The thing that seems to go unsaid in cinematography essays is that one of the reasons bold shots stand out is how they stand in contrast with the rest of a film. Those "beautiful shot" compilations are very fun to watch in the context of wanting to watch a series of visually striking shots, but a film where every shot tried to be cooler or attention-grabbing would be exhausting to watch. And yeah definitely agreed on how it's often the subtler cinematography work that does the most heavy lifting of communicating subtext, even on a subconscious level.
That exhaustion brought on by attention-grabbing shots is pretty part and parcel to Michael Bay's style. There is no in-between shot, every moment of every scene is brought to its MOST.
@@Alba-ze5jn Agree there are exceptions, like The Fall (2006), which I love. Not only is the beauty of the film enthralling, the story is heart-warming and endearing. Seeing a child's sense of wonder and awe at storytelling, where your father (or a father-like figure, i.e. Lee Pace) makes you out to be the protagonist of your own tale of good and bad, it's truly wonderful and empowering. I wish more kids got to enjoy that kind of love.
This channel is the most under-rated cinema critique and performance art channel on youtube. This dude has shown me so many new movies and tv shows that I love and educated me. Top notch content. Thank you.
that first scene shown is also a great example of the importance of sound design! With the couple, you can make out the conversation perfectly; when Ben is listening, the background audio is more audible and it feels less intimate
I'll never forget in Phantom Thread the scene where the camera moves from the dress into the two characters to signify how Reynolds priorities are shifting from dressmaking to Alma
Everytime I watch one of your videos I get that movie fizz - I just want to enjoy a beautifully shot movie with a cup of warm coffee and melt into my couch. You do fantastic work, Thomas.
For some reason when I think of subtle cinematography, I think of the end of Sicario where Benicio Del Toro’s character confronts the female lead. And he’s nearly sitting in the dark while the light in the background can barely illuminate his face. I don’t think it’s that profound of a shot but it’s so ordinary looking that people don’t think twice about it.
Absolutely love this video. I'm continually trying to improve my film literacy and more deeply see what I'm watching. Internalizing these examples will help me to grow!
THANK YOU! It’s such a struggle for most of the friends I talk to about films to articulate anything about cinematography other than “it was pretty”. Can be frustrating that they miss out on all the other qualities about the camera work that service the greater story. & when you dig into it they think you’re “over thinking it”. This “in praise of subtle.. ____” series needs to touch on every department on a set, this is so wonderful Thomas thank you thank you thank you
One of my favourite examples of subtle cinematography is in Deux Jours, Une Nuit (Two Days, One Night), where every time Sandra argues with one of her coworkers to allow her to keep her job, there's a line, formed by something in the background, between them - representing the emotional wall she has to overcome.
I know you already commented on it in another video months ago, but what Better Call Saul did with its subtle cinematography and subtle performances throughout all 6 seasons is probably a masterclass of everything shown in here and your other videos. My highest praises for that show
100% agree. Does the bold shots and performances INCREDIBLY well, but also the subtlety in that show in terms of those two aspects is what really drew me in. It’s so slow and quiet but feels even more impactful that way. I appreciate how it built its momentum so naturally over the course of each season.
@@godawful5600 Honestly, Breaking Bad in many ways laid out the groundwork for what Better Call Saul became. In Breaking Bad, they experimented with stylistic techniques such as their signature montage sequences which would later be employed in Better Call Saul with arguably more grace. They put together their toolkit throughout the development of Breaking Bad, and went in deeper with Better Call Saul and created something really brilliant.
I don't usually write comments like this, but I honestly want to thank you. This way you presented the ideas and topics intercut with clips from films and how you broke them down gave me new perspectives on a handful of what were already some of my favourite films. Honestly, watching this video may have given me some more insight into what I'm drawn toward in films because a lot of the moments you drew from as examples are precisely the moments that resonate with me the most. I'm writing this comment as a personal thank-you because I feel that I really got something out of watching it. There are plenty of times when I watch video essay info-dump videos on TH-cam as a way of procrastinating, and most of the time I click off halfway through because I look at how long it is and realize that I could be spending my time doing something better. Here, you presented the ideas in an engaging and concise manner; I got more out of watching this 13 minute video than most hour long video essays I see on TH-cam. I've gotten more conservative with my subscriptions these days, but you've just earned another subscriber. Thank you for the truly educational content.
The one subtle shot that nearly made me fall out of my chair was actually in Wandavision. From the start it follows the rules of a three cam sitcom, and is so amazingly consistent with it that when (in the dinners scene, first episode I think) wanda starts to notice something is off, they show it by simply using a close up camera angle that couldn't possibly be in a three cam sitcom. Such a genius way to use the crux/gimmick of your story as a tool for drawing the audience into wandas (very unique) perspective.
Thomas, great discussion on cinematography. Burning is an all around fantastically photographed and composed film. They do a great job of using subtle techniques as you mentioned here while also using splashy moments like Hae-mi dancing during sunset or the slow motion greenhouse. The contrast between these two techniques elevates the movie to be more than a sum of its parts.
