Thursday Movie Picks: Favorite Cinematography

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 This week's theme from Wandering Through The Shelves was a suggestion by me! I wanted to talk about female DP's because we never hear enough about them. We didn't even have the first Oscar nominated female DP until Rachel Morrison was honored for Mudbound in 2018. So here are three very beautiful films shot by women

1) The Neon Demon


Shot by Natasha Braier, say what you want about this movie's plot but there's no denying that this neon drenched film is beyond gorgeous. Braier shots this like the candy colored nightmare its mean to be. 

2) Black Panther


Shot by Rachel Morrison, while Mudbound earned her that first Oscar nomination, Black Panther should've been her second. It's the most beautifully shot of all the Marvel films. 

3) Water Lilies


Shot by Crystel Fournier, She was director Céline Sciamma's DP on her first three features and as I've mentioned before, Water Liles holds a special place in my heart. It's such a wonderful coming of age film with the final shot of it being one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Comments

  1. BirgitNovember 12, 2020 at 7:05 AM

    I have only seen Black Panther which is a good movie and the cinematography is excellent. So many great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  2. joel65913November 12, 2020 at 7:39 AM

    I absolutely detested Neon Demon but I do recall the look being one of the few, perhaps only, positive thing about it.

    Somehow I've never gotten around to Black Panther but it is on my list. I've heard of the third but haven't seen it either.

    Congrats on choosing an interesting theme! I'm reusing titles I've chosen before which I try not to do but with something so specific the look is part of what made me love these films.

    Legends of the Fall (1994)-Lavish star-studded (Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn etc.) familial drama set in Big Sky country with cinematographer John Toll’s breathtaking vistas as the various hardships of the star-crossed Ludlow clan unfurl.

    Far From the Madding Crowd (1967)-Set in the rural West Country of Victorian England future director Nicolas Roeg (Don’t Look Now) in his original capacity as director of photography captures gorgeous shots that have a painterly feel of the area and almost equally beautiful performers (Julie Christie, Alan Bates and Terence Stamp).

    A River Runs Through It (1992)-Based on the memoir of Norman MacLean and once again starring Brad Pitt this small story of a quiet preacher (Tom Skerritt) and his two son-studious, serious Norman (Craig Sheffer) and feckless Paul (Pitt) in the years between WWI and the Great Depression that posits fly fishing as a metaphor for life captures the beauty of Montana thanks to DP Philippe Rousselot fantastic eye for detail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamNovember 13, 2020 at 6:26 AM

      I saw the remake of Far From the Madding Crowd which was quite dull, I should try this one instead. I've seen parts of A River Run Through it.

      Neon Demon is not great story wise but ugh it's just so pretty.

      Delete
    2. joel65913November 13, 2020 at 4:11 PM

      I wasn't crazy about the new Far from the Madding Crowd either.

      I will say about the Julie Christie one that it has a measured pace that I found a challenge the first time I watched it. But I adore both Julie (my favorite living actress) and Alan Bates (and Peter Finch who plays Mr. Boldwood in this version is incredibly good) so I gave it another chance with the foreknowledge that it's presented in a deliberate manner and liked it much better. I've watched it several times since and found more in it each time until now it's a favorite.

      Delete
    3. Brittani BurnhamNovember 14, 2020 at 7:47 AM

      That's good to hear! I'll have to see if it's on HBO Max, they have so many classics there from TCM.

      Delete
  3. Sonia CercaNovember 12, 2020 at 9:34 AM

    I wasn't a fan of The Neon Demon but the cinematography was very good. I completely agree about Black Panther, the cinematography is breathtaking in it and it should have gotten a nomination.

    ReplyDelete
  4. thevoid99November 12, 2020 at 3:39 PM

    I still love The Neon Demon as Natasha Braier is an incredible cinematographer as I hope NWR works with her again for whatever they do next. Rachel Morrison's photography in Black Panther is a fucking highlight of that film.

    I haven't seen Water Lillies as Celine Sciamma is someone I hope to explore as I haven't seen anything she's done yet. I like this theme within a theme as more props to the women photographers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamNovember 13, 2020 at 6:27 AM

      Thank you! I hope you like Sciamma's films, I've really enjoyed everything she's put out so far.

      Delete
  5. DellNovember 15, 2020 at 11:55 PM

    No matter what you think of the movie as a whole, there's no denying that The Neon Demon is a gorgeous piece of film. Great call on Black Panther, one of the best looking MCU films from that standpoint. I need to see your other pick.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamNovember 16, 2020 at 9:03 PM

      I can be honest that it's a goddamn mess but it's the prettiest mess I've ever seen lol.

      Delete
  6. RuthNovember 16, 2020 at 3:07 PM

    Wonderful suggestion for a topic! I missed the TMP but I'll make a post about my favorite female DPs, thanks for the inspiration and I LOVE Rachel Morrison's work in Black Panther.

    ReplyDelete
  7. WandererNovember 19, 2020 at 5:56 PM

    Neon Demon is one I want to see.

    Tried to watch Black Panther, only managed partway through. Did not like it.

    ReplyDelete

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