After having studied Media for four years, it's damn near impossible for me to watch a film and simply take it at face value without commenting on this camera angle here, or that use of lighting there etc etc. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, after having made films within a group I can certainly appreciate the effort gone into seemingly minute details of a production, but there does come a point where I find myself looking for continuity errors within films because I've become so damn picky. I am however a total sucker for pretty cinematography, particularly a nice colour palette- and I found a lovely website (which the following images are all from) called 'Beautiful Stills from Beautiful Films' which I can often find myself trawling just to look at pretty films. SO, my second list is just going to be a few films that I deem 'pretty' with some accompanying pictures and reasons why. It's a bit longer than I expected it to be...so feel free to just look at the pictures and ignore my ramblings!
- Requiem For A Dream (2000)
I made a pretty big mistake in my decision to watch this film alone at around 1 in the morning, and it really shook me up. The film essentially follows a three people attempting to make their way to money in America, and one of their mums- and flits in and out of the characters' drug fuelled utopias, that don't seem so utopic once their drug addictions inevitably become stronger. I'd probably say that it is the bleakest film I have watched in a very long time, and it left in a state of empty shock- but it is a very well put together film, with the perfect combination of fast shots, slow motion, double time and lengthier sequences. Nearing the climax of the film the use of juxtaposition is astounding, especially when combined with Clint Mansell's piece of music, Lux Aeterna, which is a motif used throughout the film, and I think it was that point that really blew my mind (whilst at the same time shook me up completely). I would definitely recommend watching this film if you haven't already, and I have heard that the book is even better.
- Brick (2005)
Thanks to the film noir basis of my A2 Media coursework, I had ample opportunity to analyse Brick at quite some length, which was great. I am totally in love with its colour palette, the use of blues and darkness are perfectly suited to its neo-noir style and make it look really cool- which is something I hope was reflected in the inspiration we took for our own neo-noir! As a whole, the film is really beautifully put together, and I particularly like the wide range of shots- especially close ups of seemingly minor details that create a jar in the flow of the film. Plot-wise Brick is also pretty awesome, and I fall a little more in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt every time I see it.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
My decision to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind came from seeing a gif-set on Tumblr and taking a fancy to Kate Winslet looking lovely with colourful hair, and I'm really glad I watched it. I think it'd be pretty easy to expect some sort of heartfelt romance with a bit of comedy due to the cast and name of the film, but in reality I found it to be pretty dark. Due to studying Frankenstein at the same time as watching this, I saw it as a bit of an insight into the scary power science has nowadays- within the film a medical centre has the power to actively map out your brain and utterly erase someone from your memory, such as can be done with procedures like hypnosis (which features in Danny Boyle's Trance), and I guess it's a bit startling that humans can have that sort of power over another's mind. BUT I promise you it isn't all doom and gloom, there are some comedic points and some scenes really are heartfelt and quite sweet, especially as the two main characters are finding themselves falling in love. I know I've harped on a little more about plot than cinematography with this one, but it is also a really pretty film to watch too.
- Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)/Inglorious Basterds (2009)
This post is getting a little more lengthy than I had originally intended, so my attention is fleeting (as I'm sure anyone's who is bothering to read is too) and I will keep this short. I love all of the Tarantino films I have watched, but these two are probably my favourite. The combination of black and white, anime, and real action in Kill Bill Vol.1 is awesome- I'm not usually one for graphic novel-esque art being incorporated into films but it works perfectly with the film's narrative and doesn't jar it as it often does. Inglorious Basterds is an amazing film- I absolutely loved Melanie Laurent's character, Shoshanna, and I think the film is probably Tarantino's best dialogue-wise- every line seems to be executed with brilliance and it was hugely enjoyable to watch!
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Moonrise Kingdom has become my go-to 'feel good' film of sorts, and it really is a sweet film. As with most of Wes Anderson's films, the colour palette is gorgeous and evocative of the film's mood- this one being a lot of yellows and pastels, which create a pretty happy film to watch! It makes me want to go adventuring with a map, record player and books...and also dance half-naked on a beach.
...I think that will be all for now!
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