The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (August 2020)

Amazon Prime Video is chock-full of great movies but it’s a nightmare trying to find them. Unlike Netflix which offers strong curated playlists, Prime Video does a poor job of highlighting all the amazing movies on its service. Don’t fret though, we’ve scoured the depths of Prime’s film catalogue to deliver our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime right now. We’ll be updating this list every month as movies come and go on Prime, so be sure to check back for new, great additions! Continue reading The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (August 2020)

Best Movies on HBO Right Now — Filmmaker Playlist (August 2020)

Though best known for producing many of the best television shows of all time, HBO is also home to many excellent films. HBO caught on quick that streaming was the way of the future, and got into the only media game early. We’ll be taking a look at what movies are on HBO right now. HBO-Go is home to not just every great HBO original series, but also hundreds of films ranging from all-time classics to new releases. Joining us in counting down the top 50 HBO movies available right now.Continue reading Best Movies on HBO Right Now — Filmmaker…

The Rule of Six — Eye Trace Editing Technique Explained

Directors and cinematographers shoot with purpose, as they match their technical shot choices with the intended tone or emotion of the story. Of course, they’re not the only ones making critical choices. Editors’ decisions hugely determine the success of a film.  It is up to the editor to assemble every scene, every cut in a scene, to tell the intended emotional truth of the story. It’s a tall order. To alleviate some of this pressure, Oscar-winning editor, Walter Murch, outlined some helpful tools. In his book, In the Blink of an Eye, Walter Murch details The Rule of Six, discussing…

What is a 3D Movie — History, Definition, & Best Examples

3D movies have revolutionized the way we experience films. Technological advancements have paved the way for a captivating and visually breathtaking viewing experience that, not too long ago, would have seemed unimaginable. But is a 3D movie exactly, and how did they come to be? In this article, we will explore the history of 3D movies, define what makes a movie 3D, and take a look at some of the most iconic examples of 3D films.Continue reading What is a 3D Movie — History, Definition, & Best Examples

What is Letterboxing in Film — Definition & Why It’s Used

Did you know that back in the day, movies shown on TV were completely different than how they appeared in cinemas? That's right. That is until something known as 'letterboxing' came along. What is letterboxing, you may ask? It's a technique used in films and videos, where black bars are placed at the top and bottom of the screen. Might seem odd, but it's a deliberate choice made to preserve the original aspect ratio of the film, ensuring viewers experience the movie exactly as the director intended. Stick around, and we'll explain how it works.Continue reading What is Letterboxing in…

12 Best Christmas Movies That Aren’t Christmas Movies

You’ve unwrapped your gifts, gorged yourself on a massive breakfast, and curled up next to a roaring fire. It’s Christmas, and it’s time to throw on the perfect movie. Sometimes, however, the obvious Christmas classics feel a little too obvious. We’re here to help with a list of Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies. These are the movies, for some reason, we keep coming back to for the holiday season.Continue reading 12 Best Christmas Movies That Aren’t Christmas Movies

Janusz Kamiński Movies Ranked — The Cinematographer’s Best

Janusz Kamiński is one of the most celebrated cinematographers working today. Since Schindler’s List, he’s become Steven Spielberg’s go-to director of photography, giving the filmmaker’s movies a grit and realism that was largely missing in his earlier filmography. Janusz Kamiński movies have certain calling cards — high contrast, strong backlighting — but not one of them looks the same. We’ve ranked his finest work, and at the end of the list, download a mood board with our favorite Kamiński shots.Continue reading Janusz Kamiński Movies Ranked — The Cinematographer’s Best

What is Turnaround in Film — Definition & Examples Explained

Filmmakers dream of getting the greenlight– the go-ahead from a studio to get started on their project. But even a greenlight doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will see the light of day, or the darkness of a theater. There is still, unfortunately, the possibility of a turnaround. What does turnaround mean in film, and how does it come about?Continue reading What is Turnaround in Film — Definition & Examples Explained

What is Anachronism — Definition, Examples & Creative Uses

You may have seen something out of time in a period piece, like machine guns in the Middle Ages. You may have come across a story where everyone in the 22nd century is still using 20th century technology. It’s the sort of thing you may notice immediately or not at all, depending on how subtle or obvious it is. It’s called anachronism and it has existed in art for many centuries. But what is anachronism, what does it look like, and how can you spot it? We will cover an anachronism definition, along with the different categories and examples.Continue reading…

Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real

Are practical effects still useful in modern cinema? In the battle of practical vs CGI (computer-generated images), who wins? Practical effects have a rich history in cinema, influencing generations of filmmakers and movie goers alike. Oftentimes, practical effects movies can produce a more realistic look and feel than CGI. In the article, we analyze practical effects, the movies that use them and why they still have great importance in film.Continue reading Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real