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[Charles Foster Kane]

Surprised Hugo and Drive haven't been posted yet.

Hugo has been mentioned a couple of times.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

eh, I can pick apart that movie all day. Like the weird robotic bird-like movements of the natives (I mean, really?) or Collin Farrel with fucking Maori tattoos (English haven't even sailed into Polynesia yet). It's a beautiful film but also kind of silly.

"Robotic, bird-like movements of the natives"? I don't remember anything like that, or anything that was out of place, anyway. Is it when they're attacking the colony? And I don't recall Farrell having Maori tattoos, either.

These measures are all relative, though. You can nitpick minute details all you like, but if you've seen a movie that shows native culture more accurately and less condescendingly, I'd love to hear it. The movie's story, if you accept that Pocahantas did not happen, is not "silly" at all; it handles it with a great deal of depth and realism.

Edit: looked up the Farrell tattoos on Wiki. Basically, they just blew their load too early, as it would have been accurate had he been shown getting the tattoos by the natives. However, the people who say that the movie depicts the Indians as "noble savages" are simply wrong. It's one of the most balanced approaches to native culture that I've ever seen, for it gives equal weight to their better angels AND to their brutality.

 

[FStop7]

Pretty much any film directed by Ridley Scott. You can pause on practically any given frame of any given film of his and it will be beautiful. Say what you will about the flawed stories in some of his work, he is consistently a visual master.

 

[CorvoSol]

Say what you will about Tron: Legacy, but damn if it wasn't pretty.

My only problem with Tron: Legacy was the fact that Tron got more screen time in Kingdom Hearts 3D than in Tron: Legacy.

 

[CaptainRizla]

Thought this would have already been posted.. Close Encounters.

 

[UrbanRats]

Dogtooth:

 

[Drinkel]

I love the look of Forbidden Planet, there is something extra impressive about good looking old movies.

 

[teruterubozu]

"Robotic, bird-like movements of the natives"? I don't remember anything like that, or anything that was out of place, anyway. Is it when they're attacking the colony? And I don't recall Farrell having Maori tattoos, either.

These measures are all relative, though. You can nitpick minute details all you like, but if you've seen a movie that shows native culture more accurately and less condescendingly, I'd love to hear it. The movie's story, if you accept that Pocahantas did not happen, is not "silly" at all; it handles it with a great deal of depth and realism.

Edit: looked up the Farrell tattoos on Wiki. Basically, they just blew their load too early, as it would have been accurate had he been shown getting the tattoos by the natives. However, the people who say that the movie depicts the Indians as "noble savages" are simply wrong. It's one of the most balanced approaches to native culture that I've ever seen, for it gives equal weight to their better angels AND to their brutality.

It's definitely one of the better depictions of early Native Americans on film for sure. I do, however, have problems with the way John Smith is depicted and the "Making of the New World" documentary where they tout how accurate everything is. Smith was in no way a brooding, moody, contemplative figure like Ferrel. He was a straight up alpha prick (and an ugly mofo too) and had major implications on the Powhatan populace (and people further up the coast). Historical accuracy with costumes and settings is one thing, but to diminish the actual conflict to serve the love-triangle story is disappointing. It's a pretty film, but in no way is it culturally enlightening.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

I love the look of Forbidden Planet, there is something extra impressive about good looking old movies.

Those are some beautiful shots, specially for a 56 sci-fi movie.

Plus this movie has young Leslie Nielsen. Worth Watch.

 

[SomeOneInaHat]

Moonrise Kingdom

Composition, setting, and overall tone are just pitch perfect.

 

[Drinkel]

Plus this movie has young Leslie Nielsen. Worth Watch.

Woah, that totally passed me by! I kept getting all the crew members mixed up until halfway through the movie.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

It's definitely one of the better depictions of early Native Americans on film for sure. I do, however, have problems with the way John Smith is depicted and the "Making of the New World" documentary where they tout how accurate everything is. Smith was in no way a brooding, moody, contemplative figure like Ferrel. He was a straight up alpha prick (and an ugly mofo too) and had major implications on the Powhatan populace (and people further up the coast). Historical accuracy with costumes and settings is one thing, but to diminish the actual conflict to serve the love-triangle story is disappointing. It's a pretty film, but in no way is it culturally enlightening.

