Definitely. I seem to recall that this is more clear in the theatrical cut than in the director’s cut (the only cut widely available in R1 DVD). Be sure to visit Chimney Rock park sometime if you haven’t, BTW.
My submission: anything directed by Terence Malick! Esp. The Thin Red Line and The New World.
Also: Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon.
Hero, especially for the great use of colour.
City of Lost Children & Amelie for whimsy
Aeon Flux.(not a fanboy of the animated version)There’s a look there that’s the antithesis of the Ridley Scott noir future of Blade Runner et al. There’s also some of this in Ultraviolet, Fifth Element and even parts of Equilibrium. A gaiety, a lightness, vivid colours - a dash of fin-winged retrofuturism and a pich of Moebius comic-book sensibilities. Anyway, sci-fi eye-candy at its best.
I saw a really beautiful film last night: Mongol. Stunning natural scenery. If you’re in a place where the movie is playing, you should catch it on the big screen.
The Cell.The plot was so-so, but the visuals were amazing.
The mention of Branagh’s Hamlet reminded me of another Branagh Shakespeare film: Much Ado About Nothing (1993), which, in addition to the lovely Tuscan villa and surroundings, stars one the most beautiful collections of young people I’ve ever seen, from a young Kate Beckinsale (her film debut, I believe) and Emma Thompson, to Denzel Washington and Robert Sean Leonard, waay pre-House.
Mira Nair’s Kama Sutra. Actually, it has to be watched with the sound cut off, because every time someone opens his or her mouth, I want to start slapping people.
I agree with What Dreams May Come, and also **Xanadu **(hey, I like that movie, and I admit it!)
Also:
**Tron **(in its day–it looks very dated now, but when it was new it was pretty amazing)
**Jurassic Park **(the CGI in that one blew me away)
Pretty much anything from Pixar–notably Monsters Inc (I can sit and watch Sulley’s fur move and lose track of the plot) and **Cars **(the Old Southwest scenes).
The Matrix (good) and its two sequels (lousy but still visually interesting).
By the same director, Tarsem Singh: “The Fall”. The link is to the gallery of images on IMDB. Every single frame looks like those stills. See it in the theater if you have a chance. Otherwise, wait for it to come out on BluRay.
How can I be the first to mention Girl with a Pearl Earring?
I’ll nominate Gus Van Sant’s Gerry.
The movie itself is total filmmaker’s wankery – even moreso than the rest of Van Sant’s catalogue, which is an accomplishment in and of itself – but features stunningly gorgeous desert landscapes and cinematography.
Much of Kurosawa’s work could be mentioned in this thread. Few others have matched his ability to convey a scene without verbal clutter.
Or Julie Christie’s eyes.
I’m fascinated by movies with scenes that take place in real winter (not fake winter), so Dr. Zhivago is on the list, and Fargo – even Nobody’s Fool and Affliction, with the slushy streets and icy roads. Not typically eye candy, but it feels so real.
QFT. I remember in Ran the big battle scene without a word of dialog, nor even the sound of the battle itself, just a tragic classical piece (I forget which one, a funeral march maybe). Then the camera focuses on Eldest Brother directing his troops, and he’s shot. The entire cacophony of the battle comes crashing down upon you as he topples from his horse.
Oh, and for visual scenery, Open Range with Alberta standing in for Montana.
I nominate The last days of Pompeii. This television miniseries came out several years ago and Duncan Regehr had the part of a gladiator. I don’t remember him acting; I just remember how well he filled out his loincloth. I don’t remember anything else about this miniseries, except I wanted to cut out all the unimportant stuff and only save about 30 minutes of Mr. Regehr burning his image into my retinas. Toodles . . .