Friday, October 4, 2013

Top 10 Emmanuel Lubezki Films

For the past two decades, the great and wonderful Emmanuel Lubezki, or “Chivo,” as he’s known to his friends, has stunned cinema audiences with his sensational camera work. Whether he’s capturing a sunset staged by Terrence Malick, or tracking an extended shot set-up by Alfonso Cuarón, there is no technique foreign to Emmanuel Lubezki. No challenge unmet, no frame he cannot beautify. This is one of the most talented men to ever step behind a camera. Period.

10. The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

There’s a sense of haunting isolation that accompanies the entirety of the criminally under seen film, The Assassination of Richard Nixon. From the way Sean Penn is harshly lit by a television, or how a claustrophobic shot from inside a small mailbox distances us from the character. A great, visual encapsulation of a man gone mad.

9. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

What’s great about the grainy look of Y Tu Mamá También is that, at this point in their careers, we know Lubezki and director Alfonso Cuarón were capable of a more refined style. But they went with something raw, and oh how appropriate it is.

8. A Little Princess (1995)

A Little Princess just feels like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

7. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Not since Sleepy Hollow has a cinematographer understood Tim Burton’s macabre vision of the world so magnificently. This film is haunting in its grotesqueness.

6. To the Wonder (2013)

Every Terrence Malick film looks amazing, but I can’t think of a more skilled man than Lubezki to so expertly capture the poetry of Malick’s work. I mean hell, they even made a damn Sonic fast food restaurant look incredible in this movie.

5. Ali (2001)

I love everything about the look of Ali. I love that Lubezki and director Michael Mann invented a tiny camera to capture the closeness of boxing, I love the lush blues of the dark night clubs, the warm browns of the boxing arenas, the grainy digital shots of city riots after Martin Luther King’s assassination, the out of focus shot of Ali after he’s learned his good friend Malcolm X has been killed, the slow motion knockout of George Foreman, and on and on. But mostly, I love a brief shot near the end of the film, seconds after Ali has knocked Foreman down. The camera glides around Ali’s corner, looking for a subject to focus on. It stops on Ali’s longtime trainer, Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver) whose wide eyes and nodding head are praying for a knockout. There’s so much power in Silver’s look there.

4. Children of Men (2006)

Some people think the barren, impossibly grey scenery of a nearly apocalyptic world in Children of Men is too drab. Some think the extended shots in the film (achieved in part through hidden editing cuts) are cheap and deceitful. I am certainly not one of those people.

3. The New World (2005)

The best part about Lubezki’s contribution to Malick’s The New World is that its greatness is inarguable. Say what you will about Malick’s desire for lack of narrative focus, but Lubezki’s gliding camera always manages to capture the best, most human moments. This is poetry come alive.

2. Gravity (2013)

If there’s one nagging aspect about watching Lubezki’s tour de force work for Cuarón’s Gravity, it’s the bafflement that ensures once you realize the man still hasn’t won a goddamn Academy Award. If Gravity doesn’t earn Lubezki one, then surely nothing will. The look of this film has forever changed the game.

1. The Tree of Life (2011)

Poetry is a world I obviously use often to describe the fruitful collaboration of Terrence Malick and Emmanuel Lubezki. But perhaps the word itself is too small. Because, from my perspective, The Tree of Life is as good as films can look. Its visually imagery is something I remain utterly astounded by, and its swift camera work is nothing short of magical. Like the shot I’ve screencapped above. Why does a small child running through a dining room send chills of inspiration down my spine? I haven’t a clue. That’s the power of Lubezki’s frame.

33 comments:

  1. dude's a poet, and probably the best at what he does. the oscars are nonsense, i honestly don't know what won or what was nominated for the last 2-3 years of academy awards.

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    1. Yeah, he's the best. The fact that he hasn't won definitely lends favor to your argument that the Oscars are crap. It's just silly at this point.

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    2. I find this comment ironic now that he's won 3 consecutive oscars since 2014.

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    3. Reading this comment now, I find it ironic that he's won 3 consecutive Oscars since.

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    4. Time told the truth on this one.

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  2. He's so great. Even the people who didn't like the Tree of Life agree that it's an absolutely stunning movie. Can't wait to watch his work in Gravity. I'm probably as excited about its cinematography as I am about its story. Here's hoping Lubezki finally wins the big 'un 'cuz he totes deserves it.

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    1. Totes! His contribution for Gravity is as memorable as anyone else's. It really is other worldly.

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  3. I still need to see more Lubezki's work but totally agree with the last four. Incredible work on Gravity, it's as if they shot everything in space!

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    1. Hell yeah! Shit look right outta space, it's just insane. He's the man.

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  4. Love. Love. Love. Seriously, the Academy can't possibly screw up this time... right?

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    1. You wouldn't think so, but who the hell knows. Still... it's gotta be time.

