Directors and cinematographers work together to give viewers a visually artistic film. Here are the best in 2019 to date.
Once upon a time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino wrote and helmed the 1960s inspired movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt. He works with his trusted cinematographer, Robert Richardson. Richardson has won 3 Oscars for Best Cinematography for JFK, The Aviator, and Hugo. The film was shot on 35mm, with the 70mm out of the question because of budget constraints. With Tarantino’s penchant for accuracy, they worked to recreate the bright colors of the era as the backdrop of this humorous yet scary recreation of the murder of Shannon Tate.
The Goldfinch
Scheduled to be released in September 2019, this film, based on the novel of Donna Tartt of the same name, is directed by John Crowley. Roger Deakins serves as the cinematographer for the movie. Deakins, if you have not heard of him, is known for his work in Skyfall and Blade Runner 2049, among others. Deakins was able to bring to life the scenes depicted in the novel. His approach in building the scenes is very intentional, coming from one point of view. His use of vivid images captured the emotions and sentiments of the novel, so much so that people are quite expectant of this movie and have pegged this movie as Oscar-worthy.
The Irishman
The legendary Martin Scorsese helms this biographical crime film, written by Steve Zaillian, from the book written by Charles Brandt (I Heard you Paint Houses). Scorsese brings together Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci to lead the cast. Scorsese collaborates with cinematographer two-time Oscar nominee, Rodrigo Prieto. Prieto admits that Scorsese has definite ideas about how a scene should look but he collaborates with him (Prieto) regarding how the scene should be shot. Prieto adds that he and Scorsese have a good working relationship. They have worked together on The Wolf of Wall Street and Silence. Prieto earned his second Oscar nomination from Silence. It may not be surprising if he gets another Oscar nomination with this production. The Irishman is sure to be the very best gangster movie on Netflix so far.
Ad Astra
James Gray writes, produces, and directs this sci-fi production headlined by Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. The film is set for release in September 2019. Gray informed Collider in an interview that Ad Astra is “the most realistic depiction of space travel.” For the striking visuals of the movie, Gray goes to Hoyte Van Hoytema. Van Hoytema is a Swiss-born cinematographer, whose movie credits include Dunkirk, Spectre, Her, and Interstellar. Van Hoytema received his Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography for Dunkirk and his BAFTA nominations for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Interstellar, and Dunkirk. Ad Astra is up for release in september 2019 and it not sure yet when it will be available to watch Ad Astra online for free. It won’t be very long after the release probably.
