Paul Thomas Anderson's Career in Five Steadicam Shots

For those film geeks out there who like picking apart shot construction etc, here's an excellent analysis of how Paul Thomas Anderson's camerawork, in particular his use of the Steadicam, has evolved over his first five films: Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood. We see a masterful director very much in command of film language, but one who's gradually refined and toned down his showy style for a subtler approach without losing its impact nor ambitiousness. Anderson's highly anticipated The Master will be released in NZ on 17th January from Roadshow (no 70mm screenings doh!).

Teaser Trailers: The Master & Skyfall

A couple of pretty sweet teasers for you today: First up is Paul Thomas Anderson's long-awaited The Master, which is finally coming out later this year after taking forever to get off the ground (it's been a good 5 years since he made the magnificent There Will Be Blood). In the film Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a cult leader with perhaps-not-unintentional similarities to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and Joaquin Phoenix, in his first feature acting role since 2010's faux-doco I'm Still Here, is a troubled WWII vet who comes under his wing. Secondly is the first glimpse of the new Sam Mendes-directed 007 outing Skyfall - I have to say it's a lovely, elegantly constructed teaser that makes the film look kinda, um, sensual and beautiful. I'm already confident that it'll be better than Quantum of Solace. For some deeper analysis of the teaser by a Bond expert click here.