There Will Be Blood (Two-Disc Special Collectors Edition)

Why Buy A There Will Be Blood (Two-Disc Special Collectors Edition)?
Unmistakably a shot at greatness, Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood succeeds in wild, explosive ways. The film digs into nothing less than the sources of peculiarly American kinds of ambition, corruption, and industry–and makes exhilarating cinema from it all. Although inspired by Upton Sinclairs 1927 novel Oil!, Anderson has crafted his own take on the material, focusing on a black-eyed, self-made oilman named Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), whose voracious appetite for oil turns him into a California tycoon in the early years of the 20th century. The early reels are a mesmerizing look at the getting of oil from the ground, an intensely physical process that later broadens into Plainviews equally indomitable urge to control land and power. Curious, diverting episodes accumulate during Plainviews rise: a mighty derrick fire (a bravura opportunity that Anderson, with the aid of cinematographer Robert Elswit, does not fail to meet), a visit from a long-lost brother (Kevin J. OConnor), the ongoing involvement of Plainviews poker-faced adoptive son (Dillon Freasier). As the film progresses, it gravitates toward Plainviews rivalry with the local representative of God, a preacher named Eli Sunday (brimstone-spitting Paul Dano); religion and capitalism are thus presented not so much as opposing forces but as two sides of the same coin. And the worm in the apple here is less mans greed than his vanity. Andersons offbeat take on all this–exemplified by the astonishing musical score by Jonny Greenwood–occasionally threatens to break the film apart, but even when it founders, it excites. As for Daniel Day-Lewis, his performance is Olivier-like in its grand scope and its attention to details of behavior; Plainview speaks in the rum-rich voice of John Huston, and squints with the wariness of Walter Huston. Its a fearsome performance, and the engine behind the films relentless power. –Robert Horton

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Perhaps Best of All Time
Let me start by saying that my wife absolutely hated this movie. I, on the other hand, was, and continue to be, completely engaged by this awe-inspiring Daniel Day Lewis performance. His singular ability to so effectively portray the relentless greed that propelled our country into the 20th century is, IMHO, one of the best acting performances ever. I particularly enjoy the scene where he speaks to a small town about buying its land, only to walk away in frustration (”too much confusion”). His voice is captivating, and his complete metamorphosis into this man is so richly believable. And as brilliant as his acting, we cannot undervalue the director. The camera work was divine. It took serious guts to film the first 15-20 minutes w/o a single word, but that opening scene perfectly set the stage for what was to follow. I can’t say enough.

one of the best movies ever made
i can’t believe this movie has over 300 reviews and only has 3 1/2 stars.it is one of the best movies of all time.daniel day-lewis gives one of the best performances i have ever seen,and the rest of the cast is awesome too.the packaging is also really cool.it looks like an old book with his speech he always gives typed on the inside cover.the second disk is great with a really cool documentary and some other stuff.worth the extra money.

The jewel of modern American cinema
Although I’ve been a fan of Mr. Anderson’s films since Boogie Nights, “There Will Be Blood” is something totally different. It’s definitely not a family/fluff film and the seekers of Hollywood-style happy endings should look elsewhere. This is a story about a man who possesses nothing but greed and hatred. A very dark tale about a very dark side of us humans; so dark, it at times makes you think you’re watching another masterpiece by Ingmar Bergman . Cinematography is superb, acting is top notch and above all the pacing of the story (one of the most illusive aspects of film making) is brilliant.

Though there are a couple of pot holes in the script, I rate this film a very strong 5 stars and recommend it to those who expect nothing short of a profound and spiritual experience.

DVD may be wrapped in paper but the film itself is pure gold!
What is the defining aspect of P.W. Anderson’s There Will Be Blood that kept me so captivated throughout its running time that fell just under three hours? I think it’s probably a good many things. There’s the beautiful, Oscar winning cinematography, there’s the driving message of greed and corruption in society, there’s the Kubrickian styled direction, and of course there’s some of the best acting performances of the year, but only one stands out to draw me into this film. The character of Daniel Plainview (Oscar winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis) is perhaps the most complex character ever captured on film and is one with whom I found myself strangely attracted to, for I saw something about his character worth pitying.

