Yes, I know THERE WILL BE BLOOD is not really a horror film, but in some forms of the word it kind of is one, simply because if you follow the life of the films main character Daniel Plainview and the things he encounter and ultimately does, is in some ways that of which a crazy human being would do, thus this highly proclaimed drama does have elements of a film that can be seen as a thriller with a hint of horror. Also the movie is about the beginning of the use of oil production and oil as a prime source of energy, with gas and oil prices the way they are now; I think it’s safe to say that watching a film about the beginning of what is turning the world into hell is kind of a foreshadowing of the horror we’re living now.
Based on the novel “Oil” by Upton Sinclair, There Will Be Blood takes place during the early nineteen hundreds when the hunt for oil was a big deal among many men who were looking to get rich quick. Most men traveled to states like Texas, New Mexico and California to find their black gold. Some were successful like Daniel Plainview (Academy Award winner for best actor Daniel Day-Lewis) at finding it, and some were not. Daniel has a real knack for finding oil, and over the coarse of this film we follow that success in the oil business. One place in particular where Daniel finds his biggest hit ever in the center piece of this film and it’s in a little town called Little Boston. Daniel buys up all the land he can from the center of Little Boston all the way to the Pacific ocean. His plan is to build a pipeline to the ocean so her can sell the oil to a much larger company. However Daniels greed and his morals as a man begin to take over his life. He promises all his workers that he is a family man and that family is important, he even agrees to help a young preacher who’s family agrees to sell their land to Daniel to give him money to help his church. But the more and more Daniel digs into his soul, the more and more he falls into a darker hole, where his life becomes a battle within himself. The film then takes a dark turn into the life of Daniel Plainview and how oil becomes the only thing he is interested in.
As someone who has a background in film studies I can honestly say that there has not been a film like There Will Be Blood to come along and grab a hold of the cinematic world in a long time. Many compare it to the likes of Citizen Kane, which many film critics say is the best film ever made. I agree with that statement, as it is one of the best films cinematically to ever be produced. The film in terms of style, shots used, acting and production value is out of this world. It is a film that in my opinion should of won best picture at the Oscars, although the winner No Country for Old Men was also a masterpiece itself. There Will Be Blood is a film that is an entire cinematic masterpiece for the ages.
Daniel Day-Lewis gives probably the best performance of his career since he won his first Oscar for My Left Foot in nineteen ninety. His performance in this film not only landed him his second Oscar and his first Golden Globe for best actor, but also a slew of other awards as well. One of the strongest elements this film has is it’s great acting. Paul Thomas Anderson really did a great job directing this film, and my hat’s off to him.
There Will Be Blood is a film that is not for everyone, while it has all the elements that make a great movie I’m not sure it’s a film for the average person or horror fan. People who really enjoy good cinema will love this film as well as people who really like a film with a good story. Many of my friends said that they thought this film was slow moving, I have to disagree with them as I though the plot moved along at an even pace. Overall, Like I mentioned above this is more of a film for film students and people who can really appreciate the art of filmmaking. Hands down one of the best films I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. For fans of horror, there is some elements of that do make the film thrilling, and yes there is murder and mayhem and the films final act does include a very violent ending.
The Blu-ray Disc has the same features as the 2 disc collectors edition DVD. However the quality in picture is a hell of a lot better, and the special features are presented in HD. The features include 15-miunutes -pics, research etc. for the making of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Trailers, “Fishing” Sequence, Haircut/Interrupted Hymn and Dailies Gone Wild. The Disc also includes the 1923 black and white silent film “THE STORY OF PETROLEUM” about the oil business in the 1920’s. If you have the 2 disc collectors edition DVD, then you might not want to get THERE WILL BE BLOOD on Blu-ray, however the experience and picture quality are much better on Blu-Ray so if your a quality buff about your films and the look they have the Blu-ray disc is a must.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
