Hard Eight is easily the most basic and straight-forward movie out of all of Paul Thomas Anderson's illustrious career. However, this is certainly not to say that it is bad. Hard Eight consists of a compelling story that captivates its audience. The characters within it are deep and complex, played mostly well. But, most importantly, they truly invite you to imagine what has happened in their past, which is paid off with a reveal later on. My primary critique is…
When I read about this ill-defined, 3 hour modern epic, everything about it seemed to scare me away. And then I watched it. Magnolia is a film that is just as greatly directed as it is written. PTA's prowess shines as the movie gracefully moves from one scene to the next, with seemingly one powerful moment after another. It's one of few movies which have emotionally moved me. The characters' regret, desires, and losses hit perfectly in a synchronized melody…
