Combining photography and filmography, I’m trying to derive the essence of films from a single still. All content original, citation appreciated. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-18739714-4’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Tumblr (3.0; @singlestill)http://singlestill.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4306f29b4094829f474c315cfb7dec11/tumblr_mn44d9jSqr1qdlhtco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Alien</strong></em></p> <p>Today <em>Alien</em> is commonly recognized for stunning visuals and seamlessly blending sci-fi and horror. More importantly, the film pushed the boundaries of both genres by leaving us with more questions than answers. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/50927108720http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/50927108720Mon, 20 May 2013 15:48:00 -0400horrorfilmsci-fialienRidley ScottSigourney Weaver<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5mkmrWcsz1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Gomorra </strong></em></p> <p>Free of the cliches that burden many Hollywood films dealing with crime, <strong>Gomorra</strong> offers a focused, realistic, and harsh view of organized crime. But it is the intertwining story lines of its characters that keep the film engaging throughout.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/25111528683http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/25111528683Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:52:03 -0400gomorrahfilmgomorraitalycrimeMartin Scorsesemafiamatteo garrone<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m59c3vcv6d1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Drive</strong></em></p> <p>Unlike many films of its type, <strong>Drive</strong> excels in balancing the different facets of its storyline without any taking control. This is in opposition to the life of the unnamed stunt and getaway Driver (Ryan Gosling), whose life is thrown into disarray when he falls for his neighbor (Carey Mulligan) with a crime troubled husband. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/24617576578http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/24617576578Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:19:07 -0400drivefilmryan goslingcarey mulligannicholas refncars<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4b7cpxq921qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Paper Moon</strong></em></p> <p>A film watchable for many reasons, but principally for its ability to pull a sweet narrative out of Depression-era images. Also benefitting <strong>Paper Moon</strong> is the chemistry between swindler Moses Pray (Ryan O’Neal) and swindler-in-training Addie Loggins (Tatum O’Neal) as they make their way through Kansas.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/23401276813http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/23401276813Sun, 20 May 2012 02:58:01 -0400paper moonamericanagrat depression1930sblack and whiteryan o'nealpeter bogdanovich<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m46g7tubUQ1qdlhtco1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Lady Vengeance</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Lady Vengeance</strong> follows Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young Ae) and her quest to extract revenge against a man who wrongly framed her for murders he committed. Along the way she meets with those his crimes have affected, most importantly the families of the victims. The most meditative of all of Park Chan-wook’s “Vengeance Trilogy” (which includes <strong><a href="http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/1193922864/oldboy-oldboy-is-worth-watching-for-the-visuals" target="_blank">Oldboy</a> </strong>and <strong><a href="http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22808286144/sympathy-for-mr-vengeance-this-first-in-park" target="_blank">Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance</a></strong>), it also is the most sympathetic with respect to the main character.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/23235410642http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/23235410642Thu, 17 May 2012 13:21:00 -0400Lee young aeoark chan-wookkoreasouth koreafilmoldboySympathy for Mr. Vengeancevengeance triology<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3vdddfwub1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>The Third Man</strong></em></p> <p>When a writer (Joseph Cotten) travels to Vienna to visit an old friend (Orson Welles), he finds the man proclaimed dead. Bu upon investigating his death, he finds that things may not be as they seem. Hailed as one of the premier classics of film noir, <strong>The Third Man</strong> benefits from a thrilling story line, expressive score, innovative filming techniques, and Orson Welles. All these come together to make a film still watchable after over half a century. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22848340246http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22848340246Fri, 11 May 2012 13:46:25 -0400the third manfilm noirorson welles1940scarol reed<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3tzj9EnoG1qdlhtco1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance </strong></em></p> <p>This first in Park Chan-wook’s “Vengeance Trilogy”, Mr. Vengeance plays heavily on the viewer’s sympathies. When a wronged man goes to desperate measures to save his sick sister, he crosses the wrong person and must deal with the consequences. What results is a morality play in the style of<strong> <a href="http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/1230256629/rashoman-named-after-the-setting-of-this-film" target="_blank">Rashoman</a></strong>.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22808286144http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22808286144Thu, 10 May 2012 19:49:00 -0400vengeance triologyPark Chan-Wooksympathy for mr. vengeancesouth koreakorearashoman<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3d4d2QqOC1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Interview With the Vampire</strong></em></p> <p>Although overly dramatic, <strong>Interview</strong> works well as both drama and horror. The tale of a guilt ridden vampire (Brad Pitt) also benefits from a star strung cast, as well as its strong Anne RIce source material.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22213958827http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22213958827Tue, 01 May 2012 17:15:02 -0400interview with the vampiretom cruisevampireshorrordramanew orleanskirsten dunstantonio banderasanne rice<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m39j1fwSR21qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Planet of the Apes</strong></em></p> <p>Telling the story of astronauts crash landed on a strange world, the original <strong>Planet of the Apes</strong> works on many levels and is watchable for many reasons. Hopefully the ending wasn’t spoiled for you. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22081590680http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/22081590680Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:41:39 -0400planet of the apescharlton hestonmonkeysvintagesci-fidamn you all to hellapesrod sterling<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1rfzhm6Cz1qdlhtco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Watchmen </em></strong></p> <p>With <strong>Watchmen</strong>, director Zack Snyder took great care to remain faithful to the film’s source material. This makes for a rather stylized mystery. However, it never manages to overcome the fact this story was meant to be conveyed through a different medium.