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Master cinematographers approach every frame as an opportunity to convey the feel of the scene. And one of the things that really helps them to achieve it is composition—the way elements (actors, scenery, props, etc) are placed on screen in respect to each other and within the frame itself has a huge impact on our viewing experience.

To show the brilliance behind a frame's layout, Raymond Thi of Composition Cam analyzes visually stunning films, adding simple, bold lines to demonstrate triangles, quadrants, and other geometric shapes that please our eyes.

As you will see, some pictures use the grid method to create balanced frames while others focus on a central character instead. Many of these films feature relatively simple compositions too, proving that a few elements can make a lasting impact. If you know how to use them.

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#1

Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049

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Justin G
Community Member
5 years ago

What a beautiful movie

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    #2

    The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Space Odyssey

    The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Space Odyssey

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    Janelle Madison
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow this is awesome!

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    #3

    The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

    The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Jodie Foster was on the Graham Norton show and she talked about how she and Anthony Hopkins never talked to each other until the shoot was done because they were both so afraid of the other.

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    #4

    Stranger Things

    Stranger Things

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    Sori
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    These are taught in art school, compositions like these are many to keep the viewers eyes interested and moving to see all the details.

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    #5

    Star Wars: Episode Iv - A New Hope (1977)

    Star Wars: Episode Iv - A New Hope (1977)

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    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Oh look! Someone drew lines along the perfectly natural lines of the perspective in this shot. No, I don't get what the big deal is here.

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    #6

    From 'Sherlock'

    From 'Sherlock'

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    Marlowe Fitzpatrik
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Actually, on the 8th pic (second from below), the focal point is the picture on the wall, not the ground.

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    #7

    The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

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    Random Person
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    the rule of thirds works

    #8

    Get Out (2017)

    Get Out (2017)

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    Niall Mac Iomera
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow,.they did literally the most obvious framing choice.

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    #9

    Her (2013)

    Her (2013)

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    Kno
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Great movie.

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    #10

    Isle Of Dogs

    Isle Of Dogs

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I’m not a huge animation fan, but I liked this so much, that I was quite interested in a second viewing.

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    #11

    Twin Peaks (The Return, Part 2)

    Twin Peaks (The Return, Part 2)

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    Hanna-Katariina
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    yOAc2j2.gif yOAc2j2.gif

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    #12

    Yojimbo (1961)

    Yojimbo (1961)

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    grey galah
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    this reminds me so much of the Renaissance grid for perspective

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    #13

    Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

    Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

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    Glenn Dube
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    this looks like an Alex Coleville painting

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    #14

    Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

    Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

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    Haley Brock
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    i love this movie-

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    #15

    Oldboy (2003)

    Oldboy (2003)

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    Aria Whitaker
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This movie is NOT for the faint hearted!

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    500 Days Of Summer (2009)

    500 Days Of Summer (2009)

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    Abhainn
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    ... is that the girl from "new girl"?

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    #17

    The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)⠀⠀

    The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)⠀⠀

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    Dana
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    You and I remember Budapest very differently...

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    #18

    Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

    Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

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    Bonnie Davis
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Awesome movie!!!

    #19

    The King's Speech (2010)⠀

    The King's Speech (2010)⠀

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Such a GREAT movie!

    #20

    Birdman (2014)

    Birdman (2014)

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Such a profoundly moving film!

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    #21

    Rule Of Thirds In Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

    Rule Of Thirds In Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

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    #22

    "Selma" (2014)

    "Selma" (2014)

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    Piet Puk
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Or The Walking Dead, if you flip the image.

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    #23

    Drive

    Drive

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Even with Carrie Mulligan in it it lost my attention in no time.

    #24

    The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

    The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

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    Easily Excitable Panda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I've seen this movie a dozen times, and I never realized how perfectly framed that shot is before! I need to keep my eyes open for this.

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    #25

    Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

    Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

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    Dana
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I see no one in the 1st pic...

