ScreenCrush » The Master

Way Back When: Best Actor Nominee Joaquin Phoenix

Britt Hayes — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:30:57 +0000

It’s Oscar season, so we’re taking you back in time to visit the earlier roles of some of this year’s nominees. In today’s Way Back When, we look back at the early work of Joaquin Phoenix, who is nominated for his performance in ‘The Master.’ ‘Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia’ Joaquin Phoenix and his brother [...]

National Society of Film Critics Names 'Amour' Best Film of 2012

Jacob Hall — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:52:42 +0000

As we rush headlong toward the Oscars, every award from every organization and critic group gives us a taste of what may be taking home the gold next month. Like many before it, the National Society of Film Critics has given their top prize to a film that is looking like a shoe-in for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award: Michael Haneke's 'Amour.'

Paul Thomas Anderson Discusses 'The Master' During Hour-Long Q&A

Britt Hayes — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:45:48 +0000

Paul Thomas Anderson isn’t the kind of guy to do Q&As for his films, but recently the director attended a screening of his latest work, ‘The Master,’ in Australia and treated audience members to a rare hour-long Q&A. ‘The Master’ premiered a few months ago and since then the unnerving film has created quite a [...]

Joaquin Phoenix on The Oscars: "It's Total and Utter Bulls—"

Mike Sampson — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:39:13 +0000

By all accounts, Joaquin Phoenix is considered an Oscar frontrunner for his performance in 'The Master.' The only problem is that Phoenix himself wants no part of it. When asked about the possibility of an Oscar nomination, Phoenix took the chance to call the Academy Awards the "stupidest thing in the whole world."

'The Master' Presents One Final, Long NSFW Trailer

Damon Houx — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:15:11 +0000

There's been nothing normal about 'The Master's marketing campaign. The film has released clips (many of which were of scenes deleted from the finished film), and had numerous charity screenings, and now - a week after the picture went into wide release - they've released a four and a half minute trailer.

Weekend Box Office Report: 'Resident Evil' VS 'The Master'

Jacob Hall — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:42:38 +0000

How do you define a hit? What's more important: total gross or actual audience enthusiasm? The answer to this question will help us decide who actually won the weekend. Call it the "Battle of the Paul Andersons": Paul WS Anderson's 'Resident Evil: Retribution' and Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' both opened this week and both had completely different results, but they beg to be compared to each other.

The Strange Journey of Joaquin Phoenix

Evan Saathoff — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:07:09 +0000

With fewer and fewer truly weird mainstream actors out there, it's a bad idea to take the ones we do have for granted. On that note, we look to Joaquin Phoenix, who has proven to be one of the strangest actors of his generation. With his supposedly career redefining performance in Paul Tho

'The Master' Review

Matt Singer — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:05:16 +0000

The year is 1950. Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has founded a new religious philosophy based on the notion that we can all be free of "past trauma" if we recognize that man is not an animal but rather a soul that lived through trillions of years and thousands of lifetimes. But if that's true, how do you explain Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), whose back is so hunched, whose shoulders are so narrow, and whose arms hang so low to the ground that he looks like some missing link between man and beast. He walks upright, but unsteadily, as if he just learned how to do it. If anyone ever evolved from apes, it's Freddie Quell. And recently.

Quell, who wanders into Dodd's life in a drunken stupor and becomes his confidant, assistant, photographer, and unofficial bodyguard, doesn't just look like an animal; he behaves like one, lashing out anyone who threatens Dodd with the ferocity of a caged tiger. Most of the members of Dodd's movement called him "The Master" because he is the head of their religion. When Quell calls Dodd "Master" it sounds different. Their relationship is as much teacher and pupil as attack dog and owner.

That relationship forms the core of Paul Thomas Anderson's remarkable new film 'The Master,' which is less about the origins of Scientology -- although Dodd is an undeniable analogue for L. Ron Hubbard, the man who invented the infamous religion -- than about the push and pull between these two men.

