MOTION
updated :
January 6, 2009 0:20 AM
Every film is contained within space, certain attitude towards environment. Here are some exemplary ones you might enjoy if you are a space innovator. Most of them are visually oriented films, but some are architectural criticism in a cynical way as well. All following DVDs are super version of the film (Collector's Edition, Director's Cut, Etc.), unless noted otherwise. More to be added as we spend time on our couches. Suggestions are always welcome.
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12 MONKEYS Inspired by Chris Marker's acclaimed short film La Jetée, 12 Monkeys combines intricate, intelligent storytelling with the uniquely imaginative vision of director Terry Gilliam |
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A.
I. An odd combination of Kubrick's bleak futurism and Spielberg's emotional mush... but ILM does spatial animations of underwater NY, and "end" of the world, reminiscent of the first Star Wars |
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AKIRA Katsuhiro Otomo's epic animation from Japanese anime (manga) culture with out-of-this-world visuals of post apocalyptic city of future Tokyo |
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AMERICAN
BEAUTY Sam Mendes' directorial debut, written by Alan Ball brings paradox and complexity of modern life in suburban America. Bourgeois space, life: look closer |
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ALL
IS FULL OF LOVE Robotic-industrial-porn-music-video by Bjork and directed by ever talented Chris Cunningham: sickly beautiful... and would be a nice workshop for any artist |
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ANTONIO GAUDI It's hard to love Gaudi's work until you actually experience his spaces and this documentary takes viewers to get as close as possible |
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BATMAN Directed by Tim Burton, a classic comic-film and lots of his twisted gothic spaces - finally in a 2 disc special addition! |
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BATMAN BEGINS Do I dare say it is better than Tim Burton's first Batman? In many ways, I have to say YES... director, Christopher Nolan constructs different ambiance for sure and worth every 140+ minutes |
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BEING
JOHN MALKOVICH Directorial debut by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman... how can you resist 7 1/2 floor? |
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BLADE Comic book realization to a film form with visually stunning production design by Imaginary Forces: Techno/industrial-modern spaces all over from the beginning to end |
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BLADE
RUNNER In an unique and classic direction of Ridley Scott, brings haunted look of Los Angeles, 2019 with anime-like environment where digitization dominates the society and living environment |
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BLOOD Makers of "Ghost in Shell the Shell" bring a visually stunning short story using traditional illustration with digital spaces together |
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BLUES BROTHERS Chicago, Blues, a mission from God |
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BRAZIL Terry Gilliam's 1985 black comedy/satire about "future society" of bureaucracy and machine controlled lives |
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CADILLAC
DESERT *(VHS only) History of how urban design of greater Los Angeles transformed by artificial aqueducts |
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CELL Directorial debut by Tarsem Singh, forget what it's about or who's in it, mute and feast your eyes with dreamscape |
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CHARLIE & THE CHOCOCALTE FACTORY Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, delicious... |
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CHIHULY
OVER VENICE Beautiful works of a glass sculptor, artisan, Dale Chihuly in various sites of Seattle, Venice, Finland, Ireland, Monterrey, and Mexico City. You can see his process on making |
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CIDADE
DE DEUS (Sub)urban terror and social decay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil... an ironic, poetic justice |
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CITY
OF THE CENTURY Another great 'American Experience' documentary by PBS regarding how Chicago became a city. |
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CLOCKWATCHERS Written and directed by Sprecher sisters; the movie is a rare, comedic look at temp employees of Corporate America, cubicles life: office architecture and its "Dilbert" culture |
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CUBE
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DARK
CITY An original film written and directed by Alex Proyas, parallels Fritz Lang's Metropolis in its film noir visuals in Gotham City |
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DARK
KNIGHT Yeah yeah, Nolan, Batman, the best comic book movie, blah blah - who cares! He's got THE COOLEST garage/workshop ever! and come on... it's got a Batpod in it... |
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DR.
STRANGELOVE Best satirical comedy ever, directed by Stanley Kubrick and his typical, incredible set designs |
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DUNE Directed by David Lynch, an adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel: all-out-dead-tech-gothics |
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EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Tim Burton's personal experience/view of the suburban (Burbank, California) city life... |
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ELIZABETH Directorial debut by Shekhar Kapur, an incredibly beautiful example of English gothic spaces of light and shadow |
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FAST CHEAP OUT OF CONTROL This unconventional film by Errol Morris explores the basic desire of human: design- "control of nature and its idiosyncrasies" |
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FIFTH
ELEMENT Directed by Luc Besson, customs designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, production designed by Dan Weil, the film's visuals are wacky and imaginative as ever: interesting apartments scheme |
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FIGHT
CLUB Directed by an ever talented director, David Fincher and written by Chuck Palahniuk: "ikea" scene alone is worth the trip |
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FLY Finally! Classic horror remake directed by David Cronenberg is out!!! You gotta love downtown Los Angeles... |
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FRANK
LLOYD WRIGHT A biographical film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick to look at an American architectural icon: his life and work |
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GATTACA Bleak look at future biotech, written and directed by Andrew Niccol: sleek modern spaces centered around Frank Lloyd Wright's work |
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GHOST
IN THE SHELL Directed by Oshii Mamoru, it is a similar to Akira, is a projection of future society of artificial intelligence with twist of human spirit. |
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HEAT First time Al Pacino + Robert De Niro in a scene, Directed by Michael Mann... and it takes places in wonderful (architectural) locations within Los Angeles |
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HOME
MOVIE How do you define your home, or better yet, what defines your home? An unique look at five distinctive and bizzare homes |
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INCREDIBLES I don't know how Pixar does it, but they crank out the best... there is something about watching Bob's house and Mode Edna's... |
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L.
