The Tree of Life (2011)

Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki

Directed by Terrence Malick

This list cannot be without referring to Terrence Malick first. This American philosopher turned filmmaker symbolizes what it means when style becomes substance. His sunlit larger than life shots give a magnificent depth to the mundane lives of his characters. And his montage style (sometimes even cutting a-list actors out of films) is unparalleled. As you will see below, he is famous for inspiring young filmmakers to try to achieve the same, but most fail miserably. But even Malick is balancing on a dangerously thin line, and in his equally breathtaking, yet more shallow 2012 To The Wonder it was demonstrated that he cannot always pull it off either. Oscar-winning (Gravity) Mexican cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki was the DP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0&w=450&h=210