Production designer Guy Dyas has always associated himself with films that boast elaborate art direction. Even during his early years as a concept artist, the films were design-heavy. “Men in Black,” “Wild Wild West” and “Galaxy Quest” are examples. Later: Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” and elements of the Wachowski brothers’ “The Matrix Reloaded” benefited from his imagination.
Dyas has only completed six films at the head of the art department, but they all carry a stamp of scale in their design — most notably in “Superman Returns” — that seem to indicate a first Oscar nomination is likely on the horizon. (He has four guild nods, mind you.) And as I slowly (keyword) begin to saddle up to the new season’s offerings across various categories, I must say, I am and have been intrigued with the design opportunity presented in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception.”
Of course, most are looking forward to a mind-bending story with equally outrageous visual effects, but if we know anything about Nolan, it is that he is a monk when it comes to preserving practical filmmaking wizardry as much as possible. So while “Inception” is sure to showcase innovative CGI, I imagine its set designs will be just as awe-inspiring — certainly if a recently released quartet of production stills and behind-the-scenes shots are any indication.
I’ve largely steered clear of the frantic speculation over Christopher Nolan’s
I steered clear of all bootlegs of this throughout the weekend and I really didn’t want to go see “Inglourious Basterds” again, so this morning I got my first peek at the “Inception” teaser trailer. I like.
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Bill Ramey over at Batman on Film has posted a rather disconcerting 
So far 2008 hasn’t offered much for an Oscar shortlist beyond a few festival offerings that have yet to see a domestic release. Certainly nothing in the way of powerhouse awards-caliber performances has come down the pike, leaving some to talk up smaller, menial turns amid the lull. But one actor has certainly put forth an effort in the year’s first half that deserves the kind of recognition we cover here at In Contention.
I just got off the phone with Michael Caine for a piece I’ll have up momentarily concerning his rather striking performance in John Crowley’s “Is Anybody There?,” but while I had him cornered I thought I should ask him point blank about his potentially staring in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” a rumor that’s been bouncing around unconfirmed as of late. As it turns out, Caine will be in the film, albeit in a very small role. Here’s what he had to say specifically:
I really don’t know what to say about this. I understand Christopher Nolan is a progressive artist, a guy who understands both the necessity of shunning convention and the idea that what one may expect isn’t always the best solution. He’s proven it time and again with the films in his re-booted Batman franchise, starting at the top with a story that involved a villain largely unknown to the masses. He brought in Heath Ledger in a move some thought a bit too outside-the-box, and boy 
As expected, Christopher Nolan’s next film will not be a sequel to “The Dark Knight.” He will instead go into production on “Inception,” described in the breaking Hollywood Reporter 
While I, too, am tired of the carping and griping about this years Academy Award nominations, I still have not been able to wrap my head around how this group could have snubbed “The Dark Knight” and Christopher Nolan. They obviously liked the film, something akin to “Dreamgirls” two years ago, landing many nominations but lacking best film and director.
The New York Times put it to David Carr, a.k.a. The Carpetbagger, to write a 
I had planned to write a full-blown rant about the numerous blind spots and errors of judgment in this morning’s Academy Award nominations, but at this point I’m too tired and resigned to summon up the necessary fire.