The movie was not trying to capture the historical accuracy of the specific individuals at all, and it seems massively unfair to beat on it for that. It's a film that freely mixes realism (the fairly accurate depiction of the culture, the contrast between the natives' idyll in their village and the brutality on the battlefield, the use of actual diary entries, etc.) with mythology (the love triangle) in order to achieve a particular emotional effect and to make a historical and philosophical point that has far-reaching implications for human culture, especially as we eye space as the next great site for exploration. The film is most definitely more than just "pretty"; it is, on any level - writing, acting, audiovisual fidelity - one of the greatest films of the previous decade and another notch on the belt of maybe the most singular American filmmaker that has yet lived, one whose work will likely be seen in the same light as a Whitman or Melville in the centuries to come.

 

[Robot 492]

The Cranes Are Flying

 

[jett]

Immortals

Best-looking worst movie I've ever seen. Zero emotional connection, nonsensical story, shit characters, Immortals has all that is required to be awful. Yet it is still worth watching, simply because it is stupidly beautiful. Every frame is immaculately constructed to be as gorgeous as humanly possible. If you appreciate that kind of thing, you will enjoy Immortals on that level at least. The action is filled with violence and gore to the extreme and is well choreographed. I also appreciate the virtual non-existence of shaky cam, quick cuts or any other such bullshit, which is refreshing.

 

[teruterubozu]

The movie was not trying to capture the historical accuracy of the specific individuals at all, and it seems massively unfair to beat on it for that. It's a film that freely mixes realism (the fairly accurate depiction of the culture, the contrast between the natives' idyll in their village and the brutality on the battlefield, the use of actual diary entries, etc.) with mythology (the love triangle) in order to achieve a particular emotional effect and to make a historical and philosophical point that has far-reaching implications for human culture, especially as we eye space as the next great site for exploration. The film is most definitely more than just "pretty"; it is, on any level - writing, acting, audiovisual fidelity - one of the greatest films of the previous decade and another notch on the belt of probably the most singular American filmmaker that has yet lived, one whose work will likely be seen in the same light as a Whitman or Melville in the centuries to come.

I agree with the historical "greatness" of the film and I believe it will be seen as a significant achievement down the line (as probably Spielberg's "Lincoln" will be). Which is why criticism of it doesn't hurt. It is afterall, Disney's Pocahontas for adults - hopefully the film provokes more historical inquiry within viewers.

 

[Giant Robot]

So my vote clearly goes out to one of my favorite films of all time, Fargo:

Nothing is forced here, every scene is beautifully shot and very simple, it simply tells the story of these characters and the environment they are in; mentally and physically.

^^^ Still one of my favorite shots. Also love the scene right after where Lundegaard gets super frustrated when he's trying to scrape ice off his windshield.

Holy Mountain.
This is the very first shot of the film. Hated the movie, but damn it's a visual feast.

I also have a hard on for most Jean-Pierre Jeunet movies (Delicatessen/Amelie/City of Lost Children)

Once Upon A Time In The West
Just about every single shot/frame in the beginning.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

I agree with the historical "greatness" of the film and I believe it will be seen as a significant achievement down the line (as probably Spielberg's "Lincoln" will be). Which is why criticism of it doesn't hurt. It is afterall, Disney's Pocahontas for adults - hopefully the film awakens more historical inquiry within viewers.

Oh, I don't mind the criticism (though the idea that "Lincoln" will be seen as some towering achievement of artistry seems entirely strange to me), but I think there's a big difference between "the movie's historical accuracy is horseshit" and "the movie has accurate sets, costumes, and actors, but plays fast and loose with the historical figures involved". It's not "Disney's Pocahontas for adults", though. The Disney version is legitimately very condescending, as well as simply bad. "The New World" uses that story, but that's not what it's really about.

 

[Machspeed007]

last year at marienbad

Crazy beautiful movie. The image above reminds me of Melancholia because of the unreal shadows.

