| Posted by: jord2006 at April 14, 2008, 7:07 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | i dont think anyone can dispute the fact that he loved HW to the end. this fact really hits home in the scene where it shows the flash back of Daniel playing with HW and Mary, we then see Daniel stumble down the stairs in the dark, drunk and overcome with guilt and the conflicting character within him. to say that he did not love HW is to betray what i think is one of the whole points of the movie, to show a character that can not be catergorised in black and white or be dismissed as pure evil. Hw's love for Daniel is what made Daniel human and thats why he loved HW. It was either when he didnt have HW that he did horrible things (what ultimately happened with Henry and Eli) or when he felt guilty for wronging HW (when he first beat Eli, it was his frustration over not being able to help HW and also the fact that Eli could not cure him " false prophet). anyway great film. my new favourite | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Shinigami at April 14, 2008, 3:31 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I thought this movie was more stageshow than cinema. The acting was so theatrical, especially by Day Lewis. His every expression was deliberately overdone and excessive, like he was making sure people in the back rows could see his performance. Strange choice (and it was obviously a choice; Lewis/director are both too good to act by accident). And making the movie even stranger, its soundtrack followed right along, working like a silent film, booming out emotions that were otherwise absent in the scene. I remember one scene in particular on horseback through calming countryside, with the score working against that peaceful scenery, trying to make it uncomfortable, almost dangerous. Most soundtracks just accentuate little nuances in the scene, but There Will Be Blood's added things that were never there in the first place. I'm not really sure what to make of the damn thing. I think I was disappointed that it didn't have a traditional narrative, so my mind started to wander, and point out all these little pick... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Monotreme at April 13, 2008, 3:32 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by bigred760 Was he adopted? Or just taken by Daniel once the kid's dad died? I don't think legal paperwork was filed, suffice it to say that he took the kid and presented him as his own, raising him (perhaps genuinely lovingly) as a father. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: jbar1026 at April 13, 2008, 3:30 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | i think he just claimed him as his son it was not really officail. during that time period i dont think many people would notice. maybe the screenplay gives more detail? | | Static Link |
| Posted by: soad at April 13, 2008, 2:45 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | About his son. Obvious is that he adopted him so he can shows his nice face to family men and farmers and so on. But he also wanted to have someone who he can inherit his business or work together. After HW went deaf Daniel found his 'brother' and Henry toke HWs place as the partner. Daniel also stated that he hated lazy and stupid people who basically didnt know what to do with their land. "I can't keep doing this on my own with these... people. " He needed someone special by his side. He was lonely. Interesting is how much the script differs from final cut. I read the screenplay and i got whole another view of Daniel. In script he was even more caring and loving for his son. It was like one of the main themes there. It got very much attention. (Also Daniels right hand man was more like Al Rose than Fletcher). The movie is like a improvisation of the script. Lastly, i liked this theme of capitalism in the body of Daniel killing religion. And before that, religion being compromised by entertainment... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: bigred760 at April 13, 2008, 1:35 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I never said he didn't love H.W.; I think he had fatherly instincts and did love his son, but I think he loved his business and his pursuit of money moreso. He did tend to his son after the explosion, but while his son still wanted him around, he runs off to tend the fire. Even after everything has been settled with the explosion, he stands there looking at it, saying "there's oil underneath our feet, and only I can get it," (or something to that effect). Quote: Originally Posted by Monotreme Man I have to see this movie again! Aye. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: The Heart Collector at April 13, 2008, 12:17 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | It was my favorite movie of last year, followed closely by No Country and I'm Not There. There are some spoilers here. The oil derrick exploding is a classic scene. Every aspect works there: Day-Lewis' acting, the pounding score (literally a mix of Greenwood's "Convergence" from Bodysong and the score for this movie). The score feels more "right" than your typical period piece score, which I thought was interesting. The cinematography was beautiful, especially the shots of Daniel's face covered in oil, and the transition to the workers setting up the device to put out the fire the next morning. Most of the movie is a fascinating collection of set-pieces. It could be argued that there is no true storyline and thus it meanders a little bit, but the scenes themselves are excellent. I can think of very few scenes in this film that weren't extremely memorable. A particularly good moment is Daniel with Henry at the beach, and what happens afterwards. The cinematography, the way the music linger... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: joeyatog at April 13, 2008, 6:37 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I agree. This movie is pretty awesome! I am trying to hold out for a Blu-Ray but that 2-disc is calling me. But what's up with the generic packaging on both DVD versions? That 1-disc cardboard sleeve is a joke! I get better quality cases with freebee preview discs! | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Monotreme at April 13, 2008, 6:25 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Agreed with ilovemovies. I felt that if at the beginning of the movie Plainview was a kind of wide-eyed visionary eager to get his hands dirty and persue the American Dream, by the end scene he was entirely consumed by greed and selfishness which is what turned him into the monster he ended up being. Man I have to see this movie again! | | Static Link |
