One of the advantages of being in New York (or LA) during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is that movies are opening this week that we don’t get in Chicago for a while. They need to play here to qualify for Oscar nomination.

There Will Be Blood is playing at one theater in Manhattan. It stars Daniel Day-Lewis and it is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson also directed Boogie Nights and a terrific little move called Hard Eight.

I was blown away. It is a movie you have to go out for coffee after and allow about an hour to discuss.

It is political. It is the most political movie I’ve seen in a very long time, a parable on capitalism and religion. Aren’t these the subjects you’re not suppose to bring up at a party?

Now you have an excuse.