4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Arthur Penn 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.

101 years ago today, Arthur Penn was born in Philadelphia.  In the 50s, Penn was one of the new crop of directors who made a name for themselves directing for television.  Like most of his colleagues, he transitioned into film.  Unlike many of his colleagues, he remained a fiercely iconoclastic director, one who was willing to challenge the conventions of Hollywood.  While his early films often struggled at the box office, he was respected by actors and hailed as a visionary by the directors of the French New Wave.

In 1967, he and Warren Beatty changed the course of American cinema with Bonnie and Clyde.  Penn followed up that classic film with movies like Alice’s Restaurant, Little Big Man, Night Moves, and a handful of others.  When he died in 2010, Penn was hailed as one of the most influential (if sometimes underrated) directors of all time.

Today, in honor of the anniversary of his birth, the Shattered Lens offers up….

4 Shots From 4 Arthur Penn Films

The Chase (1966, dir by Arthur Penn, DP: Joseph LaShelle)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967, dir by Arthur Penn, DP: Burnett Guffey)

Alice’s Restaurant (1969, dir by Arthur Penn, DP: Michael Nebbia)

Little Big Man (1970, dir by Arthur Penn, DP: Harry Stradling Jr)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Robert Bresson 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!

122 years ago, on this date, the great French director Robert Bresson was born in Bromont-Lamothe, France.  In honor of Robert Bresson’s life and cinematic legacy, it is time for….

4 Shots From 4 Robert Bresson Films

Pickpocket (1959, dir by Robert Bresson, DP: Leonce-Henri Burel)

Mouchette (1967, dir by Robert Bresson, DP: Ghislain Cloquet)

Lancelot Du Lac (1974, dir by Robert Bresson, DP: Pasqualino De Santis)

L’Argent (1983, dir by Robert Bresson, DP: Pasqualino De Santis)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Edgar G. Ulmer 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!

119 years ago, on this date, the great director Edgar G. Ulmer was born in what is today the Czech Republic.  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Edger G. Ulmer Films

The Black Cat (1934, dir by Edgar G. Ulmer, DP: John J. Mescall)

Detour (1945, dir by Edgar G. Ulmer, DP: Benjamin H, Kline)

The Man From Planet X (1951, dir by Edgar G. Ulmer, DP: John L. Russell)

Beyond The Time Barrier (1960, dir by Edgar G. Ulmer, DP: Meredith Nicholson)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Jean Renoir 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!

129 years ago today, the great French film director Jean Renoir was born in Paris!  The son of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Jean would go on to become just as revolutionary a force in the world of cinema as his father was in the world of painting.  Today, in honor of the birth and legacy of Jean Renoir, here are….

4 Shots From 4 Jean Renoir Films

Grand Illusion (1937, dir by Jean Renoir, DP: Christian Matras)

The Rules of the Games (1939, dir by Jean Renoir, DP: Jean-Paul Alphen, Jean Bachelet, Jacques Lemare, Alain Renoir)

The Southerner (1945, dir by Jean Renoir, DP: Lucien N. Adroit)

The Woman On The Beach (1947, dir by Jean Renoir. DP: Leo Tover and Harry J. Wild)

4 Shots From 4 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….

4 Shots From 4 Brian De Palma Films

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)

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: 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!

114 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 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….

4 Shots From 4 Werner Herzog Films

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)

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

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!

115 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)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special David Fincher 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 61st birthday to David Fincher!  It’s time for….

4 Shots from 4 David Fincher Films

Seven (1995, dir by David Fincher. DP: Darius Khondji)

Fight Club (1999, dir by David Fincher, DP: Jeff Croneweth)

Zodiac (2007, dir by David Fincher, DP: Harris Savides)

Mank (2020, dir by David Fincher, DP: Erik Messerschmidt)