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The best movie of the year and one of the best acting performances of all time comes to DVD carrying a cartload of critical praise and awards.. and deservedly so.
Paul Thomas Anderson is not the most prolific of directors. Since his breakthrough with the wonderful BOOGIE NIGHTS eleven years ago, he has given us just two titles – the excellent MAGNOLIA (1999) and the flawed, but nonetheless curious PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (2002).
Perhaps such reluctance to “churn them out” as it were has been a significant factor in shaping and developing an entirely singular cinematic consciousness. For this is what he has achieved with THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
Right from the off, with an extended opening sequence that has no dialogue, Anderson relies on the language of cinema itself to set his stall out. And what better way to catalyse this expression than through the awesome presence of the greatest actor on the planet today.It is not through speaking that we begin to know Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) during the film’s opening. It is through this immediate, powerful presence – a man possessing the very physical manifestation of unstoppable, driven determination. Switching from silver prospecting to oil, Plainview senses exploitation at the expense of a farming family (the Sundays, in particular the young goatherd Paul) who speak of oil to be found on their land. Plainview could easily strike a deal with them. But, being a compulsive cheat, he chooses to swindle.
Adopting the baby of a miner who dies in an accident, Plainview embraces the boy, HW, as a surrogate son, but he uses him to project the image of a family man to the Sundays, claiming that God sent him their way. Yet, it is at the hands of Paul’s religious zealot brother Eli (played by the same actor, Paul Dano) that Plainview finds his enterprise constantly thwarted.It is this zealotry, together with greed for money and power, that make up the combined themes of THERE WILL BE BLOOD and while Anderson and Day-Lewis have denied an intended allegory, the film inevitably strikes a contemporary relevance.
Yet, like all great epic stories, there are moments of intimate, tragic humanism. For all the steel and cold seduction of Plainview’s character, and his apparent lack of caring or emotion, he is humanised – to a point – in his relationship with HW , and when that point is reached, the film becomes heartbreaking.
Day-Lewis is absolutely outstanding. He strides this film like a Colossus. A power-performance of volcanic ferocity, yet brilliantly weighted with slithering charm and stealth.. and one that deservedly won him a second Oscar earlier this year.
It feels almost like divine providence that both director and star came together at the right time to bring about this masterpiece.
Praise be :)
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Right.. being the film fusspot that I am, may I suggest the following Empire-esque grading template with regard to reviews?
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> Brilliant – An unmissable experience
=D> =D> =D> =D> Very Good – Highly recommended
=D> =D> =D> Satisfying – Not everyone’s cup of tea, but a solid enough example of type
=D> =D> Disappointing – Caution advised
=D> Awful – Clapping because it’s over. Total cruelty. Avoid at all costs
You forgot the Baseball World Series :lol:
@sharongooner wrote:
In keeping with telly talk just ordering a wacking great big feck off new telly, cant wait!!!!!!!
8)
Looking forward to hearing all about it Sharon!
I got a 37 inch HD Sony Bravia LCD last Christmas!
Cost me my soul, but feck it! Long time dead huh?If yer going down the HD route.. be sure to buy a PS3 8) .. it’s one of the most reasonably priced Blu-Ray players on the market and of course a HD state of the art games console too innit?
Not to mention the whole internet access gig :P@pats wrote:
@Sgt Pepper wrote:
Ten Sharp – You (Were Always On My Mind)
Yep.. Uber tune PATS 8)
And one that I happened to post a couple of months ago tut!
Like pay attention down the back there Ms PATS :P(Though, granted, the tune was on another thread coz it’s 90s.. but still.. TUT!)
:wink:
omggggg tyyyyy sgt i’ll love u forever now. god was a fantastic song it is. xxx
No problem at all xx you have excellent taste 8)
Ten Sharp – You (Were Always On My Mind)
Yep.. Uber tune PATS 8)
And one that I happened to post a couple of months ago tut!
Like pay attention down the back there Ms PATS :P(Though, granted, the tune was on another thread coz it’s 90s.. but still.. TUT!)
:wink:
Sorry.. on a bizarre 80s roll here 8-[
The Cars – Heartbeat City
Nik Kershaw – I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Taja Sevelle – Love Is Contagious
Robbie Neville – C’est La Vie
Somebody shoot me!! :o
@rubyred wrote:
@Sgt Pepper wrote:
@rubyred wrote:
footnote.. i did myself an experiment last year,with all the companies e mailing or sending junk mail.. i applied to EVERY one of them for a £20.000 loan and EVERY one of them accepted me !
Really Rubes?? :shock:
Umm… you wouldn’t have a lend of a tenner then would ya?
:P
and none of them stand a snowballs chance of getting a penny back :)
i didnt accept ye wee daftie,,was a matter of principle.
A fiver then?
:P
@rubyred wrote:
footnote.. i did myself an experiment last year,with all the companies e mailing or sending junk mail.. i applied to EVERY one of them for a £20.000 loan and EVERY one of them accepted me !
Really Rubes?? :shock:
Umm… you wouldn’t have a lend of a tenner then would ya?
:P