10 Best Opening Shots In Cinema History

6. Boogie Nights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiXtFyZqvQQ As if we ever needed proof that Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the best directors working today, look no further than his stunning opening shot from Boogie Nights, a single-take sequence that runs in at almost three minutes. The shot begins at a theatre and then pans across the street, back over to a club on the other side and starts introducing us to some of the film's principal characters (played by Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham and Luis Guzman). Not only does this pass through the disco completely surrender the tone of the film as well as its time period, it's technically stunning; the timing of every swivel of the camera gives things a beautiful rhythm, entirely immersing us in the 70s style Anderson is shooting for. Extra points for anyone who notices the waiter dropping his piece of paper at 2:10, but realising he can't pick it up and risk blowing the whole shot as Heather Graham skates by.