 Boogie Nights 1997  R, 152 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alfred Molina, Philip Baker Hall, Robert Ridgely, Melora Walters, Ricky Jay, Thomas Jane
Porn star Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) was once a dishwasher before Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) opened doors for him in the film industry. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of pornographic filmmaking that parallels that of mainstream Hollywood. Reynolds and Julianne Moore–for her role as star Amber Waves– received Supporting Actor and Actress Oscar nominations.
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Magnolia 1999 R, 185 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Philip Baker Hall, Melora Walters, Melinda Dillon, Michael Bowen, Alfred Molina, Ricky Jay, Jeremy Blackman, April Grace, Luis Guzman
This film represents a finely tuned ensemble of quality acting. Set in the San Fernando Valley, the story draws parallels between its characters whose lives intertwine for brief periods as dying fathers try to connect with their estranged children. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards) is dying of cancer, and his wife Linda (Julianne Moore) is trying to handle her grief. Earl is estranged from his son Frank (Tom Cruise), and his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) tries to arrange a meeting between father and son. Meanwhile, Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall) has terminal cancer and is trying to make up for past mistakes with his cocaine addicted daughter, Claudia (Melora Walters), who does not want to see him. Cruise's performance is the highlight, and he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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 Punch-Drunk Love 2002   R, 90 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Lisa Spector, Julie Hermelin, Karen Hermelin, Hazel Mailloux, Nicole Gelbard, Rico Bueno, Salvador Curiel
Lonely bachelor Barry Egan (Adam Sandler), owner of a gadget business, finds life taking an upturn when beautiful Lena's (Emily Watson) car breaks down in front of his store, and she asks him for a date. This sets the scene for a series of misadventures, which include redeeming frequent flyer miles from Healthy Choice pudding and meeting Lena in Hawaii. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | If you cringe at cruelty, avoid this one | 1fatts 03/13/2007 | The problem may be mine.
I cannot deny that this movie was skillfully made, that the acting was fine (Philip Seymour Hoffman really was as good as they say), that the director had a vision. I understand, then, all the fine reviews this movie got.
But I find cruely - especially cinematic "look how cruel the world is in its black humor way" very difficult to watch. And this movie was ninety minutes of mean: mean spirit, mean actions and anger, all of which was meant that love really does bring redemption, especially if it teachers you how to be meaner than the other SOBs.
I just cringed for what seemed like one of the longest evenings I had spent in a theater for a long time. My friends, who are nearly as old as I and may be given, like me, to a lack of appreciation for the comedy of anguish cringed with me.
Other, younger viewers whose opinion I respect thought it was the funniest thing since Fargo.
So, as I say, maybe it's me. But if you are like me, don't see it. |
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Sydney 1997 R, 93 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
aka: Hard Eight
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, F. William Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nathanael Cooper, Wynn White, Robert Ridgely, Melora Walters, Kathleen Campbell, Michael J. Rowe, Xaleese, Steve Blane, Peter D'Allesandro
Seasoned gambler Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) teaches young John (John C. Reilly) the intricacies of his profession. Two years later, John and Sydney are still friends, and now John and waitress/hooker Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) are a hot item. Enter Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a Reno low-life. One night the four characters are in a motel room with a bloody corpse that has a lot to do with failing to pay for Clementine's services and John's reaction. How they work themselves out from their dilemma provides a perceptive view of the four personalities that is entertaining and enlightening.
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There Will Be Blood 2007 R, 158 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciaran Hinds, Dillon Freasier, Sydney McCallister, David Warshofsky, Colton Woodward, Colleen Foy, Russell Harvard, David Willis, Barry Del Sherman, Paul F. Tompkins, Kevin Breznahan, Randall Carver
Prospector Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) works in California at the turn of the 20th century and later adopts a young boy, H.W. (Dillon Freasier), whose father was killed in the oil fields. A few years pass, and H.W. joins Daniel in a plot to swindle the Sunday family out of its land in order to begin their oil empire. Meanwhile, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) begins the Church of the Third Revelation and, as its charismatic preacher, introduces values of humanity, which oppose the lack of values in oil drilling. Thus, the stage is set for a life-long conflict between Eli and his preaching vs. Daniel and his oil drilling. Academy Awards were received for Best Actor (Day-Louis) and Cinematography; seven other nominations were also received including Best Picture and Director.
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| 1. Boogie Nights (1997)
2. Magnolia (1999)
3. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
4. Sydney (1997)
aka: Hard Eight
5. There Will Be Blood (2007)
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