The 2010s saw the return of a number of forgotten trends: tiny sunglasses, hating “Star Wars,” and – most importantly – the word “horny.” The once juvenile, decidedly-male word has shifted into something greater: more gender-woke, more surreal. “Horny” still refers, of course, to sex, desirous hunger, thirstiness, and this image (and this one too). But it has also evolved to feature many more implications and describes any number of feelings – excitement, transgression, titillation, and intrigue.

Continue reading The Horniest Movies Of The Decade [2010s] at The Playlist.

Maybe it’s time to let the old ways of this almost-finished decade die, yeah? But it wouldn’t be complete without our deep dive into the best soundtracks and scores of the 2010s. It’s admittedly somewhat weird and difficult to do. Scores and soundtracks are different beasts; one original musical written for a film that gives it its emotional shape—often the secret MVP of a movie—and the other more of a mixtape, but when well-curated and used next to picture, can be just as deadly and help craft what we know as the visual and aural transcendence that’s known as cinema when it’s at its best.

Continue reading The Best Soundtracks & Scores Of The Decade [2010s] at The Playlist.

Look, making a Best of Decade list is an impossibility. As the 2010s come to a close, we’ve been agonizing over this (long-delayed) list for half a year now and even had to take a break and put it away this summer when things got too contentious and overwhelming. And then there’s the notion of resonance and what really lasts and is released too late (Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” is phenomenal, for example, but it’s not even released yet, and it’s just going to have to sit this one out).

Continue reading The 100 Best Films Of The Decade [2010s] at The Playlist.

Watching a Paul Thomas Anderson film is like meeting a new person. Each of his films is so different and made up of unique characters. There can be found an underlying sense of want of purpose and search for connection in his films. But PTA rarely repeats himself, and shows this in new ways each time. He takes us to new places and introduces us to new characters. We then get to take on this voyeuristic point of view, and see the lives of these people play out and this certainly all applies to “Phantom Thread.”

PTA has worked with the modern rock star of method acting, Daniel Day-Lewis, twice.

Continue reading Examining The Twisted Relationship In ‘Phantom Thread’ at The Playlist.

As the end of 2018 rapidly approaches, it’s that time of year where some of the biggest names in film criticism release their top 10 lists. One of those lists that we always try to highlight is that of France’s Cahiers du cinéma. However, since the publication’s list focuses on films released in Franche in 2018, there are some projects that you probably won’t see on many other year-end lists.

First, you’ll notice that films like “Phantom Thread,” “The Post,” and “On the Beach at Night Alone” are all on the 2018 list, despite being released last year in the US.

Continue reading Cahiers du Cinéma Top 10 Of 2018 Honors Lars von Trier’s Latest As Well As French Film ‘The Wild Boys’ at The Playlist.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson has a pension for toxic men and profound, clever women in his films. “Phantom Thread,” his latest, is no exception to this theme. While ostensibly a tug of war in a relationship cursed by control, PTA’s “Phantom Thread” is a threefold character study.

Audiences see Alma, Reynolds, and Cyril grow, confront one another, and fall prey to manipulative behavior, only to have the tables turned.

Continue reading ‘Phantom Thread’: The Requirements Of Ownership, Love & Letting Go at The Playlist.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson has written some of the most fascinatingly flawed male characters in cinema. They possess qualities of dominance, insecurity, and a heaping dose of toxicity. PTA writes complicated, disrupted men. Every bit of convoluted emotion is stretched into hours of interpretation. Audiences come to know these men on an intimate level, especially when given further dimension by actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Joaquin Phoenix, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Continue reading Examining Paul Thomas Anderson’s Toxic Men at The Playlist.

When you watch a film by Paul Thomas Anderson, there are a couple things that immediately come to mind, no matter what you think of the overall quality. First, the film is going to be well-acted. Period. And second, watching each frame of the film, you can see just how much attention to detail is put into every bit of footage. It’s obvious that Anderson is a master craftsman.

Continue reading All Film Nerds Need To Watch ‘Phantom Thread’ Camera Tests, Narrated By Paul Thomas Anderson at The Playlist.

For most actors, particularly those on the rise, getting the chance to stand opposite Daniel Day-Lewis is a rare, yet intimidating proposition. The actor’s rigorous method approach — which has generally seen him learn everything about the role he’s playing while taking on new skills and staying in character at all times on set — can make him a force to be reckoned with to those who are unprepared. So one might imagine that “Phantom Thread” star Vicky Krieps, largely unknown before her role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s film, might have been uncertain as to how to navigate her titanic co-star.

