Movie poll: "Magnolia" vs. "Steel Magnolias"

Pet peeve: when people don't know the difference between the two. Every time time I try to tell people how brilliant "Magnolia" is, they say "Oh you mean the one with Dolly Parton?"

I have to say Noooo, not "Steel Magnolias" it's "Magnolia," starring Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman etc. It's a big, ingenious, powerful movie that's almost indescribable. It ends with a biblical disaster! It's not the chick flick! And they say "Right, the one with Julia Roberts and they work in a beauty shop." x(

I've actually never even seen "Steel Magnolias" so I can't really say which is better, I'm just not one for chick flicks.

One of the few 3 hour movies I'm willing to watch multiple times.

When I first rented it on video, I thought I would probably watch it over two nights since it was 3 hours long.

Not only did I watch it in one night, I watched it TWICE in one night because right after it was over I had to see it again.

it's an awesome, really bizarre movie (Magnolia, that is)

I liked Steel Magnolia's better! :bounce:

One of the most quotable movies ever

and I cannot enjoy any movie he is in.

I love Steel Magnolias.

It's a terrific character driven film. Great ensemable cast...hell, I even liked Tom Cruise. A GREAT score by Aimee Mann. Plus...some truly weird moments in it...I still can't figure out the raining frogs scene.

Example:

The underlying theme of Magnolia is that "while we may be done with the past, the past may not be done with us". Essentially, the characters' lives are (almost) inescapably directed by the deeds of their parents.

The plague of raining frogs is from Exodus 8:2, and William Macy's speech as he vomits into the pub toilet is from Ezekiel 18:20.
Both those biblical passages are about people being responsible for their own actions, and letting go of the past (Ezek 18:20: "The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.", and Exodus 8:2: "And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs.")

The digits "8" and "2" are visually represented together several times throughout the film.

One example is a clock, which shows "8:20". Another example is Julianne Moore paying for her husband's prescriptions with eight $20 bills. the words "Exodus 8:2" appear on a billboard in one shot.

Also, in the wide shot of the audience of "What do Kids Know?", you can see a stage-hand wrestling a hand-drawn posterboard sign away from one of the audience members; the sign says "Exodus 8:2".

"Probability of precipitation: 82%"

Visual trickery aside, Anderson's Magnolia is one of the most original, artistic and intruiging American moves ever, and the ensemble cast are superb together. I'm always amazed when I meet someone who says they didn't like the film.

Thanks for the info. I remember the sign which said "Exodus 8:2," but I didn't know the significance.