The first films ever made were documentaries.Originally demonstrations of the magic of filmmaking technology, these short, seemingly insignificant projects have since served as historical records of everyday life at the turn of the 19th century. 125 years later, documentary filmmaking is still one of the most powerful ways of educating and influencing audiences, for better or worse.“Documentary” in and of itself is a storytelling medium, not a film genre. But in our list of film history’s essential doc titles, our picks span a wide range of subjects and styles, offering three standout selections for each noteworthy category.Read on for our…
If you’re a fan of modern Indian cinema, you’ve heard of S. S. Rajamouli. The Telugu director is arguably the most famous filmmaker in India, with three of his films being in the top five highest grossing films in the country. He is a master of spectacle, delivering massive epics packed with action, romance, comedy, and musical numbers. S. S. Rajamouli movies have become so undeniable that they have transcended cultural and linguistic barriers — the director is a leading figure in the pan-Indian cinema movement, creating films for the entire subcontinent. All this makes ranking S. S. Rajamouli movies…
Who is the best movie villain of all time? There are a number of lists that include The Joker, Darth Vader, Freddy Krueger, and Nurse Ratched, but we wanted to make a list that wasn’t so… disparate.In this list, we’re going to give you a list of the best realistic movie villains. These are the people that make your skin crawl because they might be sitting next to you on the subway or behind you in the grocery line, especially if you notice them buying fava beans in bulk.Continue reading 15 Best Realistic Movie Villains, Ranked
Sound editing is a fundamental building block that adds another layer of intrigue and awe in any film especially your favorite ones. From foley artists recording in a studio, to gathering sounds in the woods (more on this soon), sound editing requires a level of exactness and imagination unrivaled by most artists. Sound is just as much of a world builder as anything else, and luckily, these creative craftsmen (and women) are celebrated. This post ranks the Academy Award winners for Best Sound Editing from the last 10 years. Continue reading Best Sound Editing — 10 Oscar-Winning Movies Ranked
For many viewers, Best Sound Mixing is often overlooked by all of the other categories at the Oscars. But it is a highly technical craft that is also incredibly creative. Mixing is the process of matching audio levels of every single sound in order to make the film sound seamless, realistic, and sharp. Sound mixers add their touch to the story. Movies that require a ton of sounds in a single scene, (music, explosions, even unique ways to capture silence), demand a kind of precision and artistry not always appreciated by the typical movie-goer. This post ranks the Academy…
Die Hard is a classic action (Christmas?) movie for a good reason. It's gritty, it's full of badassery, and it's simply a blast to watch. And while Die Hard is definitely a great movie, plenty of other films accomplish the high-octane fun, action, and story of the film. Here is our list of the best movies like Die Hard. Yippee-ki-yay!Continue reading Best Movies Like Die Hard — 12 Action Classics Just as Fun to Watch
Hoyte van Hoytema is a cinematographer at the top of his game. He began with smaller projects in Europe before shooting some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters we’ve ever seen. If someone were to ask for a description of Hoyte van Hoytema movies, what would you say? It’s hard to pin down a distinct look or style. And that’s his superpower — to facilitate and support the director to achieve their vision for each particular story. Let’s take a tour through a select filmography to see if we can identify the Hoyte van Hoytema cinematography style.Continue reading Hoyte van Hoytema…
David O. Russell may not be the most prolific director of his generation, but he is one of the most prestigious. Over nearly 30 years in Hollywood, Russell has enjoyed considerable success…as well as some well-warranted criticism. His work has been celebrated by artists and critics, but his on-set and off-set behavior has been alleged as abusive, and well-documented in the media. We’re going to rank the best David O. Russell movies by way of three criteria: story, directing, and acting. By the end, you’ll know why he has been nominated for five Academy Awards as a writer and/or director…
At just 23 years old, Paul Thomas Anderson broke into the filmmaking scene with his short film “Cigarettes and Coffee.” Four years later, Anderson released his acclaimed sophomore feature, Boogie Nights, which nabbed him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. In the years since, Anderson has made widely revered films with some of the world's greatest actors, becoming a forerunner of American filmmaking. And now, the best Paul Thomas Anderson movies are ranked and debated incessantly. Each of the writer-director's works showcase at least one of the tools in his artistic arsenal, and some in fact showcase them…
Hayao Miyazaki is regarded as one of the greatest directors in the history of animation. Over 50+ years, Miyazaki made some of the most critically-lauded animated films; earning him numerous awards, including an honorary Oscar for “inspiring generations of artists to work in the medium and illuminate its limitless potential.” We’re going to rank the best Hayao Miyazaki movies by way of three criteria: story, animation, and direction. By the end, you’ll know the great films in an oeuvre of cinema classics.Continue reading Best Hayao Miyazaki Movies — Celebrating a Life in Animation