Instantly thought of Richard Linklater. I think his unobtrusive style contributes so much to the realism and 'hangout' nature of his films. Watched Before Sunset last night and its reserved direction and cinematography is a great strength.
I have to leave this comment expressing how much I liked everything about the background and framing you chose for yourself. Often, video essays come across as lectures, where there is a definite visual separation established between the presenter and the audience. Everything about this one, however, is extremely welcoming and personal. Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying these videos! :)
Definetely. I couldn't stand the soundtrack of Dune for instace. Or most of Zimmer's recent work. He goes to loud, to wild and too out of place. And it takes me out of the film. Not that I want minimalistic compositions or orchestration, but I prefer when soundtracks go so elegant like Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings, which still has big moments, iconic themes and full orchestra. John Williams really know how to go subtle and loud accordingly.
@@r.c.c.10 Dune is a grand film (huge scale), I think Zimmer represented the scale well by being loud (I'm not a sound expert, just my thoughts). If u want Zimmer being subtle, the dark knight and Dunkirk I think has good subtle bg music which enhances the scenes. But I do agree Zimmer went too loud in inception.
A lot of the “loud” music in Inception is supposed to be the slowed down notes from outside the dream coming into the dream level that works at a different speed
There’s a similarity between Thomas’ videos and subtle cinematography. Just like how movies with flashy cinematography are celebrated, there are video essayists who churn out monster multi-hour long content whose series’ are lauded all over TH-cam, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter. Thomas provides consistent, shorter, less in-your-face content that’s equally inspiring and important.
Recently I watched "High Noon" for the first time, and I was struck by how plain most of the cinematography in the film was, yet how effective it remained. I think a lot of modern movies and shows try to have every shot be striking like the shining, especially "artistic" kinds of movies. While I appreciate the beauty of these shots, I can't help but wonder how they serve the story in many cases.
the edit from the church to the railway line showing the incoming noon train with each shot mirroring the composition of the other (aisle between the church pews aligning with the train tracks) is just...chef's kiss
I'm just so glad that you talk about Burning so much. believe it or not, no other movie has ever touched me and made me feel the way this film did. from script to acting and finally cinematography is hands down perfection. It's the only movie ever that I immediately watched just a few hours after I finished it and it has not left me since then also the soundtrack is very simplistic yet effective. every shot and frame in this film is intentional and is trying to say something in a very "subtle" way. It's drama. it's romance. it's in many ways political but again very subtle about it. I'm just glad someone else like you Thomas has acknowledged Burning the way it should be.
Dick Pope's work with Mike Leigh, in decades of films such as Naked, Secrets & Lies, All or Nothing, Vera Drake, and Another Year, begs mention here. People might think of Leigh as someone who makes visually no-frills films that are about dialogue and acting, but their cinematography is vivid and of increasing sophistication. I love in Another Year how each section of the film, corresponding to one of the calendar seasons, has its own distinct look. We're just seeing people in their houses and gardens, some bars and offices, but it has a visual style that lingers in the mind.
I love the Mike Leigh approach. It's an interesting method overall to construct scenes. Naked and Vera Drake are great, still haven't watched most of his other films.
Burning is such an amazing film and always thought there was something special in it’s cinematography. Nothing bringing attention to itself and only to serve the story. This is cinematography to me!
And by the way, I watch movies with the sound off all the time specifically with the purpose of studying the cinematography when prepping for a project. Strongly endorse.
It's extremely rare to find a TH-cam video (much less a channel) that addresses its subject with as much knowledge, expertise and examples, culminating in a shared experience of what makes cinema great. The French channel ARTE does this with its series BLOW-UP on TH-cam, focusing on specific themes, actors, directors, etc. But it's in French. That being said, l am grateful to have found this.
i've seen Burning once at a literary festival movie screening in 2018. i watched it alone with a bunch of strangers in a small room, and the movie has stayed with me in a true slow burn, haunting kinda way. i've loved Steven Yeun and Yoo Ah-In since, and every time anyone brings it up, i feel really pleased that they know and love it.
I prefer subtlety in movies honestly, it gives the film a sense of hernest-ness. Makes me feel comfortable, yet extravagant cinematography has it's place and is still beautiful
Thomas - I'm always so excited to see a new video of yours. Your critiques and praise for the subtleties of film's parts - cinematography, narrative, editing are always SO precise, detailed and presented in a beautiful manner. You're an amazing writer and one of my new favorite media critics.
