrainSushi on April 12, 2003, 10:58:20 AM
Quote from: Dendy
QuoteThe Sydney Barringer scene, I love. It's interesting and well done, but I can never get over the badly edited part when Sydney gets shot.


are you talking about the cut to a close-up of sydney's stomach blowing up, or how do you mean "badly edited?"

Yeah, I'm talking about the cut to the close-up of Sydney's stomach blowing up. As much as I love this movie, that has always bothered me, and I can't help it. As short as that shot is, it's still too long; I suppose it's hard to explain, but I wish that shot had been cut much shorter, like less than a second shorter.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: fulty on April 13, 2003, 12:55:20 PM
Quote from: BrainSushithat has always bothered me, and I can't help it.
Yes, it's like, right after the narrator says he was killed instantly, you see him move his arm to protect his face from the net.  Fortunately, 2 seconds later I have totally forgotten this and am back in the movie.  

Favorite scene:  
Magnolia....Stanley tells his father to be nicer, twice.  :cry:
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: dufresne on April 16, 2003, 01:44:57 AM
hmm...

the Long Way Down/ Rahad Jackson scene jumps immediately to mind at the moment, but i know there are others...
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: pipo on April 27, 2003, 10:37:34 AM
Julianne Moore at the Drugstore, what a stress situation and so well managed, just gorgeous! And I'm quite convinced that this scene catapulted her to the skies of superstars. She should teach.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Mellow Fellow on April 27, 2003, 07:41:20 PM
interesting fact about the rahad jackson scene i picked up. todd parker says "in the bedroom. under the bed..." that line is also said, the same way, in truffaut's 400 blows. this could be nothing, but i know pta is into the french new wave stuff, so it's a possibilty that that's where he got the line
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: pipo on April 28, 2003, 02:16:47 PM
Yeah, he loves French cinema too same way as Woody Allen does. But the old flicks.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: cowboykurtis on April 28, 2003, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: pipoYeah, he loves French cinema too same way as Woody Allen does. But the old flicks.

does he like french pussy, like woody allen?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Crash on May 01, 2003, 03:39:55 PM
You can't just pick ONE scene. PTA is too much for one scene. But these are my top choices

Boogie Nights: I don't know why but my jaw completely dropped on the closeups before the scene where eddie is eating breakfast cuz your totally inside that pan with the eggs and the bacon and everthing! It was most bodacious! My friend Jonny just goes "What've I been telling you? PTA knows his stuff!"  And also I loved the parallel scene when Dirk's inside that one dude's truck and Jack and Rollergirl are inside the limo. Think about this, Jack and Dirk were the biggest people in the bussiness. But once they parted ways they realized how worthless they actually were by themselves.  Dirk has to resort back to cleaning out his pee for $10. And remember how the guy said all he had was a ten? That was definitely not a coincidence. Jack realizes his worthlessness when that idiot, that gets in the limo to do rollergirl, tells him that his movies suck now. So Jack is made humbled but gets pissed off and totally goes guano ape on him (and Rollergirl totally kick his face with her skates). And Dirk is made humble but he gets his butt served to him on a silver platter.

Magnolia I read the script to Magnolia (and i would recommend that to anyone: read the script before you watch the movie) and I was completely blown away at the part when all the charecters sing the words to Wise Up (a perfect song for the moment) by Aimee Mann. But PTA totally ripped my arm off and beat my head with it when Earl and LInda were both unconsious at the same time (but in different places and for different reasons) but both kept singing the words. I fell over and fell into back snapping convulsions! it was awesome! and i also loved the ghetto zoom inside earl's lungs and you could see the cancer cells floating around, I loved it! anyway, those are my favorite scenes.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: gar-ti-lí gi-o on May 02, 2003, 06:34:22 PM
wise up
frogs raining
the start of boogie nights
The scene were sydney is telling to jimmy that he dont want to die (zoom in)
The final scene in boogie nigths
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: neatahwanta on May 02, 2003, 07:44:21 PM
"How to Fake Like You are Nice and Caring"

