Jazz, and black and white cinematography are not enough. Without characters, chemistry between those characters, and story structure, it's hard to care.  If you're going to indulge in extreme close-ups, please make sure your subjects are beautiful, or at least interesting.

Official Site: http://www.guyandmadeline.com/
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Guy_and_Madeline_on_a_Park_Bench/70117006?trkid=496624#height1637

SENSO (1954)

5/3/2011

 
Italian director & writer Luchino Visconti is a master of realistic romantic period pieces. His films are like paintings, with long takes, slow pans and generous depth of field. Visconti's films focus on the cycles of romantic love, society, and personal integrity. It's so strange to see Farley Granger dubbed in Italian, but I rather fancy him that way. The bonus features help put Senso in perspective. I loved it, and not just because it's set in Italy 1866, has no close-ups, no hand-held camera, sparse editing, and long luxurious takes.

Official Site: http://www.criterion.com/films/27543-senso
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Senso/70159612?trkid=496624#height1656
 
Actor turned director Adrian Grenier gets a lesson in parasociology in this entertaining documentary about our obsession with celebrities, and Grenier's relationship with a boy and his camera.

Official Site: http://www.teenagepaparazzo.com/
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Teenage_Paparazzo/70116680?trkid=496624#height2119