Best Cinematography MOVIE POLL

Penultimate Tommy Wiseau

Bit late. It's never going to win, but bless you James for putting Miklós Jancsó's The Red and The White on this poll. Hell yes I voted for it. It might be worth watching his films outside of a Youtube poll. From what I've seen of his work b/w 1965 - 1975, he's got a very fun 'gimmick.' It's very pretty cinematography; however it is the gutsiest blocking I've ever seen put to film. The Red and The White is where I started watching his work too, but I'm partial to Red Psalm (1972) Editing that film for YT could be a nightmare though. SPOLIER: It's the "Greek Chorus." The GOAT director of cinematography: Yasujirō Ozu. Like looking at paintings. He's got a fun film language ('gimmick') too. Malick-esq kind-a sort-a. Late Spring (1949) is my favorite.

Penultimate Tommy Wiseau

I would love to see someone do a Ron Fricke reaction; but would think it would be a little intimidating given the 'gimmick' of the films. They are gorgeous though.

Penultimate Tommy Wiseau

I low-key think High and Low is Kurosawa's best work. Esp. the first half being just in the living room.

Sonia Deepak

The English Patient (1996) - Stunning cinematography and it won the Academy Award for best Cinematography that year (along with a slew of other Oscars). The Piano (1993) - it's absolutely beautiful and has an all star cast. Also had a bunch of Oscar noms and wins. Directed by Jane Campion who also directed The Power of Dog (2021)

RICHARD

Wow, a really great list this week. All of these films are worth watching.

Paul Steffens

I believe I've recommended The Wages Of Fear (1953) before but I would like to recommend it again, great French movie. Denise VIlleneuve recently picked this movie as one of his 5 favourites from the Criterion Collection, maybe that will help with persuading you?

Michael Proch

I just got the Days of Heaven Criterion for Christmas, it’s completely stunning

MorkBork

Ah I see good point! Would be amazing to watch it as it goes you are right!

Chris H.

Days of Heaven is like no other movie I have ever seen. Just an absolute visual feast.

Alex Thrailkill

I saw it, I just hope the schedule lines up with the weekly episode drops so we can see and discuss them ASAP!

INFJ-T Tyrone

😖👍

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar

He reacted a few years ago

Mr. Dirty

Drugstore Cowboy.

The American Captain

A recent movie with cinematography that blew me away was Monkey Man (2024)

INFJ-T Tyrone

Ran (1985) Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Chaos T

"Mississippi Burning" doesn't initially stick out for cinematography. However, the film fits the poll. At the core level, cinematography is the art of making film. While there might be more artistic movies than "Mississippi Burning", the cinematography for the subject matter is top tier. The film explores tough, complex issues through its visual storytelling that have stuck in my mind for decades.

Graeme Miller

O word? My bad I’ll have to check it out. Ya B&W can really be its own thing. Although nothing like Michael Powell Technicolor.

Gary Paterson

For a long time i have so wanted The Killing Fields to get a little love as it is such a great film for many reasons, the cinematography being one, yet gets so little attention. So even if it doesn't win this week, i do hope it will at some point as would love to get your thoughts and insights and how it lands with you. As always stay genuine, stay awesome, much love <3

Tetley

Monos (2019) and Birds of Passage (2018). Two films shot in different parts of Colombia. Incredible locations. Incredibly captured.

Adam Hayes

Thanks didn’t consider that!

MorkBork

I have no doubt James will be watching it he is very hyped and a huge Daredevil fan. You can check out his Preview trailer reaction for it here. https://youtu.be/qqdsQ5j60E4?si=zowFJm_3XfZV6-y8

MorkBork

Good news, if you click it adds a vote, if you unclick it actually removes the vote so feel free to check and then uncheck to remove. You can test by clicking two then undoing the other.

Adam Hayes

Can you add an abstain for the future? I haven't seen any of these movies, but I'd like to see the poll results before the poll ends.

