Z/Web

Author: Paul Thomas Anderson

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

One of the more successful episodic films I’ve seen, this movie blends the stories of multiple semi-related characters into one. Starts off excellently, but unfortunately, the build-up is for naught, as the film peters out without much of an ending (or explanation or revelation). Very long, but I didn’t really notice as the characters and situations were interesting, especially the bits about the “quiz kid” boy being forced to compete on the game show to win his dad money. Excellent subtle performances. Only thing that felt odd was the excessive profanity — every character seemed obsessed with using the F-word as many times as possible in every sentence. Do real people talk that way? I didn’t think so until I watched the behind-the-scenes “diary” on the DVD (very good, btw), and it showed that writer/director Anderson talks just like that. I guess he’s a genius. Whatever.

Teen movie about… well, about teens. I never could quite figure out the plot, as it seemed to change throughout the film (loosely it’s “good girl bribes bad boy to be her date and they fall in love for real”). Quite derivative in every way. More or less harmless, though. Not half as good as an Eighties classic like Can’t Buy Me Love (which it superficially resembles).

Good game, though the U.S. struggled at times. China played very well. 1-1 was the final score, though the U.S. could have won on a missed penalty kick (which was justice as it was a questionable call anyway). The U.S. needs at least a win or a draw against Nigeria to advance.