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One of the stories has to do with Stanley Spector (Jeremy Blackman), a smart, young boy who is close to beating a record on the game show What Do Kids Know? His father (Michael Bowen) encourages Stanley to beat the record but in reality is only concerned on the cash prize.
The game show host Jimmy Gator (Phillip Baker Hall), at the same time, is dying of cancer. He tells his daughter Claudia (Melora Walters) about this, but she resents him. She’s resorted to snorting cocaine each day in her apartment while listening to music at full blast.
Anderson also gives a story about “former quiz kid Donnie Smith” (William H. Macy). When he was a boy he was a child star on a game show like Stanley but now he’s a drunk with a bad job. He wants to get orthodontics to attract a bartender, but is too shy to even talk to him.
Another narrative is about Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), an old wealthy man also dying of cancer, wants to see his long-lost son before he dies. His nurse Phil Parma (Philip Seymour Hoffman) attempts to find him and discovers Earl’s son is Frank T. J. Mackey (Tom Cruise), a stud who runs a program on seducing women. Mackey resents his father since he abandoned him and his mother as a child when his mother had cancer.
Meanwhile, Earl’s second wife Linda (Julianne Moore) searches for redemption. She had originally married Earl for his money but now actually legitimately cares about him. She knows that she will receive a chunk of his estate when he dies which she doesn’t want.
There is also the story of Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), an officer who is fervent with Christianity. Like Phil, Officer Kurring serves as a caretaker for the characters. He comforts Claudia and even asks her out on a date, despite her pathetic state.
There are many parallels between these different events which all intercut with each other. Many films with multiple stories tend to be predictable, but Magnolia is completely different. It takes twists and turns and the ending is so unexpected that I was agape with amazement. I won’t spoil it, but I doubt anyone would have actually guessed that.
Magnolia is a golden achievement for director Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson made this film when he was 28, which is incredible seeing that there are directors who couldn’t accomplish this when they’re twice his age. Paul Thomas Anderson has complete control over the film, never loosing his course. He delves into the lives of his characters and switches to different stories at the most precise moments. He commonly uses steady-cams in the film, which he executes brilliantly. One scene features Stanley walking into the game show building. The audience first assumes this was meant to show Stanley has just entered the building but it is in reality much more. The audience is then shown the cameramen setting up the set, Jimmy talking to his wife, and Stanley’s dad walking down behind the scenes until Anderson finally places the camera on the front of the stage. I was reminded of the Copablanca scene in GoodFellas, which Anderson must have taken into consideration for this.
Anderson also hints themes of religion. One obvious indication of this is Officer Kurring, but there are plenty of more clues. Children are meant to represent prophets, foretelling the future to adults (this is highlighted by Stanley and another boy). The movie also deals with forgiveness and love, which are repeated throughout the film.
The greatest triumph of Magnolia is its cast. I don’t think there has been a ensemble as good as Magnolia’s. I knew I was going to like the cast because some of my favorite actors, like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and John C. Reilly, but I didn’t know I was going to love it as much as I did. Every performance is fantastic. Moore is brutal in her role, Macy and Hall are tearful, and Reilly is forgiving.
But Tom Cruise is the one who really steals the show. I’ve never been a Tom Cruise fan in particular but he was amazing in the movie. Out of all the characters in the movie, Frank is the deepest and most layered. As the film progresses, the audience learns more and more about him and connect with his situation.
Magnolia is a filmmaker’s dream, a great accomplishment that will surely be recognized as a great piece of art. It’s a film that comes once every blue moon, one that challenges filmmaking and pushes the gold standard.
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Great review. I remember having to analyse the opening scene with all the coincidences during my film studies degree and it was great dissecting it all. It’s definitely one of those films that divides opinion, PTA seems to be developing a habit of that!
Out of all of what I’ve seen from Anderson, this is my favorite. It’s definitely a film to rewatch to examine all the themes. Thanks for commenting.
Great post, the scene that I always remember is the raining frogs. Strange yet very memorable.
The scene is so strange yet so magnificent. I was in awe when it occurred. This has quickly become one of my favorite movies and I loved every second of it. Thanks for commenting.
Paul Thomas Anderson succeeds with this where I think a lot of other directors would have failed.
Yeah, what’s really amazing is that he made this film when he was only 28. Most directors can’t accomplish something like Magnolia in a lifetime.
Nice post, William H. Macy floors me every time I watch this.
Macy is great in his role. Thanks for commenting.
