Master of his own Domain

A quick look at Paul Thomas Anderson Flicks coincidentally includes Philip Seymour Hoffman

 By Morgan P Salvo

With attention to detail and a filmography time table to rival Stanley Kubrick, Paul Thomas Anderson seems to be deriving pleasure from emulating other director’s styles while being fiercely independent and creating a unique world of his own with a stable of consummate actors.

Hard Eight (1996)

A hard luck gambling saga showcasing the repertory actors Anderson would come to choose from in later films. John C. Reilly is mentored in casino logic by an ailing Philip Baker Hall. Gwyneth Paltrow and Phillip Seymour Hoffman round this flick out. Even Samuel L. Jackson shows up before he was in everything.

Boogie Nights (1997)

Every actor is spot on in this ensemble piece focusing on the 1970s-80s decade-defying look at the porn industry and one Dirk Diggler’s special “talent”. This flick brought Burt Reynolds’ career back for a fleeting moment, boosted Mark Wahlberg’s star status, made us more aware of the genius of William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Heather Graham, John C. Reilly and Thomas Jane, but Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Scotty will be the one who sticks in your craw.

Magnolia (1999)

This is a sweeping story of intertwining events, strange occurrences and a mosaic character study in the style of Robert Altman’s Short Cuts. Loss, death and emotional pain are amplified to the hilt here. Nothing short of a masterpiece except for Tom Cruise (well he is short). I cannot understand the acting accolades he received as this flick proves he should stick to action and skip the emoting. Julianne Moore has never been better and Philip Seymour Hoffman adds penetrating honesty.

Punch Drunk Love (2002)

This is one of two movies I’ve liked Adam Sandler in (the other is Anger Management) because he actually acts and doesn’t behave like a jackass or an irritatingly unfunny buffoon.  Here he plays a wacky businessman saving coupons and looking for love in all the wrong places. The intentionally annoying soundtrack is superb and actually causes you to feel nervous or agitated the entire movie. Emily Watson is great and you guessed it, once again Philip Seymour Hoffman shows up to steal scenes.

There Will be Blood (2007)

This movie was beautiful to look at with mesmerizing performances, grandiose scenic locales…and I hated every minute of it. I understand the artistic choices of how and why this stripped down epic was made and the moody period piece it conveyed but for God’s sake it was SO boring I thought I was going to die. Daniel Day Lewis, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of crotchety oil man Daniel Plainview, now has two dreadful movies that he’s phenomenal in (see Gangs of New York).  Strangely, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is nowhere in sight.