Film adaptation has given rise to some of the most extraordinary works in the history of cinema. From The Godfather to Little Women to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, adaptations have been making their mark on movie-goers for decades. But what exactly is a film adaptation and how does it differ from its literary source? Why do filmmakers love the adaptation so much? Continue reading What is a Film Adaptation — From Story into Cinema
In the 21st century, widescreen cinema is a given, from the televisions we have in our homes to the movies we see at the theater. It seems widescreen is everywhere we look, but it was not always this way. Televisions used to have a square aspect ratio, looking a lot like the movies of the day; this meant many people could enjoy movies at home without losing too much in the process. Add in the rise of suburbs and expendable money for more leisure activities, and you are looking at an American public that had more to do besides go…
Denis Villeneuve, director of such modern classics as Blade Runner 2049 and Sicario, has yet to make a bad movie. His first two features might be flawed but they are still fresh and exciting. Between his 2nd and 3rd features, Villeneuve took a nine-year break but, since he’s been back, he’s never missed the mark. But what exactly makes Denis Villeneuve movies so good? This is not a “Denis Villeneuve Movies Ranked” article. Instead, we’ve taken a tour through his strongest films, highlighting moments that prove that he belongs on a list of the best working directors.Continue reading Denis Villeneuve…
The 2016 linguistically-focused sci-fi thriller Arrival is one of five excellent films directed by Denis Villeneuve in as many years. Few filmmakers can maintain such high levels of both quality and quantity as Villeneuve. Join us in our Arrival movie analysis.Continue reading Arrival Explained: Villeneuve’s Balance of Fear & Intrigue
Selecting the right lenses for your project is one of the many considerations before production begins. And considering Cooke lenses may not be such a bad idea. Cooke lenses have become a staple in Hollywood, because of the particular look, feel, and overall quality of what they produce. So, what is the Cooke Look? And what do Cooke lenses do differently?Read this brief article to find out, and watch the accompanying comparison videos to see how Cooke compares with its competitors.Continue reading Cooke Cinema Lenses: Breaking Down the “Cooke Look”
Darren Aronofsky is one of the most interesting directors working today. His body of work is all the more impressive when you realize he’s made such an impact with only seven feature-length films.While he’s served as a producer on great films like Jackie and White Boy Rick, for this list, we’re only looking at his seven directorial features. Much like his filmography, this list is bound to be divisive, so let’s start analyzing the best Darren Aronofsky movies. Continue reading Best Darren Aronofsky Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers
We know shooting in the rain can be tricky. Our friends at Zacuto have provided a handy 9-step guide on how to effectively prep for shooting in the rain.Continue reading A Filmmaker’s Guide To Shooting In The Rain
Over the course of nine feature films, Denis Villeneuve has shown himself to be one of contemporary cinema’s leading filmmakers.Known for his intense dramas, Villeneuve often allows his environments to act as extensions of his characters. Much of this is accomplished through color choice.Here’s how Denis Villeneuve uses color theory to enhance the narrative.Continue reading Mastering the Movie Color Palette: Denis Villeneuve
Ah yes, we’ve arrived back at the most carnal of all storytelling devices: the sex scene. Writers, artists and filmmakers have used sex to evoke a multitude of different emotions to the audience, like love, hate, confusion, lust, among many, many more. But every one of the best movie sex scenes of all time adds something essential to a story, whether it be comedic, dramatic, or stylistic.In this article, we’re going to rank movie sex scenes by looking at a few crucial criteria: Visuals, Impact and Acting. The scenes on this list are ranked by their importance to the narrative…
Darren Aronofsky movies show us the most complex regions of the human psyche. As the Black Swan director says, “Because we are filmmakers, we can show where a person’s mind goes.”Continue reading Darren Aronofsky Movies ― Directing Style and Technique