The beauty of There Will Be Blood is purely aesthetic. Consider Lewis’ intense performance, Greenwood’s (Radiohead!) eerie epic-worthy score, and director Anderson’s perfect cinematography. It hearkens back to classics such as Citizen Kane and Chinatown. Not too long ago one could announce with a sad shake of the head that they don’t make ‘em like they used to. Then came 2007. Two great films in the tradition of Hollywood’s finest were produced, No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood. It’s been a good year not only for Hollywood (never mind the supposed box office slump), but for audiences as well.

As great films go, this 158-minute telling of a ruthless oilman’s twisted quest for power and his subsequent descent into madness is in truth not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s required viewing the way everyone should visit the Louvre, read War and Peace, and listen to Debussy’s Claire De Lune. But not everyone really cares, do they? If films to you are nothing more than a diversion then you’d do well to stay away from There Will Be Blood. It’s pure cinema, not to be taken lightly because it sure won’t take you lightly.