October 27, 2000

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

If you're addicted to tobacco or have a weakness for dingy diners, you'll be itching for a smoke in your favorite local eatery after watching Cigarettes and Coffee, a 30-minute short written and directed by Paul Anderson in 1993, before he took on the snazzy moniker P.T. Anderson. From the corner of my eye I spotted the label on the video's white, hard plastic case. It read: "Warning: Only available version of this ultra rare film. Picture quality may be affected." Hmmm ... my curiosity was piqued.

This was Anderson's, director of the much lauded hits Boogie Nights and Magnolia, first film. Set in a diner outside Las Vegas (a city with very lenient smoking regulations), it gives a quick glimpse into the lives of five people, a minuscule cast compared with his other films which are filled to the brim with many well-known actors. There are three narratives: two friends, one young and in trouble, the other older and supposedly wiser (Philip Baker Hall); a young couple on their dysfunctional honeymoon; and a shady hustler. On the surface, they all seem to be connected solely by their love of nicotine. However, as their secrets unfurl, their stories seem to softly glide together along the fringes. When one crumples a $20 note and throws it on the floor, another finds it and picks it up on her way out.

These types of cat-and-mouse coincidences, which tie seemingly disparate characters together through small, unassuming actions, are key structural points that Anderson builds upon and polishes in his later films. Like Quentin Tarantino, he possesses a knack for blending different life stories together onto one large canvas, but does so in a slightly more subtle way.

He expanded Cigarettes and Coffee into the 1996 feature Sydney, which was then dubbed Hard Eight. He used bigger stars then, like Samuel L. Jackson and Gwyneth Paltrow, but here he only musters up a relatively unknown cast with actors like Kirk Baltz and Scott Coffey. This initial effort seems to be an exploration of human nature and relationships, particularly in the face of friction. He presents a few, quick vignettes that leave the viewer with the knowledge that there is and will be more.

The short opens with close-ups of the ritualistic act of preparing and lighting a cigarette. Hall breaks the silence with precisely enunciated words – as if each syllable needs to be pronounced just so – to benefit the viewers so that we may absorb the full importance of the point. The point? Drink coffee and have a smoke when you need to get something serious off your chest.

Tobacco and caffeine are the Valium of this created world. Each drag soothes the nerves of both the distraught and mellow characters. Is it a commentary on commonplace addictions or an exercise in product placement? Even as the newlywed husband barrages his wife with caustic words because of her irresponsible gambling binge, when he pauses to smoke life seems a bit more bearable and his wife less stupid.

But cigarettes and caffeine aren't the core of his film; the dubious mysteries are slowly revealed. Of course, they come at the very end leaving you waiting for a sequel. However, this being Anderson's first film, you know that it does pan out. Following the short is Aimee Mann's haunting music video for "Save Me" from the Magnolia soundtrack and two short trailers for the movie. Though a bit strange to watch after a film, it was a nice release from the tension built up earlier.

October 17, 2000

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


After looking through a few hundred entries of the Magnolia DVD Contest, I've just got one thing to say, "Uh Oh!" I'm not getting very many correct entries at this point. Do yourself a favor & check out the Articles & Interviews section for answers to most of the questions. To help you out a bit, I will give you a two hints on where the first public screening of Magnolia was held. PTA wanted to show it somewhere away from the film industry & wanted one of the stars to see it while he was on location shooting his next film...To enter the contest go here.

Did anyone catch the Hard Eight screening this past weekend at the Reno Film Festival or the Boogie Nights screening at the Egyptian? Drop me a line & let me know how it went...

John C. Reilly will be featured in Martin Scorsese's new film, The Gangs of New York with Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz & Daniel Day-Lewis. It's currently filming overseas in Rome & is scheduled for release in 2001. (Thanks Anne!)

Magnolia dropped to 21st place on the VHS rentals chart for the week ending October 1st.  Weekly rental revenue was 0.82 million for a total of 42.3 million since its release on July 25th. These numbers are courtesy of National Rental Revenue & Video Store Magazine.

October 13, 2000

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

Happy Friday the 13th! To celebrate, check out our new contest. Win one of 5 copies of the new 2 Disc Magnolia DVD! Entries will be accepted until November 13th & winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 15th. Check out all the details here.

October 12, 2000

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


Magnolia will be re-released to sell on VHS on January 16th, 2001. I don't know what additional features to expect, but I imagine that will see a letterboxed version. The suggested retail price will be $19.98. More information as soon as I have it.

Philip Baker Hall will be the featured guest tonight on NBC's Later with Cynthia Garrett. Check your local listings for the time in your area. (Thanks Jed!)

Magnolia fell to 19th place on the VHS rentals chart for the week ending September 24th.  Weekly rental revenue was 1.07 million for a total of 41 million since its release on July 25th. These numbers are courtesy of National Rental Revenue & Video Store Magazine.

I've added quite a few new pictures to the PTA/Fiona section of the PTA Photo Gallery, including pictures from the 1998 & 2000 Academy Awards. More Photo Gallery additions in the near future.

I'll return on Friday with your chance to win the new Magnolia DVD!

October 10, 2000

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

The Melora Walters interview is finally available for your reading pleasure. She was extremely friendly & you'll learn a few things about her relationship with PTA, acting philosophy & future projects. A graphic link will be available soon, but for now, just click here.

October 5, 2000

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

There will be a PTA double feature at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 4th & Thursday, October 5th. Hard Eight will be shown each day at 7:30 p.m. & Magnolia at 9:30 p.m. For more information, here's a link to their website. Don't miss your chance to see these on the big screen!

Hard Eight will be screened on October 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the 1st Annual Reno Film Festival. For festival & ticket information go here.

Boogie Nights will be screened as part of American Cinematheque's Hollywood on Hollywood film series on October 15th at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Boogie Nights will be shown at 5:45 p.m. For more information, check out the American Cinematheque's site here.

Magnolia landed in 13th place on the VHS rentals chart for the week ending September 17th.  Weekly rental revenue was 1.38 million for a total of 39.2 million since its release on July 25th. 

Phil Hoffman did a two hour Q & A at Yale University this past Thursday. He spoke about his stage acting & working with PTA, among other topics. Sounds like it was a great evening! (Thanks Nick!)

It sounds like the screening of Hard Eight at Brown University did not go off as planned last weekend. Brown is set up to show 16mm prints & the Hard Eight print was 35mm. (Thanks Jared!)