Like Terence Malick, Paul Michael Thomas makes unconventional films that challenge viewers. Even his most commercial film, Boogie Nights (1997), resisted going low, remarkable considering it was centered on the world of porn. He focused on the delusion of the characters: the director who hoped to create a masterpiece of the genre; the star who believed she was fit to be a mother; the male performers who hoped to be successful in other endeavors. Thomas helmed Adam Sandler’s only serious work, Punch-Drunk Love (2002). There Will Be Blood (2007) is his most successful film among critics. I respected more than liked it. Magnolia (1999) also received many award nominations. I don’t remember much about it other than liking it. Hard 8 (1996), a gritty piece centered on gamblers, features Gwyneth Paltrow at her finest. What is unusual about all of the above is that they are largely character-driven, although interesting events do take place in them occasionally. Thomas wrote the screenplay for each. Last night I watched The Master (2012), courtesy of Netflix, another of the director’s challenges. It is the story of two strong-willed men, an unstable Navy WWII veteran and the founder of a sect similar to Scientology. Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic as the former, Phillip Seymour Hoffman displays his usual brilliance as the latter. Again the focus is primarily on individuals, on the duel between them. It is not an expose` of the controversial philosophy embraced by Tom Cruise and John Travolta. My ignorance of it has not changed after viewing the film. I don’t know whether Hoffman’s character is a visionary, deluded, a guy just trying to impress women, or a fraud who is, as his own son states: “…making it up as he goes along.” It doesn’t matter. The characters are the story. The film runs 144 minutes. During the second half I periodically peered at the clock, eager for the end. It is not for the average movie-goer. Phoenix was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor, Hoffman and Amy Adams, who plays his true-believer wife, were nominated for supporting roles. On a scale of five, I rate it three. It is rated 7.2 at IMDB. One of its best features is Jonny Greenwood’s score.
Once again The Masters provided high drama, sport at its finest. It was the gritty, grinding style of Argentina's Angel Cabrera vs. the classic fluidity of Australia's Adam Scott. Each man made incredible shots and putts down the stretch and in the two sudden death holes. Cabrera lost, literally, by a fraction, his putt an eighth of an inch from falling into the hole. Scott is the first Aussie to win the coveted green jacket. For so many years Greg Norman tantalized his fellow countrymen down under, and legions of fans around the world, by coming up just short. Given the controversy about whether Tiger Woods should or shouldn't have been disqualified due to a rule violation during Friday's round, I'm glad he didn't win. For the first time, I was rooting against him. I try to remain neutral and hope for fantastic play from all, but I was pulling for Scott this time, as Cabrera had already won the tournament in 2009. Scott uses the long putter, which is scheduled to be outlawed in the near future. I've never believed it provides an unfair advantage. Great show, gentlemen.
My thanks to the ladies and gentleman who purchased CDs today, Best-ofs by George Michael, Sting, Leonard Cohen and Madonna.
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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