"now this......*clears throat*......this is a ve'.....quite an important chapter, as you will see...."
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ono on July 07, 2003, 09:25:50 PM
Quote from: LinkMy second one is actually a deleted scene, and, coincidentaly, it's the OTHER awards ceremony.  I dunno how to describe it, but it's just so cool, and semi-surreal, and I wish it was in the movie.
After you said this, I went and looked at it.  The director's commentary is really telling as to why it works, and JCR's applause is hilarious and priceless.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: shinwa on July 08, 2003, 01:16:57 AM
Well, I don't know if this really counts, but I love the final shot in the last scene of Magnolia. :?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Vile5 on July 08, 2003, 12:15:54 PM
Donnie Smith saying:

I love you. I love you and I’m sick...
...You wanna love me back? Love me back and I’ll be good to you. I’ll be good damn good for you...

to Brad, one of the most beautiful scenes i ever watched in my life!!!!!!!!! :yabbse-smiley:
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on July 08, 2003, 12:57:46 PM
Quote from: Vile5Donnie Smith saying:

I love you. I love you and I'm sick...
...You wanna love me back? Love me back and I'll be good to you. I'll be good damn good for you...

to Brad, one of the most beautiful scenes i ever watched in my life!!!!!!!!! :yabbse-smiley:

that is what i thought, as well
Title: My favorite scenes
Post by: adolfwolfli on July 09, 2003, 01:40:54 PM
The "Wise Up" section of Magnolia make me cry.  My girlfriend thought it was ludicrous, like a scene from a Muppets movie, but that's why I love it.  It's perfectly plausible that all these characters are listening to the same radio station.

Boogie Nights: The scene where Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character tries to kiss Dirk, and then gets in the car repeating "I'm an idiot, I'm an idiot."  You'd have to be inhuman not to be moved by this scene.

PDL: Too many...beating up the bathroom?  The party at the sister's house when he kicks in the glass and then asks the dentist for help.  Amazing.
Title: Re: My favorite scenes
Post by: Alethia on July 09, 2003, 07:10:30 PM
Quote from: adolfwolfliThe "Wise Up" section of Magnolia make me cry.  My girlfriend thought it was ludicrous, like a scene from a Muppets movie, but that's why I love it.  It's perfectly plausible that all these characters are listening to the same radio station.

the only thing that bothers me about that is the fact that jason robards is singing too.  i mean, i know all the characters are singing at once, blah, blah, blah....but he was just given the liquid morphine and he's sitting there singing, i dont know, i always see people laugh at that, and there shouldnt be laughs in this section.  otherwise - terrific

edit, god i hate reading my older posts...
Title: Re: My favorite scenes
Post by: Vile5 on July 09, 2003, 09:14:09 PM
Quote from: adolfwolfliPDL: Too many...beating up the bathroom?  The party at the sister's house when he kicks in the glass and then asks the dentist for help.  Amazing.

yeah i forgot that one! sooooo nice scene!!
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: edison on July 12, 2003, 09:49:15 AM
Quote from: caraxthe after credits rule!

HUH???
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ReelHotGames on July 12, 2003, 01:00:28 PM
Well, I like so many others will have to say "wise up" is one of the most brilliant pieces in a film I have ever seen, it catches you off guard, because not everyone is listening to the radio, it's a dreary musical number that moves the story along and adds a touch of surrealistic whimsey. It rains frogs later, so for god's sake let's not take this all too seriously. Earl is deluded from morphine and pain, the sequence is about pain. Look at them all, it's agony to watch them and they're singing!

Boogie Nights, there's something I love about the Thomas Jane triple entrance with the coke and each time it gets more degraded, more desperate.

Hard Eight for the shear spectacle of it I love the "Old Timer" scene with Phil Hoffman, if you haven't yet seen Owning Mahoney go see it - talk about opposite of characters. I don;t think it's the best for the film, but I think Hoffman and Hall have such a great connection. I also love the scene where Hall is smoking and sees Paltrow come out of the room, and he knows in that moment...

Can we wax PT's car somemore...


we met on the level we part on the square
Title: Best PTA scene
Post by: Mr. Joshua on July 12, 2003, 03:12:56 PM
Thank you for pulling up a great topic!!!

Always been my favorite PTA film scene, probably one of my favorite  in film altogether.

When Dirk, Brock, and TOdd go to Rob ALfred Molina's character.
Such a fucking tense, brilliant scene, It's the best hands down.

