4 Shots From 4 Surreal Films


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.

4 Shots From 4 Surreal Films

Mirrormask (2005, directed by Dave McKean)

Mirrormask (2005, directed by Dave McKean)

Enter the Void (2009, directed by Gaspar Noe)

Enter the Void (2009, directed by Gaspar Noe)

Pina (2011, directed by Wim Wenders)

Pina (2011, directed by Wim Wenders)

Post Tenebras Lux (2012, directed by Carlos Reygadas)

Post Tenebras Lux (2012, directed by Carlos Reygadas)

6 Shots From 6 Films: Special Brian De Palma 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 is the birthday of Brian De Palma and that means that it is time for….

6 Shots From 6 Brian De Palma Films

Phantom of Paradise (1974, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: Larry Pizer)

Carrie (1976, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: Mario Tosi)

Dressed to Kill (1980, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: Ralf D. Bode)

Blow Out (1981, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: Vilmos Zsigmond)

Scarface (1983, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: John A. Alonzo)

Body Double (1984, dir by Brian De Palma, DP: Stephen Burum)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Fred Olen Ray 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 the one and only Fred Olen Ray!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Fred Olen Ray Films

Alien Dead (1980, dir by Fred Olen Ray, DP: Fred Olen Ray)

Scalps (1983, dir by Fred Olen Ray, DP: Larry Van Loon and Cynthia Webster)

Cyclone (1987, dir by Fred Olen Ray, DP: Paul Elliott)

Alienator (1990, dir by Fred Olen Ray, DP: Gary Graver)

4 Shots From 4 Films: In Memory of James Dean


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.

On September 30th, it will have been 71 years since James Dean was killed in a tragic car accident.  At the time of his death, he had already filmed East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause, and Giant.  East of Eden would be the only one of his starring roles that Dean would live to see.  Dean went on to be nominated for two posthumous academy awards and, in death, he became an icon that will live forever.

In honor of James Dean’s career and his legacy, here are….

4 Shots From 4 James Dean Films

Hill Number One (1951, dir by Arthur Pierson)

East of Eden (1955, dir by Elia Kazan)

Rebel Without A Cause (1955, dir by Nicholas Ray)

Giant (1956, dir by George Stevens)

4 Shots From 4 Star Treks


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!

59 years ago, Star Trek had its American television premiere.  (It had premiered a few days earlier in Canada.)  Today, we celebrate Star Trek Day!

4 Shots From 4 Star Treks

Star Trek — “When No Man Who Has Gone Before” (1966, directed by James Goldstone)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979, directed by Robert Wise)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982, directed by Nicholas Meyer)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986, directed by Leonard Nimoy)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Elia Kazan 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!

117 years ago, on this date, Elia Kazan was born Istanbul.  Kazan would go on to become a groundbreaking director, both for the stage and in movies.  He would play a key role in turning both Marlon Brando and James Dean into stars and he made films, like Gentleman’s Agreement and A Face In The Crowd, that challenged the political pieties of the day.  Of course, he also named names in front of HUAC, a decision that continues to be controversial to this day.  Two of Kazan’s films — Gentleman’s Agreement and On The Waterfront — won the Oscar for Best Picture.  A Streetcar Named Desire was widely expected to win before it was upset by An American In Paris.  A Face In The Crowd is often cited as being one of the most prophetic films ever made.  When Kazan was given an honorary Oscar in 1999, many in the auditorium refused to applaud but his influence as a filmmaker cannot be denied.

It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Elia Kazan Films

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, dir by Elia Kazan, DP: Harry Stradling)

On The Waterfront (1954, dir by Elia Kazan, DP: Boris Kaufman)

East of Eden (1955, dir by Elia Kazan, DP: Ted D. McCord)

A Face In The Crowd (1957, dir by Elia Kazan, DP: Gayne Rescher and Harry Stradling)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Tommy Lee Wallace 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.

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to director Tommy Lee Wallace!

4 Shots From 4 Tommy Lee Wallace Films

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982, dir by Tommy Lee Wallace)

Fright Night Part 2 (1988, dir by Tommy Lee Wallace)

It (1990, dir by Tommy Lee Wallace)

Vampires: Los Muertos (2002, dir by Tommy Lee Wallace)

8 Shots From 8 Films: Special Werner Herzog 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 one our favorite directors, the great Werner Herzog!  It’s time for….

8 Shots From 8 Werner Herzog Films

Fata Morgana (1971, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein)

Aguirre The Wrath of God (1972, dir by Werner Herzog. DP: Thomas Mauch)

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein)

Stroszek (1977, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Thomas Mauch)

Woyzeck (1979, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Jorg Schmidt-Reitwein)

Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein)

Fitzcarraldo (1982, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Thomas Mauch)

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009, dir by Werner Herzog, DP: Peter Ziedlinger)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Edward Dmytryk 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!

117 years ago, on this date in Columbia, Canada, director Edward Dmytryk was born.  Today, we honor this underrated filmmaker with….

4 Shots From 4 Edward Dmytryk Films

Murder, My Sweet (1944, dir by Edward Dmytryk, DP: Harry J. Wild)

Crossfire (1947, dir by Edward Dmytryk, DP: J. Roy Hunt)

The Caine Mutiny (1954, dir by Edward Dmytryk, DP: Franz Planer)

The Carpetbaggers (1964, dir by Edward Dmytryk, DP: Joseph MacDonald)

Brad’s “4 Shots from 4 Films” celebrates Alan Ladd!


Born in extremely humble circumstances on September 3, 1913, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Alan Ladd would eventually become a successful film star of the 1940’s and 1950’s. He passed away at just 50 years of age on January 29, 1964. I’ve enjoyed many of his films in the past so today I celebrate the man with 4 shots from some of his notable films. Thanks for the memories, Alan!

This Gun for Hire (1942)
The Great Gatsby (1949)
Shane (1953)
Drum Beat (1954)