The only quibble I could possibly make to this list is to say that 'Barry Lyndon' and 'Hero' might be too beautiful: I've seen them both and some of the images stay with me, but I couldn't really tell you details of the plot or even overarching themes. A more recent example of this phenomena would be 'American Beauty.' Beautifully filmed, but I couldn't so much as tell you what it was about.

I'm surprised, too, at the lack of Janus Kaminski films on this list. 'Schindlers List' is a masterpiece....and even the otherwise inert 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence,' is a cinematographic work of art (though, that one probably breaks your CGI rule...) Or other Spielberg films... 'Raiders,' 'E.T.,' 'Amistad,' 'Bridge of Spies,' and 'Munich' being particular standouts.

And not even a mention for the late Conrad Hall? 'Road to Perdition' is a magnificent film, in every respect, but particularly in cinematography. It crown's his career alongside such great cinematography as 'A Civil Action,' 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' I could go on.

Ok, more than one quibble... =-)

I think, too, there are a lot of Hitchcock films that are beautifully shot, 'Suspicion,' 'North by Northwest,' and 'Vertiqo,' are great though they have a wholly different aesthetic, such that some might not find them 'beautiful' (whatever that really means...)

Georg Krause lit Kubricks 'Paths of Glory' wonderfully. But the trench scenes and the prisoners in the cell can't be called 'beautiful' and perhaps that's the point. In capturing that ugly, the clarity of the soldiers courage and strength of willl stands out... And the sheer strength of their desire to live. And, yet perversely, the beauty and opulence of the generals quarters and partying highlights the malignance and darkness in their hearts. And then, a beautiful girl and a song.