Josh
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: aclockworkjj on July 12, 2003, 03:55:05 PM
maybe it's been said...

but I like PBH's entrance in Boogie Nights....
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: AK on July 12, 2003, 09:42:17 PM
SYDNEY

The casino travelling following sydney(the beginning of PTA trademark)

BOOGIE

Night club, pool scenes and Amber's documentary (when Napoleon was a king line...really funny)



MAGNOLIA

The three episodes from the beginning, and the zoom on Melora's smile in the end.

PDL

Could I say everything? IS so flawless...ok....

Barry runing in the hall, all that doors and the exits signs

THe kiss...of course

When he wants to hold their hands in the hotel (so much like Shoot the piano player)
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: buckswope on July 15, 2003, 04:52:27 PM
Come on guys frog raining scene .  what is that ?   How can you even compare that to Todd, Reed and Dirks drug deal at Rahad Jacksons house. when Rahad's awsome mix tape switches sides and sister christian comes on, it just dos'nt get any better than that. The pool party scene is pretty bad  ass too.(//)
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: SHAFTR on March 22, 2005, 02:07:56 AM
In Boogie Nights, the Alfred Molina scene.  All of the crazy stuff is going on with firecrackers, singing, etc and Anderson slows it down with that (I believe slow tracking) shot of Wahlberg.  Perfect.

Punch-Drunk Love is my favorite movie and the first PTA film I saw.  It's a movie I fell in love with and do so the more and more I watch it.  I guess the end, "here we go", sticks with me the most as my favorite scene.

Now that I'm at the end of this post I think one of the reasons his films work so well is because they are so kinetic but PTA always knows when to slow it down for moments when we really enter the characters psychology.  I'm rambling.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Gabe on March 30, 2005, 08:49:50 PM
The Ad-libbing deleted scene of Reilley and Wahlberg yelling at the record exec.

How does it go again? And PTA gave it to who for their birthday?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Myxo on March 31, 2005, 05:10:44 AM
The awkward moment at the bar around the pool with Phil Hoffman in Boogie Nights. That is priceless stuff.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Redlum on March 31, 2005, 05:21:36 AM
More of a shot I guess but a lot of the actual content is read off Tom Cruises face.

The long tracking shot down the hotel hallway with Frank after the interview. Really quiet and tranquil with Jon Brions 'G Bb G, G Bb G' playing lightly.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on March 31, 2005, 06:30:26 AM
you mean after he gets off the cell phone w/ janet?  where he looks behind him and kinda speeds up as his crew tries to stay with him?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Redlum on March 31, 2005, 08:05:19 AM
Yes, yes. After that bit.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Alethia on March 31, 2005, 08:36:21 AM
cool.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: 72teeth on June 03, 2005, 02:37:42 AM
Jimmy Gator's Breakdown.
Although we may have to give Phillip Baker Hall this one.
"Just...play us a diddy,.. a Chopin diddy....(keel over: que embrassment, pain, regret, saddness, sickness....." Fried Fuckin' Gold!!!!
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Raul_Julia on June 04, 2005, 11:06:24 AM
The Matress Man commercial on the Punch-Drunk Love DVD where Philip Seymour Hoffman jumps off the truck, bounces off a mattress, and falls to the pavement.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on June 04, 2005, 10:28:56 PM
Quote from: Raul_JuliaThe Matress Man commercial on the Punch-Drunk Love DVD where Philip Seymour Hoffman jumps off the truck, bounces off a mattress, and falls to the pavement.

we agree: http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=2285&start=0
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Rudie Obias on June 09, 2005, 07:08:05 PM
don cheadle buying donuts in BOOGIE NIGHT.  best PTA scene ever!!  "for the christmas"  indeed...
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: kassius on June 10, 2005, 08:48:05 AM
How about Magnolia when the WWDK goes on the air and you have this sequence where the camera pushes through to each character, like a chain, resembling their connection?

I liked how it went from Phil to Earl to Frank and so on.

