This weekend in Northampton there is a festival dedicated to Robert Altman. So this weekend for my DVD I figured I’d pick a movie that feels like an Altman film, but was a first for one of the new-era of American directors.

P.T. Anderson’s first film “Boogie Night’s” was a breathe of fresh air in Hollywood when it came out. It was also a major role for Mark Wahlberg.

The movie is about the porn industry to say the least. Burt Reynolds is classy as the head honcho, and has the porn star look down pat. Along with the rest of the ensemble cast (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Heather Graham, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, and Don Cheadle).

The movie moves well, and the camera-work is strong with some of the best tracking shots in film history. the movie moves more as a character study than a simple narrative. Intertwining characters bring the ensemble together.

A strong first film from a director who has now brought all that talent to the forefront of American film with “There Will be Blood.” And “Boogie Nights” was where it all started.