For me, 12 Angry Men ranks amongst the best in terms of cinematography. I’ve never seen a film convey it’s messages, emotions and themes so perfectly with simple lens choices and composition.
one of my favourite movies of all time The piano teacher is a great example of this. The way so much of the teacher’s personality is hidden from us and the way her inner conflicts subtly float to the surface form time to time. Her personality, character, background makes your mind go crazy trough our the whole movie just to end up with even more questions. For me a true masterpiece.
burning is one of my favorite movies, and one of the greatest movies ive ever seen. everyones performances are so powerful and shocking; the ending always leaves me speechless.
it’s gotten to the point where if i see a “beautiful shot” i’m pulled out of whatever i’m watching. i’d blame this on me watching so many youtube videos on cinematography lol. there’s this video i watched years and years ago about how doors/windows can be used to create a feeling of distance or of being trapped- i can’t unsee it
This is why I think the technical achievements awards are ridiculous at times. Each film tries to achieve something different, some need big rigs and bold images, whilst others need to be small and very unnoticeable. These days it looks like more is better sadly.
amazing video! i loved your previous video about subtle acting performance as well. the first time i learned about or noticed the impact of subtle cinematography was when i watched a korean drama called our beloved summer. there was a particular scene where the cinematographer perfectly used blocking and camera angles to convey the internal feelings of the two romantic characters to the audience. i say it's subtle bec the shots look deceptively simple but to me they're everything. it evoked emotions from me and helped me become so immersed with the characters and their feelings. that was the first time i understood the magic and the art of cinematography 🥺
One thing I hate the most about stunning cinematography is that some directors abuse it, making everything they shot all about the visual aspects without giving them substance (cough cough Zack Snyder). Great cinematography isn’t about creating spectacles on screen, it’s merely a tool to convey a story that is being told visually. A great director knows how effective it can be and use it to its full potential with just the perfect amount. An example I always look at is the interrogation scene from Zodiac, everything: from the camera movements, where the scene’s shot from, how the background is set up, to the quick cuts between each shot. It’s very subtle, but it takes a true master of the craft with years of experience to pull off. And like the genius mind behind that scene once said: “People will say there are a million ways to shoot a scene, but I don't think so. I think there're two, maybe. And the other one is wrong.”
Sometimes the deepest visual metaphors in film arise out of the simplest shots. Remember Cool Hand Luke when he is singing after learning his mother died, and it's raining outside.
You pointed out I think the most important thing when it comes to storytelling in this medium. You have this very powerful tool called camera and lens which can change the whole experience. I don't think setting, art design, casting, blocking, performance and many other elements are any less important than the camera and lens choice but only good storytellers can combine those all in a enique way to tell that spesific story. That's why I love directors like PTA.
Very very well put! It seems like nowadays if a shot doesn't immediately stand out, it's not saying anything important, but people have forgotten that basic camera set-ups and movements have been a crucial part of the way stories are told in film a looong time before we even had the technology used to make every frame look like a painting today. I find that, often, films that go back to basics communicate what they want to communicate much better than overly-complex shots do.
When it comes to subtle cinematography, one should really look into the work of satyajit ray. From pather panchali to Big City, Ray has mastered the art of subtle cinematography. Also great video on one of my favourite film elements!!!
That "Yes, I'm talking about Burning again." LOL. That second scene you critiqued from Burning also makes me feel like we are watching then from Ben's POV.
I watched Burning the first time completely blind in a Cineworld Cinema with about 5 other people. I was absolutely memorised and have lost count of how many times I've seen it now. An oft used word in cinema, but Burning really is a masterpiece. And thanks Thomas for your outstanding work on TH-cam, I've learned so much about cinema from your extremely informative videos.
Fantastic video! I love your explanations of how cinematography choices, blocking in shots, and so many other elements of film work in so many films! And great choice of video topic here with subtler examples of cinematography as well!
This is a great video!! I'd love to see the names of the films put in the corner when footage of them plays. I want to put them all on my watch list, and it would be easier than going back and hearing one of the time you say their names. Other than that this is wonderful!
Two of my favourite films for subtle cinematography are Thomas Alfredson's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria. They're flat, they're static, the colours are washed out but it helps envelop you in this world more than a dynamic camera with popping colours would.
this is a great conversation to have about films in the 2020s. Im watching another series that sorely needed this kind of dialog and spacing to reconnect the audience without much flash and glitter.
Good to see the great Satyajit Ray's films mentioned. Akira Kurosawa on Satyajit Ray - "I feel that he is a “giant” of the movie industry. Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon. I can never forget the excitement in my mind after seeing it (Pather Panchali). It is the kind of cinema that flows with the serenity and nobility of a big river."
Wyler is a master at this, particularly when it comes to blocking and composition. Check out what are essentially chamber pieces like The Childrens’ Hour, Desperate Measures, or Little Foxes with his bigger pictures like Roman Holiday, Ben Hur, and what I think is one of the absolute greatest films ever, The Best Years of Our Lives.
Great video, inspires me to pay more attention to these details in films in the future. Thank you very much! Would also be nice if you had a list of all the films mentioned in the description or pinned comment. At the moment I have to pause the video the same instance it's mentioned to add them to my watchlist, otherwise I forget.
My, I used to think that sitting on a sofa and watching a film is sooo boring (I can fall asleep like, after 5 mins lol-), but you prove me wrong… such a brilliant idea right there! Thank you so much for your effort and thought-provoking opinions ✨ One video and I immediately become your follower- wooo
I really think that most of the greats have a deep instinct or intuition for using these subtleties. We can all break them down and intellectualize them to learn, but I think they are great because they trust their ideas and aren't just drawing inside the lines.
