September 8, 1999

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

Magnolia Release Date?

According to the latest issue of Variety magazine, Magnolia is still scheduled to open up in limited release on December 25, 1999 (the deadline for 1999 Oscar consideration). It would then open wider on January 7, 2000. According to the article, six films are currently scheduled to open on Christmas day, so it's very possible that we may see some movement. Hopefully, Paul and New Line decide to push the title up a bit but it's looking like a very crowded holiday season.

September 5, 1999

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

There was a Workprint of the film that Paul talks about extensively on the commentary. It was basically ripped off by one the editing companies that was putting together one of the trailers and it was circulated around town before Paul had locked down the print. He was very disappointed by this and even called up some of the people who had gotten a hold of the workprint and asked them where they got it. Paul was extremely flattered that people about the "buzz" the movie was creating, but he wanted people to see the film the way that it was intended (i.e. finished and in the theater).

I have to admit that I am such a huge fan that I had a copy of it fall in my lap a couple of months ago and I was curious to see it. It's quite a murky mess (because it's not a first or second generation) but it does have many additional bits of dialogue, and scenes (some not included on the DVD or Laserdisc). It follows the script a little more closely and includes many of the dialogue cuts that were probably mandated by the MPAA in order to achieve an R rating.

But please remember that the film that was released was Paul’s director’s cut. Let’s hope that someday he puts together a Special Edition longer cut just for diehard fans that want to see some of the extra bits.

Enjoy!

To make things easier I am using the timing of the DVD version so you will know where the scenes would fit into the film.

.34

The Workprint adds to the opening credits after New Line Cinema presents:

A Lawrence Gordon production

In Association with Ghoulardi Film Company

A P.T. Anderson Picture

7:42

Small dialogue exchange between Reed, Becky & Buck discussing what to do. Little Bill comes along & they all decide to head home (See deleted scene "Ham and Cheese" on the Boogie Nights DVD)

10:35

Little Bill opens the door to his bedroom

Workprint adds

Wide shot of Little Bill’s wife grinding on the stud.

Little Bill: What the fuck are you doing?

Little Bill’s Wife: What the fuck does it look like I’m doing?                                             I’ve got a cock in my pussy, you idiot!

(This line was probably cut at the request of the MPAA as was the fact that during the whole conversation she is continuing to fuck the stud, in the theatrical version she stops grinding during the conversation).

14:06

This montage is in a different order

Workprint

Rollergirl in school

Buck at the stereo store

Eddie and Cheryl Lynn

Theatrical

Buck at the stereo store

Rollergirl in school

Eddie and Cheryl Lynn

25:23

After Rollergirl says “Don’t fucking come in me” Workprint adds:

Jack (off camera): Aim it towards her face, Eddie.

Rollergirl: Fuck you Jack!

Then to the Jack line “aim it at her tits Eddie."

27:33

Eddie and Mom fight

Eddie: I’m not stupid!

Mom: Yes, you are

Workprint omits the following:

Eddie: Please don’t’ fucking do that! Please don’t be mean to me!

Mom: I’m not being mean to you, you’re just too stupid to see it!

53:26

First Sex Scene

Workprint has a different shot selection (due to MPAA mandated cuts)

Wide angle shot of Dirk laying Amber on the desk and a full view of Dirk’s ass as he is pumping repeatedly into Amber. Their dialogue here is indistinct.

The theatrical version uses a close-up of them and the following dialogue before he lays her on the desk:

Amber: OK, we’re gonna go down now. OK. No, do it again. No, OK.

1:01:41

1st Awards Ceremony

The following lines were added before Dirk comes up to accept his award:

Jessie: I can’t wait to get that big cock inside my mouth, my ass, my pussy or any which way he’ll give it to me. (Probably cut by MPAA request).

1:22:32

New Years Eve

When Little Bill walks into the room, the camera follows him inside and we see Little Bill’s wife leaning over a desk or bed getting it from behind by another young stud. She turns and looks up at him and then turns back around and continues.

1:24:05

The camera follows Little Bill into the room and we see him fire off three shots that hit Little Bill's Wife and the young stud as they collapse onto the floor.

1:26:15

Amber’s Documentary

Brock Landers (Dirk) slaps girl

Workprint adds:

Girl: Do it again, maybe I’ll get my pussy we next time!

[Cut back to Dirk doing interview with Amber]

Dirk: Strength is sexy, you know. My whole thing about being sexy is it has to be masculine, you know?

