Deakins Loses?

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The Oscar for Best Cinematography ( a word that Cameron Diaz can barely pronounce) goes to There Will Be Blood's Robert Elswit. This is a surprise. I'm sorry, but the cinematography of Roger Deakins in The Assassination of Jesse James loses? On top of his work in No Country? That doesn't feel right. At all. I loved Elswit's work but...I don't know. Conflicted.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 24, 2008 at 7:59 PM

comment #1

Wrecktum says ...

I guess he split the vote with his two noms, but ignoring Deakins every year is ridiculous. His work is consistently among the best in the business. Damn it.

Posted by Wrecktum at February 24, 2008 8:08 PM

comment #2

Rod32303 says ...

Maybe Deakins split his own vote with two nominations. Elswit is as worthy.

Posted by Rod32303 at February 24, 2008 8:09 PM

comment #3

JD says ...

Deakins was pretty damn close and I'd say No Country/the best parts of Jesse James are equal to TWBB... but not necessarily better. Plus, No Country is crippled by Deakins' overuse of that awful lens he invented that blurs out the sides of the frame. It simply doesn't work.

Posted by JD at February 24, 2008 8:10 PM

comment #4

High Chaparral says ...

Vote split?

Not that Elswit isn't deserving of recognition.

Posted by High Chaparral at February 24, 2008 8:10 PM

comment #5

Geoff says ...

I think they respect Elswit's old school approach. Anamorphic lenses and no DI. Just looking at dailies all day long.

Posted by Geoff at February 24, 2008 8:12 PM

comment #6

Jason says ...

First Skip Lievsay, now Roger Deakins... The Coen's technicians are getting the high hat!

Posted by Jason at February 24, 2008 8:21 PM

comment #7

Wrecktum says ...

"I think they respect Elswit's old school approach. Anamorphic lenses and no DI. Just looking at dailies all day long."

I don't think most voters (actors branch) even know what that means.

Posted by Wrecktum at February 24, 2008 8:22 PM

comment #8

AJW says ...

Sounds like a consolation prize for TWBB.

Posted by AJW at February 24, 2008 8:40 PM

comment #9

JaySmire says ...

The film is technical cinematic wizardry. It is so beautiful. It really should have been a three way tie between Elswit and Deakins X 2, but I still give Elswit the edge. Yes, Jesse James was beautiful to look at, but There will be blood had the most natural look to me. The scenes shot at night are the best I've seen in years.

Posted by JaySmire at February 24, 2008 9:10 PM

comment #10

JaySmire says ...

Posted by JaySmire at February 24, 2008 9:11 PM

comment #11

EU says ...

I really wanted Deakins to win.

Posted by EU at February 24, 2008 10:10 PM

comment #12

giantman says ...

I was shocked honestly, Deakins work on Jesse James is visual poetry and an outstanding achievement worthy of an Oscar. Elswit did great work on TWBB, no doubt, but great work pales in comparison to what was done on James... just beautiful and stunning and so rare these days.

I did feel however that Elswit's win was a bit of a "we're sorry your movie didn't win more awards" moment however. And that is no slight against the man himself.

Posted by giantman at February 25, 2008 4:30 AM

comment #13