Paul Thomas Anderson has delivered some of Hollywood’s most indulgent, challenging, and darkly funny movies over the last two decades. From Reed Rothchild asking Dirk Diggler how much he can bench in Boogie Nights, to Daniel Plainview declaring that he’ll drink your milkshake in There Will Be Blood, PTA is behind some of the most memorable dialogue in recent memory. The guy is funny.
Now, he’s using his humor and social media to promote what is very likely to be Daniel Day-Lewis’ final film in his the masterpiece Phantom Thread. The movie, set in 1950s London, isn’t an easy pitch to your average theater-goer — it’s a slow-burn study of a creative’s journey hitting a speedbump called “love” — but PTA doing his best to remind the world that he’s just a big film nerd with an awesome wife. It might give his sometimes tough to swallow films a coating of sugar.
So, on Twitter, he spent a few hours answering just about every question shot his way. From Daniel Day-Lewis to Star Wars, PTA answered just about everything except “how much do you bench?”
Kinda sad actually. #askpta https://t.co/LsUrTTXFtX
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Anderson has already said Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart are his favorite David Lynch films, but now we know what he thinks about Twin Peaks: The Return.
halfway through it. amazing. some of it is hard to watch at night #askpta https://t.co/JpxNViFZHJ
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
He also gave out plenty of writing advice:
you're already a screenwriter. now you just gotta get those made. do it yourself. #askpta https://t.co/sTZ8x0pf0A
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
go to your desk and write and be quiet. and if that doesn't work lay on the couch and daydream. #askpta https://t.co/KHMKlptOos
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
start at the beginning . but keep moving, don't get stuck,. so if i have to jump around a little i do. #askpta https://t.co/OXmQtnKi9A
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
And loves the new Star Wars trilogy, apparently.
I Heart Kylo Ren.
But I heart Ray more. What's gonna happen?!?!?!?! #askpta https://t.co/zezD9OhrS4— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Also, there was a Paul W.S. Anderson joke.
Ted, I'm at the Pizza Hut AND the Taco Bell. #askpta https://t.co/EiaTbQaR6G
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Some advice on how to get people to watch Magnolia:
Just tell her/him that it's 90 minutes long. just lie. if it's too late for that, I'd suggest watching Nashville. it's only 89 minutes long #askpta https://t.co/qxHYUsryA7
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
His thoughts on Santa Thread:
this is the greatest. we went crazy for this, the kids and me. thank you thank you thank you.#askpta https://t.co/9dKKDrAizz
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
General “favorites” across entertainment:
Today…………..Stop Making Sense. tomorrow…….Something Wild. #askpta https://t.co/w5plNNEwmI
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Breathless
Woman is a Woman #askpta https://t.co/01gSS7koOa— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Catalina Wine Mixer
Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Ron Burgundy 1 & 2 #askpta https://t.co/Hf0ohVU1vG— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Clauida's a great one. Jim Kurring too. I like Barry Egan and Freddie Quell too.
Peggy Dodd scares me but I kinda like it. #askpta https://t.co/VIATFlMEtA— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Catch Me If You Can! #askpta https://t.co/dpQkXl3yEd
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Starfish and Coffee. #askpta https://t.co/InyU2yWk8v
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
LaLaLand#askpta https://t.co/kzgVI5k2UC
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Y tu mama
gravity
children of men#askpta https://t.co/9J7VFHoYTz— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Anything Anthony Mann. #askpta https://t.co/Oiw9fRMgCe
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Nashville#askpta https://t.co/Km3uVYiDF6
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
SOMETHING WILD#askpta https://t.co/nRpPGHMDPQ
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
Surprisingly, PTA would be into making a superhero movie, especially for kids:
Teen Titans. #askpta https://t.co/3jq8NlhZaa
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
People wanted to know about his other half, Maya Rudolph:
This is some bullshit. they don't have that? Whitney. National Anthem.Charo. #askpta https://t.co/fouxCBWDjV
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
that's funny#askpta https://t.co/wNCxDWf7ci
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
And of course, about that Boogie Nights prop…
marky. #askpta https://t.co/gzuY87X5vX
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) January 17, 2018
