Cheap Hard Eight (Video) (Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly) (Paul Thomas Anderson) Price
CHEAP-PRICE.NET ’s Cheap Price
Here at Cheap-price.net we have Hard Eight at a terrific price. The real-time price may actually be cheaper — click “Buy Now” above to check the live price at Amazon.com.
| ACTORS: | Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly |
| CATEGORY: | Video |
| DIRECTOR: | Paul Thomas Anderson |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 28 February, 1997 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Columbia/Tristar Studios |
| MPAA RATING: | R (Restricted) |
| FEATURES: | Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC |
| TYPE: | Feature Film-drama |
| MEDIA: | VHS Tape |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 043396810334 |
Related Products
Customer Reviews of Hard Eight
the brilliance of PT Anderson Before Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and the upcoming Punch-drunk Love, PT. Anderson made Hard Eight nee Sydney. Hard Eight is just as compelling as his latter works, though incredibly different and a unique experience. It's a marvel to see the seeds of genius being planted onscreen.
The main difference between this film and Magnolia and Boogie Nights is it's slower paced and less flashy. But it's never ever boring and the characters and dialogue are so compelling as is that camera wizardry would have killed this movie's intentions.
The plot follows Sydney, a Nevada gambler, an old-timer, a gentleman. One day, he meets John, a drifter who needs 6,000 dollars to pay for his mother's funeral. Sydney offers him advice and soon the two form a father-son bond that is touching and chilly at once.
Philip Baker Hall gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Sydney. He gave an incredible performance as Richard Nixon in Robert Altman's Secret Honor, but this is the role that most people will see and think "genius." John C Reilly is equally adept at portraying his character, a sort of dim guy with a good heart and a lot of love to give.
The emotions that run through this film are true and touching. John needs a father. Sydney needs to clear his conscience and discovers something true in the process.
When the titles roll up, you almost feel healthy having seen this beautiful film.
It's been a long since I enjoyed a film so much.
"Hard Eight" is a true sleeper. The pace, while slow and steady, is riveting in a low-key manner. The title refers to a craps bet (rolling two fours) the lead character Sydney (played to perfection by Philip Baker Hall) likes to play. As the film opens in Reno, Sydney encounters John (John C. Riley) a down on his luck younger man. Sydney offers to buy John a cup of coffee. As they talk it develops that John is returning from Las Vegas where he lost all his money trying to win enough to bury his mother. Sydney decides to help John. Upon returning to Las Vegas Sydney instructs John on how to get a free room and maybe win a little bit of money. The deceptively simple and effective plan is played out with an understated sense of flair and humor.
Fast forward to two years later in Reno. Sydney and John are good friends in a father/son like relationship. John's girlfriend Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) a waitress/hooker, calls Sydney "Captain", because, as she tells him, John "follows you and worships you like you're a captain".
Along comes Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a low-life casino security consultant. Soon Clementine involves first John and then Sydney in an ugly situation. After Sydney helps the pair resolve the affair he is confronted by Jimmy, who threatens to reveal a past connection between John and Sydney. From there the pace accelerates.
Without spoiling a juicy ending I'll just say it equals the rest of a great movie.
"Hard Eight" has everything a sleeper should - good actors well cast in their roles - a score that truly adds to the experience - an interesting script well directed and edited. They all serve to pull an attentive audience deeper into the characters.
Phillip Baker Hall is perfect as Sydney - you'll know what I mean after seeing the film. The rest of the cast also deliver good characterizations. Paul Thomas Anderson, in his feature directorial debut, has presented a tough act to follow. This he did admirably in "Boogie Nights"
I highly recommend "Hard Eight". It has been a very long time since I enjoyed a film so much.
SLICK
Move over Tarantino and Mamet we got a new writer director in town.Paul Thomas Anderson.Boogie Nights and this one Hard Eight
make him an easy competitor in the world of indie film-making
this movie is great.Philip Baker Hall finally scores a lead role
and does an outstanding job as Sydney,the kind,nice,and all to
calm and slick pro gambler who helps John(John C. Reilly)a down
on his luck chum.Then they become good freinds and we skip a head
2 years and we meet Clementine Johns new love played good as usual by Gweneth Paltrow and slick casino pro Jimmy played by
Samuel L.Jackson who is the standout.This movie crackles with
dialogue and your never bored because you never know whats gonna
happen next and we find out secrets about our nice freind Sydney
and from their it gets interesting.SEE IT NOWWWW