Films with brilliant set-designs/built locations.

Scullibundo · (10-04-2009, 03:34 AM)

In this thread we appreciate films whose set designs are truly something to behold.

I'll get the ball rolling with:

The Shining

The interiors of the overlook hotel (and of course the hotel they used in general) are incredible. You really come to appreciate it when you think how many of the tracking shots and long push-ins Kubrick had planned out would have been instrumental in designing the interior. Of special note is when the camera tracks along as Shelley Duvall moves through four different rooms - making her way across the hotel. Very impressive stuff.

Then of course there is Titanic where Cameron had them re-build three quarters of the entire fucking ship down to the fine china and carpets (which were made by the same company who made the carpet for the real ship).

I expect to see many more great exampes - I especially expect LotR examples like the Rivendale set and Hobbiton.

cashman · (10-04-2009, 03:37 AM)

star wars.

Count Dookkake · (10-04-2009, 03:38 AM)

blame space · (10-04-2009, 03:39 AM)

Haha, whoops, misread the thread.

How about The Matrix? I seem to remember a lot of that being built. Oh, and V For Vendetta!

demon · (10-04-2009, 03:39 AM)

Bladerunner

Originally Posted by blame space:

Lost in Translation!

This isn't a Movies with Good Cinematography thread. I don't think they built Tokyo to make the movie.

Rocket Punch · (10-04-2009, 03:40 AM)

A L I E N

crazy monkey · (10-04-2009, 03:42 AM)

moulin rouge was one of them

GDJustin · (10-04-2009, 03:43 AM)

Lord of the Rings? Hobbiton and Gondor and Rohan were amazing on the special features. So many little details down back alleys in Gondor that don't even show up on film.

GrotesqueBeauty · (10-04-2009, 03:45 AM)

I see Alien and Blade Runner were already mentioned. It seems silly to mention this dumb movie following those masterpieces, but I always thought the Scorpion fight scene in the Mortal Kombat movie had great set design.

Oh, and Twin Peaks. It's not a movie (except Fire Walk With Me, obviously) but I love the interiors on the show.

DrForester · 03:50 AM

Lord Of The Rings
Waterworld
Harry Potter
Titanic

FairyD · (10-04-2009, 03:47 AM)

does The Fall count?

JDSN · (10-04-2009, 03:47 AM)

The Life Aquatic- I really loved that long take with everyone just doing its own thing on the ship.

Originally Posted by crazy monkey:

moulin rouge was one of them

Seriously I loved the rooftops on that movie.

ZephyrFate · (10-04-2009, 03:47 AM)

Blade Runner and LOTR, definitely.

Salazar · (10-04-2009, 03:48 AM)

Labyrinth.

see5harp · (10-04-2009, 03:49 AM)

Originally Posted by JDSN:

The Life Aquatic- I really loved that long take with everyone just doing its own thing on the ship.

Seriously I loved the rooftops on that movie.

I think all of the Wes Anderson films have great set design and props. Everything from luggage, notepads, wallpaper, costumes, hair and makeup, and color is very good, even going back to Bottle Rocket.

Danne-Danger · (10-04-2009, 03:49 AM)

2001: A Space Odyssey

Scullibundo · (10-04-2009, 03:51 AM)

Originally Posted by Danne-Danger:

2001: A Space Odyssey

Bingo!

demon · (10-04-2009, 03:53 AM)

Originally Posted by FairyD:

does The Fall count?

Holy shit yes it does. Good call.

Sol.. · (10-04-2009, 03:53 AM)

Personally I always liked the sets in the First Matrix.

It made it painfully clear what type of world they were dealing with.

Krev · 03:59 AM

Brazil

Just amazing.

BlueTsunami · 04:01 AM

Definitely Ridley Scott's "Legend". I wish I could find good high quality stills of the set being built but everything from the trees to the lighting is just mind blowing.

Like the Kingdom of Heaven, people should check out the Directors cut of this movie.

Here's a crappy YouTube and 80's screentest quality of the set design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWAno50EwBg#t=4m44s

Tkawsome · (10-04-2009, 03:57 AM)

Rear Window, Citizen Kane, Seven, Kill Bill, The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari, A Clockwork Orange. I'm sure there are a lot more that blew me away, but those really spring to mind.

Shorty · (10-04-2009, 03:59 AM)

Not a movie but HBO's Rome had a magnificent set.

Scullibundo · (10-04-2009, 04:00 AM)

Yep, was about to mention The House of Blue Leaves set from Vol. 1.

Especially noteworthy when the camera tracks Sophie from O-Ren's gathering down to the bathroom and back with the hostess. Awesome, awesome set design.

Xelinis · (10-04-2009, 04:01 AM)

Most Tim Burton flicks.

I AM JOHN! · (10-04-2009, 04:01 AM)

EDIT: beaten, I see.

