NIGHT 1: DESIGN, FEATURES & SHORTS –
2018 Oscar Blog/Podcast February 28, 2018
2017 was a great year in film and
this Sunday the best of the best are being honored at the 90th
annual Academy Awards. In this five-part blog, I’ll guide you through the
nominations and what to expect when the envelopes are opened; that is if the
right envelopes are opened.
Let’s start with the toughest
categories to predict: the short films, documentary feature and foreign film.
Predicting these is like playing pin the tail on the donkey, so if you can get
them correct in your Oscar office pool then you are well on your way to
winning. The following films seem to be the front-runners in their respective
categories…
Best Animated Short Film - Dear Basketball - Glen
Keane, Kobe Bryant
Best Live Action Short Film - DeKalb Elementary - Reed Van Dyk
Best Documentary Short Subject - Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 - Frank Stiefel
Best Documentary Feature - Visages
villages (Faces Places) - Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda, JR
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year - Una Mujer Fantástica (A Fantastic Woman)
Now let’s get to the Design
categories (Makeup/Hair, Costume & Production Design). There were some
impeccably designed films this past year and here’s the cream of the crop
according to the Academy.
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
·
Darkest
Hour - Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick
·
Victoria
& Abdul - Daniel Phillips, Loulia Sheppard
·
Wonder
- Arjen Tuiten
Who I’d vote for: Darkest
Hour – Gary Oldman’s transformation into Winston Churchill is an
astounding accomplishment. When he wins his first Oscar this Sunday, I
guarantee you he will mention his 200 hours in the makeup chair and
appreciatively thank his hair and makeup team.
Who will win: Darkest
Hour – Oldman’s hair and makeup team will have their own chance to
thank whoever they want. The other nominees just don’t compare. I understand
why Victoria & Abdul was
nominated for costume but I’m not convinced it should be in this category. Wonder will get some votes but this is Darkest Hour in a landslide.
Best Achievement in Costume Design
·
Beauty
and the Beast - Jacqueline Durran
·
Darkest
Hour - Jacqueline Durran
·
Phantom
Thread - Mark Bridges
·
The Shape
of Water - Luis Sequeira
·
Victoria
& Abdul - Consolata Boyle
Who I’d vote for: Beauty
and the Beast – With a March release date I was a little afraid that Beauty and the Beast would get
overlooked this year. That wasn’t the case with its multiple nominations. Anyone
who loved the original animated film should be blown away by the wardrobe
replications.
Who will win: Phantom
Thread – The Academy will more than likely lean in the direction of a
film where the costumes are central to the story; as central to the story as
the unforgettable acting performances. And in this particular case that is
saying a lot. Consider Phantom Thread
a lock for Best Costume.
Best Achievement in Production Design
·
Beauty
and the Beast - Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
·
Blade
Runner 2049 - Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola
·
Darkest
Hour - Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
·
Dunkirk
- Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis
·
The Shape
of Water - Paul D. Austerberry, Shane Vieau, Jeffrey A. Melvin
Who I’d vote for: Blade
Runner 2049 – Without a question. As beautiful and intricate as the
other nominees are, Blade Runner 2049’s design
is a marvel. It’s easily the best looking film of the year in large part due to
its production design and cinematography by Roger Deakins. I’m rooting hard for
this one but…
Who will win: The
Shape of Water – This film is the Academy’s darling this year. If it
doesn’t take the big prize of Best Picture home, it will more than likely have
at least one consolation prize in Best Production Design. Cronos, Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak: Guillermo
del Toro’s films always have a unique and beautiful look. This year his design
team will be rewarded.
Check back in tomorrow for Part
2: Music & Sound!
Best of predictions to you! I will be thinking of you Sunday.
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