The Master

My first reaction to "There Will Be Blood" was of disgust and hatred. "WTF?" I asked myself was that? But I couldn't stop thinking about it. Over time, it earned a grudging respect and ultimately to some degree admiration. I am still not sure if I LIKE it, but it sure has made me think about it.

I just went to see Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie, the one not about Scientology *wink* - fully expecting to be challenged. I was more prepared for this movie than I was for TWBB. Based on that I was able to enjoy thinking through this movie. I sort of absorbed it as much as watched it. I, uh, processed it. Heh.

I think what sums up the movie for me was the exchange:

"You look like you've just been on a journey."
"Is there any other way to get somewhere?"

Curious if any of the film snobs here have seen it yet and your thoughts?

I think there's two ways to watch the film.

Go into it with the understanding that you're paying to see Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman put on performances that are going to get them Oscar nominations, and, I think in Hoffman's case especially, an Oscar win. You're also going to hear a score that's going to win an Oscar. Along the way you'll see some spectacular cinematography, you'll get to watch Paul Thomas Anderson be as Paul Thomas Anderson-y as he's ever been, stopping just short of flopping his junk on the table and saying "I dare you."

Or you can do what I did. You can go into it and try and pick apart all of the symbolism, try and piece the plot together into something other than an incomprehensible mess, feel like a complete idiot along the way, be completely exhausted the entire time, and beg for the entire thing to be over by the time the second act is winding down. When I walked out of the theater I was completely disgusted because I thought the whole thing was crap. My feelings moderated pretty quickly, but the story just isn't there, or if it is, I'm not nearly smart enough for it.

The entire thing is marvelously acted, intense as anything Anderson has done, gorgeous, extravagantly shot and edited, and I think pretty important. I'm just not sure I liked it.

I'm going to go see Judge Dredd blow stuff up instead.

Steve"Boobs and Bombs"Avery

i intend to see it, not sure if its out in the UK yet though.


"My Straw reaches all the way across to your milkshake and DRRINKKsss it AALLLLL UPPP. DUUURRRRAANNNNAGGGGEEE."

Who doesn't like Lee Van Cleef as a ninja?