| Posted by: ilovemovies at April 13, 2008, 5:06 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I don't see how anyone can't say he didn't love him in the begining and middle of the movie. Somewhere though he did stop loving him. But his confession scene was such a powerful moment and I think it was obvious that that was genuine guilt coming out when he really starts yelling I've abandoned my boy. I think it's obvious that he was a good guy in the begining of the movie but he becomes a monster at the end. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: jbar1026 at April 13, 2008, 4:18 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by bigred760 I agree. I think that Daniel kept H.W. around moreso to be looked upon as a "family man." He cares more about the oil fire than his injured son, he sends his son off when his "brother" shows up, and treats him like crap at the end of the movie. I think he loved h.w. very much. after the accident he ran staright to him screaming "my boy". and then later when he sent him away it was because he didnt know how to deal with it. maybe at first he took him in for the family man image. in thier last conversation he only told him that because he felt hurt that HIS son was leave him to become the competition and wanted to hurt him back. i also fell like this lead to the eli in the bowling room scene. not that he didnt already hate eli but after his son left i think he fell deeper into depression and alcohalism. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: ilovemovies at April 13, 2008, 1:15 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by fooknasty Totally agree. I loved the movie when it focused on the digging of the oil well, and Eli and Daniel's relationship. When the movie got away from that and focused more on Daniel and his brother/son relationship, it struggled. A good movie, no doubt. But no American classic, IMO. Actually I loved when the movie focused on Daniel's relationship with both his "son and brother". Really interesting and complex, especially with the son. But I do think if they should have focused more on the rivalry between Daniel and Eli. It might have helped make the ending work better although it still would have been a tad too over the top for my taste. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Sonny Corleone at April 12, 2008, 2:43 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Great film, I finally saw it last night after purchasing the 2-disc Collector's Edition. Loved the film, the soundtrack was brilliant as was the direction and cinematography. DDL's performance was great. It's probably my 2nd fave movie of the year (might need to watch it a couple more times). The ending was very cartoonish but I thought it was magnificent. Best ending I've seen in a while, I got a good kick out of it. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Frank the Tank at April 12, 2008, 2:37 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | It took me about a half hour to fully get into it, but once the fire scene happened, I was mesmerized by this movie. The first half hour was beautiful to look at, but I did sort of drift away at points. I will say Paul Dano annoyed the shit out of me here, and his acting was silly. I was glad when that ending happened. This was the Daniel Day Lewis show. He completely owned this movie and gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in a movie. The score was incredible at all, and lifted this movie to a higher level. It played like Daniel Plainview's thoughts as to what was going on in his mind. There are at least 4 or 5 scenes that will stick with me forever. 8.5/10 | | Static Link |
| Posted by: bigred760 at April 12, 2008, 1:57 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by Monotreme I don't know, guys. I personally don't feel that this was PT Anderson's point. I believe that Daniel's relationship with H.W. was one of genuine affection, and that the rift between them that was caused by the accident wasn't because Daniel never really loved H.W., but because part of Daniel's personality is that he is petrified of failure. His son's loss of hearing was seen by him as something flawed in his life, and he attempted to get rid of that something not out of hatred but out of fear. So in the accident scene, the fact that Daniel left H.W. to go tend to the fire wasn't because the fire interested him more, but rather because the fire was something he needed to deal with AT THAT MOMENT, while his son's shock was something that wasn't necessarily urgent in the full sense of the word. Maybe. But I still think he undertook H.W. more for the "family man" angle; he lies to people saying that he is his son (mother died and all that), and I already mentioned ... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Monotreme at April 12, 2008, 1:38 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by bigred760 I agree. I think that Daniel kept H.W. around moreso to be looked upon as a "family man." He cares more about the oil fire than his injured son, he sends his son off when his "brother" shows up, and treats him like crap at the end of the movie. I don't know, guys. I personally don't feel that this was PT Anderson's point. I believe that Daniel's relationship with H.W. was one of genuine affection, and that the rift between them that was caused by the accident wasn't because Daniel never really loved H.W., but because part of Daniel's personality is that he is petrified of failure. His son's loss of hearing was seen by him as something flawed in his life, and he attempted to get rid of that something not out of hatred but out of fear. So in the accident scene, the fact that Daniel left H.W. to go tend to the fire wasn't because the fire interested him more, but rather because the fire was something he needed to deal with AT THAT MOMENT, while his son's... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: La Motta at April 12, 2008, 1:27 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | loved the opening 10 minutes with the nod to 2001 music wise brilliant up to the last 20 minutes when it ultimately feels like another movie | | Static Link |
