Funny, I usually rat-hole into the Cinefix YouTube channel when I am interested in looking at the mechanical aspect of making movies. They do lists. "5 best uses of color in movies", or "10 bit parts that stole the film", or "5 camera effects to add drama", or whatever. Then they show you a scene, narrate over it and explain whatever thing they are explaining, and then jump to the next scene. It's fluffy, and you can debate their choices, but I find it gets me thinking about the topic of their list, and then I think of other examples of that in film. It gives me a jumping-off point to begin thinking about some specific aspect of filmmaking. And they are fun.
Thanks for the suggestion. One of my favorite ways at looking at aspects of film making are comparing two films of the same genre, but from different eras or different cultures. It's real interesting to compare and contrast them sometimes, especially action films. There's so many subtle things about framing, pacing, etc. that gives away when a film was made. The thing is, I can't put my finger on why, which is what made me ask this question to begin with. Maybe if I knew the stylistic choices behind movies and why, I'd be better able to answer that question.It gives me a jumping-off point to begin thinking about some specific aspect of filmmaking. And they are fun.
You should know that the more you know about the sausage-factory that is movie-making, the less you will enjoy movies. As you learn camera techniques, editing techniques, blocking, framing... you find yourself yanked out of the movie and into the mechanics of the scene. It can really bust up your movie enjoyment. Then again... you'll be watching something, and suddenly you will FEEL SOMETHING DEEPLY, and you'll switch into analytical mode, and figure out what it was that triggered your response. A cut. An angle. A musical sting. Whatever. Go watch ten or fifteen of those Cinefix movie analyses, and I think you'll start to see the mechanics behind what it takes to get that scene onto film...