http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php Sat, 30 Nov 2013 22:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.40 http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php/comment-page-1#comment-32 Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:15:38 +0000 http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php#comment-32 Thanks Judy, I missed this. I'm writing a review that gets into some of the points you raise. Hope to finish today.

]]> http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php/comment-page-1#comment-34 Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:15:38 +0000 http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php#comment-34 Thanks Judy, I missed this. I'm writing a review that gets into some of the points you raise. Hope to finish today.

]]> http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php/comment-page-1#comment-31 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 05:58:53 +0000 http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php#comment-31 i'm not sure he'll talk about it in the future. he doesn't talk much at all. and he stays far away from screenings (like the other night, which was an event to be sure but not a premiere).
i sometimes wonder if PTA's approach — with all his films — is genuine or if he has carefully cultivated the shy eccentric persona to perpetuate chatter. from what i do know, the latter is true.
The Master is obviously about scientology, specifically LRH early days as you point out. SeaOrg history and homosexuality are major undercurrents (overcurrents?) PTA borrows heavily from douglas sirk trope and toys with it, appropriate for a film that takes place in the 50's and true to his personal style.
i don't bow at the feet of PTA like so many film people i know, and i don't hate him like others do. i was geeky excited to see a beautifully shot film in 70mm but aside from that excitement…i'm sticking with "to be continued," because as much as i want to discuss it, especially with a film buff/sciion expert, it is more fun for me to do the play-by-play with people who've seen it (i'm like that with any highly anticipated film).
whatever persona PTA decided to cultivate as a director, i'm pretty confident now as i write this that he won't discuss scientology in this decade or any other in the near future: there are other major themes to dissect. j phoenix's character is really the lead and there is a whole film playing out about a questionably suggestible insane alcoholic war-vet-drifter. so while he can "hide" behind his persona and legitimately discuss the film's merits, it's not the same as justly saying There Will Be Blood was not merely about an oil baron. The Master IS about L Ron Hubbard and PTA knew exactly what he was messing with. scientology in hollywood is too hot a topic to just play coy with, but that's exactly what he'll continue to do.
as is his right. frustrating though it may be.

]]> http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php/comment-page-1#comment-33 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 05:58:53 +0000 http://realitybasedcommunity.net/archive/2012/09/its-undeniable-that-the-master-is-about-scientology-specifically-hubbards.php#comment-33 i'm not sure he'll talk about it in the future. he doesn't talk much at all. and he stays far away from screenings (like the other night, which was an event to be sure but not a premiere).
i sometimes wonder if PTA's approach — with all his films — is genuine or if he has carefully cultivated the shy eccentric persona to perpetuate chatter. from what i do know, the latter is true.
The Master is obviously about scientology, specifically LRH early days as you point out. SeaOrg history and homosexuality are major undercurrents (overcurrents?) PTA borrows heavily from douglas sirk trope and toys with it, appropriate for a film that takes place in the 50's and true to his personal style.
i don't bow at the feet of PTA like so many film people i know, and i don't hate him like others do. i was geeky excited to see a beautifully shot film in 70mm but aside from that excitement…i'm sticking with "to be continued," because as much as i want to discuss it, especially with a film buff/sciion expert, it is more fun for me to do the play-by-play with people who've seen it (i'm like that with any highly anticipated film).
whatever persona PTA decided to cultivate as a director, i'm pretty confident now as i write this that he won't discuss scientology in this decade or any other in the near future: there are other major themes to dissect. j phoenix's character is really the lead and there is a whole film playing out about a questionably suggestible insane alcoholic war-vet-drifter. so while he can "hide" behind his persona and legitimately discuss the film's merits, it's not the same as justly saying There Will Be Blood was not merely about an oil baron. The Master IS about L Ron Hubbard and PTA knew exactly what he was messing with. scientology in hollywood is too hot a topic to just play coy with, but that's exactly what he'll continue to do.
as is his right. frustrating though it may be.

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