[Cut to Additional shots of Rollergirl giving him head]

Dirk Voiceover: You can ask any person I’ve ever worked with, any actress I’ve never ever put my hand on her. Unless it’s in a way they wanted me to.

[Cut back to Dirk doing interview with Amber]

Dirk: In that’s just how it is and I think it’s very sexy because it’s between the two characters, you know? And even though I know you’re bad, and you know I’m good, we still get it on.

1:35:50

Dirk trying to get hard in the bathroom

In the Workprint this was one long take of Dirk stroking his thing. Scotty opens up the door (you see this in the mirror) and kinda of takes a long pause and then shuts the door. Dirk looks up and says:

Dirk: What the fuck?!

Then he turns around and opens the door (It’s not clear if he saw that it was Scotty or someone else).

Theatrical version adds dissolves of Dirk stroking and the following lines:

Dirk: Your ready, you were born ready. Come on!

(A little karate pose) and then opens the door and exits the bathroom

1:40:07

Montage

This section has radically different sequencing and added scenes from the theatrical version.

Workprint

Johnny Doe shooting his scene with Jack directing and the Colonel behind him on the couch.

Shot of a house in with the title underneath “Bakersfield, CA”

Jerome: (looks real different know as his head is shaved) Fucking Whore! You’re a fucking whore!

Becky (meekly): Jerome, you’d better stop it.

Jerome: (coming at her with a belt) You like big dicks!

Becky: Stop it!

Jerome: I bet you wish my dick was bigger!

Becky: Don’t you….

[Jerome hits her in the face]

Buck and Jessie at the bank.

Rollergirl and Amber doing coke in the bedroom.

Summer and Skye in the hot tub

Rock Harders (Johnny Doe) footage Johnny can clearly be heard saying:

Rock (Johnny): Lick my balls, bitch!

Todd entering Dirk’s with the coke

Back to the bank.

Back to Rollergirl and Amber

Dirk and Reed trying to get the demo tapes

Back to Rollergirl and Amber

Back to studio (“It’s not an MP, it’s a YP – your problem”)

Back to bank (Buck turned down for loan).

Dirk snorting cocaine

Jack walking through the warehouse.

Added shots of Jack opening the door to receptionist area where two cops are waiting:

Jack: Hello there.

Cops: You Jack Horner.

Jack: Yeah.

Cops: There was an accident the other day.

Cut to Reed walking in to and Dirk lying on the couch.

Reed: Oh fuck Dirk! Remember that kid, Johnny Doe?

Dirk: No.

Reed: The kid from Jack…….

Dirk: What about him?

Reed: (kind of grinning) He died. He got in a car accident a couple of days ago and he died. He like went through the windshield or something. Fucking shit.

Dirk: Are you serious?

Reed: Yeah, he’s dead, can you believe it?

Dirk: Tough luck. Going through the windshield, that’s gotta hurt.

[Phone Rings]

[Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk starts playing the background]

Cut to Becky crouched in the corner of the kitchen holding phone (visibly beat up)

Becky: Dirk, I need you to come and get me. I need you to come and see me Dirk.

[Jerome pounding on the door]

Jerome: Open the fucking door! I’m giving you one more chance!

Dirk: Calm down and tell me where you are.

Becky: Me..Meet me at the Denny's in Bakersfield.

Dirk: OK, I’ll be there right now, just calm down and wait for me. I’m coming right now, right now.

Becky: Please don't do anything to me, Jerome. Please. Please. I ask.

Jerome: Think your Miss Fuckin Movie Star with a dick in your mouth? Huh? You're gonna tell me - tell it me or I'm gonna break your fuckin' jaw.

Becky: I don't know what you want me - 

Jerome: I want you to tell me that you liked getting fucked by those men in those movies. I want you to tell me that you loved getting shit in your face - You fucking say it, cunt.

Becky: I liked it...........

Jerome: Do you like big dicks?

Becky: I don't know what you want me to..

Jerome: Say it.

Becky: Yes, I like big dicks.

Cut to Jerome punching Becky in the face.

Dirk: (to Reed) I gotta go kick some ass!

Reed: whose ass?

Dirk: Don’t worry about it.

Reed: Becky? Like our Becky? I want know.

Cut to Becky as Jerome walks away

Becky grabs a frying pan and hits him over the head repeatedly and then runs out of the house and down the streets as the camera pulls back and up (crane shot).

Cut to Dirk driving down the street, snorting coke, fixing his hair in the mirror as he loses control of the steering wheel and crashes the Corvette into a telephone pole.

