July 31, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

Well, here we are. Roughly one year ago today, I launched the Cigarettes & Coffee site. As the site introduction states, I was extremely frustrated searching the net for information on PTA & his films, so armed with a little change in pocket, I decided to change that. I purchased the domain name (I wanted pta.com or pta.org, but to no avail), MS Front Page & found an Internet provider to host the site. I knew nothing about html & web design, but figured I would learn along the way.

The site has exceeded all my goals in such a short time. I couldn't believe it when I got my 1,000th hit (I don't use a hit counter anymore, but get roughly 50,000 hits a month). I receive hundreds of emails a month from readers in places like Thailand, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Australia & Hungary (to name a few) sharing their appreciation for the site. As I said, this was the idea. A single source to learn about Paul Thomas Anderson. I decided early on to largely leave my opinions to myself & stick to the news. Obviously, I'm a huge admirer so I don't need to shine his shoes every chance I get. That would be extremely boring & self serving. 

In December 1999, I took a chance & flew down to Los Angeles to catch an early screening of Magnolia at the Egyptian Theater. There was going to be a Q & A session with PTA after the film & thought it would be great opportunity to at least say hello to Paul. I approached him after the session & explained who I was. He was extremely appreciative & I told him I wasn't leaving L.A. without an interview. He was very accommodating, genuinely interested & great to talk with. There's always the chance that when you meeting someone, they turn out to be a horse's ass, but the meeting just energized me to do better with the site.

I'm not your typical film geek fan boy (OK, maybe a little...), I had a great job, a family, outside interests, etc. The site began devouring more of my time & energy. When Magnolia went into wide release, I was getting nearly 100 emails a day. I was also trying to add all the press interviews as fast I could. It was an overwhelming time in my life (for many reasons), but I've learned to prioritize better & not let the site take control of my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just never expected the site to get this much attention. I guess I underestimated the impact that PTA's films have on people & their thirst to learn what's on the horizon for Paul.

I've had the opportunity to meet tons of great people though the site over the past year. Too many to mention them all, but here's just a few that I would like to thank: Jen Barrons, Peter Bracke, Delahunty Crisp, Eric Daigh, Michael Dequina, Bob Ellis, Bill Hader, Bill Hunt, Jared Irmas, Dominic Marceau, Jocco Phillips, Anne Rech, Karine Tanguy, Aaron Tichenor, Bumble Ward, Damon Wise & Matthew Wilder.

Of course, I can't forget PTA, who has continued to support the site & for this, I'm very grateful. 

Lastly, I can't forget aspiring filmmakers Ryan Worley & CJ Wallis who have helped me tremendously with the site. I couldn't do it without you! I'm sure I forgot a few names, so please forgive me. - Greg Mariotti

July 27, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

The Magnolia DVD has been delivered to select DVD sites for early review. The VHS is now available for rental, but go out & buy a DVD player & wait another month for the real thing. As expected, the DVD lives up to the hype. Check out the in depth looks at DVD File & DVD Angle. 

The packaging will include a sleek, black slipcase to house the two disc set. Boogie Nights should also have a slipcase. Here's a picture of the Magnolia slipcase.

The MTV Music Video Award Nominations were announced yesterday. PTA's "Save Me" was nominated for best video from a film & best editing in a video. The awards will be held on September 7 at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

There was a fascinating article on magician/actor Ricky Jay this past weekend in L.A. Times Magazine. Here's the link to the entire story, but here's what PTA had to say:

Paul Thomas Anderson, who cast Jay as a cinematographer in "Boogie Nights," is one of the magician's most unabashed fans. Jay acted and narrated in Anderson's "Magnolia" as well. In fact, Jay was one of the first people to read the script for last year's ensemble film, and the young director, who considers Jay an underused actor, has great affection for him. "He's like Mr. Wizard. Whenever I have a question about writing, one of the first people I think to ask is Ricky."

The August issue of Movieline has a 2 page article on New Line president, Mike De Luca focusing on his home theater & DVD collection. Here's some comments related to PTA:

"Paul Thomas Anderson has been here and turned me on to Deep Throat, which really surprised me because they were going for a real story there. Brett Ratner [director], who's a good friend of mine, watched an early cut of Boogie Nights here, was blown away and probably took a lot of that into Rush Hour."

"When there was a perception at the office from my superiors that Boogie Nights was too long, I came home and did a marathon of Spartacus, Lawrence of Arabia and The Ten Commandments. By the time I was through, I thought, 'We've got the shortest movie in history!' and I went back to New Line and proposed a four-hour Boogie Nights with a disco intermission."

July 14, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

There's a New Line flyer in the recent release of the Boiler Room DVD which includes info on the upcoming Boogie Nights DVD. The features listed include "The Dirk Diggler Story - a short film by P.T. Anderson." Before you get too excited, I suspect these were early specifications. If you recall, PTA toyed with the idea of including this, but ultimately changed his mind. I would be shocked if things have changed in the last few weeks. These flyers were probably printed some time ago (Note: they are missing the Exhausted documentary, The John C. Reilly Files, etc.).

I'm very pleased to present an incredible interview from Millimeter Magazine. This very detailed piece discusses the painstaking special effects work for the frog storm & includes numerous quotes from ILM's Joe Letteri, Magnolia's visual effects supervisor. There's been much written about the frog sequence, but little on it's creation from script to screen. It's well worth your time & a great look inside the making of this truly unforgettable sequence.