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  5. There's no cinematographer that I love more than Chivo. Chivo should have about 5-6 Oscars right now. He's that damn good. I would also cite the films he did for Cuaron like Solo con Tu Pareja and Great Expectations as great examples of his work as well as films like Lemony Snickets (as it was the only highlight of a very bloated film), The Birdcage (Miami has never looked any better at that time), A Walk in the Clouds (truly beautiful), and Reality Bites (actually helped make the film look better than it should've been).

    It's likely that there's nothing in the top 10 that you put I would change. Chivo's work is just perfect.

    I remember watching a special feature on The New World on how Chivo did some of the lighting where production designer Jack Fisk actually broke a part of a roof in order to help Chivo get the light that he needed to shoot a particular scene. I've heard that Malick had always been looking for someone to fill the void that Nestor Almendros provided with Days of Heaven. I think w/ Chivo, Malick found that guy.

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    1. I remember that same special feature... fuckin' Chivo, man. Dude is amazing. And all those other films you called out... yeah, he made them all better. Occasionally making them look better than they deserved. Just wait until you see Gravity, my friend.

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  6. The man is a goddamn genius. I'm not that into Mallick's films but the one thing I always enjoy is the cinematography. Just gorgeous. Moving, flowing paintings. I had no idea he was the one responsible for Sleepy Hallow's look - that is the best looking Tim Burton movie. You are so right he was the one who got his vision completely. And that scene in the car with the people shooting at it in Children of Men? Remains one of the most well made, insanely difficult to shoot sequences I've seen.

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    1. YES to everything! Sleepy Hollow is gorgeous and Children of Men... come on? Shit is ridiculously impressive. This man has never shot a dull-looking movie.

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  7. I absolutely love this guy's work. I'm still not over him losing Best Cinematography for The Tree of Life. Holy heck, that film is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

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    1. Yeah, that was absurd. I mean, I thought the 3D in Hugo was impressive, but Tree of Life impressive? Not a chance.

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  8. What a great list! I haven't seen many of these films but I guess I have another reason to check them out as soon as possible. Why would anyone think that the extended shots in Children of Men are cheap? That film is perfect.
    You write some very interesting lists. I'm looking forward to reading your future work. You make my watchlist bigger.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Cristi! I love making lists like these, but Lubezki sure doesn't make it easy to pick a favorite. Everything he does is gold.

      I've read so much nonsense hate about Children of Men over the years. Silly shit.

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  9. I haven't seen much of his work, but if they're all as stunning as Gravity, I have a lot to see!

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    1. Oh definitely. All of his films look amazing. Dude is a master.

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  10. I'd bump Children of Men above the Malick outings just for the level of technical invention that film required. And even the "non-technical" set-ups (the abandoned school, Owen smoking by the tree, Mirachka watching them float away) are utterly beautiful. I love everything about that film, but it's clear Lubezki's contributions bolster the director's vision, the impeccable production design and nuanced performances at every turn. With the caveat that I haven't seen Gravity yet, Children of Men is tops for me.

    I'd also have to give serious consideration to Like Water for Chocolate and A Walk in the Clouds, but what would I bump? A very strong lineup, Alex, and a great topic discussion. Lubezki is the finest cinematographer working today in terms of technical brilliance and versatility. Deakins may give him a run for his money in terms of composition, but it's a close race.

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    1. You're so right, even his non-technical compositions are remarkable. The man knows how to set up a perfect frame, no doubt.

      I love the look of Chocolate and Clouds as well. Hell, I love all of his films. Really hard to narrow them down.

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  11. Though "Reality Bites" was the first film of his I watched, I started paying attention to Lubezki's work after taking a friend's child to the "The Little Princess". I loved the book as a kid and was amazed at how the look of the film seemed to reflect the images of the book that I had held in my mind over the years. As with "Reality Bites", he gave a look to "A Walk in the Clouds" that outshined the movie itself. I must confess to knowing absolutely nothing about Harry Potter, probably a generational thing, but his work in the other films you covered has been extraordinary. Still have to hit the Dramamine and go see "Gravity" properly at the IMAX!

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    1. What's so great about his work is that it seriously makes "lesser" films more worthy. Reality Bites and A Walk in the Clouds aren't two of my favorite films, but I so love the look of them. Gravity though... wow. A legitimate game changer.

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    2. I added "Harry Potter" to this comment....that's what I get for reading the Alfonso Cuaron list back to back with this one! The man could definitely make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Even when the material isn't the best, the look is certainly there.

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    3. No doubt! Everything he frames turns to gold. Really hoping for an Oscar for him this year. But who the hell knows.

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  12. Love his work! Children of Men is absolutely thrilling cinematography. While I didn't much like Tree of Life, it looked gorgeous and can't wait for Gravity!

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    1. Definitely thrilling. The man can work a film camera as good as anyone, ever. The best.

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  13. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events?

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    1. Good looking film, but wouldn't crack my Top 10.

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  14. Okey but after Birdman and To the Wonder how it would be your list?

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    1. My updated Chivo list:
      10. A Little Princess
      9. Y Tu Mamá También
      8. Sleepy Hollow
      7. To the Wonder
      6. Ali
      5. Children of Men
      4. Gravity
      3. Birdman
      2. The New World
      1. Tree of Life

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