| Posted by: bigred760 at April 12, 2008, 1:18 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by BubbaStrangelove I didn't get that at all. To me, he looked at his son as a commodity, and at the brother situation as being betrayed. I agree. I think that Daniel kept H.W. around moreso to be looked upon as a "family man." He cares more about the oil fire than his injured son, he sends his son off when his "brother" shows up, and treats him like crap at the end of the movie. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: fooknasty at April 12, 2008, 11:56 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by ilovemovies I actually don't think the movie focuses enough on the rivalry between Daniel and Eli. Not to mention that I found the ending to be way too wildly over the top, almost cartoonish. And that includes DDL's performance. It felt like it belonged in a different movie. Despite the ending, it's still a great movie and one of 2007's best. It gets an 8/10 from me. Totally agree. I loved the movie when it focused on the digging of the oil well, and Eli and Daniel's relationship. When the movie got away from that and focused more on Daniel and his brother/son relationship, it struggled. A good movie, no doubt. But no American classic, IMO. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: DarthBelichick at April 12, 2008, 6:01 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by BubbaStrangelove I didn't get that at all. To me, he looked at his son as a commodity, and at the brother situation as being betrayed. What about when he is basically spooning his son caressing his head the night of the accident.He seems to me like a caring father who is scared shitless about whats happening to his son. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: ilovemovies at April 12, 2008, 5:03 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I actually don't think the movie focuses enough on the rivalry between Daniel and Eli. Not to mention that I found the ending to be way too wildly over the top, almost cartoonish. And that includes DDL's performance. It felt like it belonged in a different movie. Despite the ending, it's still a great movie and one of 2007's best. It gets an 8/10 from me. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: BubbaStrangelove at April 12, 2008, 1:33 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by chinton I really don't know why people keep saying Plainview is flat or just evil and thats it. I think its very clear that Plainview loved his son but the accident and the sons break at the end had built a wall between the two of them. When he finds out his brother isnt really his brother that is the last straw. You can clearly see how devastated Plainview is. I didn't get that at all. To me, he looked at his son as a commodity, and at the brother situation as being betrayed. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Powerslave at April 11, 2008, 6:06 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | 9/10 It's a damn good movie, maybe a great one. It's far from being a masterpiece though. It's uneven and awkwardly paced. I also didn't find it especially thought-provoking. I thought about it for a few days after seeing it, then it just sort of faded out. Same thing happened the second time I saw it. Not that it's phenominally important for a movie to be thought-provoking (it's important, but other things come first), but I still think I gets far too much praise for being so. DDL was great, but Dano more than held his own as far as I'm concerned. People seem to overlook how much worse this movie would be if he didn't pull it off. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: DaMovieMan at April 11, 2008, 5:50 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Yeah like 99.9% of the world it seems, hehe, I adore this film and will keep adoring it for all time because it just seems to get better and better the more I think about it. It's as perfect as a film can get in these times. 10/10: best film of the century so far... | | Static Link |
| Posted by: JohnLocke2342 at April 11, 2008, 5:26 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Unbelievable film. The haunting score is a lot like 2001: A Space Odyssey. I actually found the movie to be shot like that. With a lot of still scenes where you analyze the situation and the characters. It reminded me more of 2001 then of Magnolia or Boogie Nights, in the way it was shot and scored. Beautiful movie. 10/10 There's a whole ocean of oil underneath our feet, and nobody can get at it except for ME | | Static Link |
| Posted by: InHopelandish at April 11, 2008, 4:41 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Kel O'Neil... poor guy... media says its cause 'Day-Lewis' intimidated him with his methods... Day-Lewis says thats not the case. I'll trust DDL. Apparently Dano had less than a week to prepare for Eli Sunday. I now take back everything negative I said about him... this explains his performance. DDL had what? two years? | | Static Link |