7:55 that's one thing I've heard when people dissect PTA's work pre-There Will Be Blood and post-There Will Be Blood, where the camera wasn't as frantically moving with many "show-offy bells and whistles" techniques
You know you don't have to apologize for continually championing this film. It is one of the best films of the 21st century, perhaps only topped by Mulholland Drive and Tree of Life
Watched both films for a decade from high school to 30s, and I don't understand what they both mean. Tree of life using visual surreal confusion that you're wondering what's the story about. I can't say much about the Mulholand drive
6:57. I had to smile when the phrase 'suck a lot of the subtlety out' appeared over a shot of Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I know the comment is about the writing, but still.
This makes me think of Samurai Jack. Jack is a character who always expresses himself to us with very big facial expressions. He is a samurai so there is a lot of fighting most of the time but in some episodes he just walks. Those episodes makes me feel so much more. Sometimes in those subtle episodes it gets so quiet for so long that I check if there is a problem with the audio. While watching it again, I stopped and questioned how I enjoyed this series when I was a little kid.
Almost dropped my drink when Force Majeure was mentioned, saw a play adaptation in the west end a few years ago and had no idea it was based on a film!
Featuring Burning in the beginning and naming Malick and Wes Anderson as favorite directors is telling me i found a new fave film youtuber here! I prefer the earlier more grounded feeling works of Anderson tho with Rushmore and Bottlerocket. Will you make a video on poetic cinema like Malick, Tarkovsky, Angelopoulos..? That would be wonderful
one movie i thought had wonderful cinematography was The Black Phone. The camera angles almost make the space look smaller, while the sunlight and the light sources move and are usually out of reach, often when Finney feels hopeless or is on the verge of giving up. its also a great movie highly recommended
Excellent breakdown of the subtler styles of cinematography! Other directors, that come to my mind, who do this very well are Kelly Reichardt and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Thanks for the great content!
Great video Thomas. I've been appreciating more and more films where the director and cinematographer's collaboration is almost "hidden" or not trying to give the story anything more than it needs. Films like Revenge of the Nerds or Planet of the Apes, where the composition and lighting is fairly understated. It shows a prioritization to the economic aspect of the craft. Simplicity and and even an attitude of "let's shoot this fucker!"
Fine, Thomas, I'll watch Burning again
Masterpiece of a film
I didn’t get it. I thought it was boring and too long.
@@rikuzi00007 skill issue
one of my favorite youtube pages like stories of old good to see you King
Like you were waiting for an excuse !
The thing that seems to go unsaid in cinematography essays is that one of the reasons bold shots stand out is how they stand in contrast with the rest of a film. Those "beautiful shot" compilations are very fun to watch in the context of wanting to watch a series of visually striking shots, but a film where every shot tried to be cooler or attention-grabbing would be exhausting to watch.
And yeah definitely agreed on how it's often the subtler cinematography work that does the most heavy lifting of communicating subtext, even on a subconscious level.
That exhaustion brought on by attention-grabbing shots is pretty part and parcel to Michael Bay's style. There is no in-between shot, every moment of every scene is brought to its MOST.
This is a great point!
I kind of agree, but there are also nice exceptions like Blade runner 2049. Every shot is gorgeous and i wouldn't have it any other way
@@Alba-ze5jn Agree there are exceptions, like The Fall (2006), which I love. Not only is the beauty of the film enthralling, the story is heart-warming and endearing. Seeing a child's sense of wonder and awe at storytelling, where your father (or a father-like figure, i.e. Lee Pace) makes you out to be the protagonist of your own tale of good and bad, it's truly wonderful and empowering. I wish more kids got to enjoy that kind of love.
@@ThomasFlight Bro beware some scammers are using your name for fake giveaways.
This channel is the most under-rated cinema critique and performance art channel on youtube. This dude has shown me so many new movies and tv shows that I love and educated me. Top notch content. Thank you.
I love his content. His review of Andor is great.
I mean.. it’s probably one of the most popular, especially for what he’s doing.
A video literally got 2.2M views 3 weeks ago.
how its underraed? 663k subs
This is how you comment !
Do you know any other good movie critics channels
Its great to see you use "Burning" so much. Love that movie and its a masterpiece of subtle storytelling
that first scene shown is also a great example of the importance of sound design! With the couple, you can make out the conversation perfectly; when Ben is listening, the background audio is more audible and it feels less intimate
@@saraschreier its so boring like there's legit scenes of 10 mins of guys staring at each other or just shots of barren land
@@leonscottkennedy007 Totally fair to feel bored by it, I find myself falling asleep at some of the most revered movies lol
Is it romance?
@@oldestdreamdokja Not entirely but yes
I'll never forget in Phantom Thread the scene where the camera moves from the dress into the two characters to signify how Reynolds priorities are shifting from dressmaking to Alma
I like how you can analyze a film without giving away major plot points, this is something my film professor is seemingly incapable of.
