Magnolia (1999)

5/5

Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia" is a masterful film that seamlessly blends a day in the life of nine seemingly random characters. It possesses an energy that few films do. The acting is impeccable, the writing is magnificent, and the direction is almost 'Kubrick-ian'. 

Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall) is the host of a game show called "What Do Kids Know?". He has been hosting the show for what will be his 1000th hour on air, where Stanley Spector (Jeremy Blackman) is about to become the longest player in the shows history. Former champion Donny Smith's (William H. Macy) celebrity has run out since his run in the 60's and has been forced into a low level retail job. "What Do Kids Know?" producer Earl Partridge, Jason Robards in his last big screen role, is on his deathbed. He has befriended his nurse Phil Parma (Philip Seymour Hoffman) whom he trusts with the task of contacting his long lost son Frank T.J. Mackey (Tom Cruise), a self-help instructor who helps men to 'Seduce & Destroy'. Earl Partridge's gold digging wife Linda (Julianne Moore) is dealing with the regrets she feels about what she has done to her dying husband.  Jimmy Gator is dying of cancer and attempts to reconcile with his estranged and drug addicted daughter Claudia (Melora Waters). Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), a lonely LAPD officer, is called to Claudia's apartment on a noise complaint and becomes smitten with her. Each of these stories is handled more personally in this film than some are handled in entire movies. We get to know the characters so well. We know their dreams, their fears, their insecurities. We know them. 

Paul Thomas Anderson showed us he had promise with "Boogie Nights", but with "Magnolia" he has undoubtedly established himself as one of the great directors in the industry. Every actor in this film is at the top of their respected games. It actually amazes me that PTA was able to gather so many amazing actors, whether they were just starting out or their incredible career was just about to come to an end. Anderson has assembled one of the greatest ensembles in film history and one of the greatest films of all time. 

That's My Boy (2012)

1/5

"That's My Boy" is a two hour attack on the intelligence and one of those rare comedies where I didn't even crack a smile. From the mind numbingly predictable story to the just plain unfunny antics of Sandler, it became clear to me very quickly that the next two hours were going to be pure hell.

In 1987, after getting his teacher pregnant, Donny Berger becomes a celebrity for his endeavor. He is given endorsement deals and even has his story adapted into a made for TV movie. Move on to the present and Donny is a middle aged man-child who finds out he is in trouble with the IRS. He has to raise $43,000 to avoid going to prison. Donny later sees that his son, whom he hasn't spoken to since he turned 18 and moved out, is now a successful hedge fund manager and is going to be married. In an attempt to deal with his financial woes Donny seeks out his son and attempts to reconcile with him.

When it was over I was left wondering 'why'. Why would I ever care what happened to these people. The characters are so cardboard that the audience never feels the need to sympathize with any of them. There is no chemistry between anyone especially not Samberg and Sandler. Sandler's character is, simply, annoying. What he feels he still has to offer to the world of comedy is incomprehensible. This is the same dog and pony show that we have been subjected to for much too long. There was more than once where we are shown scenes that offer us nothing towards the story. They are just there and it doesn't work. Nothing about this movie works actually, and if you were to just skip over it your life would be that much better.