A. CONFIDENTIAL A film noir based on James Ellroy's writing and whole lot of Los Angeles and great (filmed in) locations from 1940's |
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L.
A. STORY Written and acted by Steve Martin, the plot is used as a tool to show comedic reality of southern californian way of lives entangled by auto(mobil)-culture and related social dilemmas |
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LOST
IN TRANSLATION Welcome to the bizzaro world - Tokyo |
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MACHINIST Anyone who studied any kind of art, architecture, etc... you can relate to the mental state of this guy |
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MAN ON WIRE New York, World Trade Center - Twin Tower, August 7th, 1974, and Philippe Petit... That is all you need to know - WOW! |
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MATRIX Mad, mad spaces... a complete package: 2 dvds, commemorative book, senitype image from the movie and 35mm film frame, all in a slipcase |
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MAYA LIN: A STRONG CLEAR VISION 1995 Academy Award for Best Documentary by Freida Lee Mock, showing Maya Lin's work in a chronological order |
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METROPOLIS
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METROPOLIS (Manga) Adapted from Osamu Tezuka's 1949 manga, Metropolis and based on the original silent film, incredible details, and layers of space using diverse media |
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MINORITY
REPORT Unbelievable story, but more interestingly, look at the possible future digitalization of environment that we live, work and shop. |
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MONSTERS
INC. Fascinating fairytale animation by Pixar regarding an idea of 'threshold' and interesting look at 'warehouse' environment |
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MY ARCHITECT A personal documentary about Louis I. Kahn, his buildings, the man, and most importantly the forgotten relationship with his 'illegitimate' son, Nathaniel Kahn and his search for his father ... very touching |
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NEW
YORK Rick Burns' in depth documentary of the history and influence of the Twin Towers of World Trade Center and its urban setting |
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NIGHTMARE BEFORE X-MAS One of the original Tim Burton's crazy visual feast (including FRANKENWEENIE - Uncut version)! |
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ONE
HOUR PHOTO Supermarket and florescent lighting, directed by Mark Romanek |
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PANIC
ROOM A single, claustrophobic room: concrete, steel, surveillance design and directed by David Fincher! |
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PLEASANTVILLLE Nightmare of Suburbia in "colors" |
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PI Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, Pi is a search for universal order: a number that can mathematically explain everything inside from a claustrophobic apartment and mind |
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RIVERS & TIDES Portrait of Andy Goldsworthy, an artist whose specialty is ephemeral sculptures made from elements of nature ... AWESOME! |
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ROGER
+ ME Lots of social and corporate criticisms by Michael Moore who is on a mission from God to meet "Roger" to discuss about how he ruined urban/social landscape of auto-cities in U.S.: urban planning at worst |
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RUSSIAN
ARK Truly spatial look at an 'uncut' and continuous film of Hermitage Art Museum located in St. Petersburg, Russia and its art, history and ghosts |
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SINKING
VENICE (VHS only)* Fascinating 1 hour documentary/ study by NOVA of how city of Venice is doomed and how technology might help |
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SLEEPY
HOLLOW Excellent production value and cinematography from Tim Burton's (re)vision of a fairy tale: beautiful English Gothic environment |
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STRAIGHT
STORY Richard Farnsworth's final work, and directed by David Lynch believe it or not: "un-spatial-film" if there is such a thing. |
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STRANGER THAN FICTION Fantastic film which space plays a definite, physical role; directed by Marc Foster - wow, this one was a surprise! |
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THE
CITY OF LOST CHILDREN Pre-"Dark City" directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie), cinematography by Darius Khondji (Se7en), custom designs by Jean-Paul Gaultier (Fifth Element), bizarre machine:spaces |
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THE
MEDICI A detailed 4 hour epic, visual history lessons of the family and their influence in the Renaissance of Florence |
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RENAISSANCE Super cool French film noir - in black and white, but with a twist of lime. You got to see what happens in Paris in the year of 2054 |
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TITUS Directorial debut by Julie Taymor (Broadway show, Lion King), monolithic modern interpretation of Roman spaces and Shakespearian tragedy |
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TRIPLETS
OF BELLEVILLE Amazing animation from France - incredibly exaggerated characters and spaces that resembles New York and Mont Saint Michael... Wow! |
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TRAINSPOTTING You MUST see the 'dirtiest bathroom in Scotland' and other beauties of modern (sub)urban areas of Scotland |
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WALL-E Another visual triumph from Pixar - "Waste Allocation Lift Loader, Earth-Class" - very cool mechanical world and space |
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