Continue reading How Vicky Krieps Broke Through Daniel Day-Lewis’ Method Acting On The Set Of ‘Phantom Thread’ at The Playlist.

This has been one of the most dramatic awards season in recent memory. Think about that for a moment. Just two years ago the Academy received a social media slap in the face as #OscarsSoWhite pushed the organization to make dramatic changes to its membership. The 2017 season was flipped upside down when presumptive frontrunner “Birth of a Nation” became an also-ran because of a sexual assault conviction that somehow was forgotten at the film’s Sundance premiere, but came roaring back to bite filmmaker Nate Parker eight months later.

Continue reading 2018 Oscar Predictions Are Framed By An Incredibly Close Best Picture Race at The Playlist.

Jennifer Lawrence may not dig “Phantom Thread,” but many have gotten on board the film’s oddball wavelength, and vibed with Paul Thomas Anderson‘s twisted tale of romance. As per usual, the filmmaker has concocted a movie that is not only strikingly original and a visual treat, but also a pleasure for the ears as well. Jonny Greenwood‘s Oscar nominated score is absolutely gorgeous, as are the jazz tunes from the era peppered throughout.

Continue reading Paul Thomas Anderson’s 70mm Screening ‘Phantom Thread’ Mixtape Includes Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, More at The Playlist.

This weekend, Jennifer Lawrence goes into spy mode with “Red Sparrow,” marking her second straight blockbuster genre effort (the previous being the sci-fi misfire “Passengers“). However, the actress might be returning to the world of prestige pictures with another movie from director David O. Russell whom she worked with on “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle” and “Joy.”

Doing the rounds for “Red Sparrow,” Lawrence rolled by “WTF With Marc Maron” and spilled that she could be in front of cameras very soon in a new project by Russell, saying, “I think maybe in the fall.”

“I don’t know where the ideas come from, I just normally get a middle of the night phone call,” she added.

Continue reading Jennifer Lawrence Talks New Movie With David O. Russell & Turning Off ‘Phantom Thread’ at The Playlist.

This weekend, we don’t blame you for buying a ticket to for “Black Panther.” Marvel‘s mega-movie event is going to be a huge game-changer, and not only that, it’s a pretty terrific film. That said, it’s President’s Day weekend, and if you have time for another movie get yourself a ticket for “Phantom Thread.” Oh, you’ve already seen it? Well, go see it again.

Continue reading Vicky Krieps & Lesley Manville Unstitch ‘Phantom Thread’ In 36-Minute Talk at The Playlist.

The best part about a new film by Paul Thomas Anderson — besides the actual movie, which in this case is the terrific “Phantom Thread“— is getting to spend time with the director. Okay, we don’t get to personally hang with Anderson, but the duties of promoting a film require the director to chat to many outlets. So it means we get a plethora of interviews and chatter, before Anderson once again goes into creative hibernation until his next feature.

Continue reading Paul Thomas Anderson Unfolds ‘Phantom Thread’ In 33-Minute Masterclass at The Playlist.

The awards season features countless chatter and campaign interviews about the nominated films, but the opinions and thoughts that resonate most are the ones that come from a pure place. Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and Jordan Peele have all weighed in on the nominated pictures, and now it’s Greta Gerwig‘s turn.

The filmmaker hit the Santa Barbara International Film Festival where she picked up Outstanding Director of the Year Award, a prize shared with fellow Best Director Oscar nominees Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water“), Paul Thomas Anderson (“Phantom Thread”), Jordan Peele (“Get Out“), and Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk“).

Continue reading Greta Gerwig Weighs In On ‘Dunkirk,’ ‘Get Out,’ ‘Phantom Thread’ & ‘The Shape Of Water’ at The Playlist.

As we approach the Academy Awards ceremony in March, many filmmakers will be doing the rounds for various interviews and podcasts. Oftentimes, these interviews are very surface-level and don’t really shed much light on the films. Recently, on the Adam Buxton Podcast, “Phantom Thread” was featured in two (well, technically one-and-a-half) episodes, and they’re well worth a listen.

First, Buxton welcomed Jonny Greenwood for a quick chat.

Continue reading Unravel ‘Phantom Thread’ In These Conversations With Paul Thomas Anderson & Jonny Greenwood at The Playlist.

There hasn’t been a shortage of praise for Paul Thomas Anderson‘s gorgeously twisted romance “Phantom Thread.” Aside from the film’s six Oscar nominations, Christopher Nolan has shared his admiration for the movie. Now, another one of Anderson’s fellow Best Director nominees, Jordan Peele, reveals his adoration for “Phantom Thread.”

