Well put, Sir. "Nerd Factor", indeed. I'm quite the technophile myself—but you need to give some thought about matching the tools to the project. [Related topic?: high-frame-rate films…]

Along this 70mm-Artistry line, I thought "The Hateful Eight" (coincidentally released at the same time as Inherent Vice) another example of a sort of Format-Masturbation by ol' Quentin. I'm a huge QT fan, and thought H8 a real mess—and completely unwarranted given the (interior!!) setting of the film. (That was a…

I was disappointed in "Dunkirk". (I spent the full $20 to see it at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood in "IMAX" Laser, whatever-it-is. The film was very one-note. And I joke that there is no plot, nor characters. I think I see what Nolan was going for—but I don't think that makes for very interesting STORYTELLING. …

I've often felt alone in the wilderness expressing my disappointment with Inherent Vice. The jokes were ham-fisted, and I didn't care a whit about the characters or their struggles. I'm not familiar with Pynchon, but I'm praying this was a skillful adaptation of difficult material. I still can't believe that PTA…

Extremely OT, but it would seem so, yes. (No, I haven't read it yet.) http://amzn.to/2vArdl9 (You're the first person in YEARS to comment on my avatar…Congrats!)

I think "Boogie Nights" is arguably a 'perfect' film. Writing, directing, casting, photography, editing, performances, music…etc, etc, etc. I *admire* PTA's 'later' work (TWBB, The Master…) but nothing beats his "Feels Trilogy" in my book (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love) for generating a real emotional…

"…a damn near perfect movie…".

Nice you mentioned this overlooked little gem. "Boogie Nights" would have been the obvious choice.