L'avventura - basically any movie by Antonioni; added bonus for Monica Vitti in this one

Le bonheur (Happiness)

Pierrot le fou - great lovely movie, bonus Anna Karina

Paris, Texas - what a powerful and beautiful movie!

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

Ivan's Childhood

 

[.JayZii]

I feel obligated to mention The Thief and the Cobbler. There is some beautiful art design and animation, unfortunately it was never finished properly and the "Recobbled" cut is the most complete film that is true to the original intent. It's really interesting to read about if you've never heard about its troubled, 30-ish year development. It also bears a striking resemblance to a certain Disney movie.

You can watch the Recobbled cut on youtube.

I feel bad for not liking it more, but in its unfinished state I find it hard to actually get invested in anything beyond its art.

 

[jett]

Gonna have to give more props to Speed Racer...in animated gif form!

The use of color in this movie is just crazy. It's over the top and in your face, but exquisitely composited nonetheless. It's a live action cartoon.

 

[teruterubozu]

Oh, I don't mind the criticism (though the idea that "Lincoln" will be seen as some towering achievement of artistry seems entirely strange to me), but I think there's a big difference between "the movie's historical accuracy is horseshit" and "the movie has accurate sets, costumes, and actors, but plays fast and loose with the historical figures involved". It's not "Disney's Pocahontas for adults", though. The Disney version is legitimately very condescending, as well as simply bad. "The New World" uses that story, but that's not what it's really about.

Yeah sorry about the Lincoln connection. I'm trying to think of a better movie that is touted as a great "American History" movie - "Glory" maybe?

Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship with the film. The use of Wagner's "Vorspiel" in the open and close is simply breathtaking and the girl who played Pocahontas is criminally underrated (I also know the dude who played Chief Powhatan - August Schellenberg - back when he was in Free Willy 2 - Dude is always cast as the "Indian Chief" - I always root for him, LOL). It's a fun movie to discuss and I always stealth provoke the discussion whenever it's mentioned in threads

 

[Robot 492]

The Double Life of Veronique

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

last year at marienbad

Crazy beautiful movie. The image above reminds me of Melancholia because of the unreal shadows.

L'avventura - basically any movie by Antonioni; added bonus for Monica Vitti in this one

Paris, Texas - what a powerful and beautiful movie!

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

Gonna have to give more props to Speed Racer...in animated gif form!

The use of color in this movie is just crazy. It's over the top and in your face, but exquisitely composited nonetheless. It's a live action cartoon.

It does look nice. Pity the movie is not very good (in my opinion of course).

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

Yeah sorry about the Lincoln connection. I'm trying to think of a better movie that is touted as a great "American History" movie - "Glory" maybe?

Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship with the film. The use of Wagner's "Vorspiel" in the open and close is simply breathtaking and the girl who played Pocahontas is criminally underrated (I also know the dude who played Chief Powhatan - August Schellenberg - back when he was in Free Willy 2 - Dude is always cast as the "Indian Chief" - I always root for him, LOL). It's a fun movie to discuss and I always stealth provoke the discussion whenever it's mentioned in threads

Well, there aren't many - history movies are pretty notorious for being stodgy affairs. It also depends on if we're limiting the contest to movies set, say, 150+ years prior to their being made. "Stagecoach" is awesome, but it's hardly a progressive or realist take on history. Leone's westerns are great, but they're very stylized and, again, hardly realist. Shane is awesome (and pretty realistic in parts), but its fulcrum is a pretty mythological take on the Western badass archetype. In terms of straight-up takes on important historical events and figures, though, I must admit that I'm hard-pressed to name any movies that achieve unabashed artistic greatness.

 

[Mr. Poolman]

Many of my favorites are already posted.
A couple of options are:

Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet

The Lord of the Rings trilogy

 

[teruterubozu]

Well, there aren't many - history movies are pretty notorious for being stodgy affairs. It also depends on if we're limiting the contest to movies set, say, 150+ years prior to their being made. "Stagecoach" is awesome, but it's hardly a progressive or realist take on history. Leone's westerns are great, but they're very stylized and, again, hardly realist. Shane is awesome (and pretty realistic in parts), but its fulcrum is a pretty mythological take on the Western badass archetype. In terms of straight-up takes on important historical events and figures, though, I must admit that I'm hard-pressed to name any movies that achieve unabashed artistic greatness.