Jesus! What a terrific movie! It’s not only my favorite from Anderson, but definitely my favorite Cruise performance of all-time and shows exactly why the guy is no slouch when it comes to powerful, dramatic-acting. Good review.
Thanks! It’s my favorite by Anderson as well and Tom Cruise does a fantastic job. Anderson’s films have actors in top form and Magnolia has quickly become one of my favorite films.
Thanks! Yeah, this may have the best ensemble cast ever. Definitely by favorite by Anderson.
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Interested in playing Magic’s legacy format with other serious MTG players? East Coast Gaming hosts legacy events at their local game store in Cary, NC. Every Wednesday night, you can join other players for our Legacy night, but we also have casual players with legacy decks that can usually be found on location. While the legacy format is generally considered more competitive, players of any skill set are welcome to compete.
What Is The Legacy Format of MTG?
The legacy Magic format, in it’s current form, was created in 2004 and is considered an “eternal” format. It differs from the vintage format because the legacy format doesn’t only ban or restrict cards based on abilities that focus around “ante” or “conspiracy”. The legacy format has a list of banned cards that are considered too powerful. In legacy MTG, players may have decks with a minimum of 60 cards and no maximum. Your deck may also have 15 cards in a sideboard and no more than 4 of any card (excluding basic lands) between the main deck and sideboard.
For a full set of rules, to see the banned card list, and to find out what sets are legal in legacy, please click the button below.
Looking to Buy or Sell Legacy MTG Cards?
East Coast Gaming has a large inventory of rare and powerful cards from different sets dating back to when MTG was first released. Some of our more high dollar cards may not be able to be found on our ebay store, but if you are looking for a special, hard to find card, chances are we can get it for you. Please contact us on the form below or give us a call at (919) 628-4383. We have a pretty simple buylist and are looking to buy most cards. If you are looking to sell vintage Magic cards and don’t live near Raleigh, we still want to talk. If you have a collection to sell, contact us and we can schedule a time to give you an estimate.
Alexa O'Brien filed this request with the Executive Office for United States Attorneys of the United States of America.
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Business cards are still a vital form of communication in the corporate world. Business cards are used far more often than most people realize and a business card must be chosen for its size.
Anything could be printed on your business cards and you are looking for the most effective business card for your marketing.
Business cards are given out in many different ways. You may hand out business cards to people you meet during the day, and you may give them out at networking functions. This is the simplest way to use business cards, but your business cards will blend in with others if you use the standard size.
Consider using a slightly larger business card that people cannot miss. The card sticks up above other cards, and customers may store the card in a unique place that makes them easy to find.
Do You Send Out Magnets?
Business card magnets are a common use for business cards that you may create yourself. A standard business card size makes for easy shipping, but the magnet is not large enough to be seen on the refrigerator. Families may lose the magnets because of their size, or the magnets may be dwarfed by other magnets that are larger.
Your magnets will be the largest magnets on fridges in your area if you choose larger business cards. A large business card is nearly the size of an index card, and it is larger enough to draw the attention of anyone in the room. Customers may not receive your business card on their own, but they may see the card at the home of a friend. This sort of marketing is no less effective than marketing done through other means.
Local businesses keep bulletin boards where you may place your business card for community reference. A wise business owner uses a business card size that large enough to catch the eye of local customers. Tacking the business card on the board is made so much simpler when the card is large enough to be seen.
Local businesses run their contests in much the same way. Your business card goes in a bucket from which the business pulls a card. A card that is larger than the others, and it is easier to find in the bucket. You increase your chances of winning a lovely prize, but you also increase your chances of being noticed by people who witness the drawing.
The cash register of every local business near your office must have a stack of business cards representing your company. Choose the business card size that makes you noticeable, and ensure that your cards are replenished often. The careful selection of a large business card becomes moot when your cards are nowhere to be found. Local businesses that do not keep business cards by the register are a prime opportunity for you to be the first company represented.
Offer the business a small stand for cards in exchange for advertising your business with the cards. You are doing a favor to businesses in the area through your generosity, but your business still benefits.
You must partner with other businesses that do not compete with your own. Partners are given your business cards as a sign of support. You hand out some of their cards to your customers, and your partner hands out some of your cards. You and your partner business should have a different business card size to prevent confusion.
A business card is the first step in a business relationship, but the business card size determines how far that relationship goes. Choose your business cards carefully to accomplish your goals, and pick the cards that will meet your needs when you market your business.
