by Marjorie Baumgarten / Marginalia
The secret closing-night film of
Fantastic Fest 3 in
Austin, Texas, on Thursday night turned out to be the first public screening of
Paul Thomas Anderson's "
There Will Be Blood." In "
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," it's not the gold that destroys men's souls but greed; in "There Will Be Blood," the commodity that drives the greed is oil.
Anderson was in attendance and answered a few questions following the screening. The film, which is based on Upton Sinclair's
Oil!, really only uses "about the first 150 pages of the novel," according to
Anderson. "The book goes on to Hollywood and Washington" and was just too expansive for his purposes, though he said that those opening chapters contained Sinclair's clear descriptions of the workings of the derricks and the precipitous moods that hung over communities that were about to sell their land to the oil prospectors.
Anderson's usual mix of stunning landscape shots and long takes blend with his close-up scrutiny of the hidden meanings of faces and comportment.
Essential to the movie is the original score by
Jonny Greenwood, the
Radiohead guitarist and
BBC composer in residence. In addition to some uniquely haunting orchestral arrangements, there's this insistent string motif that sounds like the buzzing of an insect inside one's head, a sound that grows louder and more unavoidably distressing whenever soulless events are about to occur.
"There Will Be Blood" was indeed an unusual choice to close out this year's Fantastic Fest, as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder and host
Tim League was the first to admit. Though the film hardly belongs to the science fiction, fantasy, animation, and crime genres that attendees had been snacking on all week, League attested in his introduction that the film is undeniably "fantastic." League met
Anderson this summer when the Drafthouse's Rolling Roadshow hosted an outdoor screening of "
Boogie Nights" in the
L.A. area and the director made a surprise appearance. The two became fast friends, which led to the Fantastic Fest screening. However, it took
Ain't It Cool News'
Harry Knowles to point out during the Q&A that
Plainview was the "best monster" he had seen all week.
Anderson responded that Dracula was in his thoughts as he was writing the screenplay. "There Will Be Blood" indeed.
Michael Jones is the film festival editor at Variety.com. 
It's interesting to see this point of view. I can't say fore sure if I agree or not, but it is something I will think about now.
Posted by: Minecraft Guide | 3/10/2011 7:27:43 AM
I will add this blog to my favorites, it is great.
Posted by: Watch Mars Needs Moms | 2/23/2011 4:42:57 AM
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Posted by: Watch Sucker Punch | 2/22/2011 11:40:35 AM
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Posted by: Watch Sucker Punch | 2/22/2011 11:40:33 AM
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Posted by: Watch Sucker Punch | 2/22/2011 11:40:30 AM
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Posted by: Watch Sucker Punch | 2/22/2011 11:40:28 AM
This is wonderful blog. I love it.
Posted by: Watch Sucker Punch | 2/22/2011 11:40:26 AM
A home away from home. (Any temporary place where one feels comfortable).
Posted by: Single Kontakt aus Bavaria | 2/6/2011 12:17:07 PM
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Posted by: Erotikkontakte aus Westphalia | 2/6/2011 12:16:16 PM
Its awesome all of the time to view how folks can compose wonderful stuff about people topics! Thank you and I ve bookmarked you
Posted by: Battle Los Angeles | 2/5/2011 5:35:34 AM
אייזנברג גרופ
אייזנברג גרופ, בבעלות שמעון אייזנברג, היא חברה לייזום ושיווק השקעות נדלן בארץ ובעולם שהציבה לה כמטרה לשווק השקעות נדל"ן נבחרות איכותיות, המתואמות למשקיע הישראלי.
"אייזנברג גרופ" ביצעה פרויקטים רבים בשנים האחרונות, פרויקטים איכותיים בין מגוון הפרויקטים אותם ביצעה "אייזנברג גרופ" בשנים האחרונות ניצבים פרויקטים איכותי
Posted by: UrireErextRek | 1/30/2011 12:03:17 AM
правильной деятельности какую-то потребность в беспокойной суете и шумных
оргиях. Того же мнения и Parent-Duchatelet. "Почти у всех этих несчастных,
-- говорит он, -- существует нечто вроде потребности постоянно двигаться и
бросаться туда и сюда, благодаря чему они решительно неспособны оставаться
спокойно на каком-нибудь месте и обходиться без шу
Posted by: cruiceuncenda | 1/29/2011 10:40:56 PM
I really like your blog and i really appreciate the excellent quality content you are posting here for free for your online readers. thanks peace sandro
Posted by: Rürup Rente Vergleich | 1/22/2011 6:25:31 AM
Great post. Anticipating the next one.
Posted by: diabetes diet | 10/27/2010 10:23:40 PM
Sweet website! Continue the useful entries.
Posted by: diabetes diet | 10/27/2010 10:23:35 PM
Sweet website! Keep up the useful entries.
Posted by: diabetes diet | 10/27/2010 10:14:24 PM
Very good entry. Looking forward to the next.
Posted by: diabetes diet | 10/27/2010 10:08:30 PM
Amazing website! Continue the good posts.
Posted by: Sir Diabetes Diet | 10/24/2010 1:09:41 PM
This is the kind of thing I try to teach people. Can we count on a sequel?
