Last Year
Wally Pfister helped Inception clean up in the technical awards and beat out every other major player for the well deserved honor of masterfully shooting one of the most visually audacious films of the year.
The Nominees
Guillaume Schiffman, The Artist
- To the masses, a film shot in black and white is either old or artistic. If you bypass the irony here, you can come away with the impression that this is a movie that plays by the rules of old cinema particularly well, but its win would hinge on a powerful sweep coming for The Artist.
Jeff Cronenweth, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
- After tons of hype, the film disappointed, but as usual, Fincher’s team of talented below-the-line professionals turned in one of the best looking and best sounding films of the year. There’s little doubt that this film was gorgeously shot, but this expected in this category.
Robert Richardson, Hugo
- Once Avatar took home an Oscar for 3-D cinematography, the door was officially opened. While this film isn’t as stunning or brilliant as Avatar, partially due to the fact that James Cameron invented and owns the world’s best 3-D camera rig system, it may not be groundbreaking enough to secure a rare win for Hugo.
Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
- After a legendary snub for Children of Men, a film not only brilliant for its design scheme but also for the preponderance of truly visionary long takes by a talented cinematographer, Lubezki continued his creative trailblazing by giving unfathomable gravity to one of the most daringly artistic films this year. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it was drop dead gorgeous.
Janusz Kamiński, War Horse
- It should not be doubted, at this point, that Steven Spielberg knows how to make a movie. That means consistently flawless visual and aural execution, laying bare scripts that often feature familiar plotlines and emotional manipulation. Kamiński already has two Oscar wins, cementing his reputation.
The Line
Frequently one of the most overlooked trophies, this is also the highest award given that is largely free from political bias. The cinematography guilds know what they’re doing and honor innovators while paying attention to the films that just look the best.
The Odds
Two-to-one for Emmanuel Lubezki. After sealing a win two days ago at the American Society of Cinematographers Awards, he’s won every award he’s been nominated for with only one exception, and without him, The Tree of Life would have been unwatchable.
The Darkhorses
Guillaume Schiffman stands a three-to-one chance. Since the Academy is made up of more than just cinematographers, those seeking a sweep for The Artist have an outside chance of getting this one in. In light of the top competitors, the chances of the remaining nominees look dim.
E-mail Bryan at ExaminerFilm@gmail.com for questions, advice, opinions, and suggestions. Questions, advice, and opinions may be posted anonymously. Follow Bryan on Twitter at ExaminerFilm.
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