Atmosphere

[The_Return]

Originally Posted by Haunted

My favorite setting which can be made into the perfect atmosphere is the possessed/haunted insane asylum. It sort of plays on itself: the haunted mind, the haunted people, the crimes committed by haunted doctors or other patients creating ghosts, which in turn haunt the people, and create cycles which continuously feed on themselves and lives making them stronger and more vile. Then you've got the idea that the mind of the insane is the most powerful mind of all, because it has no boundries, it can and will believe in or accept anything.

Totally agreed.

That atmosphere / setting can make subpar movies watchable (Boo), good movies great (Madhouse) and great movies even better (Session 9, House on Haunted Hill remake)

[Despare]

I love great atmosphere, in everything from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video to The Abominable Snowman. I really dig silent films with great atmosphere like M or Metropolis where it helps to tell a story almost as well as dialogue.

[alkytrio666]

Originally Posted by The_Return

Or to expand on that...Jacques Tourneur.

Yes, him especially, but Lewton had a good eye for choosing an ensemble of great atmospheric directors (Mark Robson and Robert Wise to boot).

And speaking of Robert Wise...whaddabout him?! Great atmosphere in his numerous spectacular films. The Haunting, anyone? The Day the Earth Stood Still? The Body Snatcher? Rod and I have ranted and raved about this guy before, but he deserves it all.

Despare hit it on the head with Fritz Lang's masterpieces.

And what about David Lynch? Eraserhead? Blue Velvet? His films are bleeding nightmarish atmosphere.