Awards
Page Index
* OSCAR coverage here
'06 FiLM BiTCH
Awards
by Nathaniel
R
Traditional
Oscar categories: Majors
/
Acting /
Technicals
/ Technicals 2
(Tally of Noms)
Special Categories: Extras
/ Extras 2 / Scenes
1 / Scenes 2
(Tally of Noms) / Movie Mixers (Poll Games)
Best Cinematography
the
visual storytellers are
 |
The
Black Dahlia Vilmos Zsigmond This legendary cinematographer shows off (a lot) in this noir but if you had his mastery of the craft, wouldn't you? |
 |
Children
of Men Emmanuel Lubezki Rapturous showmanship that's also expert storytelling. This 42 year-old DP already has an enviable stellar filmography |
 |
 The
Departed Michael Ballhaus He often does terrific work but rarely gets recognized. Must be that lack of landscapes in his filmography |
 |
Marie
Antoinette Lance Acord He's a perfect matched stylistically for Coppola's own aesthetic. Great use of natural light, focus, and a command of mood |
 |
Three
Times Pin Bing Lee Hsiao-hsien Hou's longtime trusted DP delivers breathtaking lighting and beauty in three separate eras |
Finalists:
The
Painted Veil Stuart Dryburgh finds real beauty
in the not always easy to photograph leads and makes freeze
frameable use of landscape * Babel
-Rodrigo Prieto keeps on delivering the goods. A versatile
follow up to Brokeback Mountain * Volver's
Jose Alcaine and The
Fountain's Matthieu Libothique do
right by the amazing directorial visions they're
serving |
|
Best
Costume Design
[I've
decided to no longer have a "contemporary" category because
I feel it only adds to the ghettoization
of this kind of work. if it's one of five best it should be recognized
regardless of genre or time period.]
the fashionistas are
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Curse
of the Golden Flower Chung Mang Yee |
The
Devil Wears Prada Patricia Field |
Dreamgirls Sharen Davis |
Marie
Antoinette Milena Canonero |
The
Painted Veil Ruth Myers |
Grandiose
and eye-popping. Bonus Points: So elaborate, rich and constrictive they seem like traps. And aren't they? These royals can't escape their roles or fate |
This
film dies if the costumes fail. But as she proved on S&tC,
Fields is a genius at showing personality through attire. Bonus Points: Andie's transformation |
Love
them we do... Dazzling theatrics and multiple time periods. A Gorgeous color palette, too Bonus Points: Has Beyoncé ever looked more beautiful? No. |
Epic
assignment. Awesome work. Another A+ for Canonero. Bonus Points: One character says that the dauphine looks like a little piece of cake. Doesn't she though |
Beautiful
subdued palette. The actors look refined Bonus Points: These threads are way too dainty and delicate for such a harsh environment and story -which adds to their drama |
| Finalist:
Jenny
Beavan does wonders with sharp dressed cops, the stiff and
demented wealthy, and the lost actresses in The
Blach Dahlia but her coup de grace is dressing
that living doll Scarlett Johansson. Too bad about the performance
but the actress has never looked better * Sabine Daigeler's
work on Volver uses black superbly
and when the colors pop, it's a real joy. Cruz looks sensational
throughout: a working glass goddess. Semi-Finalists: Pan's Labyrinth's Lala Huete, The Prestige's Joan Bergin and The Queen's Consolata Boyle should also pat themselves on the back for jobs well done. Filmmakers should immediately fill their calendars with more work. |
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| Oscar
Race |
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Best
Editing
the
sharp cutters are
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Casino
Royale Stuart Baird |
Children
of Men Alex Rodriguez |
The
Departed Thelma Schoonmaker |
Marie
Antoinette (& Dave Chappelle's Block Party) Sarah Flack |
United
93 Claire Douglas & Chrostpher Rouse |
Superbly
handled action sequences. It's not his fault that the movie
is too long |
Every
cut feels crucial. And it's thrilling when there's so few
of them |
Still
one of the best there is at 67 years young. Thrilling work
--this thing moves |
Does
fine p.o.v. work following Marie's moods. Huge
Bonus Points: Block Party |
Real
time wonder. The editing is so crucial to this movie
working |
|
Finalist:
The
Fountain Jay Rabinowitz did indelible work on
Requiem and here, for Darren Aronosfsky again, he
does a fine job balancing the triple structure and moments
of wonderment *
The
Queen Lucia Zuchetti
helps to keep the drama taut and the action feels brisk despite
virtually nothing ever happening * Semi-Finalists: Dreamgirls Virginia Katz -a few stellar setpieces really benefit from her skills * Volver - José Salcedo * Little Miss Sunshine Pamela Martin never shows off but notice that your interest never flags despite a lot of time spent round the table or in the bus. Good comic timing * Inside Man Barry Alexander Brown* Shortbus Briane A Kates --like Sarah Flack's job on Block Party, just imagine trying to piece this collage together and come up with something tonally cohesive that's also (mostly) coherent * |
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| Oscar
Race |
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Best
Art Direction / Production Design
the
well apointed films are
 |
The Black Dahlia Dante Ferretti The acclaimed designer apes the films overstuffed feel and dichotomies in the sets. It's all both beautiful and repellent: like Hollywood itself (?) |
 |
Children
of Men Jim Clay & Geoffrey Kirkland So much telling well executed visual detail in this crumbling world that it's practically a narrative unto itself. Multiple viewings a must |
 |
Marie
Antoinette K.K. Barrett Gorgeous use of Versailles, witty still lifes, and a splendid girly color sense for a film that demands that this sealed opulent world be a character |
 |
Pan's
Labyrinth Eugenio Caballero Beautifully realizing Del Toro's imaginative concepts. The memorable, creepy and isolating sets do wonders for the movie |
 |
The
Prestige Nathan Crowley Some people preferred The Illusionist but The Prestige gets my vote for the best looking best designed magician pic of the year |
Finalists:
Curse of the Golden Flower Tingxiao Huo oversees
castles that look like they're made of rainbow sherbet and
somehow his color pallette still works. Ornate and exciting
to look at * Monster House Ed Verreaux
went with a no brainer fall color scheme (Halloween figures
in) that's very pleasing and there's inventive work on the
house, graphic touches that feel just right, and tons of wonderful
detail on DJ's room * Superman Returns Guy
Dyas gets the Americana feel just
perfect * |
|
Best
Animated Film
the
glorious toons are...
 |
 |
 |
|
Happy
Feet |
Monster
House |
Over
the Hedge |
A
deeply weird film but you have to give props when an animated
film heavily borrows from other movies (they all seem to)
but still manages to have its own personality |
A
well imagined and executed adventure flick for all ages. The
clever script and wonderful work from its ensemble of comic
actors seriously elevate it. |
There
were too many 'fish out of water' animated movies about forest
critters this year, but this one stood out with its genuinely
inspired comic setpieces. |
| Please
note: I
was not able to catch A Scanner Darkly in time for
my awards |
||
| Oscar
Race |
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