Xixax Film Forum

The Director's Chair => Paul Thomas Anderson => Topic started by: children with angels on March 07, 2005, 10:57:27 AM

Title: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: children with angels on March 07, 2005, 10:57:27 AM
Hey guys (if anyone remembers me...). I haven't posted for ages, mainly for reasons of time, ie: the amount of posting I was doing here left me with not much of it.

Anyway, that is all not very interesting. I'm doing an essay on the influences of other films/filmmakers on PTA's work at the moment, and I was wondering what the film is that he screens to those people towards the beginning of "That Moment". He describes it as "maybe one of the top five screenplays of all time", and it seems to have Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall in. I'm sure everyone here but me will know what it is...

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: mogwai on March 07, 2005, 10:58:28 AM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.amazon.com%2Fimages%2FP%2FB00004RF9I.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg&hash=c5577c2679c0d00fb747fb486d0b1ecc1a3ab7e9)
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: children with angels on March 07, 2005, 11:10:01 AM
There you go - knew it would laughably obvious! Still haven't seen that film - been meaning to for a long time and this a great and definitive reason to do so. Thanks for that Mogwai.

And now it seems I have created one of those annoying one word answer threads that just clutter up space. Oh well. Any thoughts on why its an influence of Magnolia?

I guess, yeah, its to do with what Paul says about TV people losing a grip on their shit... Any other obvious connections?

I suppose I should just watch it. Yeah.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: mogwai on March 07, 2005, 11:18:59 AM
Quote from: children with angelsAny thoughts on why its an influence of Magnolia?

I guess, yeah, its to do with what Paul says about TV people losing a grip on their shit... Any other obvious connections?
the game show is definitely in reference to network. jimmy gator is like what peter finch's character is in network. although not really that extreme but you can easily sense it when jimmy breaks character before he faints. that's how i feel about it. maybe some other people here have other opinions about it.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: MacGuffin on March 07, 2005, 12:56:35 PM
After the screening, when PTA talks with Robert Elswit, he mentions screening "'Ordinary People' on Wednesday."
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Pozer on March 08, 2005, 06:58:39 PM
but really...why didn't he just screen short cuts? I mean come on.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Alethia on March 08, 2005, 09:50:19 PM
isn't there a title card that says that he has screened network for them?  im pretty sure it's there.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: children with angels on March 09, 2005, 06:44:07 AM
:oops:   Jesus. You're right - I just watched it again and there were those words on the screen that I literally can't believe I didn't see before... Fuckin... weird, is the only word for it.

Well, sorry for being dumb.

On the subject of the documentary as a film in itself, I - of course - love it, but its all very bitty: like, let's just catch this little moment, then this little funny moment. It feels like a home movie. And that's what's great about it, but I'm absolutely positive that anyone who wasn't big into PTA - and certainly someone who hadn't seen Magnolia - would turn it off after five minutes.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: squints on March 09, 2005, 02:31:08 PM
I can't believe this....i've been a fan of PTA for a while..and i've seen "That Moment" a million fucking times. However, i just recently bought network on a whim (I saw the Howard Beale picture in America: The Book) and it has become one of my favorite movies of all time, i show it to absolutely everyone who comes to my apartment. It's so fantastic and I knew it reminded me of PTA's work in so many ways but i had never realized that that was the movie he was screening. Subconsciously i know that's why i bought network but it never registered until i read this thread....Anyone see the Sidney Lumet tribute on the oscars? he gave an amazing speech....
Here's another Lumet reference in a PTA film: There's a Serpico poster with Al Pacino's face in Mark Wahlberg's bedroom before he runs away...Lumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: mogwai on March 09, 2005, 02:43:24 PM
Quote from: squintsI'm such a genius
great.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: MacGuffin on March 09, 2005, 04:57:48 PM
Quote from: squintsHere's another Lumet reference in a PTA film: There's a Serpico poster with Al Pacino's face in Mark Wahlberg's bedroom before he runs away...Lumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius

There's also a poster of Bruce Lee, who starred in Enter The Dragon with John Saxon, who was in Nightmare On Elm Street, starring Johnny Depp who was in Donnie Brasco with Al Pacino, who starred in Dog Day Afternoon directed by Sidney Lumet.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: squints on March 09, 2005, 05:53:21 PM
Ok...so how does Kevin Bacon fit into all this?
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: modage on March 09, 2005, 05:54:50 PM
he & Lumet were both born in Philadelphia.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: The Perineum Falcon on March 09, 2005, 07:55:17 PM
My head just exploded.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: MacGuffin on March 09, 2005, 07:59:10 PM
Quote from: squintsOk...so how does Kevin Bacon fit into all this?