Physiotherapy is an evolving science, as knowledge of the mechanics of the human body change. Bridge 38 maintains an up to date knowledge of the uses and treatments of physiotherapy in sport, pain and injury.
We do not believe in prolonged treatments. We do believe in accurate assessments and aim to give you a full and clear explanation of your treatment from the outset, allowing you to manage your own prescription and reduce the number of appointments required overall.
With applied physiotherapy, we can help people to stand without pain, to walk freely and to become a more robust athlete in their field. This is the aim of Bridge 38 – the specialist physiotherapy clinic opened by Fiona Campbell in Barton-under-Needwood.
Fiona is passionate about using physiotherapy in sport. She worked with Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the EIS (English Institute of Sport), for 10 years. By studying the movement, gait and approach athletes use in training, she uses therapy to address muscle imbalance issues, adjust training and technique errors, reduce recovery times and improve performance.
Now contracted through the EIS to the BEF (British Equestrian Federation), Fiona uses a similar approach with riders, demonstrating how better balance and equal use of weight off the horse can improve connection and performance on the horse.
Fiona has launched Bridge 38 to bring sports analysis and physiotherapy to the local area. She works with sports enthusiasts, whether professional or hobbyists, to treat injuries and help improve the flow of movement.
Fiona also uses physiotherapy to help clients with back pain, arthritis, long term pains and injuries that restrict your daily life. She helps people from all walks of life, professional and retired, young or old, to move freely and get more active.
As a triathlete herself, with a sports-loving family, Fiona is personally familiar with the pain from sporting injuries and the frustration of being unable to compete. With her calm and thorough approach, you’ll soon be back on track.
Now with coding! Kids can create their own Droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic blocks. With the Droid Inventor app, they can control their Droid, give it new abilities with easy block-based coding, and take it on 22+ missions. Then kids can level-up their inventor expertise and reconfigure their Droid to give it new skills, or design any Droid they can dream up. The kit comes with everything kids need to create and customize their R2 Unit straight out of the box.
If you are a patient using oxygen concentrator (portable oxygen concentrator) or using any kind of respiratory equipment to help you breathe, then you should try and use our super 7 foot long soft nasal cannulas (oxygen cannulas). Buy high-quality extra super soft yet cheap & economical oxygen nasal cannula from us now.
Indeed, there are many companies selling nasal cannula and they make it look cheap and economical price. However, the quality of such cheap nasal cannula (cheap oxygen cannula) is not so good and you end up having the irritational sensation which will make patient using oxygen concentrator (portable oxygen concentrator) uncomfortable.
Try our high quality and yet economical nasal cannula now. Our oxygen nasal cannulas are super cheap and economical however at the same time, they are extra soft, high quality and comfortable.
Investor sentiment measures may be used as contrarian indicators. We expect the market to do the opposite of what the indicators are saying when they reach an extreme level of bullish/greed/optimism or bearish/fear/pessimism. Identifying extreme levels of positive or negative sentiment may give us an indicator of the direction the stock market is likely to trend next.
I observe when sentiment reaches overly optimistic levels like it did late 2017 into January 2018, the stock market trend trends down or at least sideways afterward. In reverse, after investor sentiment becomes extremely pessimistic, the stock market tends to trend back up.
Although extreme investor sentiment may be used as a contrarian indicator, I do not base my investment or tactical trading decisions on it by itself. I use investor sentiment measures and indicators to indicate and confirm my other signals of a potential trend change. For example, when bullish investor sentiment is rising from a lower level but not yet reached an extreme high, it’s just confirming trend following. However, when bullish sentiment reaches an extreme it warns me to be prepared for a potential countertrend. All those who want to buy may have bought, so buying enthusiasm may be exhausted. That’s what I observed in January 2018. After prices fall investor sentiment shifts to bearish and they fear more loss. Once the level of fear reaches an extreme it begins to suggest those who want to sell have sold and we could see selling become exhausted and a selling climax.
We have two types of investor sentiment measures: Polls and indicators.
The results are then consolidated into the AAII Investor Sentiment Survey, which offers us some insight into the mood of individual investors.
Bearish investor sentiment is negatively correlated with stock market index returns. Below I created a chart of the S&P 500 stock index with an overlay of the % bearish investor sentiment. On the bottom, I added the correlation between the S&P 500 and the % bearish investor sentiment. We can visually see there is a negative correlation between investors getting more bearish as stock prices fall. For example, few investors were bearish in 2014 into 2015 until the stock index fell -12% in August 2015, then the % of bearish investors spiked up. We also saw the % of bearish investors extremely low in January 2018 as the stock index reached an all-time high. After the stock index declined -20% at the end of 2018 we saw the % of bearish investors spike up again. As we enter 2019, the % of bearish investors is at a historical extreme high level so we may be observing a selling climax as the desire to sell gets exhausted.
