Movie Three Hundred!!!
In Boogie Nights, young man equipped with a special gift makes it big in the porn industry.
*sorry I couldn’t resist the pun*
In 1977 in an LA night club, young Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) is discovered by star adult film director, Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) and due to his tremendous talent, begins a new life in the porn world as “Dirk Diggler”. Dirk quickly becomes friends with fellow adult film actor Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) and together, they create a very successful series of adult films about two secret agents named Brock Landers and Chest Rockwell. When Dirk gets started on drugs things begin to falter in his porn career and things get rough for Horner when his main financier goes to jail for child pornography charges. As times change, the rise and fall of the industry and the individuals involved are all laid out.
Boogie Nights fulfilled my goal of watching 300 movies in 2012! I wanted movie #300 to be something special, something I maybe hadn’t seen in awhile and/or also tied into New Year’s Eve. Boogie Nights fit the bill on both counts. Paul Thomas Anderson has crafted some wonderful movies but Boogie Nights may very well be my favorite film of his. It literally has everything: sex, drama, laughs, incredible long shots, great characters, bell bottoms, etc.
The main thing that grabs me about Boogie Nights is the frequent and numerous long shots. Boogie Nights has more than a few and as the film progresses and the tone shifts, the cuts get quicker and then finally start getting longer again. I didn’t notice this when I watched the film several years ago, but this time around I almost wanted to time each shot to see what exactly is happening with the camera. The scenes aren’t just long, though, they are amazingly crafted and shot. Even if the action on screen was dull, which it usually is not, the way Boogie Nights is shot would still be impressive.
Due to the somewhat touchy subject matter at hand, Boogie Nights skirts much of what could make the film completely gratuitous. There are definitely some exceptions, including the final scene, but for the most part, PT Anderson is almost making a spoof of the industry for the audience. The cast in Boogie Nights is so varied and everyone has their story and everyone has their place in the film. The movie is not about the porn industry itself, but the characters.
Boogie Nights is not just a technically well-crafted film, it is a film that truly has purpose and heart.
I give it 5 Brock Landers and Chest Rockwells out of 5.
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There’s the big one (#300 I mean)!!! Congrats.
LOL
Thanks!
Wow, you sure ended the year off with a bang. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
I know how hard it is…
To resist dick jokes.
DAMN SKIPPY, Dude!!! ‘Tis A Good One, Fo SHO!!!
(*side note: Burt Reynolds got ROBBED by Robin Williams at the Oscars… just sayin’.*)
-B.
Definitely agreed. Apparently Burt kind of disowned his role in the movie beforehand, I wonder if that ended up costing him?
WHOOOHOOO!
To this day, the ending still makes my mouth hit the floor. Is that even real…can’t be.
Hahaha it’s not real but yeah…It’s a great way to end the movie.
Great stuff, Andy! Nice to see you finish off with ‘a happy ending’ (tee hee).
Hahaha thanks!
Top marks for a top film Andy. Couldn’t agree more. This is a work of genius and still my favourite Anderson film.
Thanks, Mark!I think it’s my favorite as well, but There Will Be Blood is a close contender.
Congrats! You did it! Now what?!?
Boogie Nights is a personal favourite of mine, great choice and review.
I still have 2 more 2012 reviews then I have my 2012 wrap-up…then I finally move into 2013. I need to stop time for a few days to get caught up on this stuff!
Thanks!
I wish I could enter into intelligent conversation with you about your 300th film, but I haven’t seen it, so I can’t. I enjoyed the review though and I’ll just say a massive well done for reaching your target! Good work man
You should really check this one out, it’s a much better movie than it lets on. Much much better.
Thanks! I’m very pleased with hitting my goal
This and Hard Eight are the only PTA films I haven’t seen. I’ll try to watch this soon. Nice review.
Hard Eight and Magnolia are the only ones I haven’t seen. I definitely recommend this one, I think you’ll really appreciate its finer details.
This film is damn near perfectly executed and is infinitely rewatchable and massively quotable, and I hate all of PTA’s other films.
Congratulations on 300!
Yeah, it’s just a great film in pretty much every conceivable way.
Thanks so much!
YOU DID IT!! Did you and the missus break out the champagne???
Woooo! We popped a nice bottle of wine haha
I have to look for it, but I read a great essay explaining why this is PT Anderson’s best film. The main point being there is true character development that occurs to the main character that hasn’t happened in later films.
If I find it, then I’ll post it to you.
I would love to read that!
Here you go.”
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/10/03/my-problem-with-p-t-andersons-films/
Awesome, thanks!
That is interesting…and I see his point. I’m not sure how I feel about it right now, I’ll have to let it simmer.
I’ve got a lot of sentimentality about this film. I remember watching it when I was quite a bit younger… just to see Heather Graham in her roller skates. Just her roller skates. The story was entirely secondary back then.
Hahaha I know how that goes…She was definitely a driving factor the first time I watched it.
Good review Andy. Fun, hilarious, fast-paced, and overall just a great piece of cinema. I never knew what their intentions were with this one, but whatever they were, they did a good job with it.
Hi I’ve nominated you for a Super Sweet Blogger Award! You don’t have to accept it but if you do want to then go to the website below (I seem to have a problem with linking at the moment) and follow the rules.
http://mykindofmovie.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/super-sweet-blogger-award/
Thanks so much, Lauren!
You’re welcome. Happy 2013!
Woohoo! Three hundred movies with one day to spare! Congrats!
Wooooo! Thanks!
Congrats on reaching your goal!! Looking forward to read what you have for us in 2013!
Purpose, heart, and something else; it’s a great American tragedy and you pity him by the parking lot violence toward the end. Probably Marky Mark’s best film only b/c PTA was in the director’s chair
Very true – I’ve always liked Mark Wahlberg, but this one is definitely his best.
Erm… shouldn’t you have watched 300?
Nevertheless, a fine innings, sir.
I’ve seen that movie too many times in my lifetime already
The two performances that really stood out for me in this film is Burt Reynolds and Heather Graham as the Roller Girl. Also, Paul Thomas Anderson is the son of Ernie Anderson who was the ‘wacko’ announcer on the old Carol Burnett Show from the 70′s.
Wow, I didn’t know that!
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