During a Q&A at the  the Santa Barbara International Film Festival where he picked up a trophy for Outstanding Director of the Year Award, a prize shared with fellow Best Director nominees Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird“), Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water“), Nolan (“Dunkirk“), and Anderson, the director “Get Out” related just how much of an impact “Phantom Thread” made on him.

Continue reading Jordan Peele Talks ‘Phantom Thread,’ Says It “Really F—– Me Up” at The Playlist.

Ah yes, Uwe Boll, the video-game-loving movie director that critics love to hate, and the feeling is always mutual. A 2017 Vanity Fair profile proclaimed that the routinely-derided German filmmaker is, “the Donald Trump of directors…brutish bully [and] inclined to lash out against his detractors.” One can understand VF’s argument especially when you take into account the man’s filmography and universally-loathed pictures like “Postal,” Bluberella,” BloodRayne.” Boll, the Ed Wood of 21st-century cinema, retired from filmmaking more than a year ago proclaiming “the market is dead.”  He then went on to embark on a venture in the food industry, opened the fine-dining operation “Bauhaus” and seems to now be, in his own words, a “successful” restaurateur.

Continue reading Uwe Boll Accuses Paul Thomas Anderson Of Jacking His ‘BloodRayne’ Poster Design at The Playlist.

Continue reading Christopher Nolan Weighs In On ‘Phantom Thread,’ ‘Get Out,’ ‘Lady Bird’ & ‘The Shape Of Water’ at The Playlist.

After Guillermo del Toro won the DGA Award this weekend for “The Shape of Water” it would appear the Fox Searchlight fantasy is on its way to ruling Oscar night.  It’s incredibly rare for a film to win both the DGA and PGA Award as “Shape” has and not win Best Picture although it’s not unheard of.  In fact, it’s slightly more common than we tend to remember, but it’s also slightly complicated.

Continue reading Is ‘The Shape of Water’ Your Slam Dunk Best Picture Winner? [Contender Countdown] at The Playlist.

This year, the Academy Award Best Picture nominees are definitely one of the most diverse groups in recent memory. With films like “The Post,” “Darkest Hour,” and “Phantom Thread” sitting next to the likes of “The Shape of Water,” “Lady Bird,” and “Get Out,” you have to wonder which film has the edge.

Continue reading 2018 Oscars Best Picture Nominee Supercut Reminds You This Was A Great Year For Film at The Playlist.

Four years ago the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held the “first” Oscars Concert at UCLA. It was wonderfully staged and featured live performances of all of the nominated scores and original songs (Jill Scott singing “Happy” was a highlight). Perhaps because of costs or the fact it didn’t sell out the Academy did not continue the event the following year.  Now, in celebration of the 90th Academy Awards the Oscar Concert is getting another chance at redemption.

Continue reading Music From ‘Dunkirk’ And ‘Halloween’ Among Selections For 2018 Oscars Concert at The Playlist.

Yesterday, Jonny Greenwood finally earned his first much deserved and long overdue Oscar nomination, for his exquisite work on Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “Phantom Thread.” The Radiohead multi-instrumentalist’s score is a crucial element to film’s twisted romantic portrait, and now it’s getting supersized.

The folks at Wordless Music (who previously presented that live concert screening of “Punch-Drunk Love“) and the London Contemporary Orchestra are prepping two live orchestra screenings of “Phantom Thread.” The first will take place at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn on February 24th and it will be followed by a show at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on March 2nd (just two days before the Oscars).

Continue reading Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Phantom Thread’ To Screen With Live Orchestra at The Playlist.

The biggest takeaway from this year’s Oscar nominations was a trend that began since the Academy began to diversify and expand its membership even before the #OscarsSoWhite controversy a few years ago.  More films with cinephile and diverse subject matter are making the cut.  There will always be room for a “Dunkirk,” “Darkest Hour” or “The Post” to get in, but that’s based on their prestige credentials more than anything else. 

Continue reading Best And Worst Of The 2018 Oscar Nominations at The Playlist.

There are always a number of things to love about Oscar nomination morning. A chance to cheer when great movies like “The Shape Of Water” receive a brace of nominations, a chance to curse the heavens with cathartic rage when a favorite is excluded (*shakes fist at sky* “The Florida Project”!!), a chance to celebrate boundaries being broken by filmmakers like Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele and Dee Rees, and a chance to beam on behalf of great actors like Daniel Kaluuya, Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney and Laurie Metcalf when they receive overdue recognition.

Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominations By The Numbers at The Playlist.