Bullish investor sentiment is positively correlated with stock index returns, except after stock prices fall, then investors lose their optimism. In the chart below, we see the % of bullish investors trending up along with stocks 2014 into 2015, but then as prices fell late 2015 into 2016 they lose their optimism for stocks. We saw another spike to an extreme level of bullishness late 2017 into 2018 as the stock index reached all-time highs. The % of bullish investors declined with great momentum after prices fell sharply. As we enter 2019, the % of bullish investors is very low, leaving much room for the desire to buy to take over.
Investor sentiment surveys like AAII are useful tools to get an idea of extreme sentiment levels when selling pressure or buying enthusiasm may be becoming exhausted. However, their potential weakness is they are ultimately just polls asking people what they believe, not what they are actually doing. Regardless, they do seem to have enough accuracy to be used as a guide to confirm other indicators.
As I’ve observed extreme levels of investor sentiment and participation in the 2018 downtrend in global markets, I’ve shared these indicators several times. As we saw in the investor sentiment survey, the VIX spiked in 2015, then spiked again but to a lower high in 2016 as the stock index fell. The VIX spiked again in February 2018 as the S&P 500 quickly declined -10%. After prices trended back up implied volatility contracted all the way to the low level of 12. The stock index started to decline again, so the VIX once again indicated a volatility expansion. As we enter 2019, the CBOE S&P 500 Volatility Index VIX is at 25.42, just over its long-term average of 20. The VIX implies an expected volatility range of 25% over the next 30 days.
I’ve shared several observations the past few months of the Put/Call Ratio. The Put/Call Ratio is a range bound indicator that swings above and below 1, so reveals a shifting preference between put volume to call volume. When the level is high, it indicates high put volume. Since puts are used for hedging or bearish trades, I consider it a contrary indicator at extremely high levels.
The Equity Put/Call Ratio measures the put and call volume on equities, leaving out indexes. The Equity Put/Call Ratio spiked to a high level of put volume when it reached 1.13 on December 21, 2018, as the stock index was declining. The high Equity Put/Call indicated options trading volume was much higher for protective puts than call volume. The Equity Put/Call Ratio is considered to be mostly non-professional traders who tend to be more bullish, so it keeps call volume relatively high and the ratio low. Its high level has so far turned out to be a reliable short-term indicator of a short-term low in stocks. As we enter 2019, the Equity Put/Call Ratio is at .60, which is at a normal range. We normally see more call volume than put volume in the Equity Put/Call Ratio, so the ratio is its normal level as you can see in the chart.
The CBOE Index Put/Call Ratio is applied to index options without equity options. We believe professional traders and portfolio managers mostly use index options for hedging or directional positions. The total volume of the Index Put/Call Ratio is asymmetric toward puts for hedging purposes. As we can observe in the chart below, the current level at the beginning of 2019 is 1.09 dropping about 35% from it’s December peak at 1.67.
We can visually see the tendency in Index Put/Call is around 1 as the Equity Put/Call Ratio is around 0.60. Equity Put/Call Ratio has a more optimistic/bullish tendency as individual stock options are used more for bullish bets as index options are used more as for hedging.
The CBOE Total Put/Call Ratio combines both equity and index options to create a range bound oscillator that swings above and below 1. With the Total Put/Call Ratio, I believe the put bias in index options is offset by the call bias in equity options. The Total Put/Call Ratio spiked to its highest ever reading of 1.82 on December 20, 2018, as the stock index was entering the -20% “bear market” level. I consider a level above 1.20 to be bullish as it indicates an extreme in put volume over call volume. A reading below 0.70 is more bearish since there is an asymmetry between call volume over put volume. Above 1.20 is an elevated put trading volume. As a bet that stock prices will fall or hedge against them, buying put options is a bearish sentiment. Of course, some of the volume could have been traders selling puts which are a very speculative bullish bet, but since I pointed it out the stock indexes reversed up sharply, so I believe it turned out to be a reliable short-term indicator of a short-term low in stocks. As we enter 2019, the Total Put/Call Ratio is at .98 which is still high. We usually see more call volume than put volume, so the ratio is typically well below 1 as you can see in the chart.