When the camera looks up at Donnie, you hear Jimmy say: "And let me say: With these three kids right here, their going to be here for awhile, but today is
a dangerous day --
"

I love that.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Myxo on June 10, 2005, 11:01:02 AM
..the audio of Phil Parma crying over Earl Partridge.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on June 11, 2005, 05:08:00 PM
Even though PTA and the actors think the scene feels like it's from a different movie,  my vote still have to go with the Donut shop and "the Christmas."  In retrospect, my subconscious said "so THIS is why everyone loves this movie!" during and after that scene. It has comedy, action, sadness (I think when the clerk gets shot it's pretty fuckin' sad) and a sense of hope all in one. Not to mention Christmas and all that 70's plastic.

My Vote: Donut Shop, Boogie Nights.


Others-
Sydney- Jimmy and Sydney in the car. "it fucks up the retail value!" and the way PBH goes "Mm-hm" without changing his facial expression.

Magnolia- Nothing stands out, but I really like Guzman with "That's not a rule? Oh that's a fuckin RULE!"

AlthoughWeAllLovePDLICantPickASingleSceneFromThatMothefucker
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on June 12, 2005, 06:35:38 AM
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestionMy Vote: Donut Shop, Boogie Nights.
i think we can officially acknowledge this as the best scene. thinking about it now, i remember it's THE scene i always thought about during my boogie phase. even to the point of having an extended fantasy about the making of it. a lame thing to hav done, but rewarding.

Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestionAlthoughWeAllLovePDLICantPickASingleSceneFromThatMothefucker
hahah, no one blames u.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Finn on June 12, 2005, 11:09:06 AM
the funniest scenes are:

Sydney - When PBH is in the car with Sam Jackson. PBH pulls out a cigarette and Jackson tells him to put it out. PBH says "no" a few times and Jackson just gives up. Then he turns to PBH and says "alright....can I have on then?"

Boogie Nights - There were so many scenes in the movie that made me laugh. But particularly when Mark Wahlberg is at the record company and just goes crazy. There's just something hilarious about Wahlberg when he gets really mad.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: mogwai on June 12, 2005, 11:17:36 AM
let see if my memory serves me right. the funniest scene in boogie is when jack, reed and dirk is in the jacuzzi. in the background you can see scotty cleaning the swimming pool. that shit is phucking hilarious.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: SiliasRuby on June 12, 2005, 06:52:30 PM
Quote from: mogwailet see if my memory serves me right. the funniest scene in boogie is when jack, reed and dirk is in the jacuzzi. in the background you can see scotty cleaning the swimming pool. that shit is phucking hilarious.
Really, I got to resee Boogie Nights. I haven't seen it in about two months. My favorite Paul Thomas Anderson scene is when Tom Cruise breaks down in front of his dying father.....shouldn't we put spoilers in the title of this thread?
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Daliang on June 14, 2005, 12:37:41 PM
The funniest scene for me in Boogie Nights is when Buck is trying to sell the stereo system to the customer and as an audience member, you know that Buck has no fucking idea what he's talking about. Then to top it off when he plays the country music...it's a fucking classic; like the rest of the movie.

:)
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on June 14, 2005, 12:48:18 PM
Quote from: DaliangThe funniest scene for me in Boogie Nights is when Buck is trying to sell the stereo system to the customer and as an audience member, you know that Buck has no fucking idea what he's talking about. Then to top it off when he plays the country music...it's a fucking classic; like the rest of the movie.

:)
u may enjoy this thread (http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=3601&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)..
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: JG on October 22, 2005, 09:49:39 AM
Quote from: ®edlumThe slow push in on Claudia. It brought closure to a 3hr 15minute film with 9 threads to its story, in a way that was completely emotionally satisfying.

I hate to do a bump on this, but how, in your opinion, would you say it brings closure to the film.  

The reason I asked is I have to do a 45 minute presentation on PTA for a class in school where I analyze his movies and 20 minutes need to be clips.  The only clip I know I'm gonna show is from Boogie Nights is when Bill kills himself.   I'm thinking of using the opening clip of Boogie Nights and show how the opening music sets the tone for the movie.

I'm gonna show clips on all movies, but mostly Boogie Nights and Magnolia, but I can't decide exactly which clips convey PTA's style and the central themes of his movies.

If you want to help, thanks.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ono on October 22, 2005, 10:00:51 AM
2 hour, 58 minute film, Magnolia is.  Credits are another story, about 10 minutes long.

The push on Claudia doesn't bring closure to the film.  Ricky Jay's narration does.  The push just punctuates everything Claudia went through, and her smile is catharsis.  Ricky Jay bookends things much more clearly though.

