THERE WILL BE BLOOD
Based upon a novel, OIL!, by the prolific writer Upton Sinclair, THERE WILL BE BLOOD kicks it old school. My friend Armando described it as “CITIZEN KANE but better,” and while I agree that it is a piece of cinematic artistry, unlike CITIZEN KANE, THERE WILL BE BLOOD holds no punches as it delivers an epic tale of ugly humanity or lack there of.
It is such a beautifully filthy marathon of a film. The jarring music clashes with the forlorn scenery to create an atmosphere of unrest and untold dangers, masked under the soil as well as the face of Daniel Day-Lewis’s character, Daniel Plainview.
THERE WILL BE BLOOD revolves around the life and times of Daniel Plainview, a souless anti-social oil tycoon who is brought to a desert town in California to drill an ocean of oil. His effect on the surrounding towns people and land brings about interesting circumstances, to say the least.
I must wonder what sort of madness inspires that fuel with which Daniel Day-Lewis sets the silver screen a blaze. The mastery with which he lives in front of the camera is nothing short of captivating. While his supporting cast was superb (kudos to Paul Dano, he definitely held his own) they are dwarfed by DDL’s presence.
My issues with the film are minimal. It’s long. Very long. At 2 hours and 38 minutes, it might be best not to invite the kids or those with A.D.D. If you are expecting something action packed and quickly paced, this movie will not be for you. While far from dull, TWBB requires quite a bit of patience and attention. However, A film of this calibre deserves that much.
If you really take your movies seriously and enjoy being led on a cinematic journey for extended lengths of time, I would most definitely recommend THERE WILL BE BLOOD. You will not be disappointed.
This film is black gold.
Review by,
Uno The Sexy Man Beast
From Albert
This is a LIMITED ENGAGEMENT. See it while you can. It wont get wide release (from what ive heard) and is currently only playing at The Archlight Cinemas in Hollywood and the new one in Sherman Oaks located in the Sherman Oaks Galleria where the old (i think it was an AMC) theatre was. TWBB recently started playing in Sherman Oaks.
And as some of you may know, the Sherman Oaks Archlight is new and not at the same time. Its in the Galleria where the old theatre was. The plus is that you dont pay for parking and that the most you pay for a ticket here is $11.50 and not $14 like at Archlight Hollywood. The bad…well its an Archlight. You pay $3-5 more than anywhere else, showings are few and far in between. They have arranged seating and teh concession stands are not normal!
well thats just me.
i gotta see this film. im not one for long films but ppl say its good and Daniel Day Lewis just won best actor at some award show i saw while channel surfer earlier today. so it must be good.
thanks to Richard for the movie review.
-albert