Even though Hollywood has largely moved away from black and white films since the advent of techcolor, some filmmakers still use monochrome as a cinematic style for the big screen, and the aesthetic can sometimes pay off by conveying depth, tone, etc., and the film's visuals. In fact, several recent black-and-white films made in the past decade have received critical acclaim and are among the most deserving of accolades.
10. Munk (2020)
One creative reason to use black and white in film is to reflect on historical or biographical events. Munkwas no exception, especially given the plot of the film. Directed by David Fincher, biopic about Herman J. Mankiewicz or simply Manck, the Hollywood screenwriter whose personal backstory inspired him to write the Hollywood masterpieceCitizen Kane .
The use of black and white is visually meaningful and purposeful, and the film is an homage to classic Hollywood when black and white films were the norm. BecauseCitizen Kane was also a black-and-white film, seemingly fitting to follow a similar cinematic style.Munk received praise for Fincher's direction, performances by Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried, and design.
9. Frankenweenie (2012)
Black and white cartoons in modern cinema are unusual. However, the black and white aesthetic in "Frankenweenie" 2012 goes well with gothic horror themes. Directed by Tim Burtonfrankenweenie pays homage to the classic horror character, Frankenstein, as a young boy's dead dog is resurrected.
The supernatural comedy emphasizes elements of typical horror films while also preserving the film for family viewing. The story is touching with accurate visuals, and the film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
8. Lighthouse (2019)
"Lighthouse" is an amazingly crafted film. Two lighthouse keepers maintain a lighthouse in New England in the late 1800s, but they also struggle to keep their sanity while uncovering the remote island's mystique.
The story is bright and bold, touches on the themes of mythology and psychology. The black and white cinematography emphasizes the film's dark tone. Talented actors Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson shone as the two lighthouse keepers and showed brilliant chemistry. As one of the best films of its year, "Lighthouse" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography.
7. Nebraska (2013)
When an elderly man receives a letter claiming to have won a prize, he and his estranged son travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to accept him. Upon his arrival, he attracts the attention of the greedy townspeople, who only befriend him for the money.
Nebraska Alexander Payne is a beautiful and touching road movie that has a lot of meaning in life. The chemistry between Bruce Dern and Will Forte is exceptional, showing how an estranged relationship can turn into something meaningful. The comedy received critical acclaim and was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Of course, Dern wowed critics with his performance, which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.
6 Sweet Frances (2012)
In the comedy-drama Frances Sweet» young woman Frances Halladay faces several obstacles in her life. Her best friend moves in with her boyfriend, Frances is never able to find a place to live, and she is seen as a dancer by her company. However, she holds her head high and hopes that her dreams will come true in New York.
"Sweet Francis" is an entertaining film reflecting the difficulties of life and emphasizing the importance of self-determination. Although the film is in black and white, the cinematic and artistic experiments pay homage to the French New Wave. Greta Gerwig exemplifies this role perfectly, demonstrating Frances' joy and charm. Her breathtaking performance earned her her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical.
5. Cold War (2018)
At the center of this Polish film " Cold War" - a brewing romance between a musician and a singer. The fallout from the Cold War forces the couple to take extreme measures that could jeopardize their relationship.
Critics praised "cold war" for its black and white cinematography and beautiful yet bittersweet love story. In addition, Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot received praise for their joint performance. Poland submitted a drama in the Best Foreign Language Film category but lost to another black-and-white film.Roma" . cold war It was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Director and Best Cinematography.
4. Artist (2011)
Everything about The Artist is dreamy in terms of creative and technical style. Not only is the film shot in black and white, it is also a silent film. Of course, these solutions serve a purpose. The French comedy-drama focuses on a promising young actress and silent film veteran in the late 1920s and early 1930s, a period when black-and-white silent films were transitioning into "talkies".
Critics and audiences alike praised the French film for its charming and wholesome Hollywood story with superb performances by the actors, especially Jean Dujardin.Artist became one of the best films of 2011 and made several top 10 lists, including the National Board of Review. He also won several awards during the awards season, including 5 Oscars, including Best Actor for Dujardin and Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius. It also won the evening's most prestigious Best Picture award, becoming the most recent black-and-white film to win the award.
3. Roma (2018)
Mexican drama "Roma", which directed by award-winning Alfonso Cuarón, follows the life of housekeeper Cleo, who works for a wealthy family in Mexico City. Despite the escape of the family's patriarch and Cleo's unexpected pregnancy, Cleo and the family grow closer to overcome their obstacles and become a strong support network. Released on Netflix in 2018year film "Roma" won international attention, becoming one of the best films of the year and the best films of the decade.
Based on a loose autobiography of Cuarón's upbringing, the story is beautiful, powerful and captivating, reflecting authentic and realistic moments in life. The black and white aesthetic works as a poetic memory of the past. Both Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira performed superbly as Cleo and Sophia, earning them Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The drama film won Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director Cuarón and was the 10th foreign language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2. Ida (2013)
The visiting nun Anna soon has to take the oath, but suddenly finds out that her family is Jewish. Curious about her family's origins, Anna embarks on a journey with her only living relative to uncover the foundations of their family's history dating back to World War II.
Ida is a masterpiece that radiates the vibrant story of a young nun and her family's past. The plot is emotional and exciting, with impressive acting by Agata Kulesha and Agata Trzebukhovskaya. Like a Polish film,Ida" not only was it selected and nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, it was also the first Polish film to win the supposed award.It was also nominated for Best Cinematography.
1. The 40-Year-Old Version (2020)
When a once-promising, now struggling playwright hopes for a breakthrough before her 40th birthday, she changes course and becomes a rapper. Her new journey allows her to find her true voice, mixing hip-hop and theater to fulfill her dream.
40 year old version was released on Netflix in 2020 and soon became one of the most watched films of the year. The story is captivating and inspiring and encourages people to pursue their dreams. Of course, the main star of the film, Radha Blank, who also wrote, produced and directed the comedy, deserves all the credit. National Board of Review named "Version 40 years ago" one of the best films of 2020.
