P.T. Anderson's "The Master" (2012)

Peyton Manning

Won't be out until the end of the year, and we have no trailer to salivate over, but never before has a movie screamed Oscar winner as this has.

The director? P.T. Anderson

The cast? Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Laura Dern.

The Plot? Set in the 1950's, a charismatic intellectual (Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization following World War II. A drifter (Phoenix) becomes his right-hand man but as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the drifter finds himself questioning the belief system and his mentor (i.e. Scientology).

The Score? Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood (who Anderson worked with before of course in There Will Be Blood).

It would almost seem as if no other film has a chance at the Oscars next year.

Skinfull

Jeez... hyperbole much? all you have is a cast and a vagueish plot. >_>
Lets not get silly until we hear more about it.

Sad Professor

Given the talent involved and the subject, I definitely think this will be an Oscar contender. Although there's plenty of other hopefuls: Lincoln, The Great Gatsby, Les Miserables, etc.

JP Liz V1

Joaquin Phoenix back acting AMEN!

WatchWolf

Sad Professor wrote: »

Given the talent involved and the subject, I definitely think this will be an Oscar contender. Although there's plenty of other hopefuls: Lincoln, The Great Gatsby, Les Miserables, etc.

I don't think that The Great Gatsby has much of a chance, to be honest. The director (Baz Luhrmann) really only deilvers style and very little substance in most of his films (which are all mediocre).

Same with Craig Pearce. He's pretty awful.

I don't know about Les Miserables. The cast looks a bit messy.

indough

bit of a touchy subject for him i wouldve thought

Sad Professor

WatchWolf wrote: »

I don't think that The Great Gatsby has much of a chance, to be honest. The director (Baz Luhrmann) really only deilvers style and very little substance in most of his films (which are all mediocre).

Same with Craig Pearce. He's pretty awful.

I don't know about Les Miserables. The cast looks a bit messy.

Yeah, but this is the Oscars we’re talking about. They gave Crash and Chicago Best Picture.

WatchWolf

Sad Professor wrote: »

Yeah, but this is the Oscars we’re talking about. They gave Crash and Chicago Best Picture.

True, true. However there are better contenders out there. Has an adaption of TGG ever won much Oscars?

Mickeroo

Skinfull wrote: »

Jeez... hyperbole much? all you have is a cast and a vagueish plot. >_>
Lets not get silly until we hear more about it.

I wouldn't call it hyperbole dude, I'm pretty sure the academy are thinking the same thing as the OP. The Oscars really are that predictable most of the time.

Having said that, this movie could be fantastic considering those involved. I take it Hoffmans character is basically L. Ron Hubbard under a different name?

I sure hope the scientology nuts in hollywood don't try and influence this.

johnny_ultimate

Could not give a **** if it is Oscar worthy or not. Often times it's better when it isn't - pushing the buttons that are beyond the conservative academy.

Doesn't mean Im not rather excited to see it

One of my most anticipated films of the coming year and the less Oscar talk surrounding it the better. I expect a film which will go out of its way to present a good story with characters who I can love/despise and not a generic button pusher which appeals to the delicate sensibilities of many Oscar voters.

Mickeroo

Deleted User wrote: »

One of my most anticipated films of the coming year and the less Oscar talk surrounding it the better. I expect a film which will go out of its way to present a good story with characters who I can love/despise and not a generic button pusher which appeals to the delicate sensibilities of many Oscar voters.

There's quite a few scientologists in the academy voting panel would there be? If thats the case, there's a good chance this will get shunned alright now that I think of it.

WatchWolf

Mickeroo wrote: »

There's quite a few scientologists in the academy voting panel would there be? If thats the case, there's a good chance this will get shunned alright now that I think of it.

Call me thick, but I thought no one knew who was on the panel?

Sanjuro

The most interesting thing about the film, for me so far, is that Anderson had a difficult time getting funding for the film due to parallels between the screenplay and Scientology. This, along with the stellar cast and crew makes it one of the films I cant wait to see this year. Of course, knowing how the studios work, they wont release this film until close to Oscar season, which means we probably wont get it here until January or February 2013.

