The Master — Theatrical Trailer (October 12)

Silver: With this first official trailer, we’re finally given a better understanding of The Master’s plot, and a much clearer sense of the film’s three leads and the roles they’ll play in the action. My previously written thoughts (based on the first two teasers) were further solidified. Here are my two new takeaways from this trailer: First, my newfound love for cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr. His 65mm visuals are striking, and he seems to have perfectly filled the role after Paul Thomas Anderson’s longtime DP, Robert Elswit, was unavailable because of prior commitments. The other takeaway is how perfect Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Joaquin Phoenix appear to be in their roles. The quiet menace of Hoffman, the demure malevolence of Adams, and the inner and outward psychosis and rage of Phoenix. Even without seeing the film, I honestly can’t picture anyone else playing these characters.

Blend up a fresh batch of torpedo-tube hooch! We're finally getting a few glimpses of P.T. Anderson's long-awaited sixth feature film, his first since 2009's 2007's There Will Be Blood. And despite being officially untitled as recently as November, it looks like this one's going to be called The Master after all.

You probably already know that the movie's about the rise of a charismatic religious leader (played by Anderson regular Philip Seymour Hoffman) as seen through the eyes of a troubled young man (Joaquin Phoenix, who replaced Jeremy Renner when financier Megan Ellison rescued the film from turnaround last year) who falls into his orbit. You probably also know that Hoffman absolutely does not in any way, shape, or form play a fictionalized version of L. Ron Hubbard, and that the religion isn't anything like Scientology, no sir. (Yes, we're being glib.)