Ridley Scott is among the most acclaimed filmmakers of all time, but his landmark work in sci-fi cinema, especially the “Alien” series, is arguable his greatest contribution to movies. Released in 1979, “Alien” is one of those genre-crossing works which changed both sci-fi and fright flicks forever. A haunted house horror film set in outer […]
Tag: cinematography
The Aesthetics of Horror: 10 Visually Striking Nightmare Movies
Horror is one of the most—if not the most—popular movie genre the medium has ever known. Iconic villains such as Freddy Krueger, Leatherface or Jason Voorhees murdering their way through a high body count of luckless victims has ensured the genre has stayed largely in the mainstream, but the history of horror cinema is full […]
Nicolas Winding Refn and the Art of Violence: A Visual Analysis
Nicolas Winding Refn is a sensationalist film artist, one of the best and most exciting directors on the scene. He seeks to cause controversy and get people talking about his work. Because otherwise, what’s the point? Like fellow countryman Lars von Trier, Refn’s a bit of a joker and always good for a quote. He […]
An Analysis of Quentin Tarantino’s Visual Trademarks and Film Inspirations
Quentin Tarantino is the director who shook up 1990s American cinema, defined an era and re-established the notion of “cool movies.” A former video store clerk, he lived, breathed and dreamed movies. The guy is a walking talking encyclopaedia of cinema history. Tarantino loves talking about films as much as he loves making them. After […]
10 Beautiful Movies for Photography Fans
Cinematography has been called “painting with light” and directors of photography are a major component of the filmmaking process. Whether they are hired to light the sets or are deeply involved in compositions, framing, selecting film stocks and overseeing post-production processes, the DP collaborates with the director to bring forth onto the screen the images […]
The Exuberant Cinematography of Zhang Yimou
Seen by many as one of the giants of Chinese cinema and included within the 5th Generation of filmmakers, Zhang Yimou is revered the world over for his highly distinct style. Starting his career as a bit of a rebel who made independent films that enraged the ruling Communist Party, he wisely realised that if you […]
10 Visually Stunning Movies with Neon Lighting
Neon lighting was invented in the early 1900s and was used throughout the century, mostly for advertising purposes. One immediately pictures New York’s Time Square lit up at night. In the movies, it often feels like cinematographers and directors discovered neon lighting in the 1980s. But that’s not quite true. There was a resurgence in […]
An Analysis of Art & Design in the Films of Tim Burton
Tim Burton is one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. He started out as an animator at Disney and directed well-received short films such as “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984), before making the leap into feature-length movies. He made his big screen debut in 1985 with “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” From that, Burton has built a remarkable […]
Colour, Design and Costume: The Films of Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson has one of the most recognisable visual styles out of the American filmmakers working today. He has carefully cultivated a unique look to his films which is difficult to confuse with others. He is a director of mise-en-scène, someone who places the fabric of a character’s costume on the same level as the […]
10 Inspiring Movies for Art Lovers
When people think of movies made for art lovers there are a handful of titles that always crop up. These are usually biopics of great 20th century artists like “Pollock” and “Basquiat” respectively. But there is room for a different kind of art film, one that embraces a broader selection of genres, for example low […]