Straight White Super Bowl 2016: The Oscar Nominees for Best Cinematography and Best Director

The Oscars are almost upon us, with all their unpredictability. You don’t need an oracle to tell you what will happen. You don’t even need a film critic. You need someone who sees into the very souls of the Academy voters. You need a Straight White Man.

We’re almost there, guys! Tomorrow night, we’ll find out over the course of four hours bloated with self-congratulation and overwrought pageantry just how wrong every word in every post in this series has been. But tonight, we soldier on. I’ve already talked quite a bit about most of the nominated films in this category, and I hate to repeat myself, so I’ll be deliberately keeping this relatively short. Here are your nominees for Best Cinematography and Best Director.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Carol – There’s not as much motion in Carol as in most of these other nominees, but the shots are well-composed without exception. As good as Carol is for the full two hours, for me so much of it comes back to that last scene. Everything about it has to be perfect and is, including the excruciating slow zoom on Carol’s face as Therese approaches her. Great, great stuff.

The Hateful Eight – Something I’ve read about, which I sort of saw but would never have pinpointed as a matter of cinematography instead of just clever staging, is Tarantino’s insistence on shooting the whole movie on 70mm film in order to get the widest possible view. On a fairly small set like the movie’s roadhouse, it means cinematographer Robert Richardson is shooting most of the room—and often most of the cast—anytime he’s not taking a closeup. It’s a cool effect and one of the things I genuinely liked about a movie I didn’t care much for overall.

Mad Max: Fury Road – All the vast and detailed world-building that George Miller did for Mad Max wouldn’t mean much if you couldn’t see any of it. Miller’s director of photography, John Seale, always seems to know just how to show it all off. A friend has described the result of what happens when “lunatic Australian senior citizens” finally get their hands on cutting-edge cameras. Everything in frame is in constant motion for almost the entire movie, and the camera never loses focus or shakes or seems to be trying to hide anything.

The Revenant – Emmanuel Lubezki can win his third cinematography Oscar in a row this year, and it’s hard to see how anyone can stop him. Lubezki brings the trademark long takes that have distinguished him since, what, at least Children of Men, but The Revenant is just as impressive in the wider, more static shots, showing off the vast wilderness and Hugh Glass’s almost insignificant place in it. The lighting is beautiful and, at Iñárritu’s insistence, 100% natural.

Sicario – Will someone please give Roger Deakins his Oscar already? A thirteenth nomination without one trophy yet to show for it, including the year he was up against himself with No Country for Old Men and The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Sicario‘s photography is terrific all the way through, and I noticed two or three shots that I thought were subtly brilliant.

Will Win: The Revenant.

Should Win: Probably still The Revenant, but I’m rooting so hard for Sicario here.

Upset Special: Mad Max: Fury Road.

BEST DIRECTOR

Adam McKay, The Big Short – To my untrained eye, it seems a lot of Adam McKay’s genius is in what he gets out of his actors. I’ve talked already quite a bit about his love of improvisation, and here he’s used it to bring conversations about mortgages, bonds, and CDOs vibrantly and chaotically to life.

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road – George Miller spent 25 years making the absolute perfect action movie. It would be criminal not to give him this award, not even because of the effort he put in, but because the finished product is so incredible and so unlike anything else.

Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant – But Miller will have stiff competition from Iñárritu, who went to frankly stupid lengths to get his own movie made. I said in my first Oscar posts that I’m not inclined to give him extra credit for making his own job more difficult, and I’m still not. But even if you ignore the ongoing myth-making about the challenge of filming this movie, his work really is extraordinary.

Lenny Abrahamson, Room – I’d never seen an Abrahamson movie before Room, though I do remember seeing some promotion for his last movie, Frank. I was most impressed by his evident sense of timing; the movie has a lot of abrupt cuts, especially early on, but they all feel exactly right somehow.

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight – I’ve said once or twice now, I think, that Spotlight‘s pacing is one of the best things it has going for it; it’s spellbinding from start to finish. McCarthy’s the guy who ultimately deserves the credit for that.

Will Win/Should Win: George Miller.

Not Really An Upset Special: Alejandro González Iñárritu, as disappointed as I’d be.

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makeitsnowondem
make it snow is an alot of beer. He is also a Broncos fan living in Denver.
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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

WCS

Wish there was/is a better audio of this, but, this is the “best” available:

Senor Weaselo

Deadpool, still good the second time.

theeWeeBabySeamus

I guess I’m gonna have to go see that. All you fine gents seem to have rave reviewz.

WCS

It’s in my “Redbox box,” but, maybe I’ll have to bite.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Yep, I generally wait.
But it might be a big screen necessity, indeed.

WCS

I swear they took the “We’re gonna get our Hanes on you” jingle from the bass line.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

They are waiting for………………………….. a CAT scan……….

http://56.media.tumblr.com/60fbce9e636c3e8d024de504895bb1b1/tumblr_nfe6dsfkTt1r83d7lo1_1280.jpg

WCS

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

WCS

WCS

comment image

theeWeeBabySeamus

Larson was the best.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
theeWeeBabySeamus

Yes…did a double take.
/thought Moose went off book operational

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I did; she had a burrito for lunch.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

WCS

Here’s one I’d be willing to wager my life’s savings (all $23.59!) you’ve never heard before:

theeWeeBabySeamus

Have heard it…but it’s been a while. I had a classmate in grad school who was a freak for Huey. Truth be told, she was a freak in general….and in the GOOD way. Wooo!!!! College!!!!!

