241 the sequel

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

*****/5

Oil was is and will always be a tremendous resource. Ever since the first oil well was discovered men have desired to possess this resource in order to build their fortune. “There Will Be Blood” tells the tale of such a man. Daniel Plainview portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis, is a determined oil aficionado with an indomitable spirit. He uses his abilities to discover oil and then convince people to sell them their land so that he can dig for that oil. During his quest for oil he meets a young evangelist named Eli Sunday depicted by Paul Dano, whose search for salvation irritates Plainview so much that he begins to lose sight of what actually matters in life. Despite Sunday’s constant interruptions Plainview stays focused on his goal and acquires great wealth. But then again what good is wealth if you have no one to share it with? This film can only be described as majestic. Paul Thomas Anderson and cinematographer Robert Elswit incorporate the very essence of oil and its destructive nature, into every frame of the film. Anderson’s direction in particular inspired the cast to give awe-inspiring performances. For example Paul Dano squirms and smiles and speaks softly and simply transforms into the venal, young Eli Sunday. Finally one cannot watch this movie and not be astonished by the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis. For most of the time that he’s on screen the viewer is actually looking at Daniel Plainview. Daniel Day-Lewis is nowhere to be found. His peers around the world should applaud him for his performance here. The film “There Will Be Blood” is not a movie that you enjoy. It is a film that you absorb. It enters your bloodstream and much like oil itself you realize that you can’t function without it.

HAIRSPRAY

***1/2 /5

Musicals are usually simple stories that are told by directors posing as choreographers, actors who are better singers, combined with some catchy music. Then of course every once in awhile out of nowhere a musical goes where no other musicals have gone before. “Hairspray” is that musical. The movie introduces us to an obscure chubby teenager with big dreams named Tracy Turnblad depicted by memorably by newcomer Nikki Blonsky. Apparently she thinks she has what it takes to appear on her favorite TV show aptly titled the “Corny Collins Show.” Her desire to be apart of the show however opens her eyes to the harsh reality of racism that afflicted this nation in the 1960’s. She then courageously takes it upon herself to make a change and integrate the show she loves so much. The cast of the film, including John Travolta as Tracy’s overweight self-conscious mother, Christopher Walken as Mr. Turnblad and Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle enthusiastically carry the film and get some help along the way from the younger equally excited cast. The songs are memorable; the choreography is impeccable, so true fans of musicals will not be disappointed. But most importantly the story is not superficial. Which is why this movie is not your run of the mill musical.