Polished art of photography and camerawork is assuredly one of the key elements in moviemaking — exposure, lighting, camera placement and movement are all important factors to consider when shooting a film. When properly executed, cinematography makes a movie stand out, dictating the overall visual style of a picture and setting just the right tone.
RELATED:The Best Cinematography Of 2022
Although some of the nominees for this year’s Best Cinematography are highly deserved (Florian Hoffmeister’s work inTáris absolutely astounding, as well asJames Friend’s inAll Quiet on the Western Front), there were also a couple of inevitable snubs in the category. These are 8 gorgeous movies which cinematography that deserved a nod from the Academy.
8’The Banshees of Irisherin'
This allegory for the Irish Civil War featuresColinFarrellandBrendonGleesonrepresenting the two warring fractions, the Irish Free State and the Irish Republican Army. An intriguing tragicomedy throughout,MartinMcDonagh’s movie depicts friendship and heartbreak as it follows two lifelong friends whose relationship is suddenly put to an end.
Filmed on the Inis Mór Island in Ireland,TheBansheesofIresherincounts on gorgeous Irish landscapes with a very melancholic undertone that completely immerses viewers in the story and setting. In a conversation with IndieWire, director of photographyBenDavisrevealedthat he spent time watching classic Westerns and looked at several ofJohnFord’s movies for inspiration.
7’Avatar: The Way of Water'
Avatar: The Way of Wateris the second installment of the epic sci-fi franchise and follows up the events after the first film. This time around, viewers are introduced to Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri’s (Zoë Saldaña) family as they attempt to escape from a returning threat, finding new shelter near Pandoran water.
If there’s one thingJames Cameron’s moviedoes wonderfully, it is taking audiences on a mesmerizing ride through the wonderful world of Pandora, and its delightful underwater shots (or any other water-related shot) directed by cinematographerRussell Carpenterplay a huge part in the depiction of the countless incredible landscapes, staying only behind the incredible SFX work.
6’The Northman'
The wronged son of King Aurvandil War-Raven heads to Iceland seeking to avenge what has been taken from him, including his father, his mother, and his kingdom. Set in the Viking age, this slow-burn,epic revenge thrilleris a captivating watch through and through.
Although, generally speaking,The Northmanarguably deserves more attention than it has gotten,Jarin Blaschke’s work is one of the elements that stand out the most in the movie. Shot on 35mm film, the cinematography ofRobert Eggers' most ambitious project to date does not fail to impress — it counts on a whole lot of stunning wide shots blending reality and the supernatural and a good dose of bloody sequences.
5’Babylon'
Damien Chazelle’s forceful movieis an extravagant tale of excess that depicts Hollywood’s transition from silent films to talkies in the late 1920s. The movie’s cast counts on several well-known faces, includingMargot Robbie,Brad Pitt,and Tobey Maguire, as well as talented rising actors likeDiego Calva.
Babylon’s delicious cinematography features tons of realistic, dramatic settings. According to director of photographyLinus Sandgren(who previously earned a Best Cinematography Oscar for Chazelle’sLa La Land), the crew “didn’t really follow any rules” and “treated the film dramatically.” Featuring lightning sources made to mimic the look of the time period, this 35mm captured movie undoubtedly counts on incredible camera work.
4’Decision to Leave'
Although it may feel like a beautiful (unintentional) homage toHitchcock’s work,DecisiontoLeaveis a unique, authentic work on its own. This crime drama follows a detective (ParkHae-il) on a quest to uncover a man’s mysterious death. In the meantime, he meets the dead man’s mysterious wife (TangWei), who comes across as the first suspect in the case, and a connection between them inevitably flourishes.
With all the praise and acclaim around it, the decision to leavePark Chan-wook’s movieout of Oscar nominations this year came as a huge surprise. The film surely features creative, clever cinematography byJi-yong Kim(who has worked in the camera department ofParasite) that makes it a completely absorbing watch. Even with somewhat difficult camera work moments, as the cinematographerrevealedto ScreenRant, the result turned out undeniably exquisite.
3’Top Gun: Maverick'
Set more than thirty years post the events of the 1986 movie,Joseph Kosinski’s feature centers aroundTom Cruise’s Maverick, a top naval aviator who is now leading Top Gun’s elite graduates on an important mission, among them the son of his deceased best friend Lietenant Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards).
One of the most shocking Cinematography snubs of the year has to beTop Gun:Maverick,asOscar-winnerClaudio Miranda’s work in the featureis quite remarkable. The action-packedsecond installmentof the beloved franchise counted on tons of memorable moments with astounding camera work, featuring an incredible composition of foreground and background action in almost every shot, as well as innovative, top-notch aerial frames.
2’The Batman'
Superbly directed byMatt Reeves,The Batmanrevolves around the many macabre murders ofPaul Dano’s Riddleraround Gotham, and Bruce Wayne’s (Robert Pattinson) determination on uncovering them and preventing further damage. A top-notch thriller noir, this 2022 movie — both gripping and scary — is guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The highest-rated superhero movie of 2022 did many things right — fascinating global audiences with its gorgeous visuals was definitely one of them. There is no doubt thatGreig Fraser’s masterful work deserved a nod from the Academy;The Batman’scinematography is among the best of the genre, offering viewers a completely unique Gotham that made the whole experience transcending. “Everything had to be driven by Bruce Wayne’s point of view,” Fraser toldIndieWire.
Possibly one of the most innovative movies from last year,Nopeis unlike anything audiences have ever seen. StarringDaniel KaluuyaandKeke Palmeras siblings and the main protagonists, this chilling feature follows their attempt to capture proper evidence of an unknown flying object, and it sends an important message about the dangers of trying to tame nature in order to profit.
To many cinephiles,Jordan Peele’s talents didn’t go unnoticed — nor didHoytevanHoytema’s. To everyone’s surprise,Nopewasn’t nominated for an Academy Award this year, not even Best Cinematography, so no wonder moviegoers can’t help ranting on socials about how much it deservedat leasta camera work award. Counting on several wide-open landscapes and impressive depictions of starry night skies, Peele’s film was the firsthorror moviein history to be shot using Kodak film, including 65mm film in IMAX, to absolutely astonishing results.
