Formalism
Analysis emphasizing film's formal elements (editing, composition, sound) over content
Primary Examples(32)
Rope
Continuous take illusion
1917
One-take illusion as formal experimentation
Saving Private Ryan
Omaha Beach cinematography
Schindler's List
Black and white; documentary style
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Comic book transitions
2001: A Space Odyssey
Revolutionary visual and sound design
Singin' in the Rain
Musical number choreography
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Multiple animation styles
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Revolutionary animation style
Tenet
Inverted action sequences
Lawrence of Arabia
Widescreen desert cinematography
Mad Max: Fury Road
Practical effects; visual storytelling
Dunkirk
Triptych time structure
The Father
Subjective dementia perspective
The French Dispatch
Aspect ratio and style shifts
Baby Driver
Action choreographed to soundtrack
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Aspect ratio shifts; symmetry
Barry Lyndon
Natural light cinematography; tableau compositions
Once Upon a Time in the West
Extreme close-ups; operatic pacing
Citizen Kane
Revolutionary deep focus and narrative structure
The Matrix
Bullet time; visual revolution
City of God
Kinetic editing and visual style
The Royal Tenenbaums
Symmetry; storybook aesthetic
The Shining
Steadicam innovation
Psycho
Shower scene editing
The Wizard of Oz
Technicolor revolution
Raging Bull
Black and white cinematography
Top Gun: Maverick
Practical aerial photography
Come and See
Haunting POV and sound design
Ran
Epic battle cinematography
Rear Window
Single-set staging
Requiem for a Dream
Split-screen; hip-hop montage
Secondary Influences(32)
Whiplash
Editing as rhythm
Das Boot
Claustrophobic submarine cinematography
Downfall
Claustrophobic bunker staging
Ford v Ferrari
Racing cinematography
Goodfellas
Innovative editing and steadicam
Hamilton
Filmed theatrical performance
High and Low
Widescreen composition
Interstellar
Practical effects; IMAX
Isle of Dogs
Symmetry and miniatures
Jaws
Less is more suspense technique
Moonrise Kingdom
Symmetry and color palette
North by Northwest
Iconic setpieces
Oldboy
Corridor fight; visual innovation
Oppenheimer
IMAX; subjective perspective
Paths of Glory
Tracking shots in trenches
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Action setpiece construction
Rushmore
Emerging symmetrical style
Seven Samurai
Action choreography innovation
The Birds
Sound design and effects
The Darjeeling Limited
Symmetry and color
The Elephant Man
Black and white cinematography
The Godfather
Gordon Willis cinematography
The Hudsucker Proxy
Art deco style
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Cutaway sets; visual style
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Scale and practical effects
The Prestige
Three-act magic structure
The Thing
Practical effects mastery
There Will Be Blood
Epic scope; minimal dialogue
Trainspotting
Surreal sequences; pop soundtrack
Vertigo
Vertigo effect; color symbolism
West Side Story
Dance choreography
12 Angry Men
Single-room staging emphasizes blocking and composition