Mickeroo

WatchWolf wrote: »

Call me thick, but I thought no one knew who was on the panel?

You could very well be right, I'm just speculating.

Trailer for this has appeared online and it's one of the more interesting I've seen in a long time. I love the tone of it and how little is shown, it's refreshing to see a trailer that isn't trying to condense the entire film into 90 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oZDKFoCqAw

There's also a website up and running.

JP Liz V1

Philip Seymour Hoffman robbed Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar for WTL so I hope Joaquin gets it for this

johnny_ultimate

Looks great. I wish more trailers were like that - providing a tiny suggestion of the tone and style of the film, but retaining a significant level of mystery and curiosity about the whole thing.

Mickeroo

Would barely recognise Pheonix in that.

So good to see Pheonix back to acting. He's probably one of the only actors that can always provide a guaranteed excellent performance.

Da Shins Kelly

Sounds good. Can't wait to see Joaquin Phoenix back acting again.

johnny_ultimate

P.T. Anderson is back directing, and you're all more excited about Joquain Phoenix? You people are crazy :pac:

Da Shins Kelly

Read recently that PTA screened the film just for Tom Cruise. Apparently Cruise "has issues" with it. Ew, Tom Cruise.

WatchWolf

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Read recently that PTA screened the film just for Tom Cruise. Apparently Cruise "has issues" with it. Ew, Tom Cruise.

Link?

Da Shins Kelly

WatchWolf wrote: »

Link?

http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/tom-cruise-the-master/

Link is from IMDB. I think he's trying to avoid negative publicity should the "important" Scientologists object to it. Don't know why Tom Cruise is regarded as the authority though or why anyone really cares what the Scientology community thinks. It's not as though people tip-toe around the Catholic Church or Islam or any of the major religions. I suppose it's all just generating more interest in the movie though.

Sad Professor

New trailer featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman:

D-FENS

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Joaquin Phoenix back acting AMEN!

He never really stopped, should have got the Oscar for Letterman in ’09

johnny_ultimate

I must say I'm digging the nontraditional marketing campaign for this. Very clever drip feed of information and content.

Mickeroo

Yea its not giving much away at all.

paddy kerins

Sad Professor wrote: »

New trailer featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman:

Very similar soundtrack to There Will Be Blood. Jonny Greenwood working on this?

e_e

Indeed he is.

paddy kerins

e_e wrote: »

Indeed he is.

Fantastic

This has got Oscar written all over it so far.

Corkfeen

So, I had a sudden urge to check if Joaquin Phoenix had restarted his career yet and came across this film that has the potential to be brilliant. The cast is strong - Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Joaquin phoenix etc - but the best part is that Paul Thomas Anderson is directing (Magnolia, There Will be Blood and Boogie Nights). :pac:

The plot synopsis makes it sound like a jibe at a certain celebrity religion :

A 1950s-set drama centered on the relationship between a charismatic intellectual known as "the Master" whose faith-based organization begins to catch on in America, and a young drifter who becomes his right-hand man.

Here's the trailer anyhow, enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTM8eO1Oec

Edit: No idea how I missed the original topic, sorry mods.

Sleepy

That has serious potential alright.

Sad Professor

Merged.

Mickeroo

Poster for this:

fruvai

The full trailer for this is gonna be out today

fruvai

Here it is:

Looks wonderful,wouldn't be surprised if this surpasses TWBB. Phoenix and Hoffman look like they'll be certainties come Oscar time

Mickeroo

Looks brilliant!

FlashD

I really like the way this film is coming together, great cast too.

Could be a winner!