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    #26

    Black Swan (2010)

    Black Swan (2010)

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    #27

    A Clockwork Orange (1971)⠀

    A Clockwork Orange (1971)⠀

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    Marlowe Fitzpatrik
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Um... Am I missing things? Maybe I just don't understand this thing because it's pretty obvious to me that the group is the center of perspective??? !!!

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    #28

    Full Metal Jacket

    Full Metal Jacket

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    Luther von Wolfen
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I'm learning from all this that there are about five things that filmmakers do over and over and over.

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    #29

    The Neon Demon

    The Neon Demon

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    #30

    Okja (2017)⠀

    Okja (2017)⠀

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I tried to watch this and just Could NOT get into it.

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    #31

    The Truman Show (1998)⠀

    The Truman Show (1998)⠀

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    #32

    Requiem For A Dream

    Requiem For A Dream

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    #33

    Are You Ready For Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

    Are You Ready For Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

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    #34

    The Revenant (2015)⠀

    The Revenant (2015)⠀

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    #35

    “The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)⠀

    “The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)⠀

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    #36

    Thor (2011)⠀

    Thor (2011)⠀

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    #37

    Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

    Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

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    #38

    "The Matrix" (1999)⠀

    "The Matrix" (1999)⠀

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    #39

    Valhalla Rising

    Valhalla Rising

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    SeidWolf
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    LOVE this film

    #40

    La La Land (2016)⠀

    La La Land (2016)⠀

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    Tenley Samson
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    :O this is like my 2nd favorite movie of ALL TIME

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    #41

    Dunkirk (2017)⠀

    Dunkirk (2017)⠀

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    #42

    Skyfall (2012)

    Skyfall (2012)

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    #43

    2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)⠀

    2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)⠀

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    #44

    "The World Is Turning Upside Down."

    "The World Is Turning Upside Down."

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    Random Person
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    the wooooorrrldd turnedd uppsiddee dowwwnnnn...

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    #45

    The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

    The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

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    #46

    "The Shining" (1980)

    "The Shining" (1980)

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    #47

    The Handmaid’s Tale (S01e01)⠀

    The Handmaid’s Tale (S01e01)⠀

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    #48

    Sense8

    Sense8

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    #49

    "Days Of Heaven" (1978)⠀

    "Days Of Heaven" (1978)⠀

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    #50

    The Tree Of Life (2011)

    The Tree Of Life (2011)

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    #51

    Legion (TV Series)

    Legion (TV Series)

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    SeidWolf
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    one of the most underrated rated shows. fantastic cinematography, color & lighting, innovative storytelling. like most things of quality and intelligence, undervalued.

    #52

    Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

    Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

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    #53

    Dr. Strangelove (1964)

    Dr. Strangelove (1964)

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    #54

    Bronson

    Bronson

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    #55

    O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)⠀

    O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)⠀

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    #56

    Only God Forgives

    Only God Forgives

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    #57

    Ghostbusters (1984)⠀

    Ghostbusters (1984)⠀

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    #58

    American Beauty (1999)⠀

    American Beauty (1999)⠀

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    #59

    Game Of Thrones (S07e04)⠀

    Game Of Thrones (S07e04)⠀

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    #60

    Suspiria (1977)⠀

    Suspiria (1977)⠀

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    #61

    There Will Be Blood (2007)⠀⠀

    There Will Be Blood (2007)⠀⠀

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    #62

    Breaking Bad

    Breaking Bad

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    #63

    The Fifth Element (1997)

    The Fifth Element (1997)

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    #64

    Doctor Who (TV Series)

    Doctor Who (TV Series)

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    Robert Bailey
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    putting Colin Baker next to Tom Baker. That's just wrong.