Finally, I'm going to end today's lengthy update with various PTA related quotes (some old, some new). You'll notice Gwyneth Paltrow isn't afraid to speak her mind. I'll see you next Wednesday!

"Frogs are a walk in the park compared to these waves. Frogs are a little less [harmful] than 2,000 gallons of water hitting you in the face."

- John C. Reilly on comparing what he's had to face on screen
(Entertainment Weekly - 7/21)

"The Wave is incredible - there's no bigger way to end a movie, although my penis in Boogie Nights was a bigger personal moment."

- Mark Wahlberg on the oversize climax in The Perfect Storm
(Entertainment Weekly - 7/21)

''I think 'Magnolia' is one of the best films I've ever seen. And if anyone disagrees with me, I'll fight them to the death.''

- Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Entertainment Weekly - 3/24)

“I thought it was brilliant. I thought parts of it were absolute genius, but I think it is too long and I thought it got repetitive. It makes you want to kick Paul’s ass. Paul needs someone to say ‘Cut it out, you’re going crazy,’ because he is a genius and he is the most incredible filmmaker of our generation. I think he will continue to make great films, but you don’t want to lose sight of what you are trying to say and some of it could have been trimmed down. His technical skills are just incredible, but it’s too long.” 

- Gwyneth Paltrow on her reaction to Magnolia
(Reel West Magazine)

“It was easy to get this money and it was easy to make this movie. But I think that it’s a one time thing after the success of Boogie Nights. I’m in a great position to have final cut over my movies and control over their elements, but I know that I have to use it productively and hopefully make some money.”

- Paul Thomas Anderson on his future after Magnolia
(Reel West Magazine)

''I have a tuxedo and I went once before and I didn't win, and I want to win. I want an Oscar.'' 

- Paul Thomas Anderson (Entertainment Weekly - 3/24)

"I wanted to be supportive of PTA. He’s a filmmaker I really enjoy. He’s just unique. He’s an old soul kid. He’s a good guy."

- Tom Cruise (On Rosie O’Donnell's show)

July 14, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

I am pleased to introduce a new feature to site today, PTA's DVD Pick of the Month! Around the middle of each month (Can anyone guess what August's DVD will be?), I will highlight a release along with some quotes from PTA on that particular film & why he likes it. This will be located at the top of this page with a link to where you can purchase the title.

July 12, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

Remember that little bomb I dropped a few days ago about a contest & a DVD? Well, to whet your appetite further, I'm providing some additional info about the DVD. PTA put a limited number of these together & I was fortunate to receive a few. (Thanks again PTA). The DVD includes all six music videos directed by Paul. Click to View: Front Cover, Back Cover & Disc

6 Music Videos by p.t.anderson

Michael Penn - Try
, Aimee Mann - Save Me
, Fiona Apple - Across the Universe,
Fiona Apple - Fast as You Can, 
Fiona Apple - Limp, 
Fiona Apple - Paper Bag

I will be announcing the contest for your chance to win very soon! I have only one requirement if you win, don't sell it on Ebay! These are to be shared & not to be sold to the highest bidder!

July 10, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

I hope you all had the opportunity to watch Boogie Nights on FX yesterday. It was interesting to see what was left intact (i.e. jack off, joy juice, etc.) & what was altered. I enjoyed the clever way the profanity & nudity were handled. That said, there's nothing like seeing Boogie Nights on the big screen & DVD is the next best thing, as it's amazing what's widescreen compositions are lost. Hopefully, viewers who have never seen it, will seek out the DVD & PTA's other films.

July 9, 2000

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

I apologize for missing yesterday's update, but I think today's news will more than make up for it...I had a chance to briefly communicate with PTA on various subjects, so here's my questions & Paul's answers:

Were you involved with the TV version of Boogie Nights?

Dylan [Tichenor] and I did the tv version of Boogie Nights and I love it -- NOTHING was cut from the film if you can imagine -- It was a blast dealing with it in interesting and cool ways -- I can't wait to watch it on TV.....you'll see -- should be pretty interesting.... 

What's the latest on Forest Hills Bob?

No idea really, I haven't talked to Bob [Downey Sr.] in a while and I'm an awful producer. It's really just my name that's being used right now...we'll see...

Regarding your collaboration with Jonathan Demme. Can you comment on this quote from Demme that appeared in Premiere Magazine in 1998. "He's going to be writing a script set in the world of magic, against a carnival backdrop, and [magician-actor] Ricky Jay is working on it as well....."

That was left over stuff from a thing we were talking about a long, long time ago and has no basis in reality.....for now or with Jonathan....Jonathan is working on his Charade re-make and I just talk to him/consult about it once in while -- I'm not officially doing my thing with him yet -- when we officially decide to do something it has to be pretty special in my mind.

PTA also said that he is currently "In hibernation" working on a few "secret projects". It sounds like the TV version of Boogie Nights is a must see, so make sure you watch FX this Sunday. Don't forget, you'll hear any news on PTA's future projects here first!

I have more exciting news as I'm in the planning stages for the first monthly contest for the site! What will the prize be? Believe it or not, a DVD courtesy of PTA for all his music videos! PTA has put together a great DVD collection which includes all six music videos that he has directed! More exciting news on this soon.