There was also a poster of Farrah Fawcett, who starred in The Apostle with Robert Duvall, who was in Godfather II with Robert De Niro who was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Alethia on March 09, 2005, 08:01:01 PM
pta also mentions sidney lumet on the boogie nights commentary when talking to luis guzman.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: MacGuffin on March 09, 2005, 08:02:38 PM
Quote from: ewardpta also mentions sidney lumet on the boogie nights commentary when talking to luis guzman.

...who was in three Lumet films.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: I Don't Believe in Beatles on March 09, 2005, 09:28:02 PM
PTA said Reds and Prince of the City were movies he saw when he was 12 that really made him want to go into the movie business.  Prince of the City was directed by Sidney Lumet.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Pubrick on March 09, 2005, 11:08:58 PM
Quote from: squintsLumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
for knowing obvious things.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Alethia on March 10, 2005, 09:40:08 AM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: ewardpta also mentions sidney lumet on the boogie nights commentary when talking to luis guzman.

...who was in three Lumet films.

yes he was...guzman, as i recall, cites lumet as a mentor or something along those lines...
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: squints on March 11, 2005, 03:04:55 PM
Quote from: Pubrick
Quote from: squintsLumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
for knowing obvious things.

sarcasm? anyone?
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: mogwai on March 11, 2005, 03:07:30 PM
Quote from: squints
Quote from: Pubrick
Quote from: squintsLumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
for knowing obvious things.

sarcasm? anyone?
nope.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: squints on March 11, 2005, 03:10:09 PM
Quote from: mogwai
Quote from: squints
Quote from: Pubrick
Quote from: squintsLumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
for knowing obvious things.

sarcasm? anyone?
nope.

shenanigans
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Stefen on March 11, 2005, 03:17:44 PM
its like coming to a new school, just show the bullies whose boss and they'll leave you alone.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: mogwai on March 11, 2005, 03:27:21 PM
Quote from: squints
Quote from: mogwai
Quote from: squints
Quote from: Pubrick
Quote from: squintsLumet directed Serpico....I'm such a genius
for knowing obvious things.

sarcasm? anyone?
nope.

shenanigans
gesundheit!
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: MacGuffin on March 11, 2005, 03:40:59 PM
Quote from: squintssarcasm? anyone?

xixax only has 93% sarcasm now.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Gamblour. on March 11, 2005, 06:10:38 PM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: squintssarcasm? anyone?

xixax only has 93% sarcasm now.

Could it be any less sarcastic?
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: children with angels on March 13, 2005, 12:13:26 PM
Need some help with the essay.

Can people think of a shot in Magnolia which is a CLEAR reference to another film? I'm not talking about moments when you can clearly see influences, like a long tracking shot looking like Scorcese or something, or the way he lights the game show stage kind of like Network, but I mean a shot that is clearly almost a recreation - or at least an obvious reference to - something else...?

Dunno about you guys, but I'm drawing a blank. Although, I've always thought of the high-angle shot of Earl on the bed, Phil standing up by it, with the 2001 music playing (just before Frank's intro) as a self-conscious, jokey nod to Kubrick and the scene with (2001: Space Odessy SPOILER) Dave seeing his older self die on the bed...
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Ultrahip on March 13, 2005, 02:30:25 PM
if you want a kind of obvious or maybe not demme influence, during the quiz show when the camera goes from top left corner swooping slowly down around to bottom right to reveal stanley's pissed pants, it's just like a shot in the courtroom in philadelphia of hanks in the witness/defendant/whatever you call it stand...wait what's your paper on?
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: ono on November 11, 2005, 04:03:17 AM
Quirky Delights in ... "That Moment."

