I have a few. The establishing shots of Bonnie & Clyde are really interesting. The photographs establish the historical perspective, and the shots of Bonnie in bed provide great eye candy on one part, but are almost jarring compared to films of their time.
Another would be the slow zoom out on Bonasera in the establishing shot of The Godfather.
Posted Jul 5, 2012, 2:49 AM UTC
Apocalypse Now
Rear Window. Without any dialogue, the entire backstory and environment for Jimmy Stewart's character is revealed in about 60 seconds: the main characters name, that he's a photographer, obviously adventurous, he was in an accident taking a photo that left him with a broken leg, that's it's insanely hot, that he in the heart of the city (sound) with lots of activity outside his window, that his girlfriend is wealthy and possibly famous, etc. I also find that the photograph of Grace Kelly's character being in negative is a kind of slight to her - or him not taking her too seriously - which makes sense for what comes later in the story.
It's a great opening shot.
Children of Men, upon the introduction of Jasper (Michael Cain). A jagged handheld dolly to the right over photographs and newspaper clippings which, with all their limited information and headlines, reveal in one 8 second shot everything Jasper and his comatose wife are and were before the world went to hell.
Alfonso Cuarón deserves so much more credit for that movie. Just phenomenal cinematography and direction.
Not sure if it counts, but I love this shot from Raiders
This is fairly obvious, but Touch Of Evil instantly comes to mind.