"'F'-it...(giggle)--it's Friday..."

…said Maggie as she playfully batted her co-worker Jim, who just got done explaining how he was out of change to put in the donation basket for the break-room coffee--along with the Snackwell’s, that don’t exactly pay for themselves either.

In the spirit of Maggie’s fun loving but ever dragging tits, I thought I would fluff up the content for today and talk about something that I really enjoy—“Boogie Nights”.

I forget when I first saw this movie; I was younger and really didn’t get it. I liked the movie, it was different, it was about porn, and there were was enough going on in the movie that a kid like myself could wrap his head around and enjoy. But it wasn’t until later on, when the DVD came out, I got a little bit older, that I really appreciated how truly funny this movie was.

These characters are SO pathetic. They are so dumb and so well played. The setting, banter and even philosophical conversation that goes on in the environments of this movie, are what I would expect if I walked onto a ‘Real World’ reunion show. Paul Thomas Anderson, writer and director, really knew what he wanted and nailed these characters. The following two scenes have so much going on in them, especially the personality of the characters. You can go to Youtube and watch them again (I’m still not sure what I can post and can’t, or at least get away with):

1.) The Intro Party Scene-My favorite spot is where Dirk Diggler (Mark Walberg’s) character meets Reed Rothchild ( John C. Reilly) for the first time, it’s a total game of one-upmanship played out beautifully.

Rothchild: So you live on the street?
Diggler: No
Rothchild: Oh, I thought Jack just said you did.

Best assumption ever made on someone upon meeting them for the first time. I really like Reilly’s work and this is still my favorite character of his career so far; the comedy is played just straight out from who the character really is and the stakes involved. Some of his work now, since he has gained popularity, seems to have this air of him winking at the camera. But this scene is his all the way.

2.) The Drug Deal—In this case this is Alfred Molina’s scene. Take a good look at his body of work and the guy just flat out delivers. With this scene and Reilly's before, there is so much commitment. Molina must of had a blast doing this role. I would of loved to have heard Anderson’s direction to Molina for this scene,

Molina: Yeah, I’m having trouble with this, how “high” exactly is my character?
Anderson: You’re in your underwear with a 12 year-old Chinese boy while listening to ‘Night Ranger’.
Molina: Got it.

This scene has so many levels, the stakes involved, combined with the characters; it is as funny as it is scary all at the same time. If you haven't seen this movie, it's been too long; and if you have, take a second look at it just for the sake as a character study alone.

Have a good weekend