Phantom Thread

Daniel’s cocky, wooden performance paints him the king of his castle, in a self-constructed patriarchy where he answers to no one but Manville. Anderson forsakes the contrivances of Master’s Vice in this deeply contemplative study of a master’s vices. Remarkably stitched together with invisible strings intertwining simultaneous subtlety and melodrama.

Inherent Vice

Source material is film’s inherent vice.  Phoenix stays lit as latter day Lebowski amidst a stellar cast of coked-up costars while Anderson’s brilliant long-shots mark the highlight of an overly long and convoluted mockery of narrative.  Rainbow pallet lightens the gravity of what may be the brightest noire ever made.

The Master

Phoenix rises from the ashes to become highlight of an impressively neutral portrayal of Scientology-style cults.  Anderson’s There Will Be Liquor lacks the cinematography of its Bloody predecessor and has even less story to-boot.  Hoffman’s return and Adams’ appearance in another religious piece still leave Doubts about meandering anti-climactic plot.

Boogie Nights

Compelling look at veritable porn family and even more compelling looks at RollerGraham and most of Moore. Brilliant long shots, great performances, and resurrection of Reynolds lend to nearly perfect ensemble film. Wahlberg accurately predicts ‘big stardom’ despite odd car scene with his ten dollar 13-inch-long. Cast reappears in Magnolia.

Magnolia

Anderson channels Altman to perfect his Boogie Nights structure. Complex non-story with who’s who of actors delivering performances of their careers. Cruise plays his most obnoxious and sympathetic character yet and Hoffman proves how great he is. Even spontaneous musicality and amphibious precipitation can’t detract from this mind-bogglingly beautiful masterpiece.