I am willing to settle out of court for half your life savings. my PayPal acct will await your $11.78 (you get extra penny…I am not unfair)

WCS

I’ll mail you check post-dated for 1/1/3016.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
theeWeeBabySeamus

See…now I gotta sue ya.
Interwebz counts as an implied/stated contract, just so you know.
/please believe the bluff….please believe the bluff

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

My favorite high school party song. Tommy Bolin was a hell of a musician.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4kDpg9gkJs

theeWeeBabySeamus

Now THAT’S a hard sell.

WCS

theeWeeBabySeamus

Youtube on crack tonight…the earlier “Life’s been Good to me…” boobie festival vid then led me here. I guess bcuz this one’s another boobie festival.
And since I love these guys and this song, here ya go…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UGAB7DMIRk

WCS

WCS

So, Joe Walsh?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

Guess where the next Gronk party bus’s destination is headed?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

WCS

WCS

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

That could possibly be the worst photography pun ever.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

ballsofsteelandfury

“original art by make it snow” is my favorite tag of all time. Even more than “Roger Goodell is a National Disgrace” and I’m DAMN proud of that one.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

theeWeeBabySeamus

I was listening to the Joe Walsh live version of this at the exact moment Moose posted this. His earlier Joe Walsh led me there.
Then to this….a fun version to watch, I might add…if you like cars and boobies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sniDwNT-rmc

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
theeWeeBabySeamus

Am I the only that was hoping they were gonna turn it on?

WCS

comment image

Not by a damn sight.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I’d be jammin’ quarters.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Already the 28th here. You damn central timers think the world revolves around you just bcuz you gotz all the legal weed.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Sorry…Mountain.

theeWeeBabySeamus

I may still be somewhat asleep.
And way too sober.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

theeWeeBabySeamus

Thanks for the assist, as always.
Your Hollies post earlier sent my youtube back to 60s/70s
/not complaining

theeWeeBabySeamus

You know, whenever I open my door there’s never anything like this out there.
Just once, universe…just once before I die.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

She…… comedy boner.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I can’t seem to place where the city is that this picture was taken.

http://56.media.tumblr.com/979e792e1dd67450cfb17f78a2e87077/tumblr_o22o6q4AE71rlb6iho5_1280.jpg

WCS

There’s a city in that photo?

theeWeeBabySeamus

Two of ’em…oh wait, you said “city”.

ballsofsteelandfury

I wish I could like that twice.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Yo.
Decided to take a short nap after and early (4pm-ish) dinner.
Slept six hours.

/regrets nothing
//is being recruited by Team AARP as we speak

WCS

You’re wrapping your couch in plastic tomorrow I take it.

theeWeeBabySeamus

It already is, but that’s for a totally different reason.

WCS

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Well shit, I laughed.

theeWeeBabySeamus

I’m still laughing.
This in spite of the fact that my father died of Parkinson’s less than a year ago.
Qualifications for my express ticket to hell almost completed.
/Sorry Dad….but you know you’d be laughing too.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Agree on Roger Deakins; great scene artist that gets unnoticed.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Deez Brand

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Fat ones…. even WEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRDEDERER!

laserguru

Wine is a mocker.
Strong drinking is RAGING.

Croooow

Steph Curry. Holy Shit.

WCS

I was out of the loop most of the evening. It’s unlikely, but, did Porky post anything?

entropy

Not that ive seen, but I hope he ‘s as ok as he can be

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I didn’t see anything.

WCS

Alright, thanks. I realize it was a long shot. God, I feel so bad for him.

laserguru

Nothing yet. It will take some time.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

I just busted out the Laphroaig 18, and gentlemen, it is delicious. To paraphrase one of the prophets of our time, each sip feels like a tiny hug.

laserguru

I love how you feel the single malts all the way down. It comes out your pores. It is like a hug.

A big sweaty Scottish hug.

Shots!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Damn near kilt ‘im.

laserguru

Hey folks!

I just saw Deadpool and I had a really fun time.
A Zamboni?

I just want to say that I’m taking Sunday Gravy off tomorrow. See? The thing is I don’t always cook new things every week. I was worried that this might happen. I’m cooking this tomorrow, a repeat: https://www.doorfliesopen.com/index.php/2015/06/21/sunday-gravy-with-yeah-right-take-it-easy-on-dad/

And I want to give you original content. Besides, this crane asada is the shit.

I defer to Make It Snow to take us home to Oscar Glory.

Take it home!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
laserguru

Now the thing is, it’s free if you’re fast enough to catch them.

It just confuses the life guards.

King Hippo

Good relaxing song.

Sill Bimmons

HYPERREALISM IN BANNER IMAGERY WOO

WCS

Downright spooky how accurate it is.

entropy

I myself sit in awe.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

make it snow; you should be careful using actual scene stills from the movie like the banner pic; DFO might get a cease and desist.

WCS

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
WCS

comment image

Where the hell is everyone?

King Hippo

Raptured. Don’t be all jelly.

WCS

Welp, time to raid the CVS down the street.

comment image

King Hippo

That’s always my thought during the initial phase of any apocalypse show. Fuck that food and bottled water noise, this cracker ass needs to take his softball bat towards the morphine and dilaudid aisle…

BrettFavresColonoscopy

I’m still here and I’m a J-O-O

King Hippo

false alarm then, no way could they ever has a rapture without you guys ,, smh

Beerguyrob

Sorry. The dog started shooting blood out of everything earlier today. Mind was elsewhere.

She’s better now, but that was an expensive vet visit. I’m not-at-all creepily watching her sleep.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

WTF? What was wrong with her? Sorry to hear that.

Beerguyrob

Giardiasis . She won’t stop eating shit covered dirt. Stupid puppy.

She’s stopped puking, and now is just resting. Thanks.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
laserguru

My first response is find the liquor aisle then the canned food.

Lagavulin and Dinty Moore beef stew.

I can live off that.