4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Michael Powell Edition

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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, TSL celebrates the 118th anniversary of the birth of Michael Powell, the British visionary who changed the face of cinema, both on his own and through his collaboration with Emeric Pressburger. It seems appropriate that we pay tribute to Powell on the day before October, as his 1960 film Peeping Tom is considered by many to be the first slasher film. (It’s not but it’s influence on the genre cannot be overstated.)

In honor of Michael Powell, TSL is proud to present….

4 Shots From 4 Michael Powell Films

I Know Where I’m Going (1945, dir by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, DP: Erwin Hillier)

Black Narcissus (1947, dir by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, DP: Jack Cardiff)

The Red Shoes (1948, dir by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, DP: Jack Cardiff)

Peeping Tom (1960, dir by Michael Powell, DP: Otto Heller)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Nicolas Winding Refn Edition

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy 53rd birthday to Danish director Nicholas Winding Refn! Drive was one of the first films to really be celebrated on this site, receiving reviews from several contributors. Personally, I preferred The Neon Demon.

In honor of of the man and his work, it’s time for….

4 Shots from 4 Nicolas Winding Refn Films

Bronson (2008, dir by Nicolas Winding Refn, DP: Larry Smith)

Drive (2011, dir by Nicolas Winding Refn, DP: Newton Thomas Sigel)

Only God Forgives (2013,dir by Nicolas Winding Refn, DP: Larry Smith)

The Neon Demon (2016, dir by Nicolas Winding Refn, DP: Natasha Braier)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Arthur Penn Edition

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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 Edgar G. Ulmer Edition

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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 Brian De Palma Edition

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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 Elia Kazan Edition

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

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)

6 Trailers For Labor Day

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, in honor of Labor Day, I am very proud to present a very special edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers! I have selected six trailers for six films about six very specific jobs. Your next career might be found below!

The Principal (1987)

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of your students? Why not follow the path of Rick Lattimore and become …. The Principal!?

2. The Gardener (1972)

Do you like working with plants? Do you have a green thumb? A career in gardening might be for you!

3. The Soldier (1982)

Do you love your country? Do you want to protect your nation from enemies, both domestic and international? The Soldier knows how you feel!

4. The Exterminator (1980)

Do you want to protect your community and help clean up the neighborhood? Consider pursuing a career as an urban vigilante, just like The Exterminator!

5. Moonrunners (1975)

Are you a good driver? Do you feel that the government needs to stay out of people’s personal decisions? Moonshine runner might be a career for you!

6. American Ninja (1985)

Do you have a truly unique set of skills? Were you born in the United States? Consider a career as an American Ninja!

Happy Labor Day!

Lisa Marie’s Oscar Predictions For August

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Well, it’s that time of the month again! Here are my Oscar predictions for August!

This month, the biggest development in the Oscar race was Dune Part Two being moved to a 2024 release. With no end in sight for the SAG/AFTRA strike, it wouldn’t surprise me if more big productions — like The Color Purple — ended up following Dune to 2024. (One film that will not be moving back is Killers of the Flower Moon, as everyone knows that Martin Scorsese is the true star of that film.) With so many films potentially moving back, this Oscar race could end up paralleling the 2020 race, in which a lot of movie that might otherwise not be nominated moved into the slots that would have otherwise been reserved for the big studio productions. (Regardless of their individual strengths, both Nomadland and CODA owed a bit of their victory to the way COVID disrupted their Oscar races.)

Below are my predictions for August. Be sure to also check out my predictions for March and April and May and June and July!!

Best Picture

Air

Barbie

The Color Purple

Ferrari

The Holdovers

The Killer

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest