Somebody explain to me how you can watch Pan’s Labyrinth and Children of Men and think that Pan’s Labyrinth is the better work of cinematography?
Pan’s Labyrinth was filmed with skill and imagination.
Children of Men was one of those films that sets the standard even higher. They did things with the camera in that film that defy belief.
Time will be a better judge than the Academy in all of these categories, but we don’t have to wait for an envelope on this one.
Camera movement and blocking is often a collaboration between the director and DP with the director usually getting final say (and the lion’s share of the credit, fair or not).
Cinematography awards, at least as I understand them, tend to have more to do with the film’s lighting, film stock choices, etc.. that combine to give the film it’s overall look.
So from that perspective, that evens the playing field between Pan’s Labryinth and Children of Men a bit more. I still would have voted for Children of Men, personally, but there you have it…kinda.
I think prefer the molten-lava color scheme in Pan’s Labyrinth to the ashen palette in Children of Men, but I was rooting for Lubezki all the way. Why? For political reasons, of course!
Seriously though, I thought those showboating long takes were enough to win Lubezki the Oscar. Apparently, everybody else thought so, too!
I’m with you, Jeffrey. Much as I loved PL, I thought CofM should have had it for cinematography.
Truly groundbreaking work isn’t usually rewarded till much later. It’s in good company.
I’m with you, Jeff. More like “Spam’s Labyrinth” y’ask me.
Truly groundbreaking work isn’t usually rewarded till much later, if ever. In any contest, people tend to vote for the safe and obvious, not the daring and demanding. It’s in good company.
Watching them on the big screen, I know I thought Childredn of Men was better-shot. Watching them on screener tapes, like a lot of the Academy voters probably did, might produce a different reaction.
nice review. But man, bummer! I will still go see my midnight showing, but how i wish it could have been GREAT!
“Thus, the movie ends up like Davy Jones himself—many-tentacled, full of bluster, and devoid of a beating heart.”
Classic Overstreet!
Well, we’re going to see it in a few hours. I’m taking my vitamins and hydrating pre-emtively…although the hydrating may be a bad idea.
What a huge disappointment! If I may borrow the wise words: “full of sound and fury and signifying nothing!”
Where did the fun go? Where did the sword fights go?
Alas, it lost its swashbuckle!