Maybe it was just the setting, and the pretty boy/J. Crew model actors and actresses, but I thought The Talented Mr. Ripley was just the most amazingly beautiful film.
(I hope the Vb codes came out okay on this quote…)
I’m with you, ThisYearsGirl. The locations were marvelous, and Jude Law certainly isn’t hard to look at.
Sorry about that! Tried to paste/quote and it didn’t work. What am I doing wrong??
My vote is for Prospero’s Books, an artsy re-telling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” starring Sir John Gielgud. It’s like a visual tapestry, there’s so much going on in each shot.
Also Shakespeare in Love and Secret of Roan Inish.They’re both groovy.
Raise the Red Lanterns - nobody else ever seems to have seen it when I bring it up, but it’s simply beautiful. I’ve seen quite a few by the same director, and he really seems to know how to work with color and sound.
And I know hardly anybody has seen it, because it isn’t available in the US except by fansub, but the Shojo Kakumei Utena movie, which I think is really called Adolescence Mokushiroku, is the most stunning bit of animation I have ever seen. I believe it’s being released on DVD some time this year. It makes no sense even if you have seen the series, but oh my.
Also Lawrence of Arabia; until I saw this I’d never seen the desert shot this way. Lean showed the viewer so many different moods in it, with changes in scenery, lighting, all that. Simply amazing. I’m not sure how well the character of the Lawrence I knew from Seven Pillars of Wisdom came through, and the whole thing’s probably dreadfully politically incorrect these days (witness how poor Omar Sharif’s name always comes at the end of the list, and how he wasn’t even wanted at the American premiere) but I did love that desert. Like the man said, “It’s clean.”
Excellent—contains the SINGLE most visually stunning scene EVER.-------UNDERWATER-shot. The very dead SHELLEY WINTERS sitting upright in a flyver. Eyes closed, blonde hair flowing upward. Total peace. STUNNING.
However—my choice is
EXCALIBER----A+ in every catagory. Costumes, lighting, CARMINA BURANA. Opening scene–“I’m impressed already!”
How to choose just one? I can’t, so, on the basis of sheer visual splendor:
B & W: The Bicycle Thief
Color: Lawrence of Arabaia, in 70mm on the big screeen. Nothing else even comes close.
Color (home video):
Pleasantville: The best use of color / black and white mixed in the same film ever.
A River Runs Through It: A snoozefest, but gorgeous.
Well, I’m going to go with the obvious and say American Beauty - just the bag blowing in the wind scene is enough for it to qualify, IMO. Beautiful film.
Many of the movies in my top 10 have been mentioned, but this one hasn’t:
Julie Taymor’s Titus (1999) - she is stunningly imaginative. I never cared for the play until I saw this filmed version.
Third hand for City of Lost Children.
The Thin Red Line also gets my vote.
Titus
Studi
Miller’s Crossing is one, to me. I think this movie is the Coen bros. finest hour, it is tied among three for my favorite movie ever. I have never understood why this film was so underated.
“Sunrise” (1927). The height, the pinnacle, of silent-film cinematography.
Legend starring Tom Cruise is my favorite movie as far as visuals go. The cinematography is incredible. I have never seen a fantasy world reproduced on the big screen that was its equal. The score is fabulous as well. Written by Tangerine Dream with vocals by Jon Anderson of Yes, it adds incredible depth to the visuals. The storyline is cool too. Tim Curry’s portayal of “Darkness” gives me goosebumps, and Mia Sara is just plain yummy.
Throwing my hat into the ring with “The Last Emperor.”
Um, since this hasn’t been said yet, Slithy Tove, your OP is beautiful in and of itself. Really. Interesting and well-written. blushing Hope you don’t mind if I seek out the first thread you started and search out what other interesting stuff you’ve been saying.
I’ve been listening to three soundtracks this morning (Fight Club, Death & the Maiden and Blue Velvet), the latter of which definitely strikes me as a “beautiful” movie, albeit with disturbing content. D&TM might also qualify, but I’d have to give it another see to say that with any strength.
My thoughts also go to My Own Private Idaho and The Dreamlife of Angels.
Triumph of the Will
Olympia
I have to say that Grok has the most appropriate double-post I’ve ever seen.
I wanted to mention Life is Beautiful, but he beat me to it. I also wanted to mention A River Runs Through It, but Number Six beat me to that.
I guess all that’s left for me to say is:
To Kill a Mockingbird. The opening sequence with the items in the cigar box perfectly conveys the innocence of youth needed to view the movie through.
[ul][li]Giant- Great story, beautifully filmed.[/li][li]Gone With the Wind- Can’t believe no one’s mentioned this one yet.[/li][li]Lolita- (The recent version.) Regardless of what you may think of the movie, the cinematography was stunningly beautiful.[/li][li]The Shining- Since I snubbed Kubrick’s Lolita, I’ll give him a nod for this film. Beautifully filmed (in a horrifying way…)[/li][li]The English Patient (I can hear the groans…) The movie was too long, but again, it was beautifully filmed. The shots of the cave paintings, the scene in the old church, many more shots beautifully done.[/ul][/li]
I’ll second the mentions of Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars. Both stunning on the big screen.
And by the way, Slithy Tove, the Fulton County Library System (in Atlanta) has a large collection of fine videos.
We just don’t hand 'em out to obnoxious Yankees who make fun of our accents. 