#and the cinematography was gorgeous

[micamicster]

Ok here’s my criticism of the english: I think it needed to be either A Romance OR needed to have the romance entirely unspoken

[maedictus]

Tinúviel was dancing there to music of a pipe unseen. And light of stars was in her hair and in her raiment, glimmering.

[calyxconcision]

it’s so evil how i can’t find the 2020 carmilla soundtrack

[violaobanion]

MASTERS OF THE AIR (2024) part nine, dir. timothy van patten

[patrice-bergerons]

007...I’m your new Quartermaster.

[atomicradiogirl]

band of brothers (2001) part 5 - ‘crossroads’ dir. tom hanks

[ghostsberry]

some quick taxi driver studies i did!

[dancingmusique]

In Friend’s words, the production wasn’t blessed with a gargantuan budget. “Our crew often said, ‘We are not Andor’, another Star Wars series with a much bigger budget,” he continues. “We aimed to deliver the quality expected of a Star Wars production with much less money. Leslye our showrunner, was a dream to work with and never imposed strict rules, which was refreshing.

With all the talk about the $180M budget The Acolyte had being the straw that broke Disney’s back, I find these comments from James Friend telling.

[spenglernot]

STORIES TELLING: ED TEACH’S JOURNEY FROM ARMOR TO AUTHENTICITY

One of the joys of watching season 2 of Our Flag Means Death is discovering the visual parallels with season 1 that add so much meaning and richness to the story. With affecting, extraordinary economy of visual storytelling, we can see the progression of Ed’s journey from choosing armor in season 1, episode 10 – Wherever You Go, There You Are, to choosing authenticity in season 2, episode 7 – Man on Fire.

[I have to point out the gorgeous cinematography here. Panning down on the left, panning up on the right. The clear resolve of S2 E7 Ed turning to ascend to the deck. I also love the timing of both shots. S2 E7 Ed is turning toward the red silk that S1 E10 Ed will release.]

S1 E10 Ed considers the red silk. The symbol of his tenderness, softness, and vulnerability.

S2 E7 Ed hoists his leathers and his firearm - his literal and symbolic armor and protection - to the edge of the deck.

S1 E10 Ed releases his tenderness, softness, and vulnerability to the sea.

S2 E7 Ed releases his armor and protection to the sea.

S1 E10 Ed throws the person who understands what he’s going through and is in a position to help him work through it in a healthy way, into the sea.

S2 E7 Ed makes breakfast-in-bed for the person with whom he shares emotional and physical intimacy. An act of care and service that strengthens his bond with Stede.

Show, don't tell doesn't seem adequate to describe these two sequences. They are masterful and say so, so much.

The double-edged sword of self-awareness

You’ve really got to give it to Ed. He’s making huge progress. Making a better choice for himself. Moving forward.

Change can be terrifying. For Ed to release that which protected him for decades is, well… it’s courageous and demonstrates hard-won self-awareness and integrity.

Of course, choosing to be authentic to yourself doesn’t translate into automatic relationship building. Understanding and communicating with other people, particularly the person you are in love with, is a related but different skill set. It is also true that, once you know that you can’t perform a persona to please other people, no matter how much you love them, you risk losing them.

Ed in the second frame, above, kills me. He knows that piracy might be the wedge that drives Stede and him apart. He is trying to share how he feels. But Stede is so enamored with finally being a successful pirate (and glowing from the best (and only) love-sex of his life) that he can't hear Ed.

I love that OFMD takes no shortcuts in matters of the heart. If these lads are going to be together for reals, they are going to have to work for it, and there is still much work to be done.

I'm looking forward to likely being simultaneously emotionally fulfilled and mentally devastated by the season 2 finale in about 30 hours.

This meta was written before OFMD season 2 has fully aired. No idea what’s going to happen in the finale (and I’ve generally fled social media to avoid spoilers). I’ll be back, looking at everyone’s fascinating posts after episode 8 airs.

[maggiecheungs]

Pacifiction (2022) dir. Albert Serra

[ID: seven gifs from the opening shot of pacifiction: a wide shot of a docking wharf at sunset, with the camera slowly panning over the shipping crates and loading cranes]

[filmshotsandhandsomeactors]

Better Call Saul Season 3

They changed the director of photography at the beginning of season 3. The new guy's work is... darker. Well I guess the story goes darker too, but I must admit I liked the former one better... Anyway, there's still Nacho.

I've added a picture of Howard, because he's handsome too in his way

[tsudigogo]

[schreibvibe]

Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple (2024) — from director of photography Shane Hurlbut’s Instagram Stories

[booasaur]

Perry Mason (2020) - 2x04

[abirdie]

Gael García Bernal in Ema (2019, dir. Pablo Larraín)

(these gifs also feature Mariana Di Girólamo and Cristián Suárez)

Gifs are all 540px wide so you can click to see larger.

[other gael filmography gifsets]

[romchat]

Love in a Dream (Ep. 1-2): A masterclass in contrast

I have no idea what is going on in this short drama about an assassin(?) and a woman who can instinctively identify lies but my goodness is it freaking gorgeous.

I love love LOVE the chiaroscuro lighting.

The shadows are rich and deep, surrounding the actors in a foreboding way. This is a brutal world that promises danger from every corner.

Even when starkly lit, parts of the actors' bodies are often obscured by shadow.

This juxtaposition of light and dark conveys the internal struggle our characters feel and the lies they wield to protect their political plans.

The dramatic lighting also creates a real sense of depth and intrigue.

Nothing appears flat or simple, as if there's always some detail to be discovered beyond what we can immediately see in the frame.

I'm so curious what secrets will be revealed in the next eight episodes.