PTA Filmography Series

PTA Filmography Series Part 4: Punch-Drunk Love

Posted on May 9, 2020May 27, 2020 by Adam

“I have so much strength inside of me. You have no idea. I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.” - Barry Egan I suppose we should consider this Paul Thomas Anderson’s brief foray into “Romantic Comedy” (unless you count Phantom Thread). It’s not like any other romantic comedy I’ve seen. It’s funny, but not that funny...

PTA Filmography Series Part 3: Magnolia

Posted on May 1, 2020May 27, 2020 by Adam

"The book says: We may be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us." - Jimmy Gator / Quiz Kid Donnie Smith / Narrator I'm pretty sure Anderson cringes at this movie. And I do too, honestly. The above quote can seem faux-deep when isolated and presented at the top of a semi-critical analysis like this one. It seems a bit trite. Overly melodrama...

PTA Filmography Series Part 2: Boogie Nights

Posted on April 26, 2020May 27, 2020 by Adam

This is Anderson's Scorsese movie. Sure, there’s a bunch of Altman here too. But it feels like Scorsese with those sweeping long takes and great musical synchronization. I've seen this movie a few times in my life. For some reason, it never quite stuck. I liked it okay. But I never really understood the adulation it often received. Well this time...it stuck.&nbsp...

Paul Thomas Anderson Filmography Series

Posted on April 25, 2020May 27, 2020 by Adam

A film-by-film look at director Paul Thomas Anderson's filmography. I've chosen to watch all his feature films in order, to track the progression from him as a young filmmaker whose mashup of directorial influences nearly defined his own artistic identity, to an experienced storyteller with a unique vision, who hides his influences in the linings of his suit ...