By Tiffany Unscripted
It's all about the visuals in blockbuster films. Storylines that can dazzle and entertain the audience are hot commodities. People are no longer satisfied with fast-action scenes and Michael Bay-eques explosions. Our senses need to be stimulated in a way that creates awe and wonder.
The film must be visually appealing. The wardrobe must be stunning. The locations must tantalize. The music must evoke emotion. Here’s my list of some of the most visually stunning films of recent years.
“Vodka martini, shaken not stirred.”
Spectre (2015)
James Bond films never disappoint. Daniel Craig is James Bond. Although this film version of Bond has been about the style of the super-agent, the story has its moments that felt like the old Bond films. The cinematography is by Hoyte van Hoytema.
“It’s like my internal compass needle points straight at Mr. Wrong. Maybe it’s my genes. Maybe I have defective engineering, too.”
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
Although it didn't do well in the theaters, the film is a visual masterpiece. Perhaps I'm just easy to please? No! That can't be it. I love how they created the SIMS (artificial life forms), the ships, and the costumes. Jupiter Ascending takes you on a journey. The film focuses on a maid, played by Mila Kunis, who discovers a secret that could change planet Earth forever. The screenplay is by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, the creators of The Matrix trilogy. The cinematography by John Toll.
“We used to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars, now we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt.”
Interstellar (2014)
It was one of the most anticipated films of that year, and Interstellar didn't disappoint. Planet Earth is becoming inhabitable. The incredible goal is to transfer the remainder of its inhabitants to another planet via a wormhole. This film makes people ask, "What if?" The cinematography here is again by Hoyte van Hoytema.
“I have a bad feeling about this mission.”
Gravity (2013)
The storyline is weak, but the cinematography was amazing. A medical engineer (Sandra Bullock) is on her first shuttle mission, while her commander is an aging veteran astronaut (George Clooney) taking his last glory flight before retirement. This certainly spells disaster. The journey is soon disrupted and the two find themselves battling to stay alive. The cinematography is by Emmanuel Lubezki.
“You know, hope is a mistake. If you can’t fix what’s broken, you’ll, uh... you’ll go insane.”
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Civilization has collapsed. A tyrannical leader enslaves the apocalypse survivors. Furious (Charlize Theron) and Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy by) rush to desert fortress The Citadel to rescue them. Watching the deadly high-speed chase scenes through the desert is a sight to behold. The film won several industry awards, including Best Costume. The cinematography is by John Seale.
“Sometimes to love someone, you got to be a stranger.”
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
It's been thirty years. Secrets once kept in the dark are coming to the light. A new blade runner (Ryan Gosling) tracks down former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) to help him unravel the secrets. Will he succeed, or will the secrets overtake them all? The cinematography is by Roger Deakins.
“It’s not about deserve, it’s about what you believe. And I believe in love.”
Wonder Woman (2017)
This long-time comic book superhero was brought to life by Gal Gadot. Ares, the God of War, is making a comeback and it's up to Wonder Woman to stop him. With a small band of resistance fighters, they take on the most powerful God in Greek history. The cinematography is by Matthew Jensen.
Tiffany Unscripted has been the Managing Editor of Your Film Review for over two years at Occhi Magazine. She manages a small team of writers that cover all genres of movies, including writing featured articles on trending topics. In addition to writing, they cover live events, such as film premieres and screenings in Cleveland, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, and Silver Springs.
She especially enjoys the opportunity to meet emerging talent who enjoy sharing their passion, journey, challenges, and success with our readers. You can learn more about Your Film Review at OcchiMagazine.com.