The most interesting thing about watching the awards season is how the narratives slowly take shape and change over the dense, fast-moving months leading up to the Oscars. Back in the fall, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" was being tipped as the movie to beat, with Gary Oldman said to be locked in for a Best Actor nomination, if not the win. But now in January, with the Oscar nominations just a couple weeks away from being announced, 'TTSS' has effectievely been shut out, only earning a nod from the Art Directors Guild, while otherwise remaining absent.
Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" initially seemd like a no brainer — an easy to digest, oat bran muffin of a drama that many assumed would hit all the right points with the older, easy lay Academy voters. But again, the guilds have shown they aren't pushovers, as Spielberg's treacly drama has only managed a Producers Guild Award nomination thus far.
Well, the cinematographers have weighed in, and once again, "War Horse" has been left in the barn, a bit of a blow to two-time Oscar winner Janusz Kaminski. But finally, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" has been shown some love, and perhaps it's in the tech awards where the film will have any shot. Hoyte van Hoytema's astounding work on the movie has been honored with a nod. Another film finally getting some shine from the industry is "The Tree of Life," with Emmanuel Lubezski's breathtaking lensing earning some recognition.
Meanwhile, the rest of the pack are the same movies that have been gaining heat the few last weeks, so no surprises there. The winner will be announced on February 12th. Full nominees below.
Guillaume Schiffman, AFC (The Artist)
Jeff Cronenweth, ASC (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)
Robert Richardson, ASC (Hugo)
Hoyte van Hoytema, FSF, NSC (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC (The Tree of Life)