Cut to Becky sitting at the diner drinking coffee and waiting for Dirk.

[Judge (Veronica Hart) voiceover]: Do you have a lawyer with you?

Amber: No, I don’t

Theatrical version

Dirk and Reed in the studio

Johnny Doe shooting his scene with Jack directing and the Colonel behind him on the couch.

Rollergirl and Amber doing coke in the bedroom.

Buck and Jessie at the bank.

Summer and Skye in the hot tub.

Rock Harders (Johnny Doe) footage. Johnny says:

Rock (Johnny): Yes, Bitch!

Todd entering Dirk’s with the coke.

Back to bank

Back to Rollergirl and Amber

Dirk and Reed trying to get the demo tapes

Back to Rollergirl and Amber

Back to studio (“It’s not an MP, it’s a YP – your problem”)

Back to bank (Buck turned down for loan).

Jack walking through the warehouse.

Dissolve to Amber in Court

Theatrical Version adds:

Judge: You must be Maggie, I’m Kathleen O’Malley, the judge.

Long shot holding on Amber.

2:20:51

Final Montage

Workprint adds:

Cut to Becky working in a retirement home serving food to some elderly patients.

Final Note: Don't forget there are many other scenes that did not make the cut. Some which were filmed & others that were not. To read the additional scenes with Maurice & Rollergirl, Dirk's visit back at his parents house where Cheryl Lynn is now married & living, etc., pick up the Boogie Nights script by following the link below.

September 4, 1999

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

De Luca named Variety Showman of the Year!

Mike De Luca, President of Production for New Line Cinema was named Variety's Annual Showman of the Year. Previous honorees include Michael Eisner, Michael Crichton, Robert Wright, and Jim Carrey. 

Here are Paul's comments on New Line and Mike:

Paul Thomas Anderson, writer-director of Boogie Nights puts it bluntly, "I go where Mike goes. He lets me do what I want to do but, he can also guide me away from some self-inflicted wounds I might cause." Studios have suggestions, but "if you're an egotistical filmmaker like myself you don't want to listen."

As for what sets Michael De Luca apart: "I really haven't dealt with that many other studio execs. I've met a few of them and I wouldn't want them to have my home phone number. But Mike does.

"Everybody in Hollywood rushes to give their opinion and he doesn't do that. What he can do is not say a lot and keep his mouth shut and let you discover it. I would prefer to not make movies anywhere else and I think there's a lot of people who feel the same way."

Courtesy of Vanessa Torres - Variety Magazine August 23-29, 1999

Paul's Ad

Here's Paul's ad in Variety congratulating Mike De Luca

September 1, 1999

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

Roughcut Scoop/Magnolia to be trimmed and pushed up??

Editor's Note: This scoop courtesy of Rough Cut 

THE GOOD: Jeff Wells got some early poop on Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia and thus broke the code of silence around the picture. Jeff's concerns about the over-three-hour running time led to an exchange between myself and New Line's Michael DeLuca on Magnolia, with DeLuca kindly laying out the studio's position on how they handle a three-hour movie: "Here's the straight scoop: There's no pressure on Paul to cut. I don't pressure world class filmmakers. I make suggestions, Bob Shaye makes suggestions, but that's it. I flipped over the film, and all I told Paul was that if he could, he should try to keep the running time requirement for four shows a day as opposed to three in his mind while trimming. He agreed and he's been trimming on his own these past four weeks. I let Paul have his own process, and he often screens changes for me.

We totally knew what the film was going to be when we read the script. No surprises. I thought we'd end up with a three and a half hour movie and he's actually going to end up much shorter. We never thought that the commercial chances for Magnolia would be determined by running time. It's either going to connect as the greatest film ever made before the ending of a millennium, or it won't, but a half hour will not make the difference. With this kind of movie, it's the total experience of the film itself that sells the film. All we told Paul was cut the best movie you can."

In Jeff's conversation with Paul Thomas Anderson, a potential Thanksgiving release on as many as 1800 screens was brought up. New Line got killed in platform release for the underrated and underseen Living Out Loud last year, so one more exchange on the release, so I felt compelled to ask if they were going wider to avoid the past. Apparently not. DeLuca on distribution: "We're actually trying to avoid December competition (Ripley, The Green Mile, etc). There's like four three hour movies in December. So I want to either be the first or the last (a January release with a qualifying run, like we did Wag the Dog). We were always going wider than 800, [it was] just a matter of when."

