What I mean by favorite here is
"what I often find myself greatly admiring when I notice it's done really well"
gonna go with Director of Photography (cinematographer). with emphasis on the photography.
Some things I've watched recently that illustrate this role.
- Saltburn, great use of vertical space with the 4:3 aspect ratio, lots of color and natural light. Summer is captured well.
- Crash (1996), Lots of night scenes (always tough to get right), the setting looks appropriately dark, grimy, and mechanical.
- Fight Club, also a (literally) dark film and looks great.
yeah cinematography is such an art form. like many things in film, you often only notice if its done badly. but sometimes you notice how exceptionally well it is done, that is more rare and very impressive.
I think editing is also an incredible skill, keeping the story coherent, giving it rythm and flow and pacing and mood, etc. also something you usually only notice if it is done badly.