Why we like PTA

Started by TheVoiceOfNick, October 17, 2003, 10:30:10 AM

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TheVoiceOfNick

Ok, this may open a can of worms, but hey, we do that everyday on other categories, so why not here...

I have a theory as to why we all like PTA so much... I was actually discussing this with another xixax member last night... I think he's the every-man director... he not only writes and directs great movies we can all relate to in some way or another, he's a hip and cool guy too!  We not only relate with his movies, but we can relate with him too... he's not like some snobby directors who have filmschool experience and talk about "existencialism", "narssicism" and "humanistic dillemmas" (which I can barely spell!), who leave the average joe scratching their heads and saying "huh?"... during interviews, PTA talks about his characters' roles through life and their situations... in plan English... he's personable and we like him for that...

Any thoughts on this?

SoNowThen

sadly, most of PTA's interviews and scenes DO leave average joe scratching his head.

let's not kid ourselves here. I fucking love the man and his work, but in terms of mainstream, he's not. not by a loooooooong shot.

tarantino is more the average joe director. mostly because the drunken antics are entertaining to joe.
Those who say that the totalitarian state of the Soviet Union was not "real" Marxism also cannot admit that one simple feature of Marxism makes totalitarianism necessary:  the rejection of civil society. Since civil society is the sphere of private activity, its abolition and replacement by political society means that nothing private remains. That is already the essence of totalitarianism; and the moralistic practice of the trendy Left, which regards everything as political and sometimes reveals its hostility to free speech, does nothing to contradict this implication.

When those who hated capital and consumption (and Jews) in the 20th century murdered some hundred million people, and the poster children for the struggle against international capitalism and America are now fanatical Islamic terrorists, this puts recent enthusiasts in an awkward position. Most of them are too dense and shameless to appreciate it, and far too many are taken in by the moralistic and paternalistic rhetoric of the Left.

TheVoiceOfNick

I think PTA is more of a young filmmaker's filmmaker though... a lot of us like movies, and a lot of us want to make them but don't have a formal education in them... so PTA makes them, and doesn't leave people clueless in his interviews, as far as the art side of things go... sure, Tarantino is more mainstream, but PTA seams like a cooler guy... someone we could imagine hanging out with...

Finn

Here's why I like PTA:

His movies are always extremly artistic, with smart dialouge, he knows his characters, he's great at character driven pieces, he knows good actors, he has his own style, he has a great eye for music, he has his own unique personality, he's interesting, and he's just plain cool.
Typical US Mother: "Remember what the MPAA says; Horrific, Deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words."

TheVoiceOfNick

Quote from: Sydneyhe has a great eye for music,

I've been told I have a great ear for graphic design...

Quote from: Sydneyand he's just plain cool.

Exactly my point...  :-D

Find Your Magali

Frankly, it's neat that directors like PTA and Soderbergh and Ratner* are so down-to-earth and hip and literate.

But, in the end, that's simply a bonus.

Only the films matter.

Why I love PTA:

1. I went into "Boogie Nights" knowing very little about it and having one of the most entertaining experiences I've ever had in a theatre.

2. So I went and rented "Hard Eight" and was floored by PBH and JCR there in PTA's first film.

3. I waited and waited and then drove 45 minutes to a theatre to see "Magnolia" and was absolutely floored. A trascendent film.

4. I saw "Punch-Drunk Love" three times in eight days and adored it.

It's all about the films. They rock. That's why I love PTA. The end.

-----------
*-Ha, ha. That was a joke.

Finn

:lol: Alright, he has a good ear for music! I hope we're all happy now with our place in the world.
Typical US Mother: "Remember what the MPAA says; Horrific, Deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words."

ono

I thought we already establish that we don't like him?  I mean, he's just not very food!

prophet

We gonna do a little Q&A Mr. Worley, and at the risk of sounding redundant please... make your answers Genuine...

TheVoiceOfNick

Quote from: OnomatopoeiaI thought we already establish that we don't like him?  I mean, he's just not very food!

I probably missed the explaination of the use of the word "food", but could you repeat it?

Nick

ono

Quote from: TheVoiceOfNick
Quote from: OnomatopoeiaI thought we already establish that we don't like him?  I mean, he's just not very food!

I probably missed the explaination of the use of the word "food", but could you repeat it?

Nick
Punch-Drunk Love.  Barry says to Walter upon being asked how he is, "I'm very food."  Or rather, he says that in response to how his business is doing.  He of course means "good," and Walter (?) points out that he may be hungry, and that may be why he said food.

Barry shakes hands and hello's with the brother in law's.
He's left alone for a moment with Walter and Elizabeth;

                        WALTER
           How you doin' Barry?

                        BARRY
           Hi Walter.

                        WALTER
           How's business?

                        BARRY
           Business is very food, thanks.
                        ELIZABETH
           What's very food?

                        BARRY
           What?

                        ELIZABETH
           You just said very food.

                        BARRY
           Did I say that?

                        WALTER
           Yeah.

                        BARRY
           That was weird. I meant good.

                        WALTER
           Maybe you said that because you're
           hungry.....

From http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/Punch-Drunk_Love.html.  Heh, another joke that loses all its meaning when explained.  :-D

MacGuffin

QuoteWhy we like PTA

Because he brought us all together in this community.
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." - Andy Warhol


Skeleton FilmWorks

Finn

My avatar is an image of...I'm not really sure. Most of my avatars are off of random websites. I know that it was drawn and put into a newspaper at some point. Looks pretty cool though!

I'll tell you what, he's whatever you want him to be!
Typical US Mother: "Remember what the MPAA says; Horrific, Deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words."

SoNowThen

it appears to be Hunter S Thompson...
Those who say that the totalitarian state of the Soviet Union was not "real" Marxism also cannot admit that one simple feature of Marxism makes totalitarianism necessary:  the rejection of civil society. Since civil society is the sphere of private activity, its abolition and replacement by political society means that nothing private remains. That is already the essence of totalitarianism; and the moralistic practice of the trendy Left, which regards everything as political and sometimes reveals its hostility to free speech, does nothing to contradict this implication.

When those who hated capital and consumption (and Jews) in the 20th century murdered some hundred million people, and the poster children for the struggle against international capitalism and America are now fanatical Islamic terrorists, this puts recent enthusiasts in an awkward position. Most of them are too dense and shameless to appreciate it, and far too many are taken in by the moralistic and paternalistic rhetoric of the Left.

Alethia

i thought it was philip baker hall