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    #65

    "Road To Perdition" (2002)⠀

    "Road To Perdition" (2002)⠀

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    #66

    "Doctor Strange" (2016)

    "Doctor Strange" (2016)

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    #67

    Mr. Robot (TV Series)⠀

    Mr. Robot (TV Series)⠀

    comp_cam Report

    #68

    The Office (S03e05)

    The Office (S03e05)

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    #69

    2001: A Space Odyssey

    2001: A Space Odyssey

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    #70

    The Godfather

    The Godfather

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    #71

    "Jaws" (1975)⠀

    "Jaws" (1975)⠀

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    #72

    The Shape Of Water (2017)

    The Shape Of Water (2017)

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    #73

    Daredevil (S02e09)

    Daredevil (S02e09)

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    #74

    Whiplash (2014)⠀

    Whiplash (2014)⠀

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    #75

    Wonder Woman (2017)⠀

    Wonder Woman (2017)⠀

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    #76

    The Great Gatsby (2013)⠀

    The Great Gatsby (2013)⠀

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    Dana
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    He's not right in the middle though... This bothers me

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    #77

    Black Mirror (TV Series) S03e04

    Black Mirror (TV Series) S03e04

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    #78

    It Follows (2014)⠀

    It Follows (2014)⠀

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    #79

    The Dark Knight

    The Dark Knight

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    #80

    The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)⠀⠀

    The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)⠀⠀

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    #81

    Stalker (1979)

    Stalker (1979)

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    #82

    Whiplash (2014)⠀

    Whiplash (2014)⠀

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    #83

    Into The Wild (2007)⠀

    Into The Wild (2007)⠀

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    #84

    Breaking Bad" (TV Series)

    Breaking Bad" (TV Series)

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    #85

    Full Metal Jacket (1987)⠀⠀

    Full Metal Jacket (1987)⠀⠀

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    #86

    The Prestige (2006)

    The Prestige (2006)

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    #87

    American Psycho (2000)

    American Psycho (2000)

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    #88

    House Of Cards

    House Of Cards

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    #89

    The Darjeeling Limited (2007)⠀

    The Darjeeling Limited (2007)⠀

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    #90

    Inglourious Basterds (2009)⠀

    Inglourious Basterds (2009)⠀

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    #91

    "Amélie" (2001)⠀

    "Amélie" (2001)⠀

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    #92

    "Mad Men" (S05e13)⠀⠀

    "Mad Men" (S05e13)⠀⠀

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    #93

    The World's End (2013)⠀

    The World's End (2013)⠀

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    #94

    Sherlock (S01e03)⠀

    Sherlock (S01e03)⠀

    Sherlock (S01E03) Report

    #95

    Better Call Saul (S03e07)⠀

    Better Call Saul (S03e07)⠀

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    #96

    "The Danish Girl" (2015)⠀

    "The Danish Girl" (2015)⠀

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    #97

    Master Of None

    Master Of None

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    #98

    One Hour Photo (2002)⠀

    One Hour Photo (2002)⠀

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    #99

    “The Hidden Fortress” (1958)⠀

    “The Hidden Fortress” (1958)⠀

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    #100

    "La La Land" (2016)⠀

    "La La Land" (2016)⠀

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    #101

    "Scarface" (1983)⠀⠀

    "Scarface" (1983)⠀⠀

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    #102

    300 (2006)

    300 (2006)

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    #103

    "Better Call Saul" (TV Series) Episode 1.03

    "Better Call Saul" (TV Series) Episode 1.03

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    #104

    "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002)⠀

    "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002)⠀

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    #105

    Atonement (2007)⠀

    Atonement (2007)⠀

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    #106

    "True Detective" (TV Series) Episode 1.02⠀

    "True Detective" (TV Series) Episode 1.02⠀

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    #107

    "Metropolis" (1927)

    "Metropolis" (1927)

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    #108

    "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

    "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

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    #109

    The Fall

    The Fall

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    #110

    Better Call Saul

    Better Call Saul

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    #111

    The Grand Budapest Hotel

    The Grand Budapest Hotel

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    #112

    "The Fall" (2006)

    "The Fall" (2006)

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    SeidWolf
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    visually stunning film

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    #113

    The Florida Project

    The Florida Project

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    #114

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

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    #115

    "Trainspotting" (1996)

    "Trainspotting" (1996)

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    #116

    Breaking Bad" (S02e09)⠀

    Breaking Bad" (S02e09)⠀

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    #117

    Sherlock

    Sherlock

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    #118

    Parasite (2019)

    Parasite (2019)

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