Random thoughts about the movie, etc. -- Cuaron

[vincentjh]

---  "Nia"  wrote:
> Although I agree with your other comments about his creative 
> storytelling, you make it seem as if Cuaron uses the pans as 
> mindlessly as Columbus.  There is absolutely no rational or 
artistic 
> reason behind Columbus' downward vertical pans other than he 
> saw "Fellowship of the Rings" and copied its (original and 
creative) 
> style.  Cuaron is a perceptive artist who carefully sets up scenes 
> in a kind of visual shorthand.  He allows us to meet and understand 
> the characters he is depicting -- he makes us see them as people, 
> not just as 'types.'  His camera work is never as obvious and phony 
> as Columbus'.  And, if you have noticed a leaning toward upward 
pans-
> -if he can make the story ring true and make us feel and understand 
> the characters' motivations, if he can create a film that finally 
> respects all the carefully crafted emotional nuances of JKR's 
> writing--does the way he accomplishes it really matter?
> --Nia

As far as I can remember, Cuaron does have a tendency to use upward 
pans. But he uses them wisely. He allows the audience to see things 
from the characters' perspective while Columbus' downward verticle 
pans only show you people walking into nicely constructed sets. But 
in situations when these upward verticles pans don't work to good 
effects, I am sure Cuaron would be smart enough to abandon them. 

Cuaron is, indeed, very good with visuals. Although I do not consider 
Great Expectations his better work, I was still struck by how 
beautiful it looked (and how well the music blended into the scenes). 
He's also good at telling stories with camera works and delivering 
subtle emotions and messages. So even if Kloves doesn't improve in 
the next film, we can at least expect PoA to be a great visual treat 
and an emotional film. Now if only Kloves can manage to write a 
story...

VJH