There Will Be Blood (2008)

Fantastic Character Development

This movie would have won a lot more Oscars this year if it were not for No Country For Old Men. Daniel Day-Lewis's performance was one of the best of this generation and his character, Daniel Plainview, is one of the most developed characters of all time. We are able to see his transformation that occurs due to the greed and hatred for all those around him. By the end of the film we are left with a character that confuses the viewer, which it should. The fact remains that if you did not enjoy this film, you did not engage it. If you did enjoy it, then it should be a memorable film, to say the least. The Blu-ray version is top notch and I suggest it for anyone who enjoyed this film or enjoys film in general. July 16, 2008

If your not in a bad mood, you will be after this movie.

This movie is about greed and pride and how ugly they can be. Its long and tough to watch in parts. I really don't think I could sit through it all again. The movie starts out well but becomes less entertaining as Daniel Day Lewis character becomes meaner and greedier. July 14, 2008

Would have made a great sitcom

If you can fully encapsule the plot and and outcome in five words, chances are it's a story not worth telling: "Miserable greedfilled man stays miserable". July 13, 2008

Blood, Sweat, Tears...and Oil!

The Good Things
*Excellent filming style, editing, and cinematography. Stylistically similar to a Sergio Leone film.
*Some fascinating ideas; in particular, a lot of paralell cases where people are using or abusing each other for gain. Makes for subtle but complex story.
*Also provides some fascinating insight on the oil drilling business.
*Excellent acting; interesting group of characters.
*Good writing.
*Excellent music; John Williams can eat his heart out.

The Bad Things
*Very very long.

The Ugly (or Questionable) Things
*Pretty weak story; focus is more on internal conflicts and rivalries than on any physical conflict.
*Despite the movie's title, there are only a few violent scenes, and they are not too graphic. If you're looking for a bloody action film, this would not be it.
*Abrupt, crazy ending.

This is basically like "Citizen Kane" in the west; a broad story about relentless ambition and corruption. It's a very long, slow-moving film, with an epic scope and scale. The story can be seen as tedious or boring, and perhaps even pointless, but the main attraction are the characters, all of whom are well-developed and well-acted. With patience, it is worthwhile watching at least once.

Image and sound quality is excellent (especailly in blu-ray). The single-disc DVD has no special features. The two-disc and blu-ray versions have a 1923 silent film depicting the oil business, a fifteen-minute montage of behind-the-scenes stuff, a few deleted scenes, and a couple of the trailers. July 13, 2008

Extraordinary

Truly a masterful work of film making from P.T. Anderson, who has clearly found his footing as one of our leading directors. Daniel Day Lewis delivers a commanding performance as the oil tycoon Daniel Plainview, who creeps in on unknowing farmers to claim his prize. Based loosely on Upton Sinclair's 'Oil!' There Will Be Blood is masterful in its rich colors and textural sounds. It is a highly engaging allegory about the hypocritical bargain between the bourgeoisie and the church. It is at once a tragedy and an excruciatingly painful portrait of the demonic underbelly of the American dream. July 8, 2008

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