P.T. Anderson is one of the greatest directors today, no doubt about it.
When Stanley Kubrick admires your work, you got talent.
Anderson's ambition is large, but what wonderful results, no?

Jack Nicholson said something about Kubrick and the fact that his films are conscious, and Anderson's films are very conscious.
Conscious of themselves, cinema history, of engagement with the viewer, it's awesome. Loving his work more and more.
There Will Be Blood has gorgeous camerawork and editing.
I love the steadycam/tracking of Plainview when he gets off the train and steps down into the station. Another beautiful track is the workers digging and laying pipe, then a pan to Plainview's reunion with his son. THAT was pure cinema.

And you can never say too many great things about the opening, as you mention.

I've never seen Hard Eight, but I look forward to it.

I know why Daniel Day-Lewis loves Heath Ledger's work.
His performance as the Joker is the kind of immersion in a role that he exemplifies. Not too many actors have the fearlessness and devotion to roles that these two men have. They approach acting in a totally different way than many others. That's why they have the reputations they do. It's rare and wonderful to behold.