Atrus · (10-04-2009, 04:01 AM)

Already beaten but The Fall was my top choice.

beelzebozo · (10-04-2009, 04:03 AM)

Originally Posted by Rocket Punch:

A L I E N

oh god yes

radioheadrule83 · (10-04-2009, 04:04 AM)

Great shouts on Ridley Scott's Legend and Star Wars. Legend's forest scenes were filmed entirely on sound stages at Pinewood in the UK... amazing when you watch it back - it's got that lovely glow to the air that I came to associate with the Lost Woods / Kokriri forest/woods/whatever in Zelda.

The first three Star Wars movies are - well - almost flawless in set design. You'd think a movie made in 77 would have dated by now, even if it portrayed a vision of the future - but the original Star Wars hasn't. It was such a great idea and had such a great style. It has shaped even what we expect of sci fi and cinema today. So cash

The Life Aquatic was particularly good for that one continuous cross-section shot already mentioned in this thread... quite a modest effect on screen, but the UNDERTAKING of it... amazing.

I watched the first great train robbery on TV today. The old movie with Donald Sutherland and Sean Connery in it. I'm not saying thats up there with the movies that have best set design, but those contemporary movies that are set in period times are often underappreciated when it comes to set design / implementation

Danne-Danger · (10-04-2009, 04:05 AM)

Originally Posted by Krev:

Brazil
Just amazing.

The things I would do for a blu-ray release...

Scullibundo · (10-04-2009, 04:08 AM)

Originally Posted by radioheadrule83:

Great shouts on Ridley Scott's Legend and Star Wars. Legend's forest scenes were filmed entirely on sound stages at Pinewood in the UK... amazing when you watch it back - it's got that lovely glow to the air that I came to associate with the Lost Woods / Kokriri forest/woods/whatever in Zelda.

The guys are Pinewood in the UK also built the set for ALIENS there which was especially great. The atmosphere processor set, as well as the hive look incredible when you watch the making-of docos.

kai3345 · (10-04-2009, 04:18 AM)

Originally Posted by FairyD:

does The Fall count?

That reminds me of the Dark Link room from OoT

Ducky_McGee · (10-04-2009, 04:20 AM)

Say what you will about the quality of the movies but I think they did a fantastic job turning the Harry Potter world from the novels onto the big screen. Great sets.

Alien is a clear winrar.

akachan ningen · (10-04-2009, 04:22 AM)

lol okay, this doesn't really show off the world, but it has a great one.

whitehawk · (10-04-2009, 04:22 AM)

Originally Posted by Scullibundo:

Bingo!

Woah. Where is down, where is up?

Jangaroo · (10-04-2009, 04:23 AM)

I really loved the set pieces in Pan's Labyrinth. They're wonderfully designed, especially the area where you see the OH FUCK ME, WHY ARE THERE EYES IN IT'S HANDS monster?!

acanaday · (10-04-2009, 04:25 AM)

Believe it or not, fight club had some amazing interior design. That crappy house that Tyler lives in... yeah they built that whole house. Pretty sweet!

beelzebozo · (10-04-2009, 04:26 AM)

Originally Posted by Jangaroo:

I really loved the set pieces in Pan's Labyrinth. They're wonderfully designed, especially the area where you see the OH FUCK ME, WHY ARE THERE EYES IN IT'S HANDS monster?!

yeah, definitely. any weaknesses he may have otherwise bow before del toro's incredible sense of visual design.

Scullibundo · (10-04-2009, 04:26 AM)

Originally Posted by whitehawk:

Woah. Where is down, where is up?

They are at the bottom of the set, which was rigged to rotate so the entire set would spin.

White Man · (10-04-2009, 04:28 AM)

Originally Posted by Danne-Danger:

The things I would do for a blu-ray release...

I'd imagine we'll get one eventually, especially if Criterion still has the rights.

Ducky_McGee · (10-04-2009, 04:29 AM)

Silence of the Lambs

Buffalo Bills basement.

Count Dookkake · (10-04-2009, 04:29 AM)

Dogville

Anasui Kishibe · 04:34 AM

well not technically built but what the hell, I had to put it in

SpeedingUptoStop · (10-04-2009, 04:30 AM)

I'm watching Matrix Reloaded right now and weeping at the beauty of the set and the silliness of the plot holes.

http://www.becauseilikemovies.com/Re...Reloaded_4.jpg

radioheadrule83 · (10-04-2009, 04:30 AM)

Originally Posted by akachan ningen:

lol okay, this doesn't really show off the world, but it has a great one.

haha awesome pic though

I was trying to find an image of Frank Drebin walking towards someone with a statue's penis from one of the Naked Gun movies but it seems no-one has captured it

Beardz · (10-04-2009, 04:31 AM)

The Cell

permutated · (10-04-2009, 04:36 AM)

Any Wes Andersen movie.

VALIS · (10-04-2009, 04:37 AM)

12 Monkeys

Prine · (10-04-2009, 04:38 AM)

Lack of Del Toro is worrying.

Pans Laberynth

radioheadrule83 · (10-04-2009, 04:39 AM)

Originally Posted by VALIS:

12 Monkeys[/IMG]

Damn I love this movie...

Terry Gilliam is a vision visionary, I'm sure Parnassus will only cement that