10. PTA

10.  Paul Thomas Anderson

The first time I watched 'There Will Be Blood,' I started sweating. The atmosphere of that film is dumb thick with tension. There are only a few moments in the whole film where you don't feel the need to hold your breath. PTA’s staple is not tension but the ability to welcome the audience into the world on screen. 'There Will Be Blood' is a perfect example, but his other work; 'Boogie Nights', 'Magnolia', even 'Inherent Vice' all have visceral atmospheres that act almost as characters. Theres a lot to be said about his style and I am fascinated with the way he moves the camera. One of my favorite scenes in a movie is the opening shot of Boogie Nights. In one single three minute shot the 1970's porn scene is introduced, we meet the main characters, the important hierarchies, and even get some foreshadowing on the protagonist and antagonist. Complete immersion within three minutes. I wouldn’t consider PTA a perfect filmmaker like I'd consider Kubrick. A couple of his films have a few downfalls. Yet, I do think he's earned a spot amongst the best directors in Hollywood.
MUST WATCH FILM - 'There Will Be Blood'
MY FAVORITE - 'Boogie Nights'
LATEST RELEASE - 'Phantom Thread'