There's still a heavy myth-making process involved in American historical movies, for sure. Now that I think about "Lincoln", there is a certain hokiness to well-known actors like DDL and Sally Fields playing Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln. I guess the best we can get is Ken Burns-style storytelling when it comes to American history?

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

There's still a heavy myth-making process involved in American historical movies, for sure. Now that I think about "Lincoln", there is a certain hokiness to well-known actors like DDL and Sally Fields playing Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln. I guess the best we can get is Ken Burns-style storytelling when it comes to American history?

Day-Lewis is a perfect casting choice for Lincoln, but I'm pretty sure Spielberg is a bad person to tell the story.

I think it's just that any effort to tell the story of most important historical figures would require significant expense on the part of studios to achieve realism in the sets, costumes, environments, etc. so it's hard to do much else with it other than move toward lowest common denominator myth-making. (Not that myth-making is always a bad thing, but in movies about American history, it often is.)

 

[echoshifting]

Sorry if I'm repeating anyone...I didn't read the whole thread, just looked at the images. Lots of great selections in here, including a few I definitely plan to check out in the near future.

I'm not surprised to see lots of Ridley Scott, but we're missing images from what I consider his most visually stunning film, Kingdom of Heaven.

This post contains very minor spoilers for the film (by that I mean nothing you wouldn't find in a trailer). The images, however, are not spoilers. If you decide to see this film, please do yourself a huge favor and take the time to track down the Director's Cut. Finally, I apologize for the compression, but all of these screenshots were taken from this site to make it easy to track down HD versions.

Every costume and every set are meticulously staged, instantly transporting us to the world Scott has shaped.

The movie starts with heavy blue tones to depict Balian's deep melancholy, and to ensure Medieval France is completely set apart, visually, from Medieval Jerusalem. In fact, the first time you see the film it seems like Scott went way overboard with it. The cold is virtually palpable, and the action seems needlessly muted.

Once Balian heads south, however, the choice makes sense. Virtually the entire film is set in and around Medieval Jerusalem; once those blue filters drop the dryness and heat of the desert are more effectively portrayed than in virtually any other film since Lawrence of Arabia.

Scott continues to use the blue in some night scenes, and here I think he went a little overboard, but the shadowy dusk shots are among the best Scott has ever had a hand in. The terrible threat of Saladin's army is conveyed perfectly through the lighting and framing.

Scott uses similar tricks to make Jerusalem and the various fortresses depicted in the film seem massive, ancient and mysterious.

There are scenes where the costumes are so good they are literally distracting from the dialogue. This exchange between Balian and Saladin highlight some of the best features of the different styles that offset these disparate cultures so well.

Finally, it's a historical epic from Ridley Scott. Yer gonna have yer big, gorgeous battles, too.

I have a couple more I'd like to add later, but Kingdom of Heaven should stand on its own.

 

[Candeldandel]

I'm also gonna throw in a vote for North by Northwest, because it's one of my favorites and there's gotta be at least one Hitchcock film on this list (pardon if I've missed a mention)

Color, composition, simplicity, etc. I love it. There's a scene near the end that is in a forest with no underbrush, just skinny trees; I couldn't find a screenshot, but it's amazing.

 

[forrest]

Legend - Beautiful cinematography and use of color.

Mirrormask - Dali painting on the big screen. Not much more to say, it's gorgeous!

Tangled - Stellar design and impeccable image quality. Did I mention color?

House of Flying Daggers - Great use of color and composition.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole - Underrated film in my opinion. Composition, color, image quality. It's a treat!

300 - Fuck the haters. This movie is gorgeous and I love every minute of it! So many iconic shots with great color, composition, etc.

Both Tangled and Legend of the Guardians are great in 3d if you get the chance to check them out!

 

[teruterubozu]

Apologies for thread derail.

