Posted by Kevin at spider-wo014.proxy.aol.com on January 17, 2000 at 23:54:54:
In Reply to: Kevin, P.T. Anderson, and Magnolia posted by Transpotr on January 17, 2000 at 21:52:57:
: This entire P.T. Anderson/Kevin Smith "pissing war" has gone over the edge. It would appear that too many of Smith's fans are taking his opinion as the word of God.
I don't think I've influenced anyone in regards to 'Magnolia'. It was not my intention to do so, and I credit these folks with a lot more smarts than that.
: It is not so. I admire Smith's work very much, but I also think that Anderson is one of the best filmmakers that has appeared in the past few years. I'm not about to lose respect for Anderson's films just because Smith didn't like Magnolia.
I didn't ask you too. It's cool, man. Chill.
: You guys are even thinking of ways that Anderson "stole" from Smith's work. Going as far as saying that the "raining frogs" scene is taken from Smith's run on a comic is unbelievable, and altogether unintelligent.
And also about the most obvious and blatant joke this board has seen in awhile. The poster was kidding, man. Fuck.
: The scene was based on a passage that Anderson read years ago about an actual instance where it rained frogs. Anderson's repeated references to Exodus 8:2 are apparent throughout the film; in Exodus, it states that frogs(among other things) rained down from the sky.
Not for nothing, but the passage you refer to in Exodus says nothing about frogs raining down from the sky. God smited the Egyptians with frogs (amongst the other plagues), but not by dropping them out of the sky.
This is not a judgement against the film in any way. I'm just trying to be a buddy here. If you're going to defend the man's work (even though it's not really under attack), you should make sure your facts are in order.
: C'mon guys, you're pushing it too far. You're looking for ways to impress Smith by saying you agree with him, when half of you haven't even seen the film, and the other half don't understand it.
Not for nothing, but just because a person has seen a film (particularly the film in question) and not liked it, does not mean said person lacked an understanding of it. The film simply may not have been their cup of tea.
But again - if they didn't like the flick, that's because they saw it and formed that opinion for themselves.
: You're not even beginning to help support Smith's statements. You're coming off as a largely unintelligent mass of fans that think that there is nothing outside of Kevin Smith.
That's a judgement call. I think some of them, like myself, didn't dig the flick. But read carefully - there are many posters here who post regularly and did, indeed, love the flick. And for those who haven't seen the flick but have read these posts and seen the vitriol of folks like yourself for folks like myself who don't share your opinion on 'Magnolia' - I'd say it's a sure thing those folks will now be buying tickets to see what all the fuss is about (Lord knows the film could use a little box office boost after this weekend). So isn't that a good thing?
You come here and accuse people of blind loyalty to me, when in reality, your blind loyalty to 'Magnolia' can't see that chatter about a film - good or bad - equates to interest.
And that can't be simply coincidence, can it?
: And Smith, you're not helping.
You sound like Mrs. Veiling - my fourth grade teacher.
: You're coming off just as immature as some of your fans. Egging them on.
I disagree, my friend. There are no eggs here. I've been very careful to express myself non-confrontationally and explain my thoughts on a flick that suddenly so many angry folks like yourself are insisting I've attacked, when in reality, all I essentially said was that I didn't care for the flick.
: It's one thing to state your opinion, it's a whole other world when you cross the line between critic and ass.
Or that line between casual fan and rabid fanatic. Calm yourself, Juilanne Moore Junior.
: I would think you could find better ways to voice your opinion than continually trashing a movie just because you didn't like it.
But I haven't continually trashed the film. Good Lord - I've answered a few questions. That's what I do here. And if that suddenly makes me a cock...
Well, respect the cock.
: Spend your time doing something more productive. I'm sure you have more pressing matters than to sit around and talk trash about P.T. Anderson.
I'm just trying to reach you, my man. I want you to understand that...
You need to be nicer to me, Trainspotr.
: I just don't comprehend why people have come to the point where they can only accept one person's work.
No one's come to that point. But folks like you won't let this topic die. Please understand...
It's not going to stop...
'til you wise up.
: You're closing yourself off to a world of oppurtunities that is placed right in front of your eyes. In other words, there are other things out there besides Kevin Smith.
Hell yes. Like 'Titus'. Go feast your eyes on 'Titus'.
And if you haven't already done so, see 'Magnolia'. If for no other reason than just so Aimee Mister Mann here doesn't open his fucking wrists.
Or take a bottle of pills in a parked car.
Or just take a long fucking time to die while Frank T.J. Mackey threatens to drop kick the dogs.
You get the point.