Everytime I watch one of your videos I get that movie fizz - I just want to enjoy a beautifully shot movie with a cup of warm coffee and melt into my couch. You do fantastic work, Thomas.
For some reason when I think of subtle cinematography, I think of the end of Sicario where Benicio Del Toro’s character confronts the female lead. And he’s nearly sitting in the dark while the light in the background can barely illuminate his face. I don’t think it’s that profound of a shot but it’s so ordinary looking that people don’t think twice about it.
Absolutely love this video. I'm continually trying to improve my film literacy and more deeply see what I'm watching. Internalizing these examples will help me to grow!
THANK YOU! It’s such a struggle for most of the friends I talk to about films to articulate anything about cinematography other than “it was pretty”.
Can be frustrating that they miss out on all the other qualities about the camera work that service the greater story. & when you dig into it they think you’re “over thinking it”.
This “in praise of subtle.. ____” series needs to touch on every department on a set, this is so wonderful Thomas thank you thank you thank you
One of my favourite examples of subtle cinematography is in Deux Jours, Une Nuit (Two Days, One Night), where every time Sandra argues with one of her coworkers to allow her to keep her job, there's a line, formed by something in the background, between them - representing the emotional wall she has to overcome.
I know you already commented on it in another video months ago, but what Better Call Saul did with its subtle cinematography and subtle performances throughout all 6 seasons is probably a masterclass of everything shown in here and your other videos. My highest praises for that show
100% agree. Does the bold shots and performances INCREDIBLY well, but also the subtlety in that show in terms of those two aspects is what really drew me in. It’s so slow and quiet but feels even more impactful that way. I appreciate how it built its momentum so naturally over the course of each season.
I think about the one super long take where the delivery truck is being inspected for drugs for DAYS. It’s so impressively beautiful.
YES
@@godawful5600 Honestly, Breaking Bad in many ways laid out the groundwork for what Better Call Saul became. In Breaking Bad, they experimented with stylistic techniques such as their signature montage sequences which would later be employed in Better Call Saul with arguably more grace. They put together their toolkit throughout the development of Breaking Bad, and went in deeper with Better Call Saul and created something really brilliant.
Season 6 sucked though.
I don't usually write comments like this, but I honestly want to thank you. This way you presented the ideas and topics intercut with clips from films and how you broke them down gave me new perspectives on a handful of what were already some of my favourite films. Honestly, watching this video may have given me some more insight into what I'm drawn toward in films because a lot of the moments you drew from as examples are precisely the moments that resonate with me the most.
I'm writing this comment as a personal thank-you because I feel that I really got something out of watching it. There are plenty of times when I watch video essay info-dump videos on TH-cam as a way of procrastinating, and most of the time I click off halfway through because I look at how long it is and realize that I could be spending my time doing something better. Here, you presented the ideas in an engaging and concise manner; I got more out of watching this 13 minute video than most hour long video essays I see on TH-cam. I've gotten more conservative with my subscriptions these days, but you've just earned another subscriber. Thank you for the truly educational content.
The one subtle shot that nearly made me fall out of my chair was actually in Wandavision. From the start it follows the rules of a three cam sitcom, and is so amazingly consistent with it that when (in the dinners scene, first episode I think) wanda starts to notice something is off, they show it by simply using a close up camera angle that couldn't possibly be in a three cam sitcom. Such a genius way to use the crux/gimmick of your story as a tool for drawing the audience into wandas (very unique) perspective.
Yeah, the camerawork went straight from _I Love Lucy_ to _Twilight Zone._
@@samwallaceart288 Perfectly put
Seriously? A freaking Marvel show?
its a really cool shot but i wouldn't call that subtle
@@LowProfile0247 yeah? have you tried watching it, it's pretty good
Thomas, great discussion on cinematography. Burning is an all around fantastically photographed and composed film. They do a great job of using subtle techniques as you mentioned here while also using splashy moments like Hae-mi dancing during sunset or the slow motion greenhouse. The contrast between these two techniques elevates the movie to be more than a sum of its parts.
What is the name of the chinese movie? And the other movies as well?
Instantly thought of Richard Linklater. I think his unobtrusive style contributes so much to the realism and 'hangout' nature of his films. Watched Before Sunset last night and its reserved direction and cinematography is a great strength.
I have to leave this comment expressing how much I liked everything about the background and framing you chose for yourself. Often, video essays come across as lectures, where there is a definite visual separation established between the presenter and the audience. Everything about this one, however, is extremely welcoming and personal. Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying these videos! :)
i fully maintain that you are the reason i’m passing my cinema studies class
This is one of my favorite youtube channels. Thanks for the work you put into this videos.
I love all the Burning love on your channel. It was my favorite film of that year, and is a contender for my favorite film of the decade.
Sweet! another video! Recently have been trying to get into filming, this channel is just what I needed.
Please do "In Praise of Subtle Music" next.
Definetely. I couldn't stand the soundtrack of Dune for instace. Or most of Zimmer's recent work. He goes to loud, to wild and too out of place. And it takes me out of the film. Not that I want minimalistic compositions or orchestration, but I prefer when soundtracks go so elegant like Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings, which still has big moments, iconic themes and full orchestra. John Williams really know how to go subtle and loud accordingly.
