David Lean is overrated as a cinematographer

[Isgrimnur]

Sir David Lean CBE

David Lean holds the record for the director with the most films that won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography at the Oscars with five wins out of six nominations for Great Expectations, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and Ryan's Daughter.

[hepcat]

As I consider Lawrence of Arabia to be one of the 10 best films ever created by human beings, I will refrain from this discussion as it's a forgone conclusion as to where I stand.

next topic: Chocolate Milk is Overrated as a Dairy Product

[Moliere]

Continuing with the theme:

overrated opening scene for a western: Once Upon a Time in the West

[Jaymann]

David Lean is overrated as a cinematographer...

not only that, but he is constantly trying to photobomb at parties.

[hepcat]

I remember shortly after he died back in 1991, there was a sudden onslaught of "David Lean's corpse photobombed my quinceañera" news.

[Holman]

Continuing with the theme:

overrated opening scene for a western: Once Upon a Time in the West

Just an aside: at what point did cinematography switch from favoring a sweaty sheen on male characters to smooth, powdered-dry skin?

I know the sweatiness of "Once Upon a Time in the West" fits the gritty Western theme, but I feel like leading men all through the color movies of the 1960s and 70s tended to have a certain moist shine to them. I almost can't picture Paul Newman or Burt Reynolds (or really any other 70s hero) without a shine on their skin that's impossible to imagine on a Tom Cruise or a Marvel character today.

It can't be just camera technology, since leading ladies never had this issue. It really seems that manliness in a certain period was signified by dampness, but then in the 80s it got smooth and dry.

Am I nuts, or do people see what I'm talking about?

[Unagi]

Continuing with the theme:

overrated opening scene for a western: Once Upon a Time in the West

Just an aside: at what point did cinematography switch from favoring a sweaty sheen on male characters to smooth, powdered-dry skin?

I know the sweatiness of "Once Upon a Time in the West" fits the gritty Western theme, but I feel like leading men all through the color movies of the 1960s and 70s tended to have a certain moist shine to them. I almost can't picture Paul Newman or Burt Reynolds (or really any other 70s hero) without a shine on their skin that's impossible to imagine on a Tom Cruise or a Marvel character today.

It can't be just camera technology, since leading ladies never had this issue. It really seems that manliness in a certain period was signified by dampness, but then in the 80s it got smooth and dry.

Am I nuts, or do people see what I'm talking about?

Not sure.









I think it's not a rule.

[hepcat]

Thanks for reminding me I don't look like Paul Newman. I had JUST about learned to deal with it, and you just bring it all crashing back down on me again.

[Holman]

I see, I see.

Modern leading men are sweaty when they're sweaty from action or adversity. But 1970s dudes would be sweaty (or at least have shiny skin) in a simple office scene or while driving across town.

This is why MAD MEN (e.g.), for all the styling and costuming, doesn't *look* like it was filmed in the 1960s. Don Draper never has a shiny forehead unless he's supposed to be especially drunk.

[Blackhawk]

Then it was a sign of masculinity. Real men worked hard, therefore real men were sweaty.

Today it is more of a tool to communicate with the audience - they're sweaty to show that they've been exerting themselves.

[Rumpy]

I blame that on the rise of High-Def film. If they were to do it like in the old days, the details would end up being blown out. When the industry was making the transition to HD programming, you could see a lot of experimentation on lighting. Lights are brighter, they've had to counteract that with better makeup and less shiny foreheads.

[Carpet_pissr]

How about it being a sign of less air con availability back then?

[Jaymann]

There was also less Con Air.