This was my favorite PTA film until There Will Be Blood came along. Terrific cast and performances throughout. So original and daring. Pure entertainment.

I remember being slightly depressed after seeing this in the theater when it came out, because it's ultimately a sad story. But it's so original and well made, with great performances, great music, great camerawork and a few mind-blowing scenes. Truly one of those powerhouse films that you can watch over and over and over

Why did I like this film

This film is amazing! The opening shot is a near 3 minute tracking shot that would rival any in the career of the great Martin Scorsese. When I think of great, long shots in well-known motion pictures, I think Orson Welles in Touch of Evil or Robert Altman in The Player or any number of shots taken by Martin Scorsese. Goodfellas and Killers of the Flower Moon come to mind, but this opening shot, stands with any of them. What a way to begin a film. Paul Thomas Anderson had a vision and seemingly exacted that vision with Boogie Nights. Mark Wahlberg was outstanding, as was the entire cast. Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Baker Hall & Luis Guzmán were all truly incredible. I could spend an hour discussing how great each individual performance was in this picture. The camera work is remarkable. I love the underwater shots at the pool party. The long shots always give a film that special, cinematic feel. This film is an absolute masterpiece. A perfect motion picture by Paul Thomas Anderson. I highly recommend. 100/100

35mm at the Paris theater! Spectacular showing

One of the greatest movies ever made. The cast, the cinematography, the writing, everything in this film is a A+. This movie is a drama by nature, but finds a way to be so funny, and also has some of the most suspenseful scenes that any thriller movie would be jealous of. Mark Wahlberg gives a career performance as Eddy Adams from Torrance, CA, who because of his...size, becomes an overnight sensation in the 1970s adult film industry becoming known as Dirk Diggler. We see Dirk become apart of a family of adult film makers and enjoy the success of fame. But in a true Icarus story, Dirk flies too close to the sun, and falls terribly. We see the supporting characters all battle society's stereotypes of sex workers and how they are treated. Don Cheatle gives a career best performance in this movie as well, showing the rise and fall of his own character. The cast is rounded out by stellar performances by Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour-Hoffman and John C. Reilly. This film is a classic and should be viewed as such.

It's a shame how underrated is this. Great movie!

An absolute triumph. Loosely based on the life of porn star John C Holmes. The main character has a similar troubled path and shows his existence in and out of the industry. The troubled lives of the actors, directors and producers is very believable because this has all loosely happened. Just nailed it.

I think one of the greatest films ever made. To this day, my favorite film of all time. Too many people think it is a film about the porn industry. In reality, it's about people in search of some form of happiness, finding it, losing it, and maybe finding it again. Great characters and more than a few iconic scenes. Movie perfection. Get over the porn hang-up, that is merely the backdrop.

Well written, directed and acted. Excellent movie.

Brutal, Raw, and Riveting. Everything is a masterclass in film making. The camerawork is one of the most fleunt I have ever seen. It literally feels like the camera is gliding so effortlessly as if shots are and movement is so natural you don't even feel like it's cinematic. It's somewhat a combination of a Altman stlye multiple storylines though clearly Whalberg is the main focus. It comes together ever so often with a scene where all the characters are shared together and really is just an incredible touch and makes it never feel jumpy. I will say Cheadle's story while really good probably could've been cut and not much would be lost to trim the bloated but entirely justified run time down. Reily is amazing here also and Reynolds is a standout as well only second arguably to Mark Whalberg who gives along with everyone else here a incredible performance. This is probably the best thing Whalberg has ever done. If you only grew up seeing him in Transformers, bad comedies, or The Happening it will be jaw dropping for you to see him like this. The subject matter is fasintaing and echoes the likes of Goodfellas at times with a warning against excess, drugs, and inflated egos. As long as everyone understands there is a lot of R Rated nudity in this and can handle that, than everyone should give this a try once. The film making on display here is equisite.

One of my Favorite Movies Definitely Deserved to win a Oscar. This is a Classic and it reminds me of Once Upon A Time In Holywood and Babylon (10/10, 13/10)

paul thomas anderson is so fun! a beautiful movie on california in the 70s not critiquing the porn industry, but simply teaching it's value and the people within it. i love julianne moore more than anything. each character has their own story that is so personal and that is what makes this film even more special.

Really freaking cool dude 11/10

Boogie nights is a movie that shows the dark side of the porn industry and fame. a stylish film, with comedic moments thrown in. the performances are amazing. this movie shows why Mark Walberg is a star. i loved Burt Reynolds performance, he captured the role perfect. a lot of talent among other actors as well will keep you glued to your seat. this is a once in a lifetime film for a talented director to call his own. we get to see the real human side of people, the good, the bad and the in between of what it means to be in the Entertainment world. a must see film.

This is an excellent period dramedy with a stellar cast and a absorbent runtime that can take you away from the meat of the film. The first act is fast and fast with little no change and could be trimmed down, the second act is dramatic and could be longer and the third act just ends. The camera is memorizing and moves so fluidly to grasp a style. It has all the markings of future PTA but falls flat on pacing.

Boogie Nights is a film that represents the best of the 1970's while also shows us the downward spiral of the passing era. Balancing the ecstasy with the heavier dose of reality, we see the characters reach the highest highs and lowest lows. Mark Wahlburg plays up the emotional naivety with gusto until he hits a brick wall that only seems to be sliding him down into drugs and prostitution.

Mark Whalberg, the late Burt Reynolds and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Heather Graham, Julianne Moore, Luis Guzman, Thomas Jane, John C. Reilly, Joanna Gleason, and Don Cheadle Paul Thomas Anderson directs an all-star cast in the San Fernando Valley of 1977 Famous adult filmmaker Jack Horner comes across Eddie Addams Eddie's life seems to be going nowhere and even his mom can see that Soon he changes his stage name to Dirk Diggler and makes it big in the adult entertainment industry But Eddie falls victim to his addiction of fame, drugs, and egotism slowly crumbling everything around him The first half of the movie is all fun and games. But the second half of the movie is a sort of punishment for those fun and games from the 70s to the 80s Finally the latter half is an excruciating descent into desperation and stupidity This was a comeback for 70s actor Reynolds even if he hated the movie garnering Oscar praise and this does clock in at 2 and half hours This is still a stylish and electric tragicomedy and ultimately, is about love, acceptance, and finding your place in the world Yes this is an adult entertainment opus but it's very spot-on capturing the 1970s feel of the X-rated genre of filmmaking Whalberg magnifies the screen with his presence playing this man that succumbs got violent mood swings and is unable to perform Plus this had Anderson emerge as a filmmaker considering he had a real-life fascination with the subject matter growing up You can tell the authenticity is there since the director even hired real-life adult film stars Anderson has a passionate and painfully honest depiction of the American soul eliciting something similar to a punk band’s first records — pure fiery brilliance He perfectly captures the ambition, style and freneticism of the era in the gorgeous grainy cinematography and the characters who feel like an indelible part of the landscape’s makeup A story of a man that can be spat back out from the fame that gave him a purpose in a world of exploitation And a fantastic take on a Golden Era that nobody wants to remember and it's pretty relevant

This is still Marky Marks best film he's acted in to date. Me and my brother saw this in theaters. Idk if people realize that this movie is loosely based off John holmes the porn star. Val Kilmer did a bio pic called wonderland in 2003. It's ok, but when you watch it you'll see the similarities to boogie nights in some scenes. Anyways boogie nights is a classic. Also I feel like people didn't give John c riley his flower up until more recent years, he's been in movies with some of the best.

Definitely not for the under 18 crowd but a classic. Well acted and very well done. Also, a trip to the past!