Well, I was expecting this to drop tomorrow, but the ASC nominees have been announced (catch them at The Circuit), and there are a couple of surprises.
Okay, well, Jeff Cronenweth getting in for “The Social Network” isn’t a complete surprise, as I mentioned this morning we should watch out for him here. But Danny Cohen making the cut for “The King’s Speech,” despite the fact that the film has an intriguing visual quality, is a bit unexpected.
The rest is as we would have thought, though Robert Richardson missing is less of a shock than Enrique Chediak and Anthony Dod Mantle getting the shaft. I think Cohen gets bumped in favor of something else, though.
Though maybe Cronenweth is in a precarious position, seeing as the ASC is quicker to nominate digital work than the Academy. The rest, I should think, are solid.
Or maybe we shouldn’t bank on anyone missing and we’ll just get 5/5? It’s rare, but it’s happened. What do you think?
Again, check out the full list of nominees at The Circuit. And I’ve updated the category’s Contender page (updating as the guilds announce, actually, so keep checking those links). Later this week, the American Cinema Editors (ACE) will speak up.
[Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures]
Comments
27 responses to “‘King’s Speech,’ ‘Social Network’ among ASC nominees”
Ooooooh. O_O
That’s very interesting, very interesting indeed. I am rather bummed that Richardson missed out, Shutter Island was absolutely masterful.. But on the other hand it’s thrilling to not get the expected, and maybe this means we’ll actually have one category on the 25th that won’t be completely predictable.
Cronenweth’s nomination is quite a curveball. It’s not completely out of nowhere, but I’d honestly all but written off his chances. Fincher’s films are always impeccably shot, but this film isn’t flashy in the least like his others. This nomination speaks loads about how much people love this film, though. More than any other nomination it’s gotten so far, I’d say.
The same goes for The King’s Speech, even if it popping up here isn’t quite as surprising.
Well, my assumption that Shutter Island would be stronger below the line is a bit off (nice to have seen it in art direction and fx lists, though). No Russell Boyd for TWB, either.
Slightly surprised by The King’s Speech.
these are 5 strong choices, however like others said shutter island was shot amazingly and by a legend, disapointing
Why are people still surprised by nominations for digitally shot films? Avatar and Benjamin Button, though much more flashy, are digital shot films that were nominated at the Oscars.
They were maybe — maybe — the start of a change in that bias. Not that crazy to be somewhat surprised if a digitally shot film is nominated by the Academy’s cinematography branch. Both were also dominating films on the circuit, mind you. Apocalypto and Collateral were not.
Anyone else really like the cinematography of Never Let Me Go?
Jim: It was one of few stand-out aspects, I thought.
I am very pleased that Danny Cohen is nominated. The cinematography of The King’s Speech is symbolic and beautiful, and has certainly been an overlooked aspect of the film in my opinion.
The Social Network?
Perhaps the Armie Hammer- illusion is considered a good cinematic shot?
They should just call these the top 5 nominees for Best Picture….
As much as I love The King Speech, I don’t think it’s worthy of a nomination in this category as well… Replace the two it with Harry Potter and 127 Hours… Or even Shutter Island and Never Let Me Go…
This is Deakins to keep…. Give it to him… I expect better choices at the Oscars…
Savor those film nominees (and films). Digital creep is hard to avoid.
By the way, it’s worth noting that “Black Swan” is currently batting 1000 with the precursor guild circuit. PGA, DGA, SAG ensemble, WGA, ADG, ASC, CAS, VES. 8/8.
If you want to consider the stunt ensemble bid for “Inception,” then that film, too, is batting 1000.
Intriguing.
I think the primary reason that it’s become more accepted is that digital cameras are now good enough to be able to produce film-like quality. Digital doesn’t (have to) have that ugly “digital look” anymore, which I think was what held back a lot of those earlier films. Nowadays, ask most people and they probably wouldn’t be able to tell whether The Social Network was shot on digital or film.
I’m sure there’s still some snobbery about film versus digital in the cinematography world, but I think it’s quickly fading away as the quality of digital has increased. If anything I would say The Social Network is in a precarious situation with the Oscars not because it was shot digitally but because it’s not your typically “beautiful, Oscar-y” kind of cinematography.
Yes, Jim, “Never Let Me Go” was one of the most beautifully shot films of 2010. Shame it’s gone so unrecognized.
As for these nominees? Greatly surprised, and greatly happy they’ve included “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech.” The former has your typical Fincher dark blues, greens, and browns, and certain scenes almost warrant the Oscar itself (the camera carrying itself up to Mark and Sean in the nightclub, the rowing sequence with the Winklevoss twins).
And the latter is so unique, so fantastic how it sort of wraps around the actors’ faces, bringing them and us closer to the action. Very detailed with nice, clean compositions.
Disappointed at no “127 Hours,” though.
frowny face :(
I hoped Winter’s Bone to get in. Those outdoors shots were nicely lensed.
Great info, Kris (on Black Swan and Inception’s batting 1000 with the guilds).
I really, really wonder if – now that The Social Network has crucified the critics circuit – something like Black Swan or The King’s Speech can shake things up at the Critics Choice, Golden Globes, & SAG Awards; and eventually the Oscars.
I’m still assuming The Social Network will win one or more of those. But still. As you said, intriguing. I NEED intrigue this season.
Black Swan’s ride through precursors is likely to continue as I fully expect it to get an nomination from the editors.
kris, isnt the social network 8/8 as well?
o never mind, no visual effects i suppose
Just wondering, how would people rank the nominees. For me it would have to be
Black Swan
Inception
The Social Network
True Grit
The King’s Speech
I’d offer some commentary but i’m really tired and will probably go to sleep in a minute. But i’d love to hear others reasons behind their rankings
tomorrow, of course :)
I predicted Social Network out of cynicism and knew it would get it. Every guild wants in a cut of the Best Picture front-runner and the presumable “best film of the year”. They can show they are ‘in’ on cultural phenomenon by nominating it in ‘their’ category.
But wow, these guilds will have you believe that some combination of 5 out of these 6-7 films are the best acted, best directed, best art-directed, best shot, best written films of the year and they also have the best sound of the year. You’d be hard pressed to find such a across the board great films but what an age we live in, this year it seems we have several.
And I still do think that ‘film’ snobbery is justified. ‘Film’ movies look infinitely better than ‘video’ movies.
Red Wine, right on the money with that first post. Critics groups forming a consensus is one thing, but these people are all supposed to acknowledging standouts in their specific craft, not rating the damned contenders.
With the Costumes and Art Direction the division of categories allows them to cast a wider net, but you don’t have that here. A movie could be awful but have great cinematography and I’d like to see a little more imagination from the ASC.
Very disappointing.
I hope that both Black Swan and True Grit are nominated; I want Roger to win it.
@red_wine,
A film like The Social Network doesn’t look like “video” though.
Of these 5, I’d rank em:
Black Swan
True Grit
Inception
The Social Network
The King’s Speech
TKS over Harry Potter? :(