BOOGIE NIGHTS | How to Construct an Economic Opening

[@riftheadbanger]

My favorite PTA moment is is the smile of Claudia in Magnolia right before the end credits start. And, of course, the whole sequence at the beginning of the movie, where all the characters are introduced with One by Aimee Mann playing in the background. THIS is what I call Economy of Storytelling!

[@Marx-Lennon]

far too many to count, but one of my favorite PTA moments is the slow zoom in on Dirk Diglers face during the heist scene where they attempt to rob that guy. His face is stone frozen with so much emotion and what's going through his mind. beautiful. The message scene from Inherent Vice is great too.

[@anthonyd8835]

favorite PTA moment was "but it did happen" during the frog-scene from Magnolia

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Yeah i love this moment too!!

[@BoazGroenendaal]

Personal favorites: TWBB - Bowling Alley Ending The Master - First Processing Scene Boogie Nights - New Year's Eve Party Honorable mentions: every Tom Cruise moment in Magnolia, every Scotty J moment in Boogie Nights and just about every scene in Inherent Vice. Actually, just any scene in any of his movies, because he is just amazing!

[@omidfilms]

One of my favorite moments in boogie nights is little bill blowing his head off. That’s a one shot take also timed perfectly to the countdown

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Yeah I agree, they really build to that well I that whole sequence.

[@stevecheevers7337]

My favourite moment in a PTA movie has to be from Punch Drunk Love when Sadler's Character is doing some shopping , in the background and out of focus you can see a woman in a red dress (obviously Emily Watson) who follows him from aisle to aisle, Sadler stops and so does the woman then before he turns around she rushes off. Leaving Sadler staring at nothing. I always consider PTA first three films his Robert Altman years, when he obviously is in love with Altman style of filmmaking of doing interwined stories, Boogie Nights obviously Martin Scorcese influenced but I think more so by Altman. Only with Punch Drunk Love onwards is where PTA made his own path and put his mark on cinema. But don't let that take away from his first three films, all fantastic.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Love that shopping moment, the way he stops and turn and the figure disappears is amazing!!!

[@dangerousaniimals]

Oh man, it's so great to see someone talk about Boogie Nights like this! Of all the video essays online I rarely see this film brought up. In this movie, the scene where Philip Seymour Hoffman shows Mark Wahlberg his car and Hoffman comes onto him is brilliant. It's so funny yet sad as hell.

[@816DawG]

The final 30 minutes of There Will Be Blood is some of the very best film in the modern era I have ever seen. Never have I had such a satisfying ending wrapped up so well in my life. I would say that it is shot so well, so on point, all the while utilizing arguably the best actor of today so brilliantly. As for long shots, I am a huge fan of the one you mentioned within The Master because it showcases the world in which JP's character is coming from, setting up a good back reference point to his actions through out the film. I also want to applaud him for using JP so well in how he was able to brilliantly take such a 'pretty' looking actor and make him so vulgar looking. I do think JP's acting added to this, but I know it can be a hard task as a lot of times it is at best done great within character, but horribly through camera angles/make up. So bravo good sir.

[@suttree3233]

I love Adam Sandler and Phillip s Hoffman's phone argument, so intense, I also love the process scene in the master and lastly the putting out the oil fire in there will be blood

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Awesome examples!!! love that Adam Sandler phone argument lol!

[@omidfilms]

I’m from the valley and that beat up Reseda sign is iconic to the valley

[@TheAtoZReviewBlog]

The conversation between Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix in The Master. They're both shrouded in darkness, facing away from each other.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Amazing!!!!

[@camorinbatchelder6514]

Same here.

[@cupofrain]

the processing test long shot in the master with joaquin not blinking is probably one of the most BREATHTAKING

[@stp7907]

Obviously the close up on Dirk's face and the whole scene in it's entirety at Rahad Jackson's house, The Opening to Magnolia is a brilliant intro, and the introduction to Dean Trumbell in Punch Drunk Love. Great video by the way.

[@PeenMcTuggins]

One of my all time favorite scenes from PTA is when Quell is hacking that coconut open in "The Master"

[@EezhamDemon]

Another great vid, Darren. The opening shot is incredible. It's actually on the low-end of my favourite PTA films because I didn't connect with the characters as much as his other films. Oh and my 3 favourite moments from the films you noted are: 1. The Master: Joaquin driving the motorbike trough that desert plain in glorious 65mm. 2. There Will Be Blood: DDL running to save the burning oil drill. God it just looks amazing! 3. Punch-Drunk Love: Sandler and Watson kissing in silhouette while the people pass them from either side with Hawaii in the background. They're all quite long shots, and 2/3 of them track along with the action. PTA has an incredible sense of dynamism in his shots, whether it's through camera movement, subject movement, or both.

