May 18, 2000

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

Where do I start? I had chance to catch up with PTA on the phone this past Tuesday. The main topics were all the various rumors about future projects & the upcoming DVD's. Here is the summary of our conversation:

Pixar Animated Fiona Apple Project

PTA thought this one was pretty funny. Yes, he has talked to many studios (including Pixar) about an animated project. He has various ideas/concepts but is still sorting through them. No, they don't involve Fiona Apple, but he promises that I will be the first to know when he has any additional news!

A Conspiracy of Paper

You might recall that various internet sources reported that PTA/Ghoulardi Films had purchased the film rights to David Liss's novel. In actuality, Miramax has purchased the movie rights & there is some truth to PTA's interest in making the film. Paul said that he is reading the book & enjoying it very much. This may be something to consider for the future..........

The Underworld

I think this was cleared up in PTA's email to Harry Knowles (see the May 15th update), don't you?

PTA does not have his next project set at specific studio. He loves working with Mike De Luca at New Line, but where he ends up is still undecided.

So what have we learned? As I have said repeatedly, most of the rumors have a shred of fact & lots of fiction. PTA has not yet made a firm decision on his next project. You can count on this site to provide you the real story on future developments in the world of Paul Thomas Anderson!

What about the DVD News? Oh yeah, I almost forget. The reason for the delay of the Magnolia & Boogie Nights DVD's was made by Paul. He wanted some extra time to ensure that the transfers were spot on. He also gave me some additional information (while still keeping a few things under wraps). PTA does not like to let the cat out of the bag & spoil things for those who want to wait and be surprised. He followed that philosophy with Magnolia, his last few Music Videos & his upcoming projects. Personally, I think it's a good thing to leave a few things to the imagination & keep the curiosity level high. Without further delay, here's the latest info:

Magnolia DVD

The "making of" documentary clocks in at 74 minutes & should satisfy all of you who were salivating for a commentary track. PTA promises some interesting & funny things will be included on the documentary. Paul is still hammering out whether this release will include both a Dolby Digital 5.1 & a DTS mix, but this should be decided in the next few days. 

As previously stated, other supplements include deleted scenes (I'm not telling which ones), trailers & the "Save Me" music video. Obviously due to the length of Magnolia & the documentary, this will be a two disc set.

Boogie Nights

PTA states that this will include all the supplemental material from the first DVD as well as the following:

Criterion LaserDisc commentary track! This track included PTA, Julianne Moore, Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle & Bill Macy! This is great news as Criterion rarely (if ever) lends their supplemental materials to other studios releases (unless they are co-producing the DVD, which New Line is not doing for this one).

Additional commentary by Luis Guzman (answering allegations made on the Criterion commentary track) & Melora Walters.

Something PTA has dubbed the "John C. Reilly Files". I have no idea what this will entail, but PTA promises that we won't be disappointed.

Additional deleted scenes (with PTA commentary) including the Becky Barnett subplot that PTA cut.

Again, this will be a two disc set due to all the supplemental material that will be included. Paul also said that he is "very happy" with the new Boogie transfer. 

Lastly, before I get flooded with emails, Paul had one last thing to say. Just buy the DVD's on August 29th, you won't be disappointed!

There will some additional extras (No "Dirk Diggler Story", "Cops Footage" or "Flagpole Special", so don't ask!) on both discs, but I will keep this under wraps until we get closer to the street date. I hope to be the first website on the Internet with reviews (but not spoilers) of both of these discs this summer, so stay tuned for further developments!

One more related DVD note, Paramount will be releasing Nashville this summer (June 27th) with a Robert Altman commentary track! More important is that I believe this will be the first time that it will be available in Widescreen (with an anamorphic transfer to boot).

One last thing. Don't forget to check out Total Request Live on MTV tomorrow for the premiere of PTA's new Paper Bag video from Fiona's incredible "When the Pawn" record. 

May 5, 2000

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

Those rumor mongers over at Ain't It Cool News are reporting that PTA may direct The Underworld based on Don DeLillo's book. Scott Rudin is producing. (As with most rumors, this probably does not have much validity. PTA has said numerous times that he does not want to direct something that he did not write at this time. I will try to get more information on this in the near future.)

Readers have been asking for more information about the novel & potential future PTA project "A Conspiracy of Paper", so here is a plot summary: (Thanks to Phil!) 

"Benjamin Weaver is an outsider in eighteenth-century London: a Jew among Christians; a ruffian among aristocrats; a retired pugilist who, hired by London's gentry, travels through the criminal underworld in pursuit of debtors and thieves." "In A Conspiracy of Paper, Weaver investigates a crime of the most personal sort: the mysterious death of his estranged father, a notorious stockjobber. To find the answers, Weaver must contend with a desperate prostitute who knows too much about his past, relatives who remind him of his alienation from the Jewish faith, and a cabal of powerful men in the world of British finance who have hidden their business dealings behind an intricate web of deception and violence. Relying on brains and brawn, Weaver uncovers the beginnings of a strange new economic order based on stock speculation - a way of life that poses great risk for investors but real danger for Weaver and his family. 

An interesting article about the increase of movie running times & the effect on their Box Office from the Irish Times is available here. Here are the quotes from New Line & PTA:

Robert Friedman of New Line Cinema, which financed Magnolia and released it in the US, says, "The problem for us, quite simply, was not only having a three hour film, but also having a film that's not easily defined in a single line. The challenge was to get people in to see the movie."

Paul Thomas Anderson, the film's young director, comments: "Making a movie of this length does set you up for criticism. It's slightly arrogant and a little bold to require three hours of someone's life to tell a story. It means you really have to deliver. Like, if I hear a movie I'm going to see is three hours, I get a little uneasy."