I just saw Hard Eight for the first time

[aclockworkjj]

I think what is being overlooked here is that this was paul's first attempt.  do you think he had final cut?  it's not fun when suits and money are calling the shots.  fuck, look at the title.  For the say he probably had (most likely had to go through a ton of shit obtain) I think this is a gem like the rest of them.  shit, if i could call this my first "full feature"...i would not hang my head for a sec.

Realize, breaking into hollywood can fuckin' kill ya, quick.  If this is the result...well, i am gonna go whack off to boogie nights right now...then cry during magnolia...then do it all over again during punch drunk love.

[AntiDumbFrogQuestion]

The Blood On the Sleeve: Representitive of how there is a past of violence, shame, bad things etc., and Sydney's ways of life are just to cover them up with his sleeve.
He killed Jimmy so John could be happy and ignorant about the death of his father.
And that seems to drive Syd, getting things right, although he's made so many mistakes, and he's still a killer.

Hard Eight is absolutely fucking awesome. First time I saw it, I could say otherwise, because I was expecting BoogieNolia. or sumpin.
The Third time I saw it I was hit with how perfect it was, especially how PBH flips over to being an angry, fragile character as soon as he has to encounter the situation in the motel room.
And the whole build-up, and people saying it's a let-down: Yes, it is, if you're in a MOVIE sense of things, but PTA, trying to create realistic characters and situations (frogs excluded....almost) thought to himself "Hm, what could I do in that hotel room?"
And if you, my friends, were confronted with a situation where your closest friend has a person knocked out in a hotel room for ransom, wouldn't that be a kick in the gut in reality???
My Conclusion: YES.
Sydney aka Hard Eight = GOOD

[aclockworkjj]

BoogieNolia

:::adds this word to the official "xixax dictionary":::

[soixante]

I live in Reno and I work in the casino industry, so I can attest to Hard Eight's authenticity.  Usually, directors that film in Reno show the same old locations, and don't use much imagination, but PTA found some off-the-beaten path locales.  Significantly, that coffee shop in the first scene is exactly the type of place where John C. Reilly's character would be.

[j_scott_stroup04]

IMO aronofsk'y PI is phucking light years ahead of hard 8....

I disagree here.  I'm not saying that Hard Eight is some totally innovative film, and that Pi is not a talented work, it's just that Hard Eight was filmmed how PTA wanted it to be filmmed.  We all know that he could've done something like Pi if he wanted to, he has the brains and the talent, he just chose not to.  A lot of Pi's "magic" is the editing, the crazy cinematography, and the visuals.  The script is good, but flawed.  The direction is good, but a little unclear at times.  It maybe a more impressive debut than Hard Eight, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's light years ahead of it.  It's as ahead of it's time as Reservoir Dogs was, except that Dogs' innovation was mainly the script and the way the story was told, as opposed to Pi's visuals and what not.  Anyway, comparing Aronofsky's follow-up, the equally impressive Requiem for a Dream, to PTA's follow-up, within a year of Hard Eight mind you, we see that PTA has left him in the dust, and has continued to since.  What the hell is Aronofsky doing anyway?  Still working on that unnecessary Batman film?  Or writing another shitty aquatic script?  Who knows???  I sure don't....

[SoNowThen]

I agree with most of the above.

Now I'll give my two cents: like most others I saw Boogie before Hard Eight. Would I have checked out more PTA if the first thing I saw was Hard Eight, probably not with that much enthusiasm. Now, PI was the first DA film I saw (and blind bought, I don't even know why, I guess the cover looked cool...). Now PI maybe me crazy to see what this guy could do with more money. I guess that's the difference. I like both these movies about the same, but PI is supposed was more impressive.

However, as jss04 said, Paul left Darren in the dust with his next film.

[Weak2ndAct]

I saw Hard Eight first, rented it b/c Boogie Nights was getting crazy pre-release hype-- so my expectations were zero.  What impressed the hell out of me was how damned mature and patient the film was-- especially from a young punk like Paul.  The film was slow and deliberate, the style restrained (like Sydney).  But it was still wonderfully shot and edited.  The director's hand was there, but not pulling your hair as he whip-pans-pushes-in-etc.  I felt like I was in good hands (unlike 'Monster,' which I saw last night-- no vision whatsoever) and the director's intentions were clear.  Unlike many first films, there was no jumping up and down, announcing 'lool at me, world!'  Just characters sitting around talking.  I never knew I could savor Philip Baker Hall walking around a casino, but Paul was mightily aware.  It's a knockout first film.

[MacGuffin]

Unlike many first films, there was no jumping up and down, announcing 'lool at me, world!'

*coughdonniedarkocough*

[SoNowThen]

Nothing wrong with "look at me" shots.

I mean, c'mon, you guys all like Tarantino, and he's a "look at me" filmmaker for every single thing.

[Gamblour.]

Nothing wrong with "look at me" shots.

I mean, c'mon, you guys all like Tarantino, and he's a "look at me" filmmaker for every single thing.

Tarantino does it so well though. Donnie Darko was a little uninspired and trite style-wise. The writing was good, but you can look at Resevoir Dogs and see that Tarantino (though the story is lifted) changed a lot of things about how cinema is done and influenced a lot of people (Kelly for example).

[Weak2ndAct]

Nothing wrong with "look at me" shots.

I mean, c'mon, you guys all like Tarantino, and he's a "look at me" filmmaker for every single thing.

Yes, but there's something to be said for restraint.  To have the big guns in the arsenal, yet hold them back and let the story play out the way it should is very admirable.

[Banky]

weakn2act when are those contracts gonna be signed?

[NEON MERCURY]

However, as jss04 said, Paul left Darren in the dust with his next film.

.....????????how??????????..by copying marty and making "Boogiefellas"

and at least.. RFAD is more INNOVATIVE ANNND CREATIVE.....

there is nnothing like it......

aronofsky's gotten sh*tted on also....the fountain would have eclipsed ANNY annnd EVERYthing PTA would have made.....i ffeel sorry for aronofsky. bad luck....just wait until his nnext feature.....

[SoNowThen]

all of a sudden Scorsese has a copyright on steadicam shots and quick cutting montage sequences??

DA has so far made a great little debut film, then adapted somebody elses great story to make a very good film. Call me back when he writes his own blistering masterpiece and films it, then we'll do PTA vs DA comparisons.

[tpfkabi]

what is the fountain? i remember reading about DA's next project and RK's, but i've already forgotten about both.......i shall venture to imdb