Kevin's Watch

I was mostly surprised by how sharply different it is from all of PTA's other movies. He developed a unique, and eventually familiar style, and now it's like he's a whole new director. The performances were fantastic, but there really wasn't enough meat to the narrative for my tastes. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't even say it was as good as No Country. Sweeney Todd was actually my favorite movie if 2007. Honestly, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead stands out to me as the year's *best* movie. Don't know why it wasn't talked about as much as Blood and No Country. (I even would rank Ratatouille highter)

The Dreaming,

Honestly, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead stands out to me as the year's *best* movie. Don't know why it wasn't talked about as much as Blood and No Country. (I even would rank Ratatouille highter)

QFT. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead was a great and vastly underrated movie. There Will Be Blood is still far better I think, but it was still a great film.

Loved the first ten minutes, liked the rest, didn't like the last act much, acting was amazing: *** out of ****

When this movie first came out, I had no interest to see it whatsoever. Even though I've admired DDL as an actor for years, the trailer seemed so strange to me that the film came across as one of those "artsy-fartsy" independent films that critics love and fans hate. But, I saw it on one of the pay channels and DVR'd. it.

I knew absolutely nothing about the movie, not having visited this thread or read any reviews. In the early stages of the film, I found myself actually liking Plainview and even rooting for his success. Part of that came from an intense hatred that I felt for Eli, the preacher. He reminded me of so many idiot preachers that I've known here in East Tennessee. I loved when Plainview beat Eli after HW's accident, but was shocked by the ending.

I also really liked the relationship that Plainview seemed to have with HW. He seemed to dote on his "son," and it was at times touching to see. I'm not sure just how or when in the movie all of that changed, I need to see it again. But, he certainly was very mean to the adult HW ("you're just a bastard in a basket.")

I don't feel the revulsion by Plainview that some have mentioned above. I thought him entirely fascinating. Again, I attribute much of that to just how intensely I hated Eli.

It's a good film, overall. I rate it higher than No Country, definitely.

dlbpharmd wrote: It's a good film, overall. I rate it higher than No Country, definitely.

Good to hear. I have this movie on the netflix queue, but have been wondering if it belonged in the 300 movie queue that I have. I was not a fan of No Country.

No Country was good, but not great, IMO.

jacob Raver, sinTempter wrote:No Country was good, but not great, IMO.

I'm not sure I would say it was "good." OK, maybe. Definitely overrated.