If you want vintage PTA sequences, look to the phone booth lighting up in Punch-Drunk Love when Barry finds Lena in Hawaii.  One of my favorites.  I wrote a whole essay about this (P-DL's "Quirky Delights"), as did SHAFTR.  Cite your sources as needed.  Look around for SHAFTR's thread.

Look to any number of quick inserts he uses, such as the one when Dirk says "I can do it again."  Needle on the record player, then the bottle of champagne popped.

One of my favorites, though, is when Dirk fights with his mother.  He leaves his house, she's yelling out her front door, then immediately cut to Jack's house, he opens his door and welcomes him.  Instant new family.  Perfect juxtaposition, coupled with the move in and whip pan over to Dirk approaching Jack.

Better yet, what you should do, rather than having us do your homework for you, is take Hard Eight and Boogie Nights and watch the images with the commentaries running over them.  Do this over and over again.  That's the best insight you can possibly get to his films.  Then, watch the That Moment diary.  And watch it again.  And again.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: JG on October 22, 2005, 10:54:15 AM
Don't get the wrong idea, I was just curious as to what other PTA fans felt were the consummate PTA scenes.  What sucks is my teacher just told us about the project and I'm presenting next Monday.  I feel rushed.  

For PDL, I'm gonna use when he kicks the window in and then a scene that encorporates Brion's wonderful score.   The phone booth scene is great.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: killafilm on October 22, 2005, 02:24:18 PM
Quote from: JimmyGatorI'm thinking of using the opening clip of Boogie Nights and show how the opening music sets the tone for the movie.

I'd def. use this clip.  It's not just the music though.  The fact that PTA introduces so many characters, and you get a decent feel for them all, in one 3min+ Steadycam shot... amazing.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: The Perineum Falcon on October 23, 2005, 03:42:57 AM
I think he meant the "broken circus music" unless he was referring to both.

But yeah, use that and the intros.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ©brad on October 23, 2005, 12:40:05 PM
Quote from: killafilm
Quote from: JimmyGatorI'm thinking of using the opening clip of Boogie Nights and show how the opening music sets the tone for the movie.

I'd def. use this clip.  It's not just the music though.  The fact that PTA introduces so many characters, and you get a decent feel for them all, in one 3min+ Steadycam shot... amazing.

yeah it is but its nothing that hasn't been done before. your presentation has to go a bit deeper than showing long steadicam shots b/c of "how cool they are."
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: JG on October 23, 2005, 12:49:20 PM
Quote from: renéI think he meant the "broken circus music" unless he was referring to both.

But yeah, use that and the intros.

i was talking about the circus music (I think it really sets the tone of the movie and reminds you that it's not gonna be all fun), but I'll probably show the whole opening sequence, not just because it's cool, but because it is an extremely effective shot.  It shows how good PTA is at balancing multiple characters.  

What scenes/shots would you use of PTA's that "has never been done before."
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ©brad on October 23, 2005, 01:29:47 PM
Quote from: JimmyGator
Quote from: renéI think he meant the "broken circus music" unless he was referring to both.

But yeah, use that and the intros.

i was talking about the circus music (I think it really sets the tone of the movie and reminds you that it's not gonna be all fun), but I'll probably show the whole opening sequence, not just because it's cool, but because it is an extremely effective shot.  It shows how good PTA is at balancing multiple characters.  

What scenes/shots would you use of PTA's that "has never been done before."

dude, you can certainly show a shot that is a homage to a certain film (god knows there are many in his movies) but you'd be hard pressed to find any shot in a PTA movie that have "never been done before."

why focus on the technical for your presentation? that's the freshman-film-school approach. why not focus on common themes throughout PTA's body of work instead? you are much more likely to differentiate PTA from other filmmakers of his gen through his writing style rather than his use of a stedicam or super-fast whips and pans.

and if you simply must talk about the technical bravado of mr. anderson, do an analysis of his use of sound. there's a topic that doesn't get as much limelight as it should.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: JG on October 23, 2005, 02:08:37 PM
Well I'm writing a five-page paper on PTA Anderson in which I discuss many of his reoccuring themes.  I'm gonna focus on his use of sound when I show clips of PDL.  

