4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Friday The 13th Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.

The Friday the 13th films aren’t exactly known for being the most visually impressive horror films ever made.  That’s especially true of the first 8 films, which were all shot on a low budget and in a hurry.  Actually, I think you could argue that’s a part of the enduring charm of the series.  Today is Friday the 13th and there’s no way that I, as a lover of the horror genre, couldn’t use the 4 Shots format to pay a little bit of tribute to one of the most successful and influential horror franchises of all time.

So, with that in mind, here are….

4 Shots From 4 Friday the 13th Films

Friday the 13th (1980, dir by Sean S. Cunningham)

Friday the 13th Part II (1981, dir by Steve Miner)

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984, dir by Joseph Zito)

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989, dir by Rob Hedden)

Back in 2012, I reviewed every single film in the Friday the 13th film franchise!  It was a lot of fun!

My Friday the 13th reviews:

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Darren Aronofsky Edition


4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy 57th birthday to one of our favorite filmmakers, Darren Aronofsky!  When we first started this site, we were eagerly awaiting the release of Black Swan.  Now, fifteen years later, we’re eagerly awaiting the release of Aronofsky’s next film, whatever it may be.

In honor of the birthday of a true visionary director, here are….

4 Shots From 4 Darren Aronofsky Films

Pi (1998, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Matthew Labitique)

Requiem for a Dream (2000, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Matthew Libatique)

Black Swan (2010, dir by Darren Aronosfky, DP: Matthew Libatique)

mother! (2017, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Matthew Libatique)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Joseph L. Mankiewicz Edition


4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today, we celebrate the great director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who was born 117 years ago today.  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Joseph L. Mankiewicz Films

All About Eve (1950, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Milton R. Krassner)

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Jack Hildyard)

Cleopatra (1963, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , DP: Leon Shamroy)

A Carol For Another Christmas (1964, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Arthur Ornitz)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Alexander Payne Edition


4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to director Alexander Payne!  It’s time for….

4 Shots from 4 Alexander Payne Films

Election (1999, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: James Glennon)

Sideways (2004, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)

The Descendants (2011, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)

Nebraska (2013, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)

 

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Joe Pesci Edition


Goodfellas (1990, dir by Martin Scorsese)

4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, we wish a happy birthday to the great actor, Joe Pesci!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Joe Pesci Films

Goodfellas (1990, dir by Martin Scorsese, DP: Michael Ballhaus)

JFK (1991, dir by Oliver Stone, DP: Robert Richardson)

My Cousin Vinny (1992, dir by Jonathan Lynn, DP: Peter Deming)

Casino (1995, dir by Martin Scorsese, DP: Robert Richardson)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special King Vidor Edition


4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, we celebrate the 132nd birthday of Texas-born filmmaker, King Vidor!  Though Vidor may no longer be a household name, he was one of the most important and idiosyncratic filmmakers of Hollywood’s Golden Age.  The Crowd is regularly cited as one of the most influential films ever made.  (Certainly every film that’s ever featured a shot of an anonymous office worker sitting in a room full of cubicles owes a debt to it.)  Duel in the Sun went on to inspire countless spaghetti westerns.  The Fountainhead is also regularly cited as a favorite by a surprisingly large number of directors.

In honor of King Vidor’s life and legacy, here are….

4 Shots From 4 King Vidor Films

The Champ (1931, dir by King Vidor, DP: Gordon Avil)

Duel In The Sun (1946, dir by King Vidor, DP: Lee Garmes)

The Fountainhead (1949, dir by King Vidor, DP: Robert Burks)

Solomon and Sheba (1959, dir by King Vidor, DP; Fred A. Young)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Greydon Clark Edition


4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, Through the Shattered Lens wishes a happy 83rd birthday to the one-of-a-kind director, Greydon Clark!  And that means that it’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Greydon Clark Films

Angels Brigade (1979, dir by Greydon Clark, DP: Dean Cundey)

Without Warning (1980, dir by Greydon Clark, DP: Dean Cundey)

Final Justice (1985, dir by Greydon Clark, DP: Nicholas Josef von Sternberg)

The Forbidden Dance Is Lambada (1990, dir by Greydon Clark, DP: R. Michael Stringer)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Francois Truffaut Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today, on what would have been his 94th birthday, TSL pays tribute to the great Francois Truffaut.  No one captured the act of falling in love in life, people, and cinema with the skill, sensitivity, and humor of Francois Truffaut.  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Francois Truffaut Films

Shoot the Piano Player (1960, dir by Francois Truffaut, DP: Raoul Coutard)

Fahrenheit 451 (1966, dir by François Truffaut, DP: Nicolas Roeg)

Day For Night (1973, dir by François Truffaut, DP: Pierre-William Glenn)

The Story of Adele H. (1975, dir by Francois Truffaut, DP: Nestor Almendros)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Michael Mann Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today, we celebrate the 83rd birthday of the great Michael Mann!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Michael Mann Films

Thief (1981, dir by Michael Mann, DP: Donald Thorin)

Manhunter (1986, dir by Michael Mann, DP: Dante Spinotii)

Heat (1995, dir by Michael Mann, DP: Dante Spinotti)

Public Enemies (2009, dir by Michael Mann, DP: Dante Spinotti)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special George Romero Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today would have been George Romero’s 86th birthday.

Now, those of you who have been reading us since the beginning know how important the work of George Romero has been to this site.  A mutual appreciation of Night of the Living Dead is one of the things that first brought many of us together.  It’s a film that we watch ever Halloween and Arleigh’s review of the original remains one of our most popular posts.  If this site had a patron saint, it would probably be George Romero.

And yet, Romero wasn’t just a director of zombie films.  He made many films, dealing with everything from hippie lovers (There’s Always Vanilla) to wannabe vampires (Martin) to government conspiracies (The Crazies) and eccentric bikers (Knightriders).  George Romero was one of the pioneers of independent films and today, on his birthday, we should all take a minute to consider and appreciate the man’s cinematic legacy.  It’s not just horror fans who owe George Romero a debt of gratitude.  It’s lovers of cinema everywhere.

With that in mind, here are….

4 Shots From 4 George Romero Films

Night of the Living Dead (1968, dir by George Romero, DP: George Romero)

The Crazies (1973, dir by George Romero, DP: S. William Hinzman)

Martin (1978, dir by George Romero, DP: Michael Gornick)

Dawn of the Dead (1978, dir by George Romero, DP: Michael Gornick)