I've watched this documentary so many times now, because this, along with the two Hard Eight and Boogie Nights commentaries, are the best film-school-in-a-box type things money can buy.  So many little things stand out.  Recently:

Philip Baker Hall stumbling over his game show question line in the rehearsal, then Jeremy Blackman NAILING the answer.  Silly old man.  Awkward.  Classic.

PTA humming that music when Daniel Lupi comes up the walkway.  "Here comes trouble."

PTA doing a PSH impersonation.  "This is a study in ham and cheese and how we ... corral." and "Now, Phil, I want you to do some sort of small, calming gesture, like ... light a fire, Phil.  And then Phil will do this..."  Paul mimes Phil trying to light the fire, shaking the stack of kindling, fucking with the cigar box, and Phil just HOWLS.  "Yeah, that's pretty accurate," he says, almost in tears.

PTA and Fiona pulling up to the premiere and then throwing a cigarette out the window.

PTA hugging Macy and Macy saying "Thanks for your call."  Those little things stand out.  I always wonder what that was about, just 'cause.

Macy saying, "You designed the poster, right?"  Paul nods, explains, then walks away.  "He developed the film, y'know?"  Macy deadpans to the camera.  "The lab did it, but he didn't like the work, so he sent it back.  (beat)  He ground the lenses."

Paul and Fiona's little sketch about Magnolia, the little bastard child movie that could.

'Nuff for now.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: The Red Vine on November 11, 2005, 10:42:11 AM
I've seen it so many times I can't really watch it anymore. It's all memorized. I hope PTA makes another one for us.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: phreelee on March 03, 2006, 02:22:34 AM
I think the skit with PTA and Fiona is so very, VERY funny, and easily the greatest thing in that documentary for me.

But there's a lot of other cool stuff in it.  I like it when Daniel Lupi is talking about how overbudget the movie is while he's in the little makeshift kitchen, or when PTA is talking about what filming the game show will be like, and just seeing some of the interesting and hilarious idiosyncrasies that PTA has, like his little motions and things.  Look at the motions he makes at the beginning of the Pathe camera scene...at one moment, he seems to BECOME the motion of the camera.  It's hysterical!

But overall, I don't consider it a great documentary by any stretch.  Some great stuff in it and I enjoy having it on, but I don't think it exactly cuts together very well.  PTA said in an interview that he thought it was 'OK', and that the documentary doesn't really reflect his experience of making the movie in any real way.

I really enjoy, though, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it's on the level of the great docs at all.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: ©brad on March 03, 2006, 08:32:15 AM
1999 called. they want their thread back.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: phreelee on March 04, 2006, 05:57:49 PM
Yeah, because things can only be discussed in the year they were originated.  Thanks for that.  I appreciate it.  That means no one should be discussing any of his movies.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: wilberfan on October 22, 2017, 01:39:55 PM
Quote from: KUBRICK WITH TWO BRICKS on October 22, 2017, 10:04:42 AM
Sorry, maybe this is a bit irrelevant, but I figured since all PTA fans are in this thread -- in case any of you haven't seen the BTS documentary on the making of Magnolia, check it out.

Fun Fact: The gas station is directly west of the Reseda Theatre, the marquee of which famously opened Boogie Nights.  The steadicam op talks about having to tilt-down during each of the 8 takes of that opening shot to cut it out of the frame as it no longer looked late-70s in appearance. 

You can make out the (now shuttered) theater, with "Hot Traxx" a little farther back.  (Now a Spanish-language church.)  Same gas station in this publicity still from Boogie Nights, too.
Title: Re: Film mentioned in "That Moment"...
Post by: Punch Drunk Hate on October 22, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Quote from: KUBRICK WITH TWO BRICKS on October 22, 2017, 10:04:42 AM
Sorry, maybe this is a bit irrelevant, but I figured since all PTA fans are in this thread -- in case any of you haven't seen the BTS documentary on the making of Magnolia, check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sG40zsq3kI

(btw, shoutout to the guy with the Sholay avi. I see you.)


Highlights from the doc.

-Phil and Paul in the room.
-William H Macy telling Paul that the script was too long, "you cocksucking motherfucker".
-Julianne Moore intelligent analysis about the film. "You should direct the movie".
-Fiona and Paul in the van for the Magnolia premiere.