But thanks for the help
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: killafilm on October 23, 2005, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: ©brad
Quote from: killafilm
Quote from: JimmyGatorI'm thinking of using the opening clip of Boogie Nights and show how the opening music sets the tone for the movie.

I'd def. use this clip.  It's not just the music though.  The fact that PTA introduces so many characters, and you get a decent feel for them all, in one 3min+ Steadycam shot... amazing.

yeah it is but its nothing that hasn't been done before. your presentation has to go a bit deeper than showing long steadicam shots b/c of "how cool they are."

Don't know where I wrote "how cool they are." In the said shot the technical certainly backed the STORY.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: polkablues on October 23, 2005, 05:11:45 PM
Quote from: ©braddude, you can certainly show a shot that is a homage to a certain film (god knows there are many in his movies) but you'd be hard pressed to find any shot in a PTA movie that have "never been done before."

There's the one shot in "Magnolia": the push-in to the picture on the wall, where he changes lens in the middle of the camera move.  If that had been done previously, I have no knowledge of it.
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ©brad on October 23, 2005, 07:09:40 PM
Quote from: polkablues
Quote from: ©braddude, you can certainly show a shot that is a homage to a certain film (god knows there are many in his movies) but you'd be hard pressed to find any shot in a PTA movie that have "never been done before."

There's the one shot in "Magnolia": the push-in to the picture on the wall, where he changes lens in the middle of the camera move.  If that had been done previously, I have no knowledge of it.

okay, but my question is- why show that specific shot in the presentation? what purpose would it serve in his overall analysis of pta? furthermore, does a shot like that speak more of the director or the cinematographer?

i just have seen many a film presentation in which a student puts together a reel of 'cool shots' from a favorite director and uses that and that alone as leverage for his/her analysis (i.e. PTA can do a long 10-minute stedicam shot, PTA can whip pan faster than anyone else, PTA does this shot with this lense and no one else does it so that makes him great...) my experience is that film professors are much more interested in the 'why' rather than the 'how.'
Title: greatest PTA scene
Post by: killafilm on October 24, 2005, 02:13:49 AM
Quote from: polkablues
Quote from: ©braddude, you can certainly show a shot that is a homage to a certain film (god knows there are many in his movies) but you'd be hard pressed to find any shot in a PTA movie that have "never been done before."

There's the one shot in "Magnolia": the push-in to the picture on the wall, where he changes lens in the middle of the camera move.  If that had been done previously, I have no knowledge of it.

Because it did happen.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: phreelee on March 03, 2006, 02:29:19 AM
Quote from: atticus jones on April 09, 2003, 04:45:46 PM
you liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

You are out of your mind.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Pubrick on March 03, 2006, 03:45:21 AM
Quote from: phreelee on March 03, 2006, 02:29:19 AM
Quote from: atticus jones on April 09, 2003, 04:45:46 PM
you liked that jibberish ramble of a monologue?

You are out of your mind.
hey newb, all this stuff you're replying to is from 2 years ago or at the earliest 4 months ago. show that you are not useless by introducing yourself (http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=2.from1141132379#new).
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Neil on March 15, 2006, 11:47:26 PM
I didn't bother reading all these, but one of my favorite PTA moments, although there are many is;

In Punch-Drunk Love when barry and Lena get hit by the truck, and barry gets out beats the shit out of them with a crow-bar, breaks windows. The best part is when he get's back in the car and the camera is attatched to the door, and it slams when he gets back in, and you see him comfort her.

Awesome.

Sorry if someone already said this, because it was probably described alot cooler than what i just said.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Myxo on December 01, 2006, 01:11:36 AM
I have a special request.

Does anyone know where I can find a clip of Jim Kurring & Claudia at the restaurant in Magnolia? I'd prefer the full scene to include the, "Now that we've met, would you object to never seeing me again?"bit. I'd really appreciate it if someone could even host that scene off their DVD for me. I'm not sure how to rip it off mine.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: FORT on December 01, 2006, 02:14:48 AM
the original teaser, its got truncated bits of that moment
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: SailorOfTheSeas on May 08, 2014, 01:44:33 PM
Hope its alright that im posting here, seeing that no one has since before twbb and the master come out. I feel like if brought it to the light again people would have new stuff to say.