Bullseye1

Damn trailer has been pulled by Weinstein.

bertie4evr

Heres the full trailer again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pALMMIoxTzY

Da Shins Kelly

Wow. This is going to be awesome.

shortys94

Haha Landry from Friday night lights

fruvai

Paul Thomas Anderson’s THE MASTER Moves Up to September 14th; KILLING THEM SOFTLY Starring Brad Pitt Shifted to October 19th

Good news, everyone! Paul Thomas Anderson’s ridiculously anticipated There Will Be Blood follow-up The Master will be hitting theaters a month earlier than expected. Variety reports that The Weinstein Company has moved the pic up to September 14th from its previous release date of October 19th. The film will open in limited release on the 14th before expanding the following weekend. The possibly Scientology-centered pic stars Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman in what look to be two powerhouse performances.

http://collider.com/the-master-release-date-killing-them-softly-release-date/184343/#more-184343

QikBax

fruvai wrote: »

http://collider.com/the-master-release-date-killing-them-softly-release-date/184343/#more-184343

Still set for November over here AFAIK. BOO

e_e

http://www.slashfilm.com/the-master-early-buzz-sneak-la-screening-yields-advance-raves/#more-132814

Here’s why you should go out to the movies on a Friday evening: last night at the Aero, in Santa Monica, audiences who turned up to see The Shining were told that Kubrick’s movie would be followed by a surprise double-feature. That second film was Paul Thomas Anderson‘s The Master, and it was projected in 70mm.

Fantastic.

WatchWolf

Positive reactions:

@AlmostVictor:

Don’t want to say more than a few words about it but it is an all around excellent film. If it were me, I’d put them both [Phoenix and Hoffman] in the Best Actor category but if one them is getting the supporting nod, its Hoffman. I’ve yet to see one bad PSH performance but this one may be his best. Will get nods for Picture. Good chance of winning original screenplay and acting awards.

‏@aaldere1:

The Master was amazing. Oscars all over this one…see The Master in 70 mm. Looked gorgeous and its the way P.T Anderson wants you to see it.

@TotallySketch:

Just saw “The Master”. A movie has never made me feel quite like this one did. I can’t describe it or even rate it. I am speechless.

@Super_Matts:

THE MASTER is…interesting…I’ll be thinking about it for days#THEMASTER70MM J Phoenix and P S Hoffman are out of this world.

‏@michaelwhittle:

PTA’s best. Not a doubt in my mind. Possibly the best film watching experience I’ve ever had. #THEMASTER70MM

@RobertMurphy3:

Just saw secret screening of The Master with P.T. Anderson and Maya Rudolph in attendance. It’s about much more than Scientology.

@LoganDoe

Hoffman is one of the finest actors alive. The Master is (more) proof. #themaster

@pillowfightin

Saw The Master in 70mm at the Aero Santa Monica. Surprise screening after The Shining. Its like nothing yvever seen before.

@jessecrall

The Master: B+ hazy, meandering story with beautiful staging and headed by Phoenix’s brilliant, year’s-best performance.”

@Super_Matts

THE MASTER is…interesting…I’ll be thinking about it for days #THEMASTER70MM J Phoenix and P S Hoffman are out of this world

@DubstepElitist

duuuuuude, the master was goooooooooood

Negative reactions:

"Fanboys. Sheesh. The film is meandering, shallow, pointless and really not good."

"I challenge anyone else there last night to describe why this is worthy of any award outside of cinematography."

"Phoenix is a snarling one dimensional freak, PSH is a place holder and every other piece of talent is wasted."

"The script, if one really exists, may have been written by a (possibly drunk) 10 year old who was assigned a paper on what the first year of Scientology may have looked like. With much instruction to improvise. This is a smart way to create positive propaganda but eventually cooler (smarter) heads will prevail and see this for what it is. B-A-D."

"Subplots are set up and then discarded. Characters turn up without any sort of introduction. Motivations are frequently abrupt and unjustified. And sorry, but people didn't sling "*beep*" around so freely in the 1950s--especially in front of women."

Mickeroo

A few scenes have popped up on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFkFEzFp-Ac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGyj4pbfWfo

Must say the music really stands out (in a good way I mean). Reminds me a bit of Nice Cave & Warren Ellis's work in places.

Da Shins Kelly

Mickeroo wrote: »

Must say the music really stands out (in a good way I mean). Reminds me a bit of Nice Cave & Warren Ellis's work in places.

Johnny Greenwood has gotta be in with a shout for getting an Original Score Oscar?