| Posted by: chinton at April 11, 2008, 3:42 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I really don't know why people keep saying Plainview is flat or just evil and thats it. I think its very clear that Plainview loved his son but the accident and the sons break at the end had built a wall between the two of them. When he finds out his brother isnt really his brother that is the last straw. You can clearly see how devastated Plainview is. To love this film I think one has to see what the film truly is which is a tragedy. Plainview has an arc but it isnt easily found. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: fooknasty at April 11, 2008, 3:35 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Just watched it. *Possible Spoiler* For me, the beginning of the movie was amazing. I loved Plainviews passion for his craft, and Daniel Day Lewis gives a brilliant performance. However, once the fake brother showed, it started to drag a little and it lost my interest. The deterrioration of Plainviews character is amazing. Again, loved Lewis and Dano did a wonderful job as well. As of right now, 8/10. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: spacemonkey at April 11, 2008, 12:10 pm | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Well, like many have stated here, this was one of the best movies of 2007. If not THE best. What was it about you ask? Well, it was more then just about a drunk who hated everyone. If you look a bit deeper you will see it talks about various themes. Ambition and Greed - Daniel Plainview is the embodiment of these two qualities. He has the ambition and this ambition and desire to be successful is what drives him to achieve his goals and be the best at what he does. Plainview hates competition, he always wants to be number one and he is willing to sacrafice whatever it takes to get there. Even his own family. Even his own "son" who he has raised ever since he took him into his life. Anything will go second place next to his ambitions and goals to be #1. Religion - Basically this movie stamps a boot in the face of religious cults and fanatics. Plainview hates religion because he sees it as a farce. He looks at the preacher character Eli Sunday as a person similar to himself, using people, manipulating... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Trail_Blazer at April 11, 2008, 11:48 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Brilliant movie, equally brilliant performance by Day-Lewis. Very memorable scenes, beautifully shot, and a fantastic character study. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Monotreme at April 11, 2008, 9:36 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | My review pretty much sums up my thoughts on the movie - and you can tell I have many thoughts judging by its length. Essentially, while D-Day Lewis deserves a lot of credit for carrying the movie and delivering one of the all-time greatest performances, and while as a character study it works immensely well; ultimately the movie is just this big, epic powerhouse depiction of contemporary politics, industy, organized religion, and everything in between. As the film's tagline says: When faith meets ambition... ..."There Will Be Blood". Here's the review: Many filmmakers over the years have made astounding and sudden leaps in their filmmaking styles; whether it is a change of crew, a change of scope or a change of technique, the history of film is bountiful with examples of such departure from what is normally expected from a certain director. After introverted, personal, subtle, in-the-streets films such as Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, Martin Scorsese’s follow-up project was a big, grand, glossy th... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: Homyrrh at April 11, 2008, 8:15 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Quote: Originally Posted by InHopelandish If you will indulge me for a moment. This post is a bit hastily done... The reason this movie works as well as it does, rests squarely on the shoulders of one man. Daniel Day-Lewis. I know he doesnt need anymore praising, he's gotten it all. However, I have to put this out there: You will NEVER see a performance like this, in ANY movie EVER made. There's nothing like what Day-Lewis does in this movie in the history of the motion-picture. I dont even have to see every movie ever made to know that. My friend once told me that he thinks DDL is to acting as Queen is to rock and roll. And I think he's right in a certain way (thats a bit un-related, but i wanted to throw that out there anyway.) The only time, I can remember, seeing an actor blur the line between fiction and reality, between actor and character so effortlessly is Marlon Brando in 'Last Tango in Paris'... but the only reason Brando is able to accomplish that feat is because of the unorthodox methods in which... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: BubbaStrangelove at April 11, 2008, 4:36 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | I agree with the sentiment that it's very original. At least, I think, it's original for this day and age. To me, it reminds me of movies that were coming out late-80s/early 90s (post Pulp Fiction) -- It's hard to explain, but when watching it, that was the last period I remember seeing a movie that gave me the same sense this one did. There's really a lot to the movie, IMO. I loved the conflict between oil and religion. That was really nicely done. The film looked marvelous, and I loved how the score reminded me of like a silent film. Usually I don't cop out on responses, but in this case, so much has been said about this film, and the honest truth is that I really don't know what I could say to anyone who saw this movie as only being about some guy drinking his life away. I think I've never taken such a pompous stance, but here I feel little choice. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: Natty at April 11, 2008, 4:14 am | | Topic: Thoughts on "There Will Be Blood" Forum: JoBlo | | Brilliant, its the definition of a modern masterpeice as far as I'm concerned and yes it is worth watching just for Daniel Day-Lewis, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it is one of the two best performances in history and better than any Brando or DeNiro though. Cinematography and score are also exceptional and its got a handful of truly unforgettable scenes - such as the oil derrick explosion, the bowling alley scene and the dialogueless opening. I think its films like this that are truly great. 9/10 | | Static Link |
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