Visual directors?

A

Astigmatism

Member
So I watched Amélie yesterday and was blown away.

I'm a sucker for camera movements and tracking, Magnolia is my favorite film and PTA was my favorite director, till I stumbled upon Jeunet.

I don't think I've watched nearly as much film as many of you guys, so I thought I'd log on and ask, what other films/directors do you think would fit my taste?
 
I kind of disagree with the notion of visual vs. non-visual directors. If you direct films, you're already working in a visual medium, therefore, you're a visual director. But never the less, I know what you're talking about.

You're already familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson. Maybe you should check out:

Stanley Kubrick
David Fincher
Wes Anderson
David Lynch
Danny Boyle
Martin Scorsese
Michel Gondry
Spike Jonze
David Gordon Green
 
If you're into camera movements and tracking you should listen to Garrett Brown's commentary track on THE SHINING. Some great stuff there.
 
Thanks for your reply :)

Well, maybe I used the wrong word in the title. After all, I'm a swede first and formost ;)

That's a great list right there. However, I've watched most of them, and would say from a visual standpoint(using that word again :D) I liked Fight Club the best.
But for some reason I haven't watched Slumdog yet, and seem to have ignored Wes Anderson completely, will give him a shot too.


EDIT: Jawa, thanks, will do.
 
Astigmatism said:
Well, maybe I used the wrong word in the title. After all, I'm a swede first and formost
Click to expand...

No, a lot of filmmakers and film buffs and critics use that term.

Definitely give Wes Anderson a shot. His work is also great from a writing standpoint, and they're visually appealing.

I can't believe I forgot to list them, but the Coen Brothers' films also have great camerawork.

And if you're not too familiar with the French New wave, check out Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut and Louis Malle.
 
I wouldn't hesitate to add Tim Burton to that list if you're into the "visuals" of how the setpieces and art direction work with his films.

My favorite director for "movements and tracking" has to be Scorsese. Goodfellas is a symphonic masterpiece of camera movement. Restaurant tracking shot that took ~80 takes, anyone...

Although, I have still not seen Amelie. I've had like half a dozen opportunities to watch it, and something always comes up or I forget to record it on DVR or I fall asleep...


EDIT: @The OP, I think we all understand that there are directors whose work is more visually striking or arresting than others, but I think it just has to do with what kinds of movies these directors choose to do and do so well. I don't think any of us could imagine certain hallmark films like A Clockwork Orange done by any other director without that sort of eye.

I do think some directors have far more, say, antiseptic images in their work that achieve a completely different feel. Spielberg, I would say, is a very crisp and minimalistic director who often doesn't embellish or overdress the sets, but he has also done a slew of war movies which arguably work best in a flat color scheme.
 
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I don't know why I have this fascination for cameras moving around, but it pleases me. I guess it was Magnolia who fueld it, and of course that's not the only thing I love about it...
I'm not usually in to warm colors and fairy tales, but I forgive Amélie as to how amazing it is.

Dream scenario: Fincher coloring alá Fight club, camera work - Jeunet and tracking - PTA/Scorsese(although Jeunet does it well, but not to their level)

All of the above does a pretty good job at telling the story too ;)

EDIT: I love these small movements too, like how PTA in so many scenes slowly move in on the faces of his caracters when they talk(dolly? I'm terrible at camera lingo)
And how both PTA and Jeunet uses "dollies in super quick" as described in the Magnolia script when Kurring and Claudia kiss.
(guess I got my previous question answered there)
 
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I thought Pleasantville had many pleasing visuals, and not from an effects standpoint. the camera is very fluid in it, and it has several crane shots worth mentioning....but the director's name escapes me.
 
Thanks, will check it out.

Another one that I loved was Todd Fields Little Children

The shot where the kid is running to his mom and throwing his hat in the air is great. I also like his use of shifting focus between two actors.
It's a great film and it looks amazing in my book.
 
For some old school camera movement make sure to check the visionary Max Ophuls, criterion released some of his very best work last year.
 
i've only seen one movie of each these, but i think they fall in the visual category:

frederico fellini (8 1/2)
alejandro jodorowsky (the holy mountain)
 
I'm sure a lot of people have seen it, but I think Brick, with JGL, has an amazing visual style (camera angles and movements).

If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. Indie gem.
 
The movie itself didn't do much for me, but there's a great shot in DePalma's The Black Dahlia where the camera moves into the briefing room and does a slow 360.
 
David Fincher-Se7en some great camera movemens and angles, great dark visuals.

Brian De Palma-Carlito's Way-some of the best wide angle camera movements I've seen and not to mention the set design that acompanied that film was awesome.

Yimou Zhang-Great visual chinese director, he did Hero, House of Flying Daggers, etc...

Spike Lee-Almost all his films have some great camera work.
 
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