A truly fine piece of film-making that seems to improve with age, and without a doubt one of the finest performances in all of cinema history- Daniel Day Lewis channels John Huston.

12:15 AM EST tonight



Daniel Plainview makes a covenant with the oil

I'll have to record that. I was just thinking earlier today I need to watch Gangs of New York again too. I could stand for DDL to star in another movie soon. Unbelievable talent.

I am forced to admit I've never seen this movie. I will remedy that error most ricky-tick.

I've never watched the movie, either.

In fact, I don't even know what it's about. However, I've set the DVR and will watch it in the next few days.

It's brutally slow at times, but I'm captivated the whole way through.

One my favorites, DDL is awesome. He may have even been better in Gangs of New York, just needed a better movie around him on that one.

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter1:
I've never watched the movie, either.

In fact, I don't even know what it's about.

It's about DRAAAAAAAINAGE!!

And a false prophet! I watched it for the first time. DDL was excellent.

Like the movie a lot. It came out at the same time as "No Country for Old Men". Both were shot simultaneously in West Texas near Marfa, and both were up for best picture with No Country winning out.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter1:
I've never watched the movie, either.

In fact, I don't even know what it's about.

It's about DRAAAAAAAINAGE!!

The wife is very confused, every time we get milkshakes
I put my straw in her shake and maniacally shout “Drainage”

It's a dark film. Disturbing in some ways.

But I greatly enjoyed it.

Good snapshot of that era.

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I drink your milkshake!

DDL is a master thespian. Thoroughly enjoyed his work in Lincoln.

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
I drink your milkshake!

I drink it up!

Did they actually have milkshakes in the era of this movie, I've always wondered. Seems like an anachronism to me.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
I drink your milkshake!

I drink it up!

Did they actually have milkshakes in the era of this movie, I've always wondered. Seems like an anachronism to me.

Maybe called them something different? Frozen Malts??

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quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
I drink your milkshake!

I drink it up!

Did they actually have milkshakes in the era of this movie, I've always wondered. Seems like an anachronism to me.

Maybe called them something different? Frozen Malts??

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It looks like the origins of what we know as a milkshake began around 1885 although they really didn't become popular and widespread until 1930 or so with the advent of modern refrigeration.

Is that what you guys get out of this masterpiece of a film? Really?

Finally found time to watch my dvr'd "There Will Be Blood".

Early on I was struck how some of the locations seemed straight out of "No Country For Old Men". Oh, THAT's why.

The pacing as well as the long gone and proper use of language paralleled "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". Not slow but instead riveting and impossible to look away.

Speaking of that, DDL has never seemed more in control. You can't not focus on him in every scene, even doing nothing, he dominates. Hard to believe such a strong character can also be so subtle and measured.

Knowing Upton Sinclair's views, am I to assume that that Plainview was the avatar of capitalism? We get hints of where Plainview came from, no full understanding of who he became, competitive to a fault, only willing to compromise on his terms. As I understand, in Sinclair's "Oil", the primary antagonist was a socialist, not a strong Christian, for what that's worth. Obviously, the movie has the loosest of connections to the book, yet the lesson remains?

Finally, what's with sleeping on the floor. OK, Plainview is passed out drunk but not always. Early on at the assayer's office, on the floor. Not a coincidence, it means something I'm missing.

As I think about it, maybe the captitalist - every man for himself - is by definition isolated. And not just alone but at strict odds with "inclusive" ideologies like socialism or Christianity.

I bought the DVD when it was first released and recognized it for the classic it would become. DDL played the role to a T.

Paul Dano (Eli Sunday) was outstanding also.

What a film.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Finally, what's with sleeping on the floor. OK, Plainview is passed out drunk but not always. Early on at the assayer's office, on the floor. Not a coincidence, it means something I'm missing.

Plainview cares not one wit about comfort. He is indifferent to being comfortable and to making others feel comfortable. He has no desire for women or to be in love. His one driving motivation is just as he tells Henry, the imposter; he wants to make enough money to get away from everyone because he hates most people.