And I guess it still is. There aren't many production chiefs in Hollywood who surf the Web, much less indulge those of us who work out here. Mike DeLuca is a rare bird in that way and in many others. The most remarkable one is that I don't think he's ever misled me, on or off the record. Could being honest be the future of Hollywood? Let's see. In my experience, Fox and New Line are the most willingly informative and most direct of the studios. And they do pretty well. Hmmmm...Like Cosmo suggested in Sneakers, does the power to create destruction (a big Web issue) come from "Too many secrets?" Hmmmm...

Courtesy of Roughcut by David Poland

Premiere Magazine Tidbit

Magnolia is discussed in the September 1999 Fall Movie Preview. 

The Pitch:

During one day in the San Fernando Valley, the lives of several disparate people (including Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly) intersect, with tragicomic results.

The Big Picture:

Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights) denies the rumor that the script for his $30 million-plus follow-up runs a staggering 160 pages. "No," he says with a laugh. "It's longer." He refuses to say much else about it, however. "I feel lately as if I know everything about a movie before I see it, " he says, "and I really want the audience to discover this purely." Some of the Nights cast have returned, plus one rather prominent addition: Tom Cruise, in an un-billed role. And (get this) it was Cruise who approached Anderson. "It's like getting the phone call from the President of the United States, " Anderson says. "If he hadn't called, I just would have assumed he wasn't gettable for me." But if the first days of filming seemed like a class reunion, that feeling didn't last. "Julianne was the first one to shoot - she kind of got the baseball bat in the face," Anderson says, figuratively speaking. "It was emotionally arduous," Moore confirms, "Paul pushed me really hard - much harder than someone I didn't know would have." Macy, who plays a former quiz-show whiz kid obsessed with a male bartender, endured pain of a more physical nature. "Paul had an idea for a gag where I leave the keys on my belt chain in the door and walk away, and it's supposed to knock me ass-over-teakettle," Macy says. "He made me do it 35 times . My whole hip was black and blue by the end of the night." Perhaps Anderson was getting even. Earlier, when the director was discussing how one scene should be shot, Macy observed that the proposed angle was unflattering to him. "Oh, here it starts," Anderson roared. "One fucking nomination and suddenly... You're not a leading man; you're a character actor." Macy gibed back: "And you're a cult director who doesn't know when to stop writing."

August 20, 1999

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

Another Summary of the Hard Eight DVD

"You know the first thing they should've taught you at hooker school? You get the money up front!"

Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samuel L. Jackson all learn the hard way that "there are six ways to roll a seven ... but only one way out of trouble," in Boogie Nights director Paul Thomas Anderson's debut feature, "Hard Eight: Special Edition" [1996; CTS; A (2.35),PS; DS; R; 101m; EN:CC,EN; $27.95; 10/5].

"Sydney (Hall) is a deadpan professional gambler, who operates in the twilight casino world of Reno. He takes John (Reilly), a younger and somewhat naïve man, under his wing after what appears to be a chance encounter. As their relationship develops, John's confidence grows under Sydney's tutelage. He falls in love with a waitress and sometimes hooker, Clementine (Paltrow), and then falls into some bad company in the form of Jimmy (Jackson), an obnoxious and dangerous small-time crook who openly challenges Sydney's influence. Despite Sydney's attempts to keep him out of trouble, he is soon forced to intervene when John and Clementine kidnap an overzealous client and lose control of what becomes a violent situation. It's then that Jimmy plays his trump card: having learned of Sydney's previous illegal occupation, and the real reason Sydney took him under his wing, Jimmy plots a vicious blackmail."

"Hard Eight" will include:

Two audio commentaries (Director Paul Thomas Anderson and cast; Anderson and cast and crew);

The deleted scene, "The Kiss";

Three Sundance Institute Filmmaker Lab scenes: "The Coffee Shop," "Jimmy Threatens Sydney," and "The Phone Call";

Cast and crew bios, and two "Hard Eight" trailers.

August 16, 1999

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

Let the Magnolia Invasion Begin!