Daniel Plainview is a cut throat business man during the industrial revolution (an “Oil man,” he calls himself) who uses a persuasive speaking voice and enticing promises, but at the end of the day he only is wishing to fulfill his everlasting greed. Eventually he is lead by the tip of one Paul Sunday who tells him of oil in a far off location known as Little Boston. Plainview takes the bait and moves in and realizes that this could be his big haul that makes his fortune, but in the process he meets his greatest adversary. Eli Sunday (a very underrated performance by Paul Dano) owns and operates his own church (The Church of the Third Revelation) where he claims to act as a prophet and the embodiment of the Holy Spirit. Naturally the two of them clash as the audience realizes they are both driven by mostly selfish desires.

As Daniel’s fortune increases his hatred towards himself and mankind expands, and he realizes that all he wishes is to be far from it, but it is apparent he has become incapable of being happy. His son, H.W. Plainview seemed to be his only way to happiness, but Daniel in his denial just push H.W. and everyone around him far to the side, preferring to suffer miserably by himself until he completes his long drawn out self-destruction.

This is why I pity Daniel Plainview when others say he is a character that deserves our loathing. What they are failing to grasp is the inner struggle taking place in this man and how very confused he must be, because they only seem to note the negative things he does in the film. Daniel Plainview is a man who has let the natural desire to compete absorbs him and he has given up the fight to suppress it.

Is Daniel Plainview a man, or is he the representation of a spirit that is found throughout mankind? Each time I see this movie the impact increases. Every single time I watch this two-hour forty-minute film I find more reasons to be in love with it. Each time I find more ways that Daniel Plainview can be related to the human race as a whole.

“I don’t want to talk about those things. I see the worst in people, Henry. I don’t need to look past seeing them to get all I need. I’ve built up my hatreds over the years, little by little. Having you here gives me a second breath… I can’t keep doing this on my own with these… people. {Daniel laughs as if his final comment were a joke}”

“I look at people and I see nothing worth liking.”

I think everyone occasionally has thoughts such as those stated in the above quotes. We just don’t act on them in the manner in which Plainview does. The problem with Daniel is that he never lets go of the feelings and lets them push him forward rather than think to the back of his mind.

This movie deserved Best Picture and Director for 2007 because of the fact that I have never seen a more stunning, magnificent illustration of human greed and corruption. There Will Be Blood is a movie that will be seen twenty-years from now and like Apocalypse Now people will believe that the Academy made the wrong choice in regards to choosing their Best Picture winner (like anyone REALLY cares what the Academy has to say now of days). I think everyone will need to see this film at some point or another or they will have missed one of the most important films of the 21st century, and that is just a fact, plain and simple.

Just you watch. Ten years from now this film will be taught in film classes and Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance shall undoubtedly be used as a subject of study in drama classes for aspiring actors and actresses.

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The Jungle (Enriched Classics)

Why Buy A The Jungle (Enriched Classics)?
ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP

Upton Sinclairs unflinching chronicle of crushing poverty and oppression set in Chicago in the early 1900s.

EACH ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES:

• A concise introduction that gives readers important background information

• A chronology of the authors life and work

• A timeline of significant events that provides the books historical context

• An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations

• Detailed explanatory notes

• Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work

• Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction

• A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the readers experience

Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the worlds finest books to their full potential.

SERIES EDITED BY CYNTHIA BRANTLEY JOHNSON

Customer Reviews & Opinions

One of the Best Books of its Time
After getting past the slow beginning, I couldn’t put The Jungle down. The author literally puts you in the shoes of the working poor and their plight grips you to the core.

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