[@Th3NrY]

favorite moment from a PTA film is a Tie. Boogie Nights: when don cheadle sees the money covered in blood. There Will Be Blood: When Daniel leaves his son on the train.

[@Shoeg4zer]

I've always enjoyed the brief sequence of 'cocaine arriving' from Boogie Nights. One hour, 44 minutes and 21 seconds into the film. Its a very cleaver and economical way of showing the progression of Dirk's drug addiction. Of course the long take at the party that ends in the pool (lifted from Soy Cuba) is wonderful as well.

[@turek9017]

1. There will be blood - Daniel Plainview baptism 2. The Master - Slow boat to China 3. Boogie Nights - Little Bill with gun

[@JasonVoorhees10100]

My favorite paul thomas anderson moment is either the questions in the master or the ending to twbb - hearing daniel day lewis s monologue gets me everytime.

[@George-xl9dz]

There will be blood is my favorite paul thomas anderson film and my favourite film of all time. In my opinion, all pta fillms are 10/10. Hes one of those directors in which every time you watch one of his movies it evokes a brand new feeling and thought which stays with you forever. I think about there will be blood and the master every day because I can't help it. They're just go damn good and the characters leave a mark on you. I think that Daniel Plainview and lancaster dodd are the two greatest character studies of all time. My favorite paul thomas anderson moment is when Dodd is walking up to the stage in the master to make his speech about his new book near the end of the film. It contrasts heavily compared to near the opening of the film where he makes a speech at his daughters wedding. At his first speech, we see him walking up to the stage facing his front as he greets people with arms open who smile when they see him as he walks up to the stage. He brings joy to a joyous occasion and is welcoming, loving with open arms. This contrasts deeply with the speech near the end of the film (when he promotes his new book about the cause) because he is alone. No one is there with him to smile and to be greeted before he makes his speech. In the second speech, we also follow him from behind. This shows how the character has changed throughout the film. We are not facing him with a smile and arms open, we are forced to follow him. He does not shake hands, he keeps his hands and arms close to himself, not allowing anybody in. He does not smile when he is on stage. People do not clap or make any noise until he is on the stage. Silence. The main thing to focus on here is how he is alone. Throughout the film and how his relationship with freddie changes, he changes. People have left him alone. A great and clever subtle way of showing the audience how the character has changed throughout the film. That is why it is my favorite pta moment. The cinematography and composition in the scene also compliments it and makes it so fun to watch. It's why I love pauls films so much and I'm sure why so many other people love his films so much. There's so much to look for and they're so interesting to watch. Great video, I've been watching a lot of your videos recently they're really great. I know this video came out four years ago but keep up the great work.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Thanks George, glad this video was able to reach another PTA fan, since I myself have always been one too. His films were the first few I covered. My TWBB video was actually the 2nd video I ever made 9 years ago but it got blocked on YT, so I rereleased and edited version years later.

[@George-xl9dz]

@@_MUSTSEEFILMS_ very good. I love that video I've seen it a couple times. Very good content you're making here on this channel and I'm always happy to see a new video out even if it hasn't been for a while

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

@@George-xl9dz Thanks, I'm working on a new video at the moment, on William Goldman, been in the works for ages but very excited to finally finish and share it!

[@George-xl9dz]

@@_MUSTSEEFILMS_ very good, looking forward to it 👌👍

[@ibnomat]

Best PTA Moments, imho. Tom Cruise first appearance as Frank Mackey and the "I'm quietly judging you" moment in the interview. The "Jessies Girl" Moment with the 1000 yard stare from Dirk Diggler. The "I've abandoned my child" and "I drink your milkshake" scenes in TWBB.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

All haunting moment! thats Cruise "I'm quietly judging you" always gets me. Especially contrasted to when he breaks down later on.

[@LupeJustinian]

One of my favorite moments is when in There Will Be Blood, the camera pans and slowly zooms in on Daniel's rudimentary pulley system during the time jump to 1902. The monolith imagery gets me every time

[@josepabloarellano9171]

When Daniel Plainview stares at the burning tower soaked in oil. Visually it is amazing, and it says so many things about the character and story in just one shot.

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Thanks so much really enjoyed this. Especially the Wes Anderson bit

[@timishere1925]

I Just stumbled across this channel and really enjoy it so far. The only thing that I can say about Boogie Nights besides that I really enjoyed the film is I have a package the size of Mark Wahlberg's character. It has served me well. Good day.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Blessed.

[@Nkanyiso_K]

I love these videos, really fascinating every single time

[@SpinTic]

My favorite PTA moment is the Sister Christian scene in this movie

[@crumbb_m]

SpinTic *"Ricky Springfield.* *He's a buddy of mine!"*

[@MichaelTuckerLA]

"Drainage, Eli, you boy." DDL is just so spot-on in that scene, and it's such a deliciously cathartic and terrifying expression of what humans are capable of. Other favorite moment, when Magnolia turns into a music video for three minutes.

