The cinema thread

[Faust]

Saw The Revenant tonight. HOLY SHIT. You have to see it in a theater. The cinematography director will get a Oscar for sure. Haven't been hit over the head by a movie like that in a long time.

[Law]

Saw The Revenant tonight. HOLY SHIT. You have to see it in a theater. The cinematography director will get a Oscar for sure. Haven't been hit over the head by a movie like that in a long time.

Is this the one where DiCaprio gets buggered by a bear?

[Arkady]

Indeed, it's spectacular. Altogether different tone but The Big Short was excellent as well.

[Ahimsa]

Watched The Danish Girl recently. Beautifully shot. I'd recommend if you need a good cry. Definitely Oscar bait though.


Iñárritu keeps pushing the envelope with his cinematography, however, I always find his movie's plots/writing to be relatively average. Does The Revenant break this or is it still all about the cinematography?

[Mezeinee]

Watched The Danish Girl recently. Beautifully shot. I'd recommend if you need a good cry. Definitely Oscar bait though.


Iñárritu keeps pushing the envelope with his cinematography, however, I always find his movie's plots/writing to be relatively average. Does The Revenant break this or is it still all about the cinematography?

Well, director of cinematography is Rodrigo Prieto in all of his films. So shouldn't you give him credit for that?
Inarritu is obviously surrounded by some capable people (eg Gustavo Santaolalla).
The plots keep getting worse though. Last one I watched was Biutiful.

[Faust]

Iñárritu keeps pushing the envelope with his cinematography, however, I always find his movie's plots/writing to be relatively average. Does The Revenant break this or is it still all about the cinematography?

The story line is quite conventional, so you'll be disappointed if you go looking only for that. And there are some elegiac moments that might make you cringe (the main character's dream sequences). But the direction, cinematography, and acting elevate it to a completely different level.

Well, director of cinematography is Rodrigo Prieto in all of his films. So shouldn't you give him credit for that?
Inarritu is obviously surrounded by some capable people (eg Gustavo Santaolalla).
The plots keep getting worse though. Last one I watched was Biutiful.

For this film the cinematographer was Emmanuel Lebezki. And, no, not all credit goes to him. You will understand that when you see the jaw-dropping opening action sequence.

Maybe I have a soft spot for Innaritu, but I have yet to see a bad film by him. I think they are all fantastic. Yes, you can see some of his elements as melodramatic, but to me that's just a completely cynical approach to art and life. I am no new age meditating yogi, but life completely without spirituality is mere existence. Innaritu is an earnest filmmaker and he takes his work, and this part of his work very seriously.

[Mezeinee]

For this film the cinematographer was Emmanuel Lebezki. And, no, not all credit goes to him. You will understand that when you see the jaw-dropping opening action sequence.

Maybe I have a soft spot for Innaritu, but I have yet to see a bad film by him. I think they are all fantastic. Yes, you can see some of his elements as melodramatic, but to me that's just a completely cynical approach to art and life. I am no new age meditating yogi, but life completely without spirituality is mere existence. Innaritu is an earnest filmmaker and he takes his work, and this part of his work very seriously.

Of course, not all credit goes to him. But cinematographers are too often overlooked imo.

I loved Babel as a young teenager, when I wrote my first little film review in the school magazine about Babel. Now, I dislike it for the same reason: I noted that the film showed how different people around the world drag each other into tragedy (as they don't speak the same language and live according to different/contrary worldviews etc.) but "deep inside" we all feel the same emotions, speak the same language of "human needs". And with that I was probably pretty much in line with the usual interpretation.

[ADreamofBlue]

Saw Todd Haynes' Safe twice - once with commentary, once without. The commentary pretty much reaffirmed that my interpretations were correct. Watching the film was quite nostalgic for me, with its collage of teals and pinks.

[Ahimsa]

Of course, not all credit goes to him. But cinematographers are too often overlooked imo.

Emmanuel Lebezki also did Birdman.

As he works with multiple cinematographers, what we are seeing in his movies are his vision, with many talented hands to help realize it.
But yes, I may have been remiss to not mention the cinematographer, but should one also not mention the cameramen who were able to capture it in the first place? Like with Alexander McQueen, who had a network of wonderful talents throughout his career, we are aware that such feats wouldn't have been realized without that vision.

I would not say that Lebezki is overlooked. He has won 2 consecutive academy awards.

[Mezeinee]

Emmanuel Lebezki also did Birdman.

As he works with multiple cinematographers, what we are seeing in his movies are his vision, with many talented hands to help realize it.
But yes, I may have been remiss to not mention the cinematographer, but should one also not mention the cameramen who were able to capture it in the first place? Like with Alexander McQueen, who had a network of wonderful talents throughout his career, we are aware that such feats wouldn't have been realized without that vision.

I would not say that Lebezki is overlooked. He has won 2 consecutive academy awards.

Alright, some things I have to admit: I didn't see any of Inarritu's works after Biutiful, I don't know Lebezki and I also stopped catching up on the oscars.
We can almost never be sure who contributed how much to the finished work. I was just throwing in the name of the cinematographer as he was continuously working with Inarritu and I feel like actors and directors somehow seem to have a sole claim to being credited, in discussions and even more in public/advertisement. Like, there are academy awards for everything but who cares? All that matters is lead/supporting/director/film.

[Faust]

Of course, not all credit goes to him. But cinematographers are too often overlooked imo.

I loved Babel as a young teenager, when I wrote my first little film review in the school magazine about Babel. Now, I dislike it for the same reason: I noted that the film showed how different people around the world drag each other into tragedy (as they don't speak the same language and live according to different/contrary worldviews etc.) but "deep inside" we all feel the same emotions, speak the same language of "human needs". And with that I was probably pretty much in line with the usual interpretation.

Cinematographers may be overlooked by the general public, but certainly not by the industry - the way a talented pattern maker in fashion will always land a great job.

I loved Babel as a thirty-year old and I still love it. The critics found it too melodramatic - whatever. I know enough about Innaritu to know that some bullshit kumbaya "human anthill" was not the vision he was after.

[round]

Saw The Hateful Eight, holy fuck...

[Mezeinee]

Saw Mistress America yesterday. Not the kind of film I normally look for but I read a good review and.. it was very entertaining

[round]

Any recommendations for good horror films, I think I have seen most if not all of them, but hopefully someone can help out.

Also looking for dystopian movies similar to Brazil.

[Faust]

Any recommendations for good horror films, I think I have seen most if not all of them, but hopefully someone can help out.

Also looking for dystopian movies similar to Brazil.

Re: Brasil - try Delicatessen and City of Lost Children - early Jeunet films.
Well, and maybe 12 Monkeys?

The only good horror film I know is 28 Days Later.