Best Cinematography
Anna Karenina, Seamus McGarvey
Django Unchained, Robert Richardson
Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski
Skyfall, Roger Deakins
Another strong category, albeit one where the winner is bound to annoy me. There is a slight chance Roger Deakins, the deserving winner, finally receives his first Oscar for his incredible work in Skyfall, but Life of Pi, however overrated I feel the film’s cinematography is, has always been the favorite in this category. A flashy, effects-heavy drama with creative use of 3D, the film’s visuals are more than loud enough to overwhelm the competition, even if every single one of the other nominees are arguably more impressive as feats of pure cinematography (given the sheer amount of digital content, Life of Pi is more of an effects achievement). A safe bet if ever there was one.
Will Win: Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Should Win: Skyfall, Roger Deakins
Best Film Editing
Argo, William Goldenberg
Life of Pi, Tim Squyres
Lincoln, Michael Kahn
Silver Linings Playbook, Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers
Zero Dark Thirty, Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg
I cannot imagine the Academy’s technical love for Life of Pi will extend all the way into editing, but it is certainly possible, and if the film sweeps all the other technical awards, it may win here. Nevertheless, I think one of William Goldenberg’s nominations is the most likely winner, and since Argo is the Best Picture favorite – big winners often get an editing win as well – I am relatively confident it will take this award.
Will Win: Argo, William Goldenberg
Should Win: Zero Dark Thirty, Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg
Best Visual Effects
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Life of Pi
The Avengers
Prometheus
Snow White and the Huntsman
Life of Pi all the way. No matter how much I may find the visuals overrated, this is the VFX favorite of 2012. It would, to be fair, be the film’s most deserving win, as the admittedly impressive visuals are almost entirely a result of very strong VFX work.
Will Win: Life of Pi
Should Win: The Avengers
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