I was blown away by this film. It is so nuanced and yet so ambiguous that it is a treat I will get to enjoy over and over for years to come. I love Paul Thomas Anderson's films and was very excited to see that he was finally back with a film after many years. Living in tiny town I had to wait quite a while before it came to a theatre with stadium seats and decent sound. But it was worth the wait. Oh to have seen this at the AMC 25 on 42nd Street! I have seen Daniel Plainview characterized in some reviews of There Will Be Blood as he personification of evil. That misses the point of this story and especially the center-piece performance. Daniel Plainview is absolutely a self-centered, misanthropic liar who is blinded by his drive to draw out the earth's riches to build his wealth for a very specific purpose but he is not evil. Simplifying this character in this way does a disservice to both Daniel Day-Lewis' performance and the character he and Paul Thomas Anderson have crafted. Day-Lewis is so amazing as he embodies this man who has true moments of empathy with his son but who cannot control his desire to win any and every competition. Paul Dano is also amazing opposite Day-Lewis as the conniving would be preacher. This character comes off far more evil though they are each cut from the same cloth. There is so much in this film that I can't even begin to do it justice. The performances, the cinematography, the music, the story, the sunsets. I agree with the masterpiece verdict that is floating around.... it is an American masterpiece.
Memorable moment: I drink your milkshake!

The Island

How is it that this film is as amusing and absorbing as it is? I laughed and I gasped throughout this ode to running for your life. I want to believe it was made tongue in cheek but it was probably just Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson acting tongue in cheek while everyone else treated the material seriously. The action sequences are terrific and eye popping. The bar bell highway chase seen was just awesome. Sean Bean is fun and nasty as the scientist with the God complex. The story is somewhere between Blade Runner and Gattaca (not in quality just in plot points) as are some of the visuals. Michael Bay knows how to technically make the big action thriller, can't fault him there and I would only be a film snob if I did not admit this film is just fun. And I ain't no snob!
Memorable moment: Bar bells crushing cars!

Hot Fuzz

Finally saw this ode to cop/action films on DVD. Very funny and oh so stylishly done. When the film started out with cameos from Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, and Cate Blanchett I realized I was in for a treat and it just kept getting better and better as more terrific actors were revealed. Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Billie Whitelaw, Paul Freeman, Kenneth Cranham, Stuart Wilson, Edward Woodward, David Threlfall. Fun, fun, fun! Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright have put together a highly entertaining film which actually makes watching those other overblown action films much more entertaining. Loved watching Pegg and Nick Frost work off of each other as their characters discover and become their own inner action heroes. I am totally glossing over all the great themes and odes to other films that Pegg and Wright draw off of but that's what the DVD commentaries (all 5 of them) are for. Buy this film and have fun discovering the secrets of the village of Sanford. Now I need to get off my butt and get a copy of Shaun of the Dead.
Memorable moment: Paperwork action montages.