'The Master' Faces Increasing Opposition From Scientologists; Studio Hires Extra Security

Britt Hayes — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:37:13 +0000

It seems fairly obvious to anyone with a functioning brain that Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film 'The Master' is, in part, based on Scientology and its creator, L. Ron Hubbard. Unfortunately for Anderson, Scientologists are unhappy with this portrayal and they're railing against the film.

'The Master' Wins Big at the Venice Film Festival

Jacob Hall — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 19:53:09 +0000

How exactly can a film be too good for a film festival? This is the odd case for Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master,' which took home two major prizes at this year's Venice Film Festival and would've taken home three if the rules allowed it to do so.

'The Master' Offers a Completely NSFW Clip

Damon Houx — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:25:48 +0000

So we're a week away from the limited release of Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' and two weeks from its wide release. And guess what? There's a new clip from the movie that is -- without question -- not safe for work. It's pretty filthy, and it's also hilarious.

'Inherent Vice' is Next For Paul Thomas Anderson

Jacob Hall — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:17:59 +0000

With 'The Master' already garnering its fair share of critical acclaim in advance of its September 14th release, director Paul Thomas Anderson already has his eye on his next project: an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's 2009 novel, 'Inherent Vice' starring Robert Downey Jr.

'The Master' Has a TV Spot

Damon Houx — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:30:18 +0000

It's not 'The Avengers' level of saturation, but for an arthouse film, it's fair to say that Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film 'The Master' has put out a lot of material. The film opens in limited markets on September 14, and everywhere September 21, and has a number of festival screenings between now and then. And now there's a TV spot.

First Official 'The Master' Clip Shows Amy Adams in Charge

Mike Sampson — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:35:02 +0000

Though we've seen a bunch of trailers - at times, abstract - for 'The Master,' today we get our first official look at a clip from the film. Despite the fact that the film focuses on the relationship between The Master (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his subject (Joaquin Phoenix), this clip focuses on Amy Adams, who just might be pulling the strings.

'The Master' Offers One Last Trailer (We Think)

Damon Houx — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 01:19:34 +0000

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' hits theaters on September 14, where it will become the first horse to show in 2012's Oscar race (though with the five to ten possible best picture nominees, it's possible that 'The Dark Knight Rises' or 'The Avengers' could slip in there), there have been a number of previews and clips that have hit online, and it's looks like we now have the film's last trailer.

'The Master' Screens Early Again, Offers New Clip

Damon Houx — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 23:10:59 +0000

September 14 is less than a month away, but it seems that Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' can't keep itself locked up. For the fourth time in the last month, it's screening early (this time in San Francisco), and for the second time as a benefit for The Film Foundation. And with that announcement comes a new clip.

Sample Johnny Greenwood's Score For 'The Master'

Jacob Hall — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:47:03 +0000

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There Will Be Blood' is a great film for a more reasons than we can count, but surely near the top (right alongside Daniel Day-Lewis' instantly iconic lead performance) is Johnny Greenwood's score. Unsettling, sparse and unforgettable, its disqualification from the Academy Awards remains one of Oscar's darkest moments. Since you don't fix something that isn't broken, Greenwood came back to score Anderson's 'The Master' and if a recently released sample track is any indication, this partnership has once again bore sinister and incredible fruit.

New Movie Releases — September 2012

Britt Hayes — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:56:46 +0000

It’s the end of summer, so celebrate by heading to the theater to check out this month’s new releases. We’ve got the latest from Rian Johnson, a new raunchy female-centric comedy, an animated trip to a spooky hotel, and the highly-anticipated new film from Paul Thomas Anderson. September 7 ‘The Cold Light of Day‘ — [...]

'The Master' Releases First Clip

Damon Houx — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:58:50 +0000

For those of you lucky enough to live in Chicago, Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' will be screening tomorrow, Thursday August 16, in 70mm at The Music Box Theater as a benefit for The Film Foundation (and you can get your tickets now). For those who live outside of Chicago, the film has released a new clip, which plays partly like a trailer.