There is no better indicator of a shift in investor sentiment than price action. No one believes that any more than me. The direction of the price trend is the final arbiter, and I’ve believed it over two decades. Any indicator that is a derivative of price or non-price trend economic data has the potential to stray far from the reality of the price trend. The price trend determines the value and the outcome of a position. As we enter 2019, the S&P 500 stock index has declined -20% off it’s September high and after a sharp reversal up since December 24th, it’s currently in a short-term downtrend, but at a level, the countertrend back up may continue.
Even if you don’t observe investor sentiment measures as an indicator or trade signal, it’s still useful to observe the extremes to help avoid becoming overly bullish or overly bearish and part of the herd. The herd tends to be wrong at extremes, and most investors tend to do the wrong thing at the wrong time. If I am to create better results, I must necessarily do the opposite of most investors.
As a tactical investment manager, I identify changes in price trends, inter-market relationships, investor sentiment, and market conditions aiming for better risk-adjusted returns. My objective is asymmetric investment returns, so I necessarily focus on asymmetric risk/reward positions, and that includes focusing on asymmetries between bullish and bearish investor sentiment.
Jesus taught how we can be one of his relations, or part of his family. It is a two-step process. First we must hear God’s word. Second, we must put it into practice. His brother James was listening. James later wrote, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers, who delude themselves” (James 1: 22). He said we are supposed to “receive the word implanted” (v. 21).
First we must each ask ourselves, “Do we want to be close with Jesus, even as close as a brother?” Secondly, “What are we willing to do in order to achieve that personal closeness with him?” Frankly, not everyone is willing to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. That’s okay, it is a personal choice but for those who do crave intimacy with the Lord Jesus he has shown the way.
Jesus put an emphasis on God’s word. He told us we must put ourselves in a position to hear God’s word. Bear in mind they didn’t have the written word in abundance like we do today. We can “hear” the word in many ways. One of those ways, I would suggest, is in reading it for ourselves. Furthermore, there is an incredible amount of free teaching available on television, radio and the internet. Many ministers even allow people to download this content to their own device. I find that remarkable. What other profession gives away their work product for free? We can hear great messages every single day.
Brother James teaches us that we are to receive this word implanted. When you hear the word, you must then receive it. Just hearing someone speak the Word of the God won’t do a thing for you if you don’t receive it. I believe James is telling us to plant the Word of God in our hearts. This principle is well taught by Jesus in Luke 8: 15 where the sower sows the word to our hearts. There are quite a few scriptures that speak about the relationship between God’s Word and our hearts. Look at Deuteronomy 6:6 for example, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” This is our starting place then. We can’t do God’s Word if we do not first hear it and in that hearing receive it into our hearts. This is not a brain game. It is a matter of the heart. What, then, is the condition of your heart? Is it the good soil that Jesus speaks about in Luke 8 or is it hard like the stony ground?
Fellowship with Jesus begins with God’s Word. Perhaps hearing that thrills you. I hope so. Maybe, though, you are one of those who does not want to give time and place to the Word of God. I am very sorry because there is no getting around this one. No amount of intellectualization, even, is going to provide an argument that supports that position. We must all come to a place in our lives where we are willing to let Jesus be the absolute Lord of our lives and do, therefore, what he says. Either he is Lord of our lives or he is not but if he is then we should follow his instructions and his teachings. He came to give us abundant life. That is all he is trying to do with his instruction. He is trying to bless us but in order for us to receive the greatest of gifts we are going to have to taste humility.
As you turn your face to Jesus, soften your heart and receive his word implanted therein. Then we can talk about putting it into practice. Then we probably won’t have to.
Enjoy a stay at the Historic J. D. Thompson Inn Bed and Breakfast and walk to the Tuckerton Seaport's 3rd Annual Irish Festival. Enjoy Irish music, live bands, dancers, celtic crafts, artists, food and refreshments during this fun for all two day event. Irish mass on Sunday at 10am. $10 admission. Call us at 609-294-1331 for information on our two day package rates for this special event.
Saudade lures you in with a long intro that will have you thinking you just walked into an instrumental post rock band rehearsal. Not before long the band is taking off into some extremely fast and screamy intensity. By the time you get to track 3 "Drone Distance" you might have already forgotten the slow, relaxing introduction.
But alas, the band knows how to navigate their peaks and valleys. About two minutes into "Drone Distance" we're brought back down to a beautiful instrumental interlude that reminds me very much of some Portraits of Past material.
We're witnessing some professionals here who have honed their sound and have no room for mistakes.

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