My top ten

Little Bills Suicide
Selling the fake cocaine
Opening of Magnolia
Little kid rapping
Rainin frogs
Car crash, bleeding head and Barry takes out brothers
1898-1902 sequence
Beach swimmin'-Doubting Henry-Killing Henry-Burying Henry-Mr Bandy in the morning-Baptism sequence
1927 sequence
The entirety of The Master

Syndey is great but I'm hesitant to put anything from there on here as ive only seen it once.

If I had to choose his GREATEST and I would judge it by what is my favourite scene. although it isnt really a scene, more a sequence of moment, it would probably be the end of the first processing in the Master. We see Freddie leaving Doris and Overtones plays as we see the shot of him leaving and the boats wake again, slowly rising and showing the horizon. Then we see freddie and lancaster laughing together and smokin' to jazzy piano music. Favourite moment in my favourite film. Although id choose the whole film if i could. 
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Reel on May 08, 2014, 05:36:28 PM
Ok, this is something to do. My favorite one from each movie, mostly moments taken out of scenes:

Sydney- When Sydney teaches John the slot machine scam, I forget how it works every time and feel like I'm learning it along with him.

Boogie Nights- Scotty berating himself over and over after Dirk rejects him. Who can't identify with that? It's one of the most emotionally powerful moments in my personal filmgoing experience.

Magnolia - As Jim Kurring is turning the corner and the first frog slaps his windshield. I can still remember how I jumped in my seat when I first saw that happen, and every time since I wait for it, but can never predict the exact moment.

Punch Drunk Love- Barry breaking the sliding glass door at the birthday party. The most beautifully constructed scene of what it feels like to hate your family.


There Will Be Blood- This line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ywTrOgEzKE

It's when we see Daniel's evil personified, or some gobbledy-gook. I especially love the guys reaction.


The Master- Jail Scene. As above, it's both of the characters speaking from their rawest place. Completely embodying their animal natures.


Mind you, I haven't seen any of these in a long time. The list is ever changing.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Mel on May 09, 2014, 04:04:21 AM
The Death of Little Bill in "Boogie Nights" - few people already pointed it out. I'm not objective here, since audio commentary made me appreciate it much more. Excerpt from Film School Rejects (http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/boogie-nights-commentary-jkirk.php):

The first time he screened Boogie Nights for an audience, Anderson remembers cheers coming from the scene where William H. Macy's Little Bill finds his wife having sex with another man on New Year's Eve and proceeds to shoot them both dead. He immediately felt like he'd done something wrong with the film, as this wasn't the response he wanted to illicit. His friend, singer/songwriter Aimee Mann, was sitting next to him at the time, and she took his hand and told him it wasn't his fault. Once Little Bill shoots himself in the film, the audience went quiet. "And they weren't laughing, and they weren't cheering, and it was dead silence, and I thought, 'Okay. Good. I've done my job okay. It's them that's fucked up'," he says.



This is almost exactly, what I felt, when seeing it for the first time. This scene has almost every ingredient perfected: visuals (long take), music ("Do Your Thing"), buildup, timing (half of the movie and transition to 80s), emotional ride, surprise (I didn't expect Little Bill to shoot himself).

There are other great scenes (multiple) that PTA created, but this thanks to his commentary is most memorable for me.   
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ElPandaRoyal on May 09, 2014, 04:31:09 AM
For me it has to be The Master's processing scene on the boat. I've honestly never seen anything like that before (or after). It's extraordinary, great acting, and so intense I suppose because Freddie is told not to blink, and you're closely watching if he does or not until a certain point, then it suddenly doesn't matter at all because the scene is not about that, you're already hypnotised. That's not only my favourite PTA scene, it's one of my favourite scenes ever.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Lottery on May 09, 2014, 05:40:44 AM
THE MASTER SPOILERS

