This week’s theme of cinematography is the kind that could go either way. I could go with any beautiful looking movie or any stunning scene that I remember for its cinematography. Do I have solid favourites? Probably not. I feel like there are too many to choose from. So I did what I do best. I went with a theme within a theme and that helped me narrow things down.
3. WAVES (2019)
For what is worth, even if I’ve mentioned it before, Waves deserves more attention. It is a beautiful indie movie that surprises you along the way. Go in blind, go in with no expectations and you might walk out with it being one of your favourites. While the movie has many great and beautiful scenes, there’s something about the entirely blue scene in the ocean. Water itself is meaningful, so as you will soon see, I’ve chose all scenes that have something to do with water. It’s the pureness of it all. Feeling weightless despite the heaviness of the world. Accompanied with stunning cinematography by Drew Daniels this scene in Waves is forever embedded into my brain.
2. MOONLIGHT (2016)
After having heard where my theme is taking me today I think Moonlight came to many of your minds. It’s as blue and as meaningful. There is this big intangible part of the world that you cannot reach. Yet it helps you escape, it is unknown and yet it is freedom. There’s something about this shot that has stayed with me. James Laxton wasn’t nominated for Best Cinematography but I don’t think it matters. For me favourite visual moments are those that I remember. While there are million of gorgeous shots, award worthy moments, it’s the blue tinted ocean scenes that seem to stay with me.
1. ATONEMENT (2007)
This is probably the most painful movie in the list. I saw it once, never truly finished it and can’t see myself putting myself through it again. It’s not that it is bad, it’s that it is just too darn sad. Which is even sadder because its jam-packed with great performances. And the cinematography by Seamus McGravey is just beautiful! It’s beautiful but oh so tragic. And again we have the motive of the sea/ocean (don’t ask me which) that symbolises hope. The hopefulness in the scene above is completely destroyed but the movie circles back in the end. Giving them a happy ending by the sea. Which… is so sad that I’m glad I made this post so watery – you won’t be able to see my tears.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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Yes to Atonement!!! Gorgeous looking film among all the travail that the characters go through. I did not like Moonlight at all but it was a lovely looking film if nothing else. Haven’t seen your first.
Since this week’s theme is so specific I went with the first three that came to mind when I thought about how they looked even though I’ve used them all before.
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.
I could at the gifs you picked for all eternity and get lost in the waves. So beautiful!
We share Moonlight! I love that cinematography so much. It even made me cry.
We match with Moonlight. I love that film. Waves is the one film on that list I have yet to see.
I love all the gifs you chose for the movies!!
Ever since I saw the trailer of Waves, I wanted to watch the movie, but I am also scared? In a weird way, I am not sure I am prepared for it (maybe emotionally???) at all and I also think it’s going to be one of my favourites. Sometimes I just know it will happen and that I will love it and I drag it out for years until I actually watch the thing haha but I am glad you think it’s underrated too!
It’s.. definitely a bit of emotional but it’s not that bad. I have definitely cried way more at movies 😀
Okay, okay, emotional but not too emotional. That sounds good!