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While the plot has been kept fairly hush-hush (all that has emerged is that it's based very loosely on Upton Sinclair's Oil!) production has started on P.T. Anderson's There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day Lewis is in the lead.

I know Anderson's very name creates some fiercely divided views on this board, so I ask that any criticisms be a bit more than "He sucks" or "He rules".

Anyway, Anderson is running a photoblog of the shoot.

Hopefully this movie takes Anderson into new territory. It could be an interesting political movie or time piece. Who knows?

I'm personally a fan of all his movies except Boogie Nights. Even if I don't enjoy it, I'll probably appreciate the attempt at creating something unique.

Why the long period between films though?

sounds like another change of direction, which is good to see. i've liked all 4 of anderson's films so far, and despite some people pigeonholing him on the strength of the similarities between boogie nights and magnolia, it's obvious from his other two films that's he equally capable of telling smaller stories in interesting ways. whatever you think of his actual films, he's clearly a remarkably ambitious director, and there's all too few of those working in america today for anyone to dismiss someone like him out of hand. i for one am very interested to see where he goes next.

In an interview on IFC, Anderson said that he wrote this film with composer Krzysztof Penderecki's music in mind, saying that it would make "terrific oil music."

I love this director, so I can't wait for this film. By all accounts it sounds like it will be amazing.

Dylan wrote:In an interview on IFC, Anderson said that he wrote this film with composer Krzysztof Penderecki's music in mind, saying that it would make "terrific oil music."

I love this director, so I can't wait for this film. By all accounts it sounds like it will be amazing.

Yeah, that interview he did on Henry Rollins' show was quite good. I am looking forward to seeing what this film will turn out like.

You can also get the latest updates on what's going on with it, here. (including that IFC interview)

Thanks for the heads up, Fletch.

Related to this: I wholeheartedly recommend reading anything by the noted Upton Sinclair fan Chris Bachelder, including this article he wrote for The Believer about Oil!

...It makes one wonder how Anderson's film is going to be played-- it's safe to say it won't be straight-faced, humorless polemic, but Upton Sinclair isn't anything, if not earnest.

I think it will be an interesting diversion for Paul to switch gears completely with this project. He made three well-done dramas about modern life, and it brings an added measure of intrigue to how he will do a period piece.

flyonthewall2983 wrote:I think it will be an interesting diversion for Paul to switch gears completely with this project. He made three well-done dramas about modern life, and it brings an added measure of intrigue to how he will do a period piece.

Wasn't Boogie Nights a period piece?

How can Boogie Nights be a period piece if it only happened yesterday? Oh never mind.. this is making me feel old.

Michael wrote:How can Boogie Nights be a period piece if it only happened yesterday? Oh never mind.. this is making me feel old.

Blah, sorry about that. Boogie Nights is a period piece, but not the kind I was thinking of when I made the original post.

Here's our first look at master of disguise Daniel Day-Lewis in his role as a Texas oil prospector:

Jeff wrote:Here's our first look at master of disguise Daniel Day-Lewis in his role as a Texas oil prospector

That has been confirmed as NOT being D-Day Lewis. It's Vincent Froio.

First glimpse.

Yeah, the first time I saw that pic I had to stop and stare for a sec lol.

Kinda old news but worth posting: PTA on the Henry Rollins show, May 15th 2006.

peerpee wrote:First glimpse.

He reminds me of Bill the butcher in that clip. Looks interesting though.

This looks like it could very well be the greatest film of the year. I found the entire tone of the trailer to be emotionally frightening, and the gorgeous visual style is like Heaven's Gate merged with Magnolia. Such dynamic, imaginative filmmaking, and it appears to be an absolutely fascinating story.

I can't wait.

that little monologue is VERY promising for the film, I can't wait

domino harvey wrote:that little monologue is VERY promising for the film, I can't wait

Agreed. The cinematography is gorgeous too. Looks wonderful.

Wow, for a minute long clip it's already wet my appetite for more. With this and No Country For Old Men coming out, it looks like a good year.

I agree with all the above, this film looks great. I wonder what the running time will be...

exte wrote:I agree with all the above, this film looks great. I wonder what the running time will be...

(Crosses fingers) Come on three hours plus! No director's cut dvd for this one, lets get the whole thing all at once.

You know, I'd pass a small stone if PTA did a commentary or two for this, plus a 3-hour making-of documentary. I hope he doesn't go the PDL route...

exte wrote:You know, I'd pass a small stone if PTA did a commentary or two for this, plus a 3-hour making-of documentary. I hope he doesn't go the PDL route...

P.T. likes to do supplements specific to the film (commentary on hard eight & boogie nights addressed problems with both productions, magnolia & its year-spanning documentary, punch drunk love with its fake commercial, scopitones, jeremy blake artwork & koren subtitles), so maybe a screenplay/shooting script and/or original book combination? Why does every movie need a commentary, anyway?

pianocrash wrote:Why does every movie need a commentary, anyway?

Not every movie, just every Paul Thomas Anderson movie - the guy is just great to listen to.