The 2012 Academy Award Nominees for Best Cinematography
Tree of Life
There is no way “The Tree of Life” wasn’t going to get nominated. Its just stunning. It makes me feel guilty just looking at the images. They are so perfect. Incandescent. I’m guessing Emmanuel Lubezki will win for this one. Its about time too. He’s been nominated 4 times before for “A Little Princess”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “The New World” (another Terrence Malick collaboration) and “Children of Men”. It’s also no surprise that a Terrence Malick movie got nominated for best cinematography. With the exception of “Badlands”, every one of his films has received a nomination or a win for Best Cinematography.
War Horse
I’ve always enjoyed Spielbergs movies and I liked “War Horse” very much. I’m always a sucker for the gritty aesthetic of war movies and post apocalyptic movies and I thought this one was beautiful. It had a very different look to it that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. More front lighting perhaps? It reminded me of the way older live-action disney movies used to look. It certainly had a distinctive feel to it.
The Artist
I can’t really judge this one as I haven’t had a chance to see it yet. From the trailer thought it looks great. I love how they matched the look of older films by having a 1.37 aspect ratio and a low contrast B&W image. I’m excited to see this. Hopefully I can check it out soon.
Hugo
Hugo might have a chance of edging out “Tree of Life”. This is Robert Richardson’s seventh academy award nomination. He was also nominated for “Platoon”, “Born on the Fourth of July”, “JFK”, “Snow Falling on Cedars”, “The Aviator” and “Inglourious Basterds”. It’s a 3D film but that didn’t seem to hurt “Avatar” which won in 2010. It marks a lot of firsts for Martin Scorsese. First 3D film, first children’s movie, first use of extensive visual effects sequences and I believe it was also the first time he shot a film digitally. Looks like someone’s starting to embrace the new technology 馃檪
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
This one was a foregone conclusion to get nominated. Fincher has a keen eye. His two previous films “The Social Network” and “Benjamin Button” were nominated for best cinematography too. So its no big surprise. It was shot by Jeff Cronenweth who you might not be aware is the son of Jordon Cronenweth who shot “Blade Runner”. Talented family.
There weren’t a lot of surprises in the Best Cinematography Category. With the exception of “The Artist” I guessed all of the nominated films before they were announced. A couple films that might have gotten nominations though…
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
A good looking film. Shot by Hoyte Van Hoytema who also shot “Let the Right One In”. Not a flashy movie for cinematography the way Hugo or War Horse were, but still a very well shot movie.
Melancholia
Haven’t seen this one yet either, but the trailer looks gorgeous. I need to catch this one soon.
Drive
I loved this movie. Excellent pacing, acting, direction and cinematography. There were a couple of shots in the car where Ryan Gosling is driving in the dark The car is almost completely black but you can see his eyes shining our of almost complete darkness. Those shots were stunning. Great use of cinematography to help set the mood.
3 Responses
Hey!
Really awesome work on your web, thanks a lot!
I completely agree with your comment about “Drive”, I loved those super dark shots, really awesome stuff.
The soundtrack helped a lot too.
Keep up the great work.
C.
The soundtrack was awesome. I agree. I reminded me of some of the soundtrack of “Breaking Bad”. This sort of elecrto-pop ambient music. Very effective in setting the mood.
It’s a crime that ”The Tree of Life” didn’t win that year. Lubezki had outdone himself with ”Children of Men” in 2006 but this was pure perfection.