[@chrisperry7963]

Great job! Love this opening shot, especially for some of the really subtle details. My favorite PTA sequences are the opening coincidence pre-credit from Magnolia, the Boogie Nights scene where Philip Seymore Hoffman's Scotty tries to kiss Dirk, culminating in one of PSH'S most poignant scenes when he breaks down in his car, and you mentioned the third, the one from Punch Drunk Love and his phone call to the embrace in the hotel hallway. However, I could make an argument for the pool scene or the drug deal gone bad in Boogie Nights, the explanation of how to work the Casino in Hard 8, the film within a film opening of Punch Drunk Love, the motor cycle scene in The Master, or the entire greatness that is There will be Blood. But I could add a dozen more from any of his films...

[@arandomnerd1898]

Without a doubt the ending of The Master is my favorite scene made by Paul. So much emotion and reality was put into that dialogue: "Maybe in the next life..." Not to mention Lancaster serenading Freddie. Absolutely mesmerizing. Now that I think of it, all of PTA's endings are phenomenally well made. Whether it be horrifying like in There Will Be Blood or warm and sweet like in Punch-Drunk Love. PTA really understands how to incorporate emotion into his work. Truly an underrated writer/director.

[@scouts1998]

When I first saw The Master I was heartbroken after that conversation between Lancester and Freddie even though in real life I would never be friends with them.

[@arandomnerd1898]

brandon thompson It really was mesmerizing.

[@peehaha9742]

Hey Darren, speaking of a character study trilogy, I always thought Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy make up a neat De Niro - Scorsese team-up character study trilogy. How about a video on that trilogy in a similar fashion to the PTA one? I think it'd be especially interesting since the main actor is the same too.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Great idea, i did a video on the kind of comedy recently but jst that film alone, and Lewis from Channel Criswell has the best video on Taxi Driver iv ever seen!

[@TheWaynos73]

PTA obviously took a page out of what Coppola did with The Godfather and the genius of opening his movie at the wedding - that way you meet all the main characters of the story in pretty quick succession - its a perfect way to do it - especially an epic film with lots of character arcs involved.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Great comparison!

[@Gnoberr]

Great choice of music. Christopher Schwarzwalder is amazing. The video is as well, of course

[@fluff975]

Favorite PTA Scenes/Moments "I Drink Your Milkshake" (obviously) - There Will Be Blood The well disaster - There Will Be Blood "I've abandoned my child!!" - There Will Be Blood Freddie Quell laying next to the sand woman - The Master Processing scene - The Master Jail Scene - The Master Motorcycle scene - The Master The final moment in Hard Eight - Hard Eight Barry and Lena's conversation in bed - Punch Drunk Love One is the Loneliest Number - Magnolia The Frogs - Magnolia Every scene in Boogie Nights Doc's facial expressions at dinner with Crocker Fenway - Inherent Vice Doc bringing Coy back home - Inherent Vice Bigfoot eating Doc's weed - Inherent Vice

[@jhholland14]

My favorite PTA moment is towards the end of Inherent Vice when Joaquin Phoenix tells Owen Wilson's character in the car that he saved his own life and now he gets to live it as wonderful track Amethyst by Jonny Greenwood is playing :)

[@Polveria]

1. Lancaster Dodd talking about where he and Freddie met at the end of The Master 2. The shot where Philip Seymour Hoffman sees frogs falling from the sky in Magnolia 3. The shot when Doc Sportello and Sashta are in the rain and they run undee the roof of some store in Inherent Vice

[@dena92]

"..or not look at Ryan Gosling with his shirt off " lol

[@andrewmanford]

Awesome work darren, as always.

[@juliansmith6291]

My favorite movie of PTA starring Burt Reynolds and Mark Wahlberg with John C Reily also Heather Graham plus Juilanne Moore as Amber Waves

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Yeah its a great movie! Im working on a video for Phantom thread right now and its sooooo different lol.

[@RoganMatthew]

The opening shot of The Place Beyond the Pines isn't a steadicam. It was handheld by Sean Bobbit, that's just how good an operator he is.

[@gsboss]

my favorite moment has to be when phillip seymour hoffman jumps off the roof into a stack of mattresses and falls off and then hits black top. that was the best

[@prphd555]

I think I'm going to try one of these for one of the scenes of taxi driver

[@BumdogTorres]

All three are from Boogie Nights The Opening The Pool Shoot (Hommage to I am Cuba) And the New Years Eve Suicide.

[@stixery]

The save me part from magnolia is my favorite

[@HowiBecameSentient]

Incredible

[@johnnyzhang5333]

this is great!

