25 responses to “POLL: Who deserves it? — BEST ART DIRECTION”
Mr. F
The two that deserve it (Australia and The Fall) are not even nominated
Mr. F
but I voted Benjamin Button
P-Dawg
“In the Name of the King”, wait, no… “Benji Buttton”.
Leone
I think it’s BENJAMIN BUTTON… primarily because they had to cover almost a century of different designs to create the look of the film from decade to decade. Although I have to say that the art direction in THE DUCHESS was pretty extraordinary – lush, beautiful. But I voted BUTTON.
Robert Hamer
No kidding, Mr F.
Robert Hamer
Actually, now that I think about it, another film that deserved at least a nomination was Synecdoche, New York.
Speaking English
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Elaborate, stunningly conceived sets design that evoke periods long past with a sort of majestic, regal beauty.
And I guess this would be as good a time as any for someone to explain to me the art direction in “The Dark Knight.” What exactly was there? Was the whole movie not pretty much shot entirely on location in Chicago? I’m still trying to wrap my head around this nomination.
Can someone please tell me how Slumdog wins the BAFTA over Dark Knight for Best Cinematography??? The Dark Knight’s cinematography is head and shoulders above any movie this year, no question. The Dark Knight is the most beautifully shot film i’ve ever seen. It is an amazing piece of photographic art. Hopefully the Oscar will go to the right person: Wally Pfister.
Speaking English
Thanks Kris, glad to know I’m not alone. I’m utterly bewildered by it.
Gary, the most beautifully shot film you’ve ever seen? WHAAAA??? It doesn’t even make my Top 3 of 2008 in cinematography. If we’re talking most beautifully shot films, there’s “Barry Lyndon,” “Days of Heaven,” “Persona,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Black Stallion,” “The Silence,” “Hud,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford…”
I have no idea how anyone could say “The Dark Knight” is the most beautifully shot film they’ve ever seen. That’s just as confounding as its Art Direction nod.
Well, I certainly think Pfister’s work is the best of the year, but most beautiful ever is a stretch. I think the best cinematography of all time is Storaro’s work in “Apocalypse Now,” personally.
Robert Hamer
I guess the burning pile of money in that warehouse was pretty cool, but other than that I’m drawing blanks on why The Dark Knight is nominated.
Speaking English
Yeah, “Apocalypse Now” is a good choice. I just can’t believe “The Black Stallion” wasn’t even NOMINATED that same year, let alone win.
I don’t think The Dark Knight’s nomination is completely ridiculous. This award isn’t simply for the construction of sets, but for the design of the environments in the film.
Pfister deserves most of the credit, but Crawley did a very good job at bringing forth a Gotham City that is grounded in reality but still distinctly Gotham City. From the cool, stylish interiors of the city’s high-rise offices and penthouses, to the sepia-tinted streets and alleys; not all of it was just “there” for Nolan to shoot. Production design is important to both building sets AND finding locations.
The work is subtle, but quite integral to the vision of the film. I think it’s refreshing to see the Art Director’s branch embrace a more contemporary film for a change.
Just understanding the innovation of the IMAX technology on a fast-paced set is enough to warrant a nomination. “Best Cinematography” isn’t about what’s “pretty,” Robert.
N8: You’re reaching. That film was a location shoot through and through. I don’t think finding a sweet spot to shoot a fire at Battersea Power Station in London (however badass it looks on film) is enough to warrant a nomination for a production DESIGNER.
I agree that it’s subtle and integral work, but that doesn’t make it award-worthy.
Oh, apologies, Robert. Clearly misunderstood you but it’s not snotty condescension to rail against classification of “pretty” cinematography as “good,” which is sadly typical.
In any case, we pretty much agree on the issue at hand.
PJ
Out of these nominees, “Benjamin Button”, although “Revolutionary Road was rather gorgeous as well. “The Fall” would’ve been a lovely surprise.
Comments
25 responses to “POLL: Who deserves it? — BEST ART DIRECTION”
The two that deserve it (Australia and The Fall) are not even nominated
but I voted Benjamin Button
“In the Name of the King”, wait, no… “Benji Buttton”.
I think it’s BENJAMIN BUTTON… primarily because they had to cover almost a century of different designs to create the look of the film from decade to decade. Although I have to say that the art direction in THE DUCHESS was pretty extraordinary – lush, beautiful. But I voted BUTTON.
