PTA’s New Film Debuts First Teaser (And Official Title)

Once again, Paul Thomas Anderson has returned to the big screen with a fresh film, marking a collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio that hasn’t been seen for four years.

Before the movie’s complete trailer was unveiled, a sneak peek, or teaser, was made available online. This sneak peek confirmed that the previously mysterious project will be called “One Battle After Another“. Warner Bros. has been tight-lipped about the film’s plot, but multiple online sources suggest it is based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland“.

Back in 2014, I brought Anderson’s cinematic interpretation of Pynchon’s ‘Inherent Vice’, a captivating novel from 2009, to life on the big screen, featuring the talented Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role.

You can watch the first One Battle After Another teaser below.

In addition to those seen in the brief preview, the movie’s lineup boasts Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Alana Haim, and Teyana Taylor as well.

Through their collaboration on the project, there have been numerous online speculations about the movie’s budget, with some suggesting it could be as high as $100 million or even $140 million. Regardless of the lower estimates, this would make “One Battle After Another” Paul Thomas Anderson’s most expansive film to date in terms of production size. For comparison, the epic “There Will Be Blood” was reportedly made for just $25 million, while his recent release, “Licorice Pizza”, allegedly cost around $40 million yet only grossed less than $35 million at the box office.

The movie titled “One Battle After Another” is set to hit theaters on September 26, marking the first time it will be available in IMAX format. A sneak peek at the film’s trailer is expected to be released within the coming week.

The Best Movies of the 21st Century, According to Letterboxd

25. A Separation (2011)

In a simpler and more conversational style:

Average Rating on Letterboxd: 4.36
Winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, Asghar Farhadi’s marital drama “A Separation” not only established him as a global talent but also became one of the most critically acclaimed Iranian films ever made.

24. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

If you rely on Letterboxd ratings, it’s evident that the top film franchise of the 2000s is undoubtedly The Lord of the Rings. Each of Peter Jackson’s movies based on this series is a top-ranking film of the century. The first movie in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, is no exception to this high ranking. Curious to find out which of these three films has the highest Letterboxd rating? Read on…

23. The Act of Killing (2012)

Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.37

Description: This extraordinary documentary, titled “The Act of Killing“, is a masterpiece in investigative filmmaking by directors Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn, and an anonymous collaborator. The film delves into the lives of some of the perpetrators involved in a mass killing that occurred in Indonesia during the 1960s. In the present day, they are observed living their lives, and in a chilling turn of events, they even re-enact their crimes on camera for the directors.

22. The Pianist (2002)

The heart-wrenching account of one man’s Holocaust experience serves as the focal point in Roman Polanski’s 2002 film, “The Pianist.” This powerful movie tells the story of a gifted Polish pianist, portrayed by Adrien Brody (who received an Oscar for his outstanding performance), battling to endure the unimaginable hardships of World War II. Over the last 25 years, Hollywood has produced numerous biopics; however, as rated by Letterboxd users, “The Pianist” stands out as the finest of its kind during this period.

21. Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks (2002)

Wang Bing, a renowned Chinese filmmaker, is known for creating lengthy documentaries. His debut directorial work, “West of the Tracks,” was an astonishing nine-hour documentary chronicling the gradual transformation of an industrial district in Shenyang, China. This captivating film has earned high praise from Letterboxd users.

20. It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

The standout independent animated masterpiece of the century, widely recognized as one of history’s greatest animated films, was initially three individual short films by director Don Herzfeldt. Later, these separate productions were combined into a single feature film titled “It’s Such a Beautiful Day“. This compilation became a festival favorite and garnered widespread success in theaters across the nation.

Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.38

19. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The second movie in “The Lord of the Rings” series, often referred to as “The Two Towers,” holds the second highest rating among all Lord of the Rings films on Letterboxd, and let me tell you, the Battle of Helm’s Deep is incredibly intense.

In the world of film reviewing site Letterboxd, the second installment of “The Lord of the Rings” saga, commonly known as “The Two Towers,” boasts the second highest rating. The Battle of Helm’s Deep, in particular, is exceptionally gripping.