Mind is blank because there are so many great choies here but regarding The Master, I don't think enough people realise how incredible the last 15 or so minutes are. This is pretty much the cinema scene to the end. Right after meeting Mrs Solstad- Freddie realises his that his chance with Doris isover, the one thing that may have made him happy at last. So he finds his way back to Master after possibly dreaming contact with him. The Casper cartoon is great- I love the end of that scene where he get's up and a character says 'A Captain never leaves his ship!' And then we cut to the waves (with Sweetness of Freddie playing, one of the more sorrowful pieces). Then we have that final meeting, where there's just to much cool stuff happening. The final part of that scene is so special- after Slow Boat to China, Freddie has a half smile. It's like a realisation and acceptance for him. And during this half-smile, Overtones starts playing and this lasts until the end of the film (for the most part). Overtones is the most important piece on the entire score, it's remarkably bittersweet and I that's how I feel about the film. It's not a devastating tragedy, nor it is absurdly and horrific, it's bittersweet. Freddie realises that he must move on- Master is still in love with Freddie, but he knows the relationship can't last. I don't think this marks a drastic shift in Freddie's identity but I think there's a newfound acceptance and peace in him. And this is why the film ends the way it does. He drifts, finds a girl in a bar and in the next scene, they're in bed together. Overtones still playing. Freddie asks her about past lives, while he himself is recalling the past. Then finally Freddie at the beach and 'Changing Partners'. It puzzled me on the first viewing as much as it set my mind on fire. I can't imagine any other directors being able to end a film like that, with Winn Manchester and Freddie in bed, there's an overwhelming sense of openness and humanity, it's incredible. It's doubly fascinating with Overtones playing. Technically, aesthetically and emotionally, these scenes together hit all the right spots and I think it might be PTA's apex as a director. I wrote more than I intended and it's all a mess (and I've written about it before) but yeah, I feel very strongly about the film.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: SailorOfTheSeas on May 09, 2014, 06:02:27 AM
Yes you're right, all this is fantastic too. I agree with you about Overtones and the dream connection you mention is interesting. A nice little detail about the end of the film are the silhouetted wooden curves that look like still 2D waves on the bed as Freddie and Winn are fucking, naked. And then the last line of dialogue "Stick it back in, it fell out." I would call this last entire sequence of the film PTA's greatest but then i remember the rest of the film and i feel the urge to put every single moment in it his best.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: ElPandaRoyal on May 09, 2014, 06:31:39 AM
Thinking about my previous answer, I just realised The Master is now my favourite PTA film.

Also, Lottery, great post.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Cloudy on May 09, 2014, 04:01:21 PM
Lottery is single-handedly trying to spark up my much repressed withdrawals...for that...I say...fuck you...
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Drenk on May 09, 2014, 04:09:32 PM
Right now, let's say that the last scene of The Master, in the bedroom, is one of the most sweetly nostalgic and weirdly optimistic scene I've ever seen.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: polkablues on May 09, 2014, 04:18:42 PM
"Stick it back in, it fell out" is the emotional equivalent of Claudia smiling at the end of Magnolia.
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: Drenk on May 09, 2014, 04:58:09 PM
And there is this flashback at the end of There Will Be Blood, after the "A bastard from a basket scene": we see H.W playing near Daniel who's sitting down with other men, then H.W gives his hat to his father, who's smiling. We hear nothing but the soundtrack. The violins. The shot cuts. Daniel is up and leaving the men and his son.

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi57.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff57%2F11%2F65%2F95%2F74%2Fvlcsna16.jpg&hash=0e38492fa997a9972a994c09323653b8bda46f03)

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi57.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff57%2F11%2F65%2F95%2F74%2Fvlcsna15.jpg&hash=b58ea1398433e5316b803c0f8aec138693b3159d)
Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: wilder on May 10, 2014, 02:30:30 PM
Nothing beats this for me

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fh0SnVnj.jpg&hash=c478ac61cc757d6762c8cc259940e789b70743a0)

Amber's documentary/Dirk's interviews might be a close second

Title: Re: greatest PTA scene
Post by: OpO1832 on May 13, 2015, 10:34:50 PM
The two deleted scenes in Boogie Nights are greater than the best scenes in the majority of movies. I am referring to: the cocaine snorting scene, the placement of the camera under that glass table and acting of the three ( Thomas Jane kills it there ) and the amazing sequence that had Dirk attempting to kick ass on Becky's behalf, the usage of Tusk and Devo = greatness. Maurice's little dick scene = hard to watch but also great! plus who doesn't like a Heather Graham nude scene. what a body!

Paul reasoning for deleting all those scenes just also proves why he is the man!