@@r.c.c.10 Dune is a grand film (huge scale), I think Zimmer represented the scale well by being loud (I'm not a sound expert, just my thoughts). If u want Zimmer being subtle, the dark knight and Dunkirk I think has good subtle bg music which enhances the scenes.
But I do agree Zimmer went too loud in inception.
A lot of the “loud” music in Inception is supposed to be the slowed down notes from outside the dream coming into the dream level that works at a different speed
There’s a similarity between Thomas’ videos and subtle cinematography. Just like how movies with flashy cinematography are celebrated, there are video essayists who churn out monster multi-hour long content whose series’ are lauded all over TH-cam, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter. Thomas provides consistent, shorter, less in-your-face content that’s equally inspiring and important.
Recently I watched "High Noon" for the first time, and I was struck by how plain most of the cinematography in the film was, yet how effective it remained. I think a lot of modern movies and shows try to have every shot be striking like the shining, especially "artistic" kinds of movies. While I appreciate the beauty of these shots, I can't help but wonder how they serve the story in many cases.
the edit from the church to the railway line showing the incoming noon train with each shot mirroring the composition of the other (aisle between the church pews aligning with the train tracks) is just...chef's kiss
I'm just so glad that you talk about Burning so much. believe it or not, no other movie has ever touched me and made me feel the way this film did. from script to acting and finally cinematography is hands down perfection. It's the only movie ever that I immediately watched just a few hours after I finished it and it has not left me since then also the soundtrack is very simplistic yet effective. every shot and frame in this film is intentional and is trying to say something in a very "subtle" way. It's drama. it's romance. it's in many ways political but again very subtle about it. I'm just glad someone else like you Thomas has acknowledged Burning the way it should be.
Dick Pope's work with Mike Leigh, in decades of films such as Naked, Secrets & Lies, All or Nothing, Vera Drake, and Another Year, begs mention here. People might think of Leigh as someone who makes visually no-frills films that are about dialogue and acting, but their cinematography is vivid and of increasing sophistication. I love in Another Year how each section of the film, corresponding to one of the calendar seasons, has its own distinct look. We're just seeing people in their houses and gardens, some bars and offices, but it has a visual style that lingers in the mind.
I love the Mike Leigh approach. It's an interesting method overall to construct scenes. Naked and Vera Drake are great, still haven't watched most of his other films.
bro loves burning lately 🥲
Goat TH-camr
Waiting for you to put a new banger out as well
Burning is such an amazing film and always thought there was something special in it’s cinematography. Nothing bringing attention to itself and only to serve the story. This is cinematography to me!
Yours is and remains one of the best film criticism channels on TH-cam. This is beautifully observed and well put together.
And by the way, I watch movies with the sound off all the time specifically with the purpose of studying the cinematography when prepping for a project. Strongly endorse.
It's extremely rare to find a TH-cam video (much less a channel) that addresses its subject with as much knowledge, expertise and examples, culminating in a shared experience of what makes cinema great.
The French channel ARTE does this with its series BLOW-UP on TH-cam, focusing on specific themes, actors, directors, etc. But it's in French.
That being said, l am grateful to have found this.
i've seen Burning once at a literary festival movie screening in 2018. i watched it alone with a bunch of strangers in a small room, and the movie has stayed with me in a true slow burn, haunting kinda way. i've loved Steven Yeun and Yoo Ah-In since, and every time anyone brings it up, i feel really pleased that they know and love it.
You picked some great shots for that montage in the beginning. Made me want to rewatch each of those literally right now lol.
Burning really strokes a chord with me in every level i can think of. I'm always happy to see you talking about it!
Don't fix your viral video firnat it if it aint broken
I prefer subtlety in movies honestly, it gives the film a sense of hernest-ness. Makes me feel comfortable, yet extravagant cinematography has it's place and is still beautiful
Thomas - I'm always so excited to see a new video of yours. Your critiques and praise for the subtleties of film's parts - cinematography, narrative, editing are always SO precise, detailed and presented in a beautiful manner. You're an amazing writer and one of my new favorite media critics.
Honestly while nothing will ever replace Every Frame a Painting in my heart, you're definitely the worthiest successor to that position.
For me, 12 Angry Men ranks amongst the best in terms of cinematography.
I’ve never seen a film convey it’s messages, emotions and themes so perfectly with simple lens choices and composition.
yes! everytime i watch it, it makes me feel like im a part of the jurors.
I've heard people call it a masterclass in blocking
one of my favourite movies of all time The piano teacher is a great example of this. The way so much of the teacher’s personality is hidden from us and the way her inner conflicts subtly float to the surface form time to time. Her personality, character, background makes your mind go crazy trough our the whole movie just to end up with even more questions. For me a true masterpiece.