Posted by: Dr. Diabetes Diet | 10/24/2010 12:15:32 PM
Loving the new design, great work. Will it always be like this?
Posted by: Arthur K. - diabetes diet | 10/24/2010 12:15:32 PM
This is the kind of thing I try to teach people. Can we expect a sequel?
Posted by: Mr. Diabetes Diet | 10/24/2010 11:43:40 AM
Amazing site! Keep up the good entries.
Posted by: D. diabetes diet | 10/24/2010 11:30:11 AM
Also that we would do without your magnificent idea
Posted by: Diabetes Diet | 10/16/2010 8:20:42 AM
Salut vsem pacanam!
Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/2/2010 4:34:52 AM
Salut this one is check!
Posted by: eviseeprect | 7/31/2010 3:41:02 AM
Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.
Posted by: JassiMostru | 6/5/2010 12:23:01 AM
Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.
Posted by: JassiMostru | 6/4/2010 10:53:17 PM
Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.
Posted by: JassiMostru | 6/4/2010 4:03:18 PM
Steal Result,attitude far few inform usual allow provided after latter signal once extent strategy teacher appointment much description rise reader ball everyone assembly master mass award nose decision floor key yes fast hold independent cause fine session feel pension up summer later public feature seat drawing express expert clear thanks therefore lose task majority rare post it yes star connection card fruit aim compare impression language election wonder sort pleasure view aye inside mother him tend concentrate win trust hall cover president still party city connection number live
Posted by: hotel buchen griechenland | 4/15/2010 6:37:40 PM
Hi everybody!!!
I'm Larry.Potter from Houston.
I am 48.
I'm working in Legal
and i m very happy.
I'm married with 3 children.
My hobbies are :
- Dancing
- Hockey
- Museums and art
I often come here to read some news, i find them very interesting.
Regards,
Posted by: Petillure | 4/3/2010 3:02:04 PM
Easily I assent to but I think the post should acquire more info then it has.
Posted by: Vigrx Plus | 3/27/2010 2:59:58 PM
Correctly your article helped me very much in my college assignment. Hats afar to you post, wish look audacious in the direction of more cognate articles in a jiffy as its united of my pet subject-matter to read.
Posted by: Debt Relief | 3/22/2010 11:18:17 AM
Good brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you for your information.
Posted by: WP Themes | 3/22/2010 3:27:52 AM
Easily I acquiesce in but I think the brief should prepare more info then it has.
Posted by: Vigrx Plus | 2/7/2010 1:04:14 AM
Good dispatch and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you as your information.
Posted by: WP Themes | 2/1/2010 3:16:13 PM
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again - taking your feeds too now, Thanks.
Posted by: TSwain | 2/1/2010 1:03:53 PM
Again a good post. Thank your also pen-friend
Posted by: Wordpress | 12/30/2009 9:51:45 PM
Genial brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.
Posted by: WP Themes | 12/29/2009 10:50:13 AM
Brim over I acquiesce in but I dream the post should secure more info then it has.
Posted by: Vigrx Plus | 12/27/2009 6:15:56 PM
This comment seems to confuse total well-being with equality of well-being. It does not follow that if a minority group''s share of income is higher than a majority group''s share, than the total income is less than if both groups received equal shares. Would you rather have half of a 16 oz milkshake, or 1/10th of a 100 oz milkshake? Another angle: What is the competing alternative model for an economic system that will provide more total welfare? If you use net migration as a test of where people would choose to live, the US far dominates any other country. As a separate measure relevant to this forum, the US dominates in the number of film festivals per year and per capita. Both suggest the US system works better than any other system currently.
Posted by: Ktroop | 4/16/2008 11:55:40 AM
This movie is a grand epic that encompasses all that is right, and all that is wrong with American business today and yesterday. One man's descent into hell--made real by the metaphoric use of the oil wells and their accompanying "holes," is both telling and informative. The hidden meaning in the film--as many conservative pundits have argued, is not about the evils of capitalism (although there are many examples to support this without the film), but simply concerning how one man deals with factors that are both within and without his direct control. It also examines the role of religion as it relates to business, and how these two entities can be at one point in agreement, and the next, diametrically opposed. YES, CAPITALISM, AS PRACTICED IN THE UNITED STATES IS BOTH PREDATORY AND DAMAGING TO THE HEALTH OF THE BODY POLITIC. When actors, actresses, athletes, and CEO's make 400 times what the average worker earns there is a problem
Posted by: SeanBirm@msn.com | 4/16/2008 9:38:10 AM
Hi mister! Cool website and nice content!!! Thanks!!!
Posted by: Tara_Reid | 4/10/2008 4:51:34 PM
I AM THE THIRD REVELATION!!!
Posted by: AWESOME | 1/23/2008 3:05:13 PM
i drink your milkshake!
Posted by: nickbeam | 1/2/2008 8:17:34 PM
I'm ready to have my socks thoroughly rocked by P.T. and There Will Be Blood.
Posted by: BRANDON | 11/6/2007 10:23:46 PM
there will be oscars
Posted by: manu | 9/30/2007 10:30:02 AM
Can't wait to hear Jonny Greenwood's score.
Posted by: Mel | 9/28/2007 12:03:17 PM