The Master Forum

So basically this movie is about a religious cult. It's a story about the relationship between the organization's leader (or The Master) and his side-kick... who ultimately begins to question the whole operation.

This film sells itself. I'm having an overarching sense of unworthiness to even attempt a commentary addition besides it's going to be great. So here are the facts:

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood... do the trailers seem similar to everyone?)

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Dern

Original Music: Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood

Jonny Greenwood? sold.

It's amazing to see a trailer that completely sucks you in solely based on its music, and acting. I'd honestly rate that 1:40 over most of the movies I've seen this year. ;)

And it seems like Greenwood is delivering more of that amazingly emotional minimalist music that for me, totally made There Will Be Blood.

SO PUMPED!

@gangly said:

It's amazing to see a trailer that completely sucks you in solely based on its music, and acting. I'd honestly rate that 1:40 over most of the movies I've seen this year. ;)

And it seems like Greenwood is delivering more of that amazingly emotional minimalist music that for me, totally made There Will Be Blood.

SO PUMPED!

I agree it was a fascinating trailer, but I am not anticipating this film at all. Distorting the facts behind the creation of a real religion (the film is on Scientology) for the purposes of a story is despicable. Can't people have a little respect?

Wow that was a really nicely cut trailer. Man Joaquin Phoenix looks like crap.

Every time I see the title pop up, I think of this Master.

Also it's really nice to see a trailer that relies on acting rather than explosions. The therapist's voice reminds me of a character in There will be Blood. I guess it has to do with the movie being piloted by the same director.

@Acura_Max: funny, I thought it was a prison warden, not a therapist.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman? Sold.

@VioletEyedDragon: No one has come out and said that this movie has anything to do with Scientology. The filmmakers themselves have said that the comparisons being drawn to Scientology by the media are incorrect and stated that there is no connection to L Ron Hubbard in the film. Hell, the Church of Scientology themselves have stated that they will reserve judgement on the film's contents because they have not seen it. Maybe you should do the same?

@VioletEyedDragon: Scientology is not a religion, it is a cult. And even though The Master is somewhat based on scientology, this movie does not claim to be an accurate retelling of the creation of scientology, therefore it is not distorting any facts.

Also, this trailer is awesome and I think this movie will be a masterpiece. Super excited.

@VioletEyedDragon said:

Can't people have a little respect?

Like the respect to judge a film only after you've actually seen it? I hope so.

Everything Suedehead said above is spot on. The character/s may have been inspired by folks like L. Ron, but the story is PTA's own. Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood was based on real people too, but they were just a seed for the fictional story.

@gangly: Unfortunately I have found that @VioletEyedDragon doesn't respond in the forums when he is confronted with sound logic and reason.

I'm sorry, but I saw this trailer at this thread already. thanks for posting it at the main page though.

When I first watched the trailer I thought " wow this looks dumb, weird and boring as shit, I have NO interest in this whatsoever" and then I saw the director was PT Anderson and then I was like "fuck yes, this movie is gonna rule, I can't not wait". Weird.

and

I just realized how much joaquin phoenix looks like David Lee Roth

@Suedehead: @gangly said:

@VioletEyedDragon said:

Can't people have a little respect?

Like the respect to judge a film only after you've actually seen it? I hope so.

Everything Suedehead said above is spot on. The character/s may have been inspired by folks like L. Ron, but the story is PTA's own. Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood was based on real people too, but they were just a seed for the fictional story.

I will see this movie and my opinion could change. I am just saying that I think it is unfair to disrespect people's religions with made up stories about their important figures.

@Suedehead said:

@VioletEyedDragon: No one has come out and said that this movie has anything to do with Scientology. The filmmakers themselves have said that the comparisons being drawn to Scientology by the media are incorrect and stated that there is no connection to L Ron Hubbard in the film. Hell, the Church of Scientology themselves have stated that they will reserve judgement on the film's contents because they have not seen it. Maybe you should do the same?

It is based on a scientology. It has several real life events like the religion being founded right after WW2 and the founder taking a boating trip where he maps out his philosophy. Anderson specifically screened it to his friend Tom Cruise because he knew Cruise would be upset since it was about Scientology.

@Vincemaster said:

@VioletEyedDragon: Scientology is not a religion, it is a cult. And even though The Master is somewhat based on scientology, this movie does not claim to be an accurate retelling of the creation of scientology, therefore it is not distorting any facts.

A cult is a religion.

@VioletEyedDragon, @Suedehead, @gangly, @Vincemaster:

I really have to agree with the sentiment to not judge this film's influences until you've seen it, and have a decent understanding of what Scientology is. However, there is no real difference between Scientology and most other religions. They are akin to a cult and – like every other topic under the sun – should never be reserved from free speech, humour, or criticism.

No one has the right to let what personally offends them affect other peoples lives.

@VioletEyedDragon: You do realize that YOU are twisting facts to support your argument. Paul Thomas Anderson screened the film for Tom Cruise to ASSURE him that the film was respectful to Scientology. He has stated that the film has evolved into something much more than a "scientology movie" and now focuses on a man "so shaken by the horrors of WWII that he forms a new nonspecific religion." That is where the comparisons to Scientology should stop until we have seen the film because that is the only information any of us have on the film, and those details are nothing to be freaking out about, or jumping to wild conclusions about how this film is disrespectful to people's beliefs.

I can read Collider articles too.

You should really stop twisting facts, and calling your own assumptions the truth. Frankly it just makes you look ignorant and is poisonous to the forums.

@jasonefmonk: what do you mean??

@Suedehead said:

@VioletEyedDragon: You do realize that YOU are twisting facts to support your argument. Paul Thomas Anderson screened the film for Tom Cruise to ASSURE him that the film was respectful to Scientology. He has stated that the film has evolved into something much more than a "scientology movie" and now focuses on a man "so shaken by the horrors of WWII that he forms a new nonspecific religion." That is where the comparisons to Scientology should stop until we have seen the film because that is the only information any of us have on the film, and those details are nothing to be freaking out about, or jumping to wild conclusions about how this film is disrespectful to people's beliefs.

I can read Collider articles too.

You should really stop twisting facts, and calling your own assumptions the truth. Frankly it just makes you look ignorant and is poisonous to the forums.

I actually got that one of of hitfix. And poisonous is a drastic word to use.

I said that I might change my mind after seeing the film. But right now I think that it is worth bringing up that so far everything about this film indicates it will be hugely prejudiced, unfair, and disrespectful to a major world religion.

You do know that Tom Cruise WAS offended by the movie?

@gangly said:

It's amazing to see a trailer that completely sucks you in solely based on its music, and acting. I'd honestly rate that 1:40 over most of the movies I've seen this year. ;)

And it seems like Greenwood is delivering more of that amazingly emotional minimalist music that for me, totally made There Will Be Blood.

SO PUMPED!

I agree it was a fascinating trailer, but I am not anticipating this film at all. Distorting the facts behind the creation of a real religion (the film is on Scientology) for the purposes of a story is despicable. Can't people have a little respect?

@VioletEyedDragon said:

You do know that Tom Cruise WAS offended by the movie?

This makes me want to see it so much more. ;)

@Hailinel said:

Scientology was created by Hubbard as a joke that turned out to be highly profitable.

That is at best an unsubstantiated myth based on one person's account. While it of course may be true, you shouldn't state it like an unquestioned fact.