On the heels of the Entertainment Weekly piece yesterday. The official Magnolia website is up and running! There are two downloadable teaser's, three photos, a poster, and a cryptic plot summary. (Please note: the teasers at this site are different from the teaser that is currently playing at the theatre. The theatrical teaser does have actual footage from the movie while these two do not)

August 15, 1999

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

Magnolia

: Starring William H. MACY, Julianne MOORE, Philip Baker HALL, John C. REILLY, Jason ROBARDS, Felicity HUFFMAN, Tom CRUISE
directed by Paul Thomas ANDERSON
what's the big deal? The much-anticipated follow-up to Anderson's critically hailed ''Boogie Nights'' -- the movie that made Marky Mark a big deal (at least in its last scene).
release date Dec. 25

''I'm going to get final cut once in my career, so I might as well abuse it to the hilt,'' says the 29-year-old director. Exactly how he'll abuse it isn't entirely clear, though we do know, based on ''Boogie Nights,'' that Anderson isn't afraid of complicated story lines or sprawling running times. Nor does he shy away from risqué subject matter. But Anderson, who also wrote the script, is keeping ''Magnolia's plot details double top secret.

This much we do know: The film is set in modern-day San Fernando Valley, takes place over the course of 24 hours (except for a 15-minute prelude set at the turn of the century, which Anderson filmed using an old-fashioned hand-crank Lumiere camera), and features a brief cameo by Tom Cruise.

''It's about family relations, how they need to be mended -- or broken, depending on your point of view,'' is all Anderson will (cryptically) reveal. Hall (who'll also appear in ''The Talented Mr. Ripley'') isn't much help either: ''It's a multiple-story format, with about five different plotlines running through it,'' he says. ''It's a little like Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts'... but that's really all I can say about it.'' BUZZ FACTOR: 7

August 12, 1999

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

Magnolia Test Screening Down Under?

Editors Note: I received this email from a reader who had the opportunity to see a rough cut of Magnolia in Australia. There are very minor spoilers so read with caution!

I live in Sydney Australia, and would you believe I saw "Magnolia" a week ago! I was handed a flier in the street which said "You and a guest are invited to the most anticipated film of the year 2000". It didn't say anything else other than where it was on and that it ran for 3 hours. Out of curiosity more than anything else I went along. The cinema was packed, and no one new what they were about to see. Finally an American guy came out and said that he wasn't going to say anything about the film except that it wasn't quite finished, and that we were the first audience in the world to see it.

I had no idea what I was about to see or why it was being shown in Australia. Within about 20 minutes of it starting, Tom Cruise appeared. Then one by one, heaps of the cast of Boogie Nights. Then it hit me. Tom Cruise was in the audience. He had to be.  He's in Sydney at the moment doing Mission Impossible 2. The back row of the cinema was reserved with security sitting on the aisles. The back row was empty when the credits rolled (obviously to get Tom out in time) and why else would they show an unfinished version of a new film in Sydney? Obviously Tom wanted to see it and see it with an audience reaction.

So, what was the film like? I thought it was brilliant. It ran for 3 hours 25 minutes and wasn't boring for a second. The performances are uniformly sensational (Tom Cruise at his best ever). It's quite bizarre at times. The soundtrack is great by the way. It's just a superb movie in so many ways.

At the end of the movie the American guy came back into the theatre. There were only about five people left in there. I asked him what his connection with the movie was. He said, "Oh I wrote and directed it". I couldn't believe it. Here was the genius right in front of me. I shook his hand and told him he was brilliant. He asked us whether the film was too long. I said only by a bit, and he said he was going to cut it by about 20 minutes. It would be perfect at that length. I said I loved the music and he said it was all going to stay in. I said, "Even Revolution 9 (Beatles Song)?". He laughed and said, "No, all except that one. I can't afford that one". Damn that Michael Jackson, hey. Anyway, as he was leaving I got him to sign a popcorn container for me. I was pretty chuffed about that. He was THE nicest guy. Very humble, incredibly friendly.

August 9, 1999

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

Hard Eight DVD Officially Announced!!!!!!!

Columbia TriStar has announced the October 5th release of HARD EIGHT. HARD EIGHT will feature audio commentaries, a deleted scenes, DD surround and dual aspect ratios including 16x9 enhanced widescreen. 

courtesy of The Big Picture

Also set for release on October 5 is a special edition of Hard Eight, a gambling drama in the realms of Reno starring Samuel L. Jackson. The release will contain two separate commentary tracks with the director and various actors and crew members. A deleted scene called "The Kiss" will be part of the release and you will be seeing the Sundance Institute Filmmaker Lab Scenes "The Coffee Shop", "Jimmy Threatens Sydney" and "The Phone Call" on the disc. "Hard Eight" comes with a pan & scan and anamorphic widescreen transfer and a Dolby surround soundtrack