Leia Camilla

Yeah, anything Malick is fair game here I think. Other than that and for stuff that's not on the poll, I'd also recommend Baraka, Hana-bi, and Nostos The Return

MorkBork

Fight Club (1999)

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar

Kurosawa's High and Low and The Young Girls of Rochefort

Isaac zaragoza

Nacho Libre 2006, While silly it is shot very well escpecially for a nickalodian movie

Linda

James asks us for some recommendations at the very top of this poll. 😊😊😊

Alex Thrailkill

I don’t have any stake in this poll, but I just have to say… Praying you keep room in the schedule to release Daredevil: Born Again eps as they drop in March.

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar

It used to be frowned upon, but there are not recommendations posts anymore, so I guess this is now where we should do it.

Skywhale

Munich (2006), Zodiac (2007), Benjamin Button (2008)

kbobravo

The Double Life of Véronique (1991) The Innocents (1961) Two films that will never win a poll but deserve to be watched if only for their cinematography. Also, Krzysztof Kieslowski's films are criminally underseen.

Edward Sighamony

I gotta mention I saw The First Omen recently (which I really liked, though I'm pretty lukewarm on the series as a whole) and it was surprisingly well shot.

Sergey Crane

Roma is an incredible movie. And the cinematography is next level.

Isaac zaragoza

Edward Sighamony

Mississippi Burning? Not to mention the questionable history, I don't think of it as really well shot. Days of Heaven is gorgeous and great movie to boot. I just got the 4K restoration and it is beautiful. I Am Cuba is definitely one of the most beautiful movies, although it is obvious propaganda. I don't know if you've checked out any Vittorio Storaro's movies. You must have done Apocalypse Now, but have you checked out The Last Emperor or The Conformist? Random cinematography suggestions Andrei Rublev, Pather Panchali, The Red Shoes, Kagemusha, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Black Narcissus, Arsenal, The Searchers and the 60's Russian version of War and Peace (but it is 6 hours long).

Matt

Roma is so beautiful even if it doesn't win hope you check it out some day

Matt

A Brighter Summer Day 1991 Melancholia 2011 Inside Llewin Davis 2013 Monos 2019

William Davis

Thanks for telling me! I couldn’t find it on YouTube but I just checked the Patreon and sure enough there it is

Andrew Warren

Days of Heaven is one of my all time favorites! A beautiful film to look at and I personally love the story

Linda

Already did that one a couple years ago.

JL Green

The Towering Inferno is a guilty pleasure so I have to lean that way. Days Of Heaven showed off it's cinematography but was very light in the storyline department.

Mr Zilla

Pink Floyd The Wall

Linda

Definitely In Cold Blood. James already reacted to Night of the Hunter.

Linda

Me too. I admit I'm a total snob. 😂😂😂

Kaitlin

Oh!! I also want to suggest I Saw The TV Glow! Best film of last year and no good reason for it to get shut out of the Oscar’s.

Linda

As mentioned earlier, The Towering Inferno is only available as a purchase for $15.00. Could it be replaced by The Untouchables? You won't be sorry. 😊😊😊

Kaitlin

Did we get anywhere with Y Tu Mama Tambien in previous polls?

Kaitlin

How in the name of hell does The Towering Inferno have more votes than I Am Cuba?? Judging a lot of you

Graeme Miller

Days of Heaven hands down. Although I’d prolly choose The Conformist over that since it’s pretty undeniable. Can’t go wrong with that. And for good measure; Tarkovsky, Zulawski, Powell/Pressburger, Night of the Hunter, In Cold Blood.

Cody Price

For Best Cinematography, I highly recommend Top Gun Maverick. They created new type of cameras to give the audience the feeling like they are flying in the fighter jet. Also, an underrated film as far as Cinematography is Open Range (2003). The western landscape is shot absolutely beautifully. :)

JoshGrobansDryMouth

ANYTHING TERRENCE MALICK

Shaun

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For 2014 The second film would have been a good one for the list.

Avery Sapp

It's not in the poll but Manhunter directed by Micheal Mann has a lot of really beautiful shots

nick moose

nothing here deserves this more than Days of Heaven. shooting only 20 minutes a day for golden hour is the craziest commitment but god is it beautiful

William Davis

Jon Bradley

The Killing Fields and Mississippi Burning are must watches

Jonathan

I would vote for towering Inferno, but annoyingly it is only available to buy not rent, so it would be a little pricey for any of your patrons that don’t already own a copy of the film.

Linda

The Untouchables and JFK