Dramas, Kidnapping And Missing Persons, Prostitution, Scams And Cons, Vengeance, Betrayal, Blackmail, Lowlife, Theatrical Release
Description
Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), a mysterious professional gambler, befriends John (John C. Reilly), a young man in trouble, and teaches him the ways of making a living in the casinos of Reno. John gets involved with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a pretty waitress who doubles as a prostitute, and Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a two-faced criminal. When trouble erupts, suddenly Sydney has to rescue his young friend, but a secret from his past threatens to destroy everything he has tried to build up.
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's highly acclaimed debut feature (based on the films of Jonathan Demme and John Cassavetes) is a tight, intricate film noir character study with a more disciplined plot than his later, more expansive films. The film also features excellent work from his four actors, particularly Hall as the experienced, world-weary Sydney, and fascinating details about the lowlife world the characters inhabit. HARD EIGHT originated as a short film, CIGARETTES AND COFFEE, that Anderson developed at the Sundance Film Institute.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Dual Side - Single Layer
Side A: Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35:1 Audio: Dolby Surround - English Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary - 1. Paul Thomas Anderson - Director, Philip Baker Hall - Star 2. Paul Thomas Anderson - Director, Michelle Satter - Sundance Film Institute, Philip Baker Hall - Star, Crew, with Isolated Music Score Deleted Scene - 1. "The Kiss" Bonus Scenes from Sundance Film Institute - 1. "The Coffee Shop" 2. "Jimmy Threatens Sydney" 3. "The Phone Call" Original Theatrical Trailers - 2 Text/Photo Galleries: Biographies - 1. Paul Thomas Anderson - Writer/ Director 2. Philip Baker Hall - Star 3. Gwyneth Paltrow - Star 4. Samuel L. Jackson - Star 5. John C. Reilly - Star Interactive Features: Scene Access Interactive Menus
Side B Pan & Scan - 1.33:1
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P.T. Anderson's first always seems to grab me in the beginning, and throughout just continues to pull me in. The quick camera movements, fast zooms, and a beautiful take on balance and symmetry shout... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on December 22, 2007
Reviewed by: Rodney
not too many films are as subtle, yet unflinchingly bold as Hard Eight. The story is simplistic and easy to pick up. Its the motives surrounding Sydney (Hall) that grabs the audience from the opening... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on December 27, 2008