18. Oldboy (2003)

Average Rating on Letterboxd: 4.39
The film “Oldboy”, with its heartbreaking revenge storyline and iconic brutal hallway fight, has been replicated numerous times since its release in 2003. It was remade as an American movie under Spike Lee’s direction, and is now being adapted for a TV series. The original, helmed by director Park Chan-wook, continues to be celebrated as a classic.

17. Incendies (2010)

Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.40

Text: More than a decade prior to the release of “Dune”, Denis Villeneuve achieved international recognition with the acclaimed film “Incendies”. This movie follows a duo of siblings on a mission assigned by their deceased mother – they must locate their supposedly deceased father and uncover a brother they never knew existed. Despite Villeneuve’s later work on films with much larger budgets and broader scopes, “Incendies” remains impactful emotionally.

16. In the Mood for Love (2000)

Regarded as one of the most romantic films ever produced, Letterboxd appears to concur with the general opinion about Wong Kar-wai’s moving masterpiece, “In the Mood for Love.” Although it isn’t the highest-ranked romance film of the century on the site, it holds an impressive 4.5 average rating and boasts over 180,000 five-star ratings from viewers, starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung.

15. The Handmaiden (2016)

In the realm of filmmaking, the captivating work of director Park Chan-wook, titled “The Handmaiden,” is a complex narrative weaving together themes of desire, allegiance, and retribution. This movie, true to its creator’s style, subtly incorporates elements of vengeance. Although it features some graphic love scenes, it gradually unveils as a clever commentary on masculine desires. Park Chan-wook skillfully blends tantalizing visuals with sequences that challenge the viewer to reflect upon and reconsider their own voyeuristic inclinations. Remarkably, fans on Letterboxd appreciate this piece even more than his acclaimed work, “Oldboy.

14. Memories of Murder (2003)

Average User Rating on Letterboxd: 4.41
Prior to gaining worldwide recognition with the film “Parasite,” director Bong Joon-ho created this exceptional detective tale about a local police officer (Song Kang-ho) struggling to unravel a string of murders that exceed his limited resources. Unlike many mysteries, “Memories of Murder” is less focused on reaching a satisfying resolution, and more on the futility of such resolution in a world marred by cruelty and injustice. Distinctive aspects like this contribute significantly to its high ranking among the 21st century’s top films.

13. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Title Rating: 4.42

Quantity doesn’t always guarantee quality, but “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is an exceptional superhero film that stands out among many. It boasts a large ensemble of Spider-like characters, such as the young Miles Morales, brave Gwen Stacy, and melancholic Peter B. Parker. Furthermore, it employs perhaps the most powerful and straightforward portrayal of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s moral philosophy on selflessness. This concept that anyone can be a hero is beautifully animated, serving as a vibrant tribute to their inspiring ideals.

12. Whiplash (2014)

In a remarkable turn of events, Damien Chazelle transformed his 2013 short film into the critically acclaimed 2014 arthouse movie, “Whiplash.” This gripping tale focuses on a passionate drummer (Miles Teller) who finds himself in a fiery competition with his strict academy instructor, portrayed by J.K. Simmons. Just like an unexpected drum solo, “Whiplash” catapulted Chazelle into the limelight as a Hollywood director. Not long after, films such as “La La Land,” “First Man,” and “Babylon” followed in quick succession.

In this rephrased version, I’ve tried to maintain the original structure while using more conversational language and making the content easier to understand for a broader audience.

11. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Average Rating on Letterboxd: 4.43
Few movies have garnered a place in cinematic history as swiftly as Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It took only three years after its debut to make it onto Sight & Sound‘s list of all-time greatest films. On Letterboxd, it currently ranks just outside the top ten movies of the century; however, its position might not last long given the strong reaction from audiences towards this 18th-century love story. With more time, it could potentially climb even higher in the annals of cinema.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire has gained significant recognition and acclaim since its release, making it onto prestigious film lists like Sight & Sound’s all-time greatest films. On Letterboxd, it is currently ranked just outside the top ten movies of the century, but considering the strong response from audiences to this 18th-century love story, there’s a chance it could rise even higher in the future.

10. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Average Rating on Letterboxd for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Description: The vision of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is amplified in this thrilling sequel, introducing Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his “Spider Society.” This group aims to safeguard the multiverse from threats such as Spot, a new antagonist capable of opening inter-dimensional portals at will. While I may have a preference for the original Spider-Verse, it appears that users on Letterboxd generally lean towards this sequel.

9. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Average User Rating on Letterboxd for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood”: 4.45
Despite losing the Best Picture Oscar in 2007 to “No Country For Old Men,” directed by the Coen brothers, public opinion has evolved over time. While “No Country” remains a highly regarded film among the Coen brothers (with an average Letterboxd score of 4.33), Anderson’s exploration of greed and oil has steadily climbed in esteem, becoming widely recognized as one of the greatest American films of the century.

8. Spirited Away (2001)

“Picking just one standout work by renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki is quite challenging, but if you’re looking for a must-watch film, consider “Spirited Away,” released in 2002. This timeless masterpiece won the second Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The story of a young girl who gets lost in a magical world and tries to find her way back home remains as captivating today as it was over two decades ago.”

7. The Dark Knight (2008)

Average Rating on Letterboxd: 4.47

Even a madman like one of Batman’s villains wouldn’t dare try to replace Jack Nicholson’s iconic portrayal of the Joker. Yet, Christopher Nolan dared and the late Heath Ledger delivered an unforgettable performance. Many Batman films are excellent, but The Dark Knight stands out due to its intense action sequences, striking cinematography using IMAX, and thought-provoking themes about good and evil.

6. Dune: Part Two (2024)

Average Rating on Letterboxd: 4.51
The latest movie on this list is quite fresh off the press: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, another grand production that merges stunning visuals with profound themes about religion, politics, and conflict. And let’s not forget, sandworm-riding action! Could there be anything more exciting?

5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Average Rating on Letterboxd for “The Return of the King”: 4.50
“The Return of the King” boasts over half a million five-star ratings on Letterboxd, making it the most acclaimed film among Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Since its release in 2003 up until now, audiences have consistently adored this movie with its unique ten different conclusions.

4. City of God (2002)

City of God, released in 2002, wasn’t nominated for the Best International Film Oscar, yet it garnered recognition with nods for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. Despite not taking home any Academy Awards, this Brazilian crime film has consistently been hailed as one of the most acclaimed films of the early 2000s, often appearing on top ten lists from that decade.

Or, more casually:

City of God, a standout Brazilian crime film from 2002, didn’t make it to the Best International Film Oscar shortlist. However, it earned nominations for directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing. It may not have won any Oscars, but this movie remains one of the most lauded films of the early 2000s, frequently appearing on best-of lists from that decade.

3. Yi Yi (2000)

In this rephrased version, I’ve attempted to make the text more engaging and easier to read:

Average Audience Rating on Letterboxd: 4.54
Edward Yang’s last film before his passing in 2007 was a triumph at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered numerous accolades from festivals and film critics worldwide. Its prestige has continued to rise since then.

2. Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023)

2023’s Beyoncé concert film is currently the highest-rated movie of any genre from the 2020s so far, surpassing films like “Barbie,” “Dune,” and “Across the Spider-Verse.” It seems that Letterboxd users have developed quite an affection for this documentary, to the point where one might say they are ‘crazy in love’ with it. (I had to slip in a little Beyoncé reference there, and I’m not sorry about it!)

1. Parasite

In Letterboxd, Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed film “Parasite” continues to be a fan favorite, having amassed over 1.5 million five-star ratings since its release. The top-rated review on the site boasts an impressive 25,000 likes independently! This non-English language movie made history by winning the Oscar for Best Picture, marking a significant milestone in cinema.

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2025-03-20 17:25