4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Phil Karlson 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 pays tribute to director Phil Karlson, who was one of those great directors who never quite got the credit he deserved when he was alive but whose work continues to be rediscovered.  Phil Karlson was born 116 years ago today so it’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Phil Karlson Films

The Phenix City Story (dir by Phil Karlson, DP: Harry Neumann)

Kid Galahad (1962, dir by Phil Karlson, DP: Burnett Guffey)

The Wrecking Crew (1968, dir by Phil Karlson, DP: Sam Leavitt)

Walking Tall (1973, dir by Phil Karlson, DP: Jack A. Marta)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Sydney Pollack 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!

89 years ago today, Sydney Pollack was born in Indiana.  Though Pollack got his start as an actor, he soon moved into directing and was one of the key television directors of the 1960s.  He eventually branched out into film, making a name for himself as a director of intelligent and sensitive comedies and dramas.  Though he only directed 21 films over the course of his career, his films received a total of 48 Oscar nominations and 11 wins.  1982’s Tootsie and 1985’s Out of Africa were both nominated for Best Picture.  Out of Africa won.

Pollack also returned to acting in the 90s, making a name for himself as a skilled character actor.  I’ll always remember him from Eyes Wide Shut, intimidating Tom Cruise while playing pool.

When he passed away in 2008, Pollack was remembered as one of the best directors of Hollywood’s second golden age.

In honor of Sydney Pollack, here are….

4 Shots From 4 Sydney Pollack Films

Jeremiah Johnson (1972, dir by Sydney Pollack, DP: Duke Callaghan)

The Yakuza (1974, dir by Sydney Pollack, DP: Duke Callaghan and Kozo Okazaki)

Three Days of Condor (1975, dir by Sydney Pollack, DP: Owen Roizman)

The Electric Horseman (1979, dir by Sydney Pollack, DP: Owen Roizman)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Bob Gale 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, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to screenwriter Bob Gale!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Films Written By Bob Gale

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978, dir by Robert Zemeckis, DP: Donald M. Morgan)

1941 (directed by Steven Spielberg, DP: William A. Fraker)

Used Cars (1980, dir by Robert Zemeckis, DP: Donald M. Morgan)

Back to the Future (1986, dir by Robert Zemeckis, DP: Dean Cundey)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Roger Deakins 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 is the birthday of our greatest living cinematographer, Roger Deakins!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Roger Deakins Films

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984, dir by Michael Radford, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

Fargo (1996, dir by the Coen Brothers, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

No Country For Old Men (2007, dir by the Coen Brothers, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017, dir by Denis Villeneuve, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

4 Shots from 4 Films: Special Ryan Coogler 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 Ryan Coogler! Ryan Coogler has made a star out of Michael B. Jordan, redeemed the acting career of Sylvester Stallone, introduced the rest of the world to Wakanda, and changed the way that film viewers talk about race in cinema.  With all that in mind, it’s time for….

4 Shots from 4 Ryan Coogler Films

Fruitvale Station (2013, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Rachel Morrison)

Creed (2015, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Maryse Alberti)

Black Panther (2018, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Rachel Morrison)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Autumn Durald Arkapaw)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Sherlock Holmes 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 is Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday.  Today, we pay tribute to Doyle’s most popular and influential creation.  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Sherlock Holmes Films

Sherlock Holmes (1922, dir by Albert Parker, DP: J. Roy Hunt)


The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939, dir by Sindey Lanfield, DP: Peverell Marley)


The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970, dir by Billy Wilder, DP: Christopher Challis)


Sherlock Holmes (2009, dir by Guy Ritchie, DP: Philippe Rousselot)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Dinosaur Day 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!

Since, as my sister has already pointed out, today is Dinosaur Day, it only makes it sense to continue to pay tribute to everyone’s favorite prehistoric marvels.  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Dinosaur Films

The Ghost of Slumber Mountain (1918, dir by Willis O’Brien, DP: Willis O’Brien)

One Million Years B.C. (1966, dir by Don Chaffey, DP: Wilkie Cooper)

Planet of the Dinosaurs (1978, dir by James Shea, DP: Henning Schellerup)

Carnosaur (1993, dir by Adam Simon, DP: Keith Holland)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special James Stewart 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 birthday of one of the greatest American actors of all time, the wonderful James Stewart!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 James Stewart Films

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker)

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker and Joseph Biroc)

Rear Window (1954, dir by Alfred Hitchcock, DP: Robert Burks)

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962, dir by John Ford. DP: William H. Clothier)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Albert Pyun 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 71st birthday, we celebrate filmmaker Albert Pyun!

It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Albert Pyun Films

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982, dir by Albert Pyun, DP: Joseph Margine)

Cyborg (1989, dir by Albert Pyun, DP: Philip Alan Waters)

Captain America (1990, dir by Albert Pyun, DP: Philp Alan Waters)

Kickboxer 2 (1991, dir by Albert Pyun, DP: George Mooradian)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Frank Capra 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!

127 years ago, on this date, Frank Capra was born in Sicily.  Capra was six years old when his family immigrated to the United States and, for the rest of his long life, he would often talk about seeing the Statue of Liberty from the deck of a boat sailing to Ellis Island.  Capra went on to become a director whose work celebrated the ideals and the promise of America.  He not only gave us the holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life, but he also directed one of the few political films that matteed, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.  And let us not forget that the first two comedies to win the Oscar for Best Picture were directed by Capra, It Happened One Night and You Can’t Take It With You.

In honor of a great career and legacy, here are….

4 Shots From 4 Frank Capra Films

It Happened One Night (1934, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker)

You Can’t Take It With You (1938, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker)

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker)

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker and Joseph Biroc)