I read Barn Burning for the first time just the other day, so its nice to see this film pop up on my screen again! A brilliant video as always!!
burning is one of my favorite movies, and one of the greatest movies ive ever seen. everyones performances are so powerful and shocking; the ending always leaves me speechless.
it’s gotten to the point where if i see a “beautiful shot” i’m pulled out of whatever i’m watching. i’d blame this on me watching so many youtube videos on cinematography lol. there’s this video i watched years and years ago about how doors/windows can be used to create a feeling of distance or of being trapped- i can’t unsee it
that's why I watch movies twice. First for enjoyment and a second time with a critical eye.
This is why I think the technical achievements awards are ridiculous at times. Each film tries to achieve something different, some need big rigs and bold images, whilst others need to be small and very unnoticeable. These days it looks like more is better sadly.
amazing video! i loved your previous video about subtle acting performance as well. the first time i learned about or noticed the impact of subtle cinematography was when i watched a korean drama called our beloved summer. there was a particular scene where the cinematographer perfectly used blocking and camera angles to convey the internal feelings of the two romantic characters to the audience. i say it's subtle bec the shots look deceptively simple but to me they're everything. it evoked emotions from me and helped me become so immersed with the characters and their feelings. that was the first time i understood the magic and the art of cinematography 🥺
One thing I hate the most about stunning cinematography is that some directors abuse it, making everything they shot all about the visual aspects without giving them substance (cough cough Zack Snyder). Great cinematography isn’t about creating spectacles on screen, it’s merely a tool to convey a story that is being told visually. A great director knows how effective it can be and use it to its full potential with just the perfect amount. An example I always look at is the interrogation scene from Zodiac, everything: from the camera movements, where the scene’s shot from, how the background is set up, to the quick cuts between each shot. It’s very subtle, but it takes a true master of the craft with years of experience to pull off. And like the genius mind behind that scene once said: “People will say there are a million ways to shoot a scene, but I don't think so. I think there're two, maybe. And the other one is wrong.”
11:49 Love to see Satyajit Ray's mention here.
Man was definitely ahead of his time.
That camera tilt and the close in Chijiiwa's face when Omodaka draws the sword .. Harakiri is a masterpiece.
You get it 👌🏾🙌🏾👏🏾💓
Can i just say, you have a really calming voice. I appreciate your videos 😊
Sometimes the deepest visual metaphors in film arise out of the simplest shots. Remember Cool Hand Luke when he is singing after learning his mother died, and it's raining outside.
This video encapsulates everything I absolutely love about this channel!
I think one of the best examples of subtle cinematography is the late Yasujiro Ozu. His film “Late Spring” is a great example of subtle cinematography
You pointed out I think the most important thing when it comes to storytelling in this medium. You have this very powerful tool called camera and lens which can change the whole experience. I don't think setting, art design, casting, blocking, performance and many other elements are any less important than the camera and lens choice but only good storytellers can combine those all in a enique way to tell that spesific story. That's why I love directors like PTA.
Amazing as usual. I'd love to see one In praise of subtle directing
Very very well put! It seems like nowadays if a shot doesn't immediately stand out, it's not saying anything important, but people have forgotten that basic camera set-ups and movements have been a crucial part of the way stories are told in film a looong time before we even had the technology used to make every frame look like a painting today.
I find that, often, films that go back to basics communicate what they want to communicate much better than overly-complex shots do.
When it comes to subtle cinematography, one should really look into the work of satyajit ray. From pather panchali to Big City, Ray has mastered the art of subtle cinematography. Also great video on one of my favourite film elements!!!
I love this channel just for the movie recommendations. Great video overall too.
Wes Anderson, standing off in a far corner of a long room, watching this video on his smartphone: "Eugh."
That "Yes, I'm talking about Burning again." LOL. That second scene you critiqued from Burning also makes me feel like we are watching then from Ben's POV.
Thomas flight's new video on a friday?? Hell yes!
I watched Burning the first time completely blind in a Cineworld Cinema with about 5 other people. I was absolutely memorised and have lost count of how many times I've seen it now. An oft used word in cinema, but Burning really is a masterpiece.
And thanks Thomas for your outstanding work on TH-cam, I've learned so much about cinema from your extremely informative videos.
Phantom Thread is one of my favourite films ever, especially from a visual perspective. It's so overlooked, I'm glad someone is talking about it
This is so beautiful and helpful! I hope there are more In Praise of Subtle... videos.
I hope to apply these to my works
Burning is absolutely fantastic. Glad to hear other people like it!
Fantastic video! I love your explanations of how cinematography choices, blocking in shots, and so many other elements of film work in so many films! And great choice of video topic here with subtler examples of cinematography as well!
This is a great video!! I'd love to see the names of the films put in the corner when footage of them plays. I want to put them all on my watch list, and it would be easier than going back and hearing one of the time you say their names. Other than that this is wonderful!
Best 14 minutes of my day. Thank you, Thomas! You are a scholar.
Two of my favourite films for subtle cinematography are Thomas Alfredson's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria. They're flat, they're static, the colours are washed out but it helps envelop you in this world more than a dynamic camera with popping colours would.
this is a great conversation to have about films in the 2020s. Im watching another series that sorely needed this kind of dialog and spacing to reconnect the audience without much flash and glitter.
keep up the good work!
