OSCAR RACE 2006
commentary by Nathaniel R


Cinematography

Will Win / Should Win: I'm guessing those bravura tracking shots in Children of Men help get this Oscar to the right man. Lubezki is among the very best DPs in the world and he continues to marvel. It feels like the perfect time to reward him. However, I have to say that I do fear the surging popular Pan's Labyrinth -- but if they want to reward that film visually I'm hoping they feel Art Direction and Makeup are reward enough. Lubezki is overdue for the statue and he should have won last year as well. EDITED TO ADD: ARRRRRGGGGGGGGH !!! In an otherwise pleasing night my fear came to life and Lubezki's complete and total genius was snubbed.

Nominations: The cinematographers almost never ignore the Best Picture lineup. Hasn't happened in the past 40 years. How about them apples? My ballot
The Black Dahlia
Vilmos Zsigmond
The Children of Men
 Emmanuel Lubezki
The Illusionist
Dick Pope
Pans Labyrinth Guillermo Navarro
The Prestige
Wally Pfister
4th nom / 1 win
4th nom / 0 wins
first nomination
first nom & win
2nd nom / 0 wins
PRECURSORS
Winner: --
Nominee: ASC, GS
PRECURSORS
Winner: 2 Critics Award & ASC
PRECURSORS
Winner: 1 Critics Award
Nominee: ASC
PRECURSORS
Winner: 3 Critics Awards

 

Art Direction

Will Win / Should Win: I'm guessing the fantasy realms conjured in Pan's Labyrinth, as well as that spooky house/fortress with its creaky floors and oppressive solemnity help get this Oscar to the right man.

Nominations: The art directors haven't ignored the Best Picture lineup in the past 40 years either. Weird. Even stranger: denying Children of Men (its production design is so strong it practically tells the whole story) and Marie Antoinette (it shot in Versailles yes, but there is more to art direction than set construction --and it gets an A+ in all the other areas). My ballot
Dreamgirls
 John Myhre
The Good Shepherd Jeannine Oppewall
Pans Labyrinth
Caballero
Pirates of
Rick Heinrichs
The Prestige
Nathan Crowley
4th nom / 2 wins
 4th nom / 0 wins  
3rd nom / 1win
 
PRECURSORS
Winner: ---
Nominee: ADG, GS
PRECURSORS
Winner: --
Nominee: ADG
PRECURSORS
Winner: Critics Award & ADG
Nominee: GS
PRECURSORS
Winner:
Nominee: ADG
         

 

Film Editing

Will Win: I kept waffling on this one. It went to The Departed

Should Win: My vote goes to United 93, for its real time tension and expert juggling of land and air. But I'd be thrilled for another Schoonmaker win for The Departed

Nominations: Aside from Babel they went for action packed this year. And still ignored the big action hit: Casino Royale
Babel
 Douglas Crise
 Stephen Mirrione
 Keith H. Sauter
Blood Diamond Rosenblum
Children of Men Alex Rodriguez
The Departed
Thelma Schoonmaker
United 93
Claire Douglas & Chrostpher Rouse

3rd nom / 0 wins
first nominations
6th nom / 3rd win

ACE EDDIES *tie
ACE EDDIES *tie
 

 

 

Visual Effects
Should/Will Win: Pirates of the Caribbean had too many memorable visuals to be defeated here
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Superman Returns
Poseidon
6 VES Noms, GS Nom
1 VES Nom
3 VES Noms

 

Make Up

Should/Will Win: Pan's Labyrinth had stunning makeup effects. And they LOVE prosthetics when it comes to this prize. "The Pale Man", pictured left, won this prize all by his lonesome.
Pans Labyrinth
Apocalypto
Click