Kurosawa's Dreams:

 

[AstroNut325]

Avatar... by a huge margin:

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

I'm also gonna throw in a vote for North by Northwest, because it's one of my favorites and there's gotta be at least one Hitchcock film on this list (pardon if I've missed a mention)



Color, composition, simplicity, etc. I love it. There's a scene near the end that is in a forest with no underbrush, just skinny trees; I couldn't find a screenshot, but it's amazing.

I don't think Hitchcock gets much love around here. North by Northwest definitely looks beautiful. Some of the shot are amazing. Like the building shots near the beginning of the film. Vertigo and many other of his films have some breathtaking scenes like

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

GAF should be ashamed, didn't see this mentioned, hope I didn't miss it:

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

basically every single shot in the movie is amazing. When combined with the acting, the story, and the music, the movie is a masterpiece.

 

[JB1981]

Immortals

Best-looking worst movie I've ever seen. Zero emotional connection, nonsensical story, shit characters, Immortals has all that is required to be awful. Yet it is still worth watching, simply because it is stupidly beautiful. Every frame is immaculately constructed to be as gorgeous as humanly possible. If you appreciate that kind of thing, you will enjoy Immortals on that level at least. The action is filled with violence and gore to the extreme and is well choreographed. I also appreciate the virtual non-existence of shaky cam, quick cuts or any other such bullshit, which is refreshing.

Tarsem really does have an unbelievable visual style. His movies are like nothing I've ever seen before and for that alone you have to give the man credit. The Fall is also a wonder to behold.

 

[echoshifting]

GAF should be ashamed, didn't see this mentioned, hope I didn't miss it:

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

You did, but I'm still glad you posted! There's only one image from the film in the thread, and it's one of my favorites as well.

 

[Muffdraul]

The first thing that pops into my mind whenever this question is asked is ALIEN. The second thing is 2001 A Space Odyssey. The order should be reversed, but the fact is I saw Alien first, when it was in theaters. I was 10. God bless my older sister for taking me on secret mission to see it (against my parents' will) and telling the ticket lady that she was my mom.

 

[morch]

a scanner darkly, saw it in the cinema on release, left after my eyes adapted thinking the real world was fake lol

 

[Broder Salsa]

Loved Melancholias visuals.

From the intro.

 

[Charles Foster Kane]

Loved Melancholias visuals.

It really has gorgeous visual.

Didn't love the movie, but I was gonna post it for having some great shots.

Just my sentiment.

******

@ Edmond Dantès

Beautiful shots from beautiful film.

 

[krameriffic]

Loved Melancholias visuals.

http://i.imgur.com/qhBWe.png[IMG]

From[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kP-vuOy8cU"] the intro.[/URL][/QUOTE]

Didn't love the movie, but I was gonna post it for having some great shots.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

What more can be said of Lean's greatest achievement as a director and one of the greats of cinema.

Well, here's something. There was only one occasion where special effects were used in the film. During the Rescue of Gasim sequence; the sun is a special effect as they couldn't film the sun in that manner without melting the film they were using.

Everything else is either real or practical effects.

 

[echoshifting]

Looking at them side by side, it's really interesting how much color composition and framing Scott lifted directly out of Lawrence of Arabia for Kingdom of Heaven. I'm sure that happens all the time - it's not a bad thing, but it's obvious.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I heard Spielberg watches Laurence of Arabia before he begins production on a new movie.

I'm sure how that helped The Terminal or KOTCShit, so maybe he stopped watching it after awhile.

 

[dekline]

The lord of the rings would be my first pick.

 

[agrajag]

Kin-Dza-Dza!

 

[SmartBase]

I think Tron and The Art of Flight are my favorites. The Art of Flight is easily my most favorite audiovisual movie. The trailer still gives me goosebumps. GAF, for the sake of humanity please go watch it! Pictures don't do justice. The shots are shot so insane (incredible slow-mo's as example) with great music.

Yes it's a snowboard movie/documentary. Even if you hate snowboarding you will like this "movie".

trailer

Might have to watch this seeing as I liked That's it, That's all.

 

[commish]

Great thread. Came in to make sure The Fall was represented, not disappointed.