[@freegadflyathome]

Processing scene in The Master, The opening to Boogie Nights, When Heather Graham and Juliette (?) are doing coke together and Heather Graham asks her to me her mom in Boogie Nights.

[@anthonyd8835]

nice. excellent video as always

[@kaitlynatown]

loved it

[@vitorfreirezannin3075]

Good video. ButI would never call this shot "economic" in any way. Fav PTA moments: 1-Bowlling alley scene in TWBB 2-Sex scene in Inherent Vice 3-New years party in Boogie Noghts

[@vicator5]

The shot is absolutely "economic." Economic in terms of run time and storytelling. P.T. Anderson was able to convey tone, setting, and most importantly character introduction in just under four minutes. Some writer/directors might've wasted several different scenes introducing the characters and in doing so waste more time. Economy doesn't just pertain to cash, especially when your talking about film craft.

[@ok-xo3ot]

Mine has to either be the tracking shot of Little Bills suicide, or the drug deal scene

[@rossjennings8264]

1: Barry Egan in the opening Steadicam shot of him talking on the phone. 2: Doc walking his gf to her car 3: Sydney walks through the gambling hall

[@lucvanlankveld6652]

Great video! Favorite moment for me is when Joaquin Phoenix is running like a mad men over arable fields in the Master, this is after he was drinking or making booze if I remember correctly. The camera is swinging, which I think looks amazing!

[@SyedShoaibMahmood]

'Spread' had a great opening shot albeit it had Ashton Kutcher in it, very well choreographed I think...

[@mauriciosoares9516]

Darren, one question, i´ve seen you talk about all PTA movies, or at least gave them a minute to talk about them in other movie´s video, all of them except magnolia, i really liked it and i know it´s not his best but i´d wanna know your opinion on that movie.

[@mbear1639]

Magnolia is my number 1 from PTA. Favorite scene? Julianne Moore drugstore, "Dont you call me lady/Shame on you!" scene.

[@mauriciosoares9516]

mbear1 i really liked the scene where tom cruise meets his dad, it`s so emotional and well done.

[@mbear1639]

+Mauricio Soares Yeah, me too. Tom Cruise pleasantly surprised me with that performance.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

I did a video/podcast on Magnolia but it was more casual than an in-depth video, my favourite part of it is the Tom Cruise storyline. When i get in the mood I'm sure ill return to it and do a video some day!

[@nickprado7952]

A deleted scene from the master when we see two sailors jumping off of a ship

[@bobpolo2964]

could you do a video on we own the night and it's plot parallels to godfather

[@youarelife3437]

Favorite Paul Thomas Anderson moments? Gosh! There's so many...

[@Optics21]

Do you think Sydney from hard eight is the same character from midnight run

[@klab2021]

just that look that Daniel Day Lewis gives when he realizes the guy aint really his family.

[@klab2021]

oh wait no. I think favorite PTAndreson moment is the church scene. "I've abandon my boy."

[@lizaestevez6928]

did you know that kubrick liked boogie nights and probably his most favorite film at least he knows pta films

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

Yeah I heard he liked PTA when he met him but we really impressed once he learnt that PTA also wrote his own films.

[@Ryanerwin-kl1yi]

Anytime they say "The book says we may be through with the past, but the past isn't through with us" -Magnolia Freddie's fight in the mall with the he's trying to take a picture of in The Master When Barry beats up the blonde brothers after they wreck his car in Punch Drunk Love

[@ramirezmanuel117]

That attempted coke robbery scene tho

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

I know, so unnerving and filled with tension, that feeling that something is about to go wrong at any second. love it.

[@ramirezmanuel117]

@@_MUSTSEEFILMS_ I grew up around alot gangs and drugs and that weird feeling you get in that scene is perfectly familiar to me. I love how it was perfectly captured, just the creepiness and weirdness of it all, It's very surreal and that's exactly how feels when its three am and you find yourself in room with people "partying" and doing incredibly abnormal things but carrying on like it's all part of the norm.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

@@ramirezmanuel117 Yeah its also so weird because tonally its very different to everything before, so when that scene happened you really notice the shift in atmosphere. Plus the random fire crackers lol. awesome.

[@prphd555]

I sorta consider this a neo film of classic Hollywood films such as Sunset Blvd and Citizen Kane talking porn instead of past media.

[@StevenAlvarez]

There will be blood -'get out of here ghost' kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmPJaK1tbM2ipa8 I lost it when I saw this 😂

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

If you're interested in more videos about economic openings to great movies, check out this one on Back to the Future: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rorSpWCajbBghs0

[@baritony8763]

'You're' is representative of YOU ARE---not 'your'. I hate to be the English Lit. Police but 'your' welcome.Get it? Good vid,by the way.

[@_MUSTSEEFILMS_]

@@baritony8763 Fixed. Thanks!

[@prphd555]

Darren's finished.