Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

M

matthewd5

Veteran
ok, i was thinking of renting a movie will really striking cinematography.

you know something to not only watch but watch again, pause/backup, even watch with the sound off.

if it had a directors/dp etc. track that would be a big plus.

suggestions??

matthew
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Thats a tough one. If I had ot pick just ONE:

Apocalypse Now

(Being able to pick ony one hurts)
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

I'd have to say Lawrence of Arabia. I recently saw it at a film festival and the cinematography was amazing.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

For narrative work, an important one to watch is Casablanca - you really learn about value, subtle camera movement, and diffusion through that one;

Apocalypse Now was a great suggestion;

1959's Ben-Hur for some classic epic cinematography;

and maybe Road to Perdition for some more modern work - or American Beauty - Hall was definitely a great.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

One? Impossible!

Some of my favorites, in terms of cinematography:

Days of Heaven
E.T.
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Fight Club
Star Wars
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Amelie for cinematography....absolutely masterful.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Yeah, Amelie has great cinematography (my wife is getting it under the Christmas tree - I can't wait!).

But the movie that I would pick is Amadeus. It's amazingly subtle - if you watch the whole film and pay attention, you will realize how the outside of the window of the room where old Salieri is making his 'confession' is changing its atmosphere as dawn is approaching. Another example - they lit a whole theatre with candles (the actual theatre in Prague where Don Giovanni had its premiere in 1787). BTW, the building is all wood - talk about major fire hazard!

Of course, I didn't known about this until I saw director's commentary with Milos Forman in the 20th anniversary director's cut edition. Sounds like something that would suit your need.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Road to Perdition. Just for the cinematography.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Movies I watch to inspire me in terms of cinematography or simple visual distinction of some sort:

Lawrence of Arabia (most amazing visual film ever)
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Koyaanisqatsi
Dark City
Shadow of the Vampire
Traffic
Akira Kurasowa's Dreams
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

orson welles' Othello . this wil teach you how t o make pretty on a budget.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

I forgot all about one movie

Baraka

Simply the best cinematography ever.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

I'll likely be banned from the site for this pick, but the one singular movie that sticks out in my mind for cinematography is the 1971 film Harold and Maude. I could watch that movie over and over with the sound off and be mesmerized by the shots and composition, from beginning to end. Beautiful movie.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

David Fincher's Se7en....great camera moves.

...and for exquisite use of rack focussing and overall gorgeous cinematography, take a look at Lynne Ramsay's "Ratcatcher".
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

Okay, my one choice:

Lawrence of Arabia
Empire of the Sun
Seconds
L'Attalante
Bridge on the River Kwai
City of Lost Children
Apocolypse Now
Delicatessen
Born on the Fourth of July
Forrest Gump
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Casablanca
The Longest Day

Uh... is that more than one? D-oh!!!
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

To quote one, I will just quote the last that impressed me. Bertolucci's The Dreamers. It not as ingenous as the last emperor, but the cinematography is amazing. It's got an amazing barroque duality in it's way of being weird and seducing at the same time (just like the characters). Very good stuff. I watched the whole movie and shot after shot, I was surprised.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

[quote author=combatvideo link=board=news;num=1103614109;start=0#10 date=12/21/04 at 10:33:25]I forgot all about one movie

Baraka

Simply the best cinematography ever.[/quote]

hey, when you said Baraka the name sounded very familiar, but then i remembered that my aunt is good freinds with Ron Fricke, the director/cinematographer. i just thought that was neat.
 
Re: Pick ONE movie for cinematography excellence

i really liked the cinematography in eternal sunshine.
 
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