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/20234594150http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/20234594150Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:45:16 -0400comic booksgraphic novelswatchmenzack snyderalan moore<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1gdus8quq1qdlhtco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers</strong></em></p> <p>The second film in the <strong>Lord of the Rings</strong> trilogy accomplished a difficult task, making what is essentially a bridging narrative a complete one. Director Peter Jackson also builds on the enormous scope of Tolkien’s world started by <strong>The Fellowship of the Ring</strong>. Not to mention, it brought to life one of the most epic battle scenes in movie history.</p> <p><br/><br/></p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19904612381http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19904612381Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:25:00 -0400gandalfhelms deeppeter jacksonthe lord of the ringsthe two towersj.r.r. tolkien<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0r808rBHZ1qdlhtco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Star Wars</strong></em></p> <p>Considering all the diverse elements that make up <strong>Star Wars</strong>, its permeation of pop culture is somewhat surprising. Effeminate droids, walking carpets, archaic religions, spaceships, and, of course, lightsabers all make for interesting mix, but one that is greater than its whole. That said, this film’s ultimate merit lies in its ability to tell a tale as old as time in a completely fresh way. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19182001820http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19182001820Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:00:06 -0400star warsstar wars episode IV: a new hopesci-fiGeorge Lucas1970'sharrison ford<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0qyskhrSr1qdlhtco1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Saving Private Ryan</em></strong></p> <p>After surviving the initial landing of Normandy, John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) is tasked with finding Private Ryan (Matt Damon), after all three of his brothers are killed in action. <strong>Saving Private Ryan</strong> displays Spielberg at his best: creating a thrilling ride, with an engaging narrative, that doesn’t get hung up on gags or tricks. And of course, the first thirty minutes or so might be one of the most riveting battle sequences ever filmed. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19153895293http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/19153895293Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:00:00 -0400saving private ryansteven spielbergmatt damonfilmtom hanksworld war IIhistoryfrance<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ktglkB8d1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Thirst</strong></em></p> <p>When a priest becomes one of fifty volunteers to find a vaccine for a deadly virus, he survives while the others perish. Afterwards, he must deal with his status as a miracle, his strengthened bodily desires, and most importantly: a thirst for blood. With these elements, director Park Chan-wook creates a first rate horror film, but also an engaging morality tale. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18952873979http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18952873979Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:19:00 -0500Park Chan-Wookhorrorfilmthirstvampiresvampirethriller<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0fflv9WpL1qdlhtco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Apocalypto</strong></em></p> <p>Breathlessly exciting for nearly its entire runtime, this is of those rare films that’s all payoff without becoming draining. It follows Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) as he fights to save his family after being captured by a party of Mayans. His escape includes one of the most intense, and longest, chase scenes recent memory. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18800318623http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18800318623Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:32:00 -0500apocalyptochasemel gibsonmayanssouth americarain forestfilm“Movie directors, or should I say people who create things, are very greedy and they can never be satisfied, … That’s why they can keep on working. I’ve been able to work for so long because I think next time, I’ll make something good.”<br/><br/> - <em>Akira Kurosawa <img height="365" src="http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/screenwriter/files/2010/03/akira_kurosawa_copy.jpg" width="495"/></em>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18582860449http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/18582860449Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:45:00 -0500Akira Kurosawaquotesfilmdirectorsauteursjapannihon<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzlrw5gyqr1qdlhtco1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Restrepo</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Restrepo </strong>does just about everything right, and gives a great deal of insight into U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. But its greatest triumph is the amount of humanity it lends to such a difficult subject. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17834906174http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17834906174Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:09:00 -0500restrepofilmdocumentariesdocumentaryafghanistanafghanistan war<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzgz0kXF441qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>Monumental: David Brower’s Fight for Wild America</strong></em></p> <p>Using excellent original footage and interviews, <strong>Monumental </strong>offers an intriguing and uplifting record of the conservation movement in the United States. It follows the career of David Brower, who worked through the Sierra Club to save the natural beauty of America. Breathtaking shots abound.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17698680937http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17698680937Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:55:00 -0500divid browersierra clubpreservationconservationfilmdocumentarydocumentariesretro<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyurynLc6I1qdlhtco1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Swingers</em></strong></p> <p>After moving West, Mike’s (Jon Favreau) breakup with his long term girlfriend back East leaves him reeling. With help from his friend Trent (Vince Vaughn) he attempts to end to reenter the dating scene in unfamiliar territory. <strong>Swingers </strong>starts firing on all cylinders and never stops. Not only funny, it provides an insightful look into the state of modern masculinity.</p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17036372956http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17036372956Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500jon favreauvince vaughnswingersfilm1990'sron livingston<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuprxYYXd1qdlhtco1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em><strong>The Crazies</strong></em></p> <p>Unlike the goofy 1973 original, this 2010 remake manages to keep focused on what’s important, scaring the audience. After all, it shouldn’t be hard to elicit fear from the story of a deadly virus that turns friend against neighbor and government. This is the way B movies should be done. </p>http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17013782200http://singlestill.tumblr.com/post/17013782200Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:28:00 -0500George A. Romerothe crazieshorror2010trixiebreck eisnerfilmremakeb movie