'The Master' Gets a Hypnotic Official Poster

Britt Hayes — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:30:49 +0000

We've gotten a teaser and a trailer from Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film 'The Master,' but we were sold on the intriguing concept long before that. Now the film has a rather alluring official poster in preparation for its impending release.

Reactions to the First Screening of 'The Master'

Jacob Hall — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:09:51 +0000

Among film buffs, there is no 2012 film more anticipated than Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master.' It's been five long years since the modern master's 'There Will Be Blood' knocked us flat on our butts (and drank our milkshake) and his return couldn't have come a moment too soon...only PTA could redeem a year as disappointing as this one has been! 'The Master' had its unofficial premiere last night, a surprise showing following a repertory screening of Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' at Santa Monica’s Aero Theater. While no professional critics were in attendance, the regular folks took to Twitter afterwards to share their thoughts.

So...what did people think of 'The Master'?

'The Master' Shows Off More Photos

Damon Houx — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:21:06 +0000

There's been a flurry of news about Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' recently, as it had its release date bumped up, and it's joined a number of festivals. But though we know the broad outlines of the film (and rumored Scientology bashing), we're happy the film has release more stills so we can look at its actors.

'The Master' Release Date Moves Up to September 14

Mike Sampson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:55:07 +0000

‘The Master‘ – one of this year’s big Oscar hopefuls – has moved its release date a month earlier and will now hit theaters on September 14th. Originally scheduled to open on October 12th (with perhaps a premiere at some fall film festivals), Variety reports the film will now open in select theaters midway through [...]

'The Master' Trailer is Here

Damon Houx — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:17:07 +0000

Visually gripping from frame one, the trailer for 'The Master' - Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film - is a stunner. We're curious if it's being released now to appear on prints of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' and wonder if there's a crossover audience.

'The Master' Has a Poster

Damon Houx — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:10:41 +0000

Summer season is almost over (even though it's mid-July), so it's time to start getting excited about the fall's biggest movies. And one we're very excited for is Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' which hits theaters October 12. Now it's got a poster.

'The Master' Trailer: Finally, We Meet the Master

Sean O'Connell — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:41:29 +0000

Easily one of our most-anticipated films due out in the second half of the year, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘The Master’ has been dishing out clues to the suspenseful trip audiences can expect to take once the drama reaches theaters in October. Joaquin Phoenix starred in that first clip, drenched in mood but showing us very little. His ‘Master’ co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman takes center stage in the next teaser, and if this doesn’t have you salivating for Anderson’s latest, then nothing will.

Tom Cruise Has "Issues" With Scientology Inspired Film 'The Master'

Don Kaye — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:01:08 +0000

Ever since it first came on the radar, we've been hearing that writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson's new film 'The Master' is a thinly-veiled look at the secretive religion known as Scientology. And now it appears that Anderson has shown the movie to the world's most famous living Scientologist.

'The Master' Trailer: A Tease of Paul Thomas Anderson's Latest Film

Britt Hayes — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:19:29 +0000

Director Paul Thomas Anderson‘s latest film seemed like one we might never see, but thanks to Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures, Anderson’s vision finally became a reality. Fresh out of Cannes, this teaser trailer for ‘The Master‘ is divine. The teaser features the familiar, deliberate quiet we’ve come to associate with Anderson’s work, with a score [...]

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' Gets an Official Release Date

Sean O'Connell — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:11:35 +0000

Yes, we understand that the Academy Awards just aired a few weeks ago, but we’re already looking ahead to next year’s telecast thanks to news that a potential contender has announced its limited release date. That would be Paul Thomas Anderson’s wildly anticipated ‘The Master,’ a drama centered around a controversial organized religion that reunites the director with his ‘Boogie Nights’ standout Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a movie we can't wait to see and now we know when we can see it.