Undoubtedly, most of you have heard the Oscar buzz as of late about the Paul Thomas Anderson film "There Will Be Blood," and rightly so. I was fortunate enough to see the film last weekend and it was indeed a spectacle to behold. I was struck, however, when I spoke to others who had seen the film who were not already familiar with P.T. Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis. Shame on you.
For those who are not previously versed on the subject, P.T. Anderson was the force behind such films as "Magnolia," "Boogie Nights," and "Sydney" (aka "Hard Eight"). All of which, are spectacular films in my own humble opinion. And for God's sake, see them! P.T. Anderson is one of the most original and talented directors gracing our silver screens these days.
And now for Daniel Day-Lewis. This star has been tearing up the scene since the mid-eighties and is one of the more eccentric stars on the A-list. According to IMDB.com, Day-Lewis takes roles only every few years because of his dedication to method acting, and it shows. Apparently he spends an extensive amount of time preparing for roles. TimesOnline.com wrote, "Two years of meticulous preparation went into his role of Daniel Plainview." If that's not dedication, I don't know what is.
Did I mention that in addition to acting, Daniel Day-Lewis made his living as a cobbler and enjoys woodworking (IMDB.com)? What's not to love?
Notable roles for Day-Lewis include his Oscar-winning performance in "My Left Foot," as well as his Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-nominated roles in "Gangs of New York" and "In the Name of the Father" respectively.
All I can say is buy a big box of popcorn and get watching. Who knows, you may just find a few new favorites to add to your collection.
(Photo taken from www.toxicshock.tv)