No kidding, Mr F.
Actually, now that I think about it, another film that deserved at least a nomination was Synecdoche, New York.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Elaborate, stunningly conceived sets design that evoke periods long past with a sort of majestic, regal beauty.
And I guess this would be as good a time as any for someone to explain to me the art direction in “The Dark Knight.” What exactly was there? Was the whole movie not pretty much shot entirely on location in Chicago? I’m still trying to wrap my head around this nomination.
I have no idea why anyone would pick “The Dark Knight” here. To my mind, that was the single dumbest nomination of the day.
Robert: Synecdoche deserved to WIN, in my view.
Can someone please tell me how Slumdog wins the BAFTA over Dark Knight for Best Cinematography??? The Dark Knight’s cinematography is head and shoulders above any movie this year, no question. The Dark Knight is the most beautifully shot film i’ve ever seen. It is an amazing piece of photographic art. Hopefully the Oscar will go to the right person: Wally Pfister.
Thanks Kris, glad to know I’m not alone. I’m utterly bewildered by it.
Gary, the most beautifully shot film you’ve ever seen? WHAAAA??? It doesn’t even make my Top 3 of 2008 in cinematography. If we’re talking most beautifully shot films, there’s “Barry Lyndon,” “Days of Heaven,” “Persona,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Black Stallion,” “The Silence,” “Hud,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford…”
I have no idea how anyone could say “The Dark Knight” is the most beautifully shot film they’ve ever seen. That’s just as confounding as its Art Direction nod.
Well, I certainly think Pfister’s work is the best of the year, but most beautiful ever is a stretch. I think the best cinematography of all time is Storaro’s work in “Apocalypse Now,” personally.
I guess the burning pile of money in that warehouse was pretty cool, but other than that I’m drawing blanks on why The Dark Knight is nominated.
Yeah, “Apocalypse Now” is a good choice. I just can’t believe “The Black Stallion” wasn’t even NOMINATED that same year, let alone win.
I don’t think The Dark Knight’s nomination is completely ridiculous. This award isn’t simply for the construction of sets, but for the design of the environments in the film.
Pfister deserves most of the credit, but Crawley did a very good job at bringing forth a Gotham City that is grounded in reality but still distinctly Gotham City. From the cool, stylish interiors of the city’s high-rise offices and penthouses, to the sepia-tinted streets and alleys; not all of it was just “there” for Nolan to shoot. Production design is important to both building sets AND finding locations.
The work is subtle, but quite integral to the vision of the film. I think it’s refreshing to see the Art Director’s branch embrace a more contemporary film for a change.
Just understanding the innovation of the IMAX technology on a fast-paced set is enough to warrant a nomination. “Best Cinematography” isn’t about what’s “pretty,” Robert.
N8: You’re reaching. That film was a location shoot through and through. I don’t think finding a sweet spot to shoot a fire at Battersea Power Station in London (however badass it looks on film) is enough to warrant a nomination for a production DESIGNER.
I agree that it’s subtle and integral work, but that doesn’t make it award-worthy.
… but I still say Button deserves it most.
Kris, you misunderstood my post. I was talking about The Dark Knight being nominated for ART DIRECTION, not cinematography.
I am fully aware that great cinematography doesn’t just mean “pretty”, and it would be nice if you could tone down the snotty condescension.
Re: The Dark Knight nomination.
I’m curious which shot they’ll show as an example of the Art Direction for this film when this category is broadcast.
Otherwise, this nomination brings up memories of last year when “American Gangster” was nominated.
Oh, I voted Changeling.
Oh, apologies, Robert. Clearly misunderstood you but it’s not snotty condescension to rail against classification of “pretty” cinematography as “good,” which is sadly typical.
In any case, we pretty much agree on the issue at hand.
Out of these nominees, “Benjamin Button”, although “Revolutionary Road was rather gorgeous as well. “The Fall” would’ve been a lovely surprise.
That’s cool. I overreacted a little anyways.
The nod for Dark Knight is beyond me. Didn’t they use Trump Tower for the building part of the ferry scene? That ain’t no set!
The Fall should be here. But of them, I’d say Curious Case.
Yeah, count me in as one of the write-in voters for “Synecdoche.”
As for “The Dark Knight,” I agree that Crowley did intelligent work there — but not exactly award-level. I always thought he’d be nominated, though.