DVD Review: “There Will Be Blood (2-Disc Collector’s Edition)”

Day-Lewis took home his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview, an independent oil man looking for prospects in California with his young son H.W. at the turn of the 20th century. ? In a hardscrabble little town, they’re challenged in unexpected ways by the local holy-roller preacher, Eli Sunday, who has ambitions of his own. ? Captivating film was inspired by Upton Sinclair’s novel Oil! (1927). ? Anderson ably directed his own screenplay adaptation, and the result is his best work to date; among his previous efforts were Boogie Nights (which I liked) and Magnolia (which I really, really didn’t). ? Beautifully photographed by Robert Elswit; the first shot of black, flowing oil makes it look like what it is: something only God could have created. ? You might remember Dano as the mute teen from Little Miss Sunshine; he’s impressive here, but the movie belongs to Day-Lewis, who manages to be scary and heartbreaking at the same time. ? Good, unusual score by Greenwood (guitarist for Radiohead). ?Yes, the movie is long, but stay with it. ? Extras include documentaries, deleted scenes, and trailers, plus a 1923 silent film, The Story of Petroleum.