Watched Burning because of your videos and loved it, thanks for the recommendation
Good to see the great Satyajit Ray's films mentioned. Akira Kurosawa on Satyajit Ray - "I feel that he is a “giant” of the movie industry. Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon. I can never forget the excitement in my mind after seeing it (Pather Panchali). It is the kind of cinema that flows with the serenity and nobility of a big river."
Wyler is a master at this, particularly when it comes to blocking and composition. Check out what are essentially chamber pieces like The Childrens’ Hour, Desperate Measures, or Little Foxes with his bigger pictures like Roman Holiday, Ben Hur, and what I think is one of the absolute greatest films ever, The Best Years of Our Lives.
I love The Best Years of Our Lives, I've watched it at least six or seven times over the years
Great video, inspires me to pay more attention to these details in films in the future. Thank you very much!
Would also be nice if you had a list of all the films mentioned in the description or pinned comment. At the moment I have to pause the video the same instance it's mentioned to add them to my watchlist, otherwise I forget.
wow... this is superb. (your commentary satisfies the intellect and the scenes you chose touch the heart).
I can't express how grateful I am for this videos
I love this channel way too much.
I'm so glad you mentioned Harakiri. That film needs to get more love.
My, I used to think that sitting on a sofa and watching a film is sooo boring (I can fall asleep like, after 5 mins lol-), but you prove me wrong… such a brilliant idea right there! Thank you so much for your effort and thought-provoking opinions ✨ One video and I immediately become your follower- wooo
I am absolutely addicted to your videos
I really think that most of the greats have a deep instinct or intuition for using these subtleties. We can all break them down and intellectualize them to learn, but I think they are great because they trust their ideas and aren't just drawing inside the lines.
Roger Deakins, imo, is the master of subtle cinematography. In fact, most of his style seems to focus on lighting rather than camerawork
you're absolutely my fav channel here on youtube. no doubt
7:55 that's one thing I've heard when people dissect PTA's work pre-There Will Be Blood and post-There Will Be Blood, where the camera wasn't as frantically moving with many "show-offy bells and whistles" techniques
You know you don't have to apologize for continually championing this film. It is one of the best films of the 21st century, perhaps only topped by Mulholland Drive and Tree of Life
Watched both films for a decade from high school to 30s, and I don't understand what they both mean. Tree of life using visual surreal confusion that you're wondering what's the story about. I can't say much about the Mulholand drive
Great video, man, as a filmmaker myself I enjoy your stuff!
I wish Thomas would be able to talk more in the podcast, because everyhing he says is precious
6:57. I had to smile when the phrase 'suck a lot of the subtlety out' appeared over a shot of Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I know the comment is about the writing, but still.
This makes me think of Samurai Jack. Jack is a character who always expresses himself to us with very big facial expressions. He is a samurai so there is a lot of fighting most of the time but in some episodes he just walks. Those episodes makes me feel so much more. Sometimes in those subtle episodes it gets so quiet for so long that I check if there is a problem with the audio. While watching it again, I stopped and questioned how I enjoyed this series when I was a little kid.
Almost dropped my drink when Force Majeure was mentioned, saw a play adaptation in the west end a few years ago and had no idea it was based on a film!
Featuring Burning in the beginning and naming Malick and Wes Anderson as favorite directors is telling me i found a new fave film youtuber here! I prefer the earlier more grounded feeling works of Anderson tho with Rushmore and Bottlerocket. Will you make a video on poetic cinema like Malick, Tarkovsky, Angelopoulos..? That would be wonderful
Great explanations as always! I'm glad you're aiming for more niche shows for your videos
Thomas Flight: "Burning" is now available on Mubi
Me (who is broke): "Burning" is now available on Tubi
No really, it's free on Tubi
never apologize for bringing up Burning again.
one movie i thought had wonderful cinematography was The Black Phone. The camera angles almost make the space look smaller, while the sunlight and the light sources move and are usually out of reach, often when Finney feels hopeless or is on the verge of giving up. its also a great movie highly recommended
Sooo good to see someone talking about TAOJJBTCRF (LOL). It was one of the most beautiful cinematic experiences for me.
Excellent breakdown of the subtler styles of cinematography! Other directors, that come to my mind, who do this very well are Kelly Reichardt and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Thanks for the great content!
Great video Thomas. I've been appreciating more and more films where the director and cinematographer's collaboration is almost "hidden" or not trying to give the story anything more than it needs. Films like Revenge of the Nerds or Planet of the Apes, where the composition and lighting is fairly understated. It shows a prioritization to the economic aspect of the craft. Simplicity and and even an attitude of "let's shoot this fucker!"
Such a perfect companion video to subtle acting! Also makes me want to watch Burning again
I can’t wait for the day that Thomas makes a video showing how he picks up on all this stuff and turns it into a very informative video essay
God Damnit Thomas!! This video is soooo good