Countdown to the Oscars – 8

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Gustavo Santaolalla
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features) Alberto Iglesias
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Williams
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) John Williams
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features) Dario Marianelli

It’s down to John Williams or Focus Features. Too bad since Brokeback Mountain and The Constant Gardener had beautiful scores that complimented and enhanced the film. John Williams would win for Memoirs though because it WAS the film, but since he’s competing against himself, he might split the vote, since Munich seems to be the “serious” film of choice.

Achievement in cinematography

“Batman Begins” (Warner Bros.) Wally Pfister
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)Rodrigo Prieto
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)Robert Elswit
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)Dion Beebe
“The New World” (New Line)Emmanuel Lubezki

I don’t understand why Batman Begins is in this category since it was the most frenetically shot movie this side of Blair Witch. Yes, the lighting was dark and moody but I couldn't see anything because it was dark and moody.
You know I LOVE Brokeback Mountain (My full Best of List is to come next week, and yes, I actually do believe it is worth the hype so you can stick your backlash up your $#%) and the scenery shots are beautiful, but it deserves to be nominated for its indoor scenes in the barren town, creating artful shots out of an old broken-down town.
However, beautiful scenery shots are too easy, whereas Good Night and Good Luck took place completely indoors and yet visually was one of the most stunning movies of the year. Yes, it cheated by making it black and white, which makes it look "artier", but my vote is for Good Night, and Good Luck. Who will win? Probably Brokeback.