Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master”– said to be based on the story of L. Ron Hubbard inventing Scientology–got a surprise screening the other night in Santa Monica. Guests at an American Cinematheque screening of “The Shining” were told to stay and see a new film. Apparently they got an eye full. After the screening, posts on Twitter and the imdb.com message board for the film were unanimous in their rave reviews.
The comments are consistent with the trailers, which look like a Paul Thomas Anderson movie as told by Terrence Malick–very dreamy and imaginative. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams all got high marks, and there is much talk of awards, etc.
“The Master” opens on September 14th, but first plays the Venice and Toronto film festivals. Hoffman, who’s already won an Oscar, will wind up competing with Daniel Day Lewis, who won his Oscar for “There Will Be Blood,” an Anderson movie. DDL stars as Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s movie about the Civil War president. That will also make at least three men in the awards season with three-part names–PTA, PSH, and DDL.
Quick answer to a reader’s comment: No, it’s not mocked.
Previous stories:
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/07/27/scientology-ambush-the-master-moved-up-for-release-by-a-month
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/07/05/scientology-chiefs-niece-speaks-up-in-support-of-katie-holmes
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/07/02/tom-cruise-wont-be-getting-any-help-from-lisa-marie-presley
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/07/01/rupert-murdoch-attacks-scientology-tom-cruise-evil
Some Tweets:
Michael Gallagher @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.
Jim Hemphill @JimmyHemphill
Still absorbing last night’s sneak of #THEMASTER70MM at the Aero. Best American film of the last 10 years. @SidGrauman, you did it again!
Matthew Roth @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
michael whittle @michaelwhittle
Possibly the best film watching experience I’ve ever had. #THEMASTER70MM
