Capsule Review: There Will Be Blood (2007)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s loose adaptation of Upton Sinclairs “Oil” proves to be a vast, welcome departure from his previous films. We follow the career of Daniel Plainview (the absolutely staggering Daniel Day Lewis) as he builds his oil drilling business along with his adopted son H.W. The gorgeous cinematography rewards viewers who may balk at the sometimes slow pacing, but the shots of sudden, intense violence and anger are all the more effective because of it. A great film, and one that shows a surprising maturity from one of America’s most interesting filmmakers.

Capsule Review: Boogie Nights (1997)

A sprawling epic about the porn industry directed by a young filmmaker making only his second feature, Boogie Nights could have easily been a disaster, but Paul Thomas Anderson has an almost supernatural sense of setting and creates an emotional and original masterpiece. Based loosely on the life of John Holmes, we follow the burgeoning career of the impossibly endowed Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) who rises to stardom during the golden age of filmed pornography, welcomed into the family fold of director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) and his stable of actors and production people. Filled with memorable set pieces and supporting performances – particularly John C. Reilly as the hilarious Reed Rothchild – it's Anderson who tells the complex story with pizazz, featuring long steadicam shots and scenes filled with improvised dialogue. Brilliant.