Notable examples of filmmaking (2024)

[zen]

As promised, the final movie list (at least in the short to mid term), this time, with a focus on the best examples of filmmaking in their respective genre. The 20 films are listed in the order of release. 

 

The Silent Films

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920, German, Wiene): It showcases German expressionism, along with a gothic atmosphere and unusual sets. An inspiration for horror and psychological drama films. 

 

Metropolis (1927, German, Lang): A pioneering Sci-Fi film that set the visual grammar for films in its genre. 

 

Man with a Movie Camera (1929, Russian, Vertov): A great example of a documentary film shot without a traditional script. It presents strong images with smart editing. The 2014 restoration of the film has a mesmerizing score by the Alloy Orchestra. It is amazing that the everyday life in Russia almost a 100 years ago can be observed even today because if such films. The film can be said to be an inspiration for films such as Baraka (1992) and Samsara (2011). 

 

City Lights (1931, English, Chaplin): One of the best examples of the Charlie Chaplin style of filmmaking, an important part of the movie making history. The film probably taught Hollywood how to make rom-coms.

 

The Talkies 

 

Black Narcissus (1947, English, Powell & Pressburger): Chosen for its excellent production design and cinematography. The film was by and large shot in a studio but it appears to have been shot on location in the Himalayas. The film also sports a visually appealing rich color palette.

 

The Late Spring (1949, Japanese, Ozu): An example of the transcendental style of filmmaking, exuberating a zen-like (not referring to myself) quality. The film is known for its pillow shots as well as low angle photography to reflect the point of view from seiza, the Japanese sitting position. 

 

Rear Window (1954, English, Hitchcock): An example of a film where less is more. Shot primarily in a single location and mostly through the point of view of a single character. It also popularized the “rear window” cinematography technique where the camera is placed outside the window to capture the action within a room. 

 

Vertigo (1958, English, Hitchcock): A film noir masterpiece. Hitchcock is at the top of his game. The cinematography is exceptional with the use of vibrant colors, color scheme for actors, framing including actor positioning, etc. San Fransisco is beautifully captured, making it also a great example of a film where a city serves as a character. 

 

Psycho (1960, English, Hitchcock): A film that is said to have created the slasher film genre. It employs an unusual pivot where initially the focus is on character one, then the focus suddenly shifts on character two. 

 

Vivre sa vie (1962, French, Godard): An example of the 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio used brilliantly. The close-ups and tight framing techniques, along with the B&W color palette, come to life.

 

Contempt (1963, French, Godard): A film that pushes CinemaScope (2.35:1) for both outdoor and indoor photography. It also shows the smart use of colors by employing a theme. The story has multiple layers. This is probably my #1 film at the moment. 

 

Persona (1966, Swedish, Bergman): An outstanding example of an experimental film. It encompasses multiple genres and probably requires multiple viewings to grasp its finer points. 

 

Teesri Manzil (1966, Hindi, Anand): A film that perfects the Bollywood style of filmmaking.  Here is a thread on it - Link.

 

Annie Hall (1977, English, Allen): An intelligent comedy film that relies on dialogues and situations. Superb screenplay as well.  

 

Grave of the Fireflies (1988, Japanese, Takahata): The Studio Ghibli anime is picked for its adapted screenplay, weaving a heart-breaking tale based on a semi-autobiographical short story highlighting the life in Japan during the US bombing of Japan and post WWII. 

 

Pulp Fiction (1994, English, Tarantino): For the use of intertwining stories told in a non chronological order. 

 

The Truman Show (1998, English, Wein): For the mind blowing concept where an unsuspecting person is trapped in an obsessed reality TV world. The film feels relevant to almost any modern period.  

 

In the Mood for Love (2000, Cantonese, Wong Kar-wai): A film that reflects sophistication and style - esp. in acting (through facial expressions and eyes), cinematography (frame within frames), and score. 

 

A Separation (2011, Iranian, Farhadi): For its original screenplay covering multiple facets and the everyday life in Iran. 

 

Drive My Car (2021, Japanese, Hamaguchi): A brilliant example of adapting screenplay from multiple short stories. In this case, the screenplay is based on Men Without Women, a collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami. 

 

 

Note that I have not listed many of the generally top of the mind recall films such as Citizen Kane (1941), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), The Night of the Hunter (1955), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Goldfinger (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Apocalypse Now (1979), etc. 

 

 

Don’t forget to vote in the poll - How many of these 20 films have you watched?

 

 

Thanks!! 

 

 

 

Edited September 29 by zen

[zen]

@Real McCoy has watched 2/20 … Needs to watch more!

 

@ravishingravi has watched 14/20 … so will likely complete the 20 films!

[zen]

A documentary on films of Powell & Pressburger: 

 

 

[zen]

Recently, I saw a couple of films that grabbed my attention so worth a mention here:

 

Scenes from a Marriage (1973, Swedish, Bergman): This has both a 6 episode mini-series and a trimmed (but still with a running time of close to 3 hours) theatrical cut. It is said that divorce rate in Sweden shot up after this was aired. This was remade in 2021 as a TV series too.

 

Possession (1981, English, Zulawski): I was impressed with how the film combines multiple genres. At times, it can become difficult to pinpoint a genre. There is some solid acting especially by Isabelle Adjani. This is Zulawski’s only English language film. At the time of its release, it was not understood well enough but now it is getting the recognition it deserves. 

 

 

Edited September 29 by zen

[kepler37b]

0/20 .

 

I am an "Unpad Gawaar" before cinephiles. God have mercy one me.

[singhvivek141]

@zen
Bro have watched only 3-4 out of 20. Have voted them as well.
Thank you for sharing this list, tbh. I will try to findout and see how many I can close.
Btw..."Saving Private Ryan" & "Schindler's List" ...can they be part of the above list ?

[zen]

7 minutes ago, singhvivek141 said:

Btw..."Saving Private Ryan" & "Schindler's List" ...can they be part of the above list ?

 

Both are good films. Of the two films, Schindler’s List (1993) has a better chance of making it to my list. 

 

There are war (and anti-war) films like below to consider too:

 

The Great Dictator (1940):

 

 

 

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

 

 
 

Come and See (1985)

 

 

Apocalypse Now (1979) … Thread

 

[coffee_rules]

Only Teesri Manzil doesn’t fit the list of quality films, very ordinary compared to others. There are very many movies like Nayagan, Parinda, Bandini, sRay’s movies that are superior examples of quality film-making.

[zen]

A memorable sequence from Pulp Fiction:

 

 

Edited Friday at 02:04 PM by zen