Favourite Shots

from top:

SALT (2010)

BEOWULF (2007)

CASSHERN (2004)

The cinematic experience, for me, apart from laughing and crying, is all about the camera work, but the most twisty-panning-zooming-darty shot of the movie may not be what impresses me the most in a film. The Matrix is known for starting off the trendy 360° stuff, but I don't necessarily mean all that overly-funky malarkey, milked to excess as slow-motion bullets leave trails through the air. There ought to be some emotional attachment to the content of the shot as well.

Not all movies even have favourite shots. It can be a task to find one. The shots usually happen at critical times of the movie, if they do. And the camera may not be doing anything. It's personal and subjective. It may be just that moment when your involvement in the experience peaks, the instant when you are realising that you are watching something that is affecting you on a spiritual level, and the on-screen image at that time is stained upon your retina as goosebumps course along the nape of your neck.

Or it may just be an innovative skilful camera move.

There's really no need to explain. A favourite shot is a favourite shot, and only you know why.

FACT: Quentin Tarantino would regularly watch 3 movies a day.