Not really. Walk Hard, his one true headlining film, tanked at the box office, while The Promotion had a virtually non-existent run. And I'm pretty sure most people going to see Step Brothers are going to see because of "Will Ferell and that other guy".domino harvey wrote:I think it's neat that he's well-known enough to be headlining movies now, he seems like a genuine guy
Michael wrote:Maybe it's because I've just turned 40 and that I'm sooo over movies that beat on your head on how miserable life is. Magnolia is about nothing but people fucking up, being left in abysmal despair. Its tone is very ugly and dreary, there is no humor of any kind for balance, the exact thing that makes its grandpa Nashville such a superior and lasting achievement. The humor, as bitter as it gets, gets you a lot closer to the heart of the people in Nashville, IMO
This was once available on the criterion laserdisc of Boogie Nights. "Excerpts from Exhausted; John C. Holmes, the Real Story with commentary."Narshty wrote:For all Boogie Nights fans and more besides: Exhausted: John Holmes The Real Story (part 1)
Frankly, I'm amazed he wasn't sued.
I love Hard Eight as well. I have the DVD which is decent (2 directors commentaries -- weird and a little redundant, and some deleted scenes if I remember correctly). Is there any legitimate possibility that Criterion may release this? Do they have rights? I ask because you're the second person I've seen mention it.LavaLamp wrote:My favorite P.T. Anderson film is Hard Eight (1997). The minimalist approach & storyline was quite compelling. The anonymous urban landscape of casinos, diners on the side of the highway, & motel rooms is used to great effect here. I also liked how the theme of redemption/making up for past sins was explored in the film.
I'm guessing a lot of people haven't even seen this film due to it's OOP status on DVD, and also since it was PTA's first feature. Here's hoping for a decent Criterion BD release somewhere down the road...SpoilerShowThe last scene with Sydney in the diner where he notices the tell-tale stain on his shirt & then slowly covers it up is perfect.
Interview with PTA from January of this year wrote:You recently said that you’re working on the “Punch-Drunk Love” Blu-ray this year. Any plans for “Hard Eight” to follow (or precede) it and is there any chance of a Criterion release for either title?
We are trying to track down lots of elements regarding Hard Eight/Sydney. It would be ideal to get a tune up/re-transfer, etc on that sooner than later. Be great if Criterion would put it out but they haven't said anything to me about it.
Despite Anderson's preference for SYDNEY, I think it mistakenly puts the emphasis on Phillip Baker Hall's character from the get-go. One of the charms of the film is the gradual realization that he is central to the story.HitchcockLang wrote: Question: Would Criterion release it as Hard Eight (the only title it has ever been released under) or the director preferred title Sydney?
I'd actually like to see him do genre films. He could do a Great horror film.John Cope wrote:As much as I love all of Anderson's work I do kind of wish sometimes that he would return to this mode once in awhile and make something very small scale and intimate again. We know he's capable.
Absolutely. Why more contemporary auteurs, especially American, don't attempt horror I do not know. What's the last great American horror film, The Shining? Amazing really. P.T. would fit the bill perfectly.flyonthewall2983 wrote: I'd actually like to see him do genre films. He could do a Great horror film.
Well I do know Nicholas Winding Refn is doing one called I Walk With The Dead. Though I'd love to see Paul Thomas Anderson try a Horror film himself.Sonmi451 wrote:Absolutely. Why more contemporary auteurs, especially American, don't attempt horror I do not know. What's the last great American horror film, The Shining? Amazing really. P.T. would fit the bill perfectly.flyonthewall2983 wrote: I'd actually like to see him do genre films. He could do a Great horror film.