Thursday Movie Picks: Oscar Winners Edition: Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects

a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves

Hello July, and hello Oscar-themed Thursday Movie Picks! This week, as you can see from the title, we are choosing films that won Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. At first, I wanted to pick three for each category but, since I'm lazy and busy with work, I decided to pick three films that won both awards. So without further ado, here are my visually stunning picks. 

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)


Gravity (2013)


Life of Pi (2012)

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14 comments :

  1. Brittani Burnham1 July 2021 at 15:12

    I used Blade Runner 2049 before otherwise i would've used it here because Roger Deakins was so overdue for that Oscar.

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:08

      He really was!

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    2. Wanderer9 July 2021 at 13:26

      Then he won again 2 years later with 1917...both movies just looked amazing.

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  2. joel659131 July 2021 at 19:56

    I've only seen Gravity of this trio and it is indeed impressive. Probably the look of it was the best part of the film. I wasn't in love with the original Blade Runner so I've never felt the pull of the new one. I'm been meaning to see Life of Pi for years but haven't gotten there somehow. One day.

    You did visual effects and I went with cinematography with my three.

    The Black Swan (1942)-Florid swashbuckler with Tyrone Power as reformed privateer Jamie Waring. Commissioned by the newly pardoned master pirate Henry Morgan (Laird Cregar) now governor of Jamaica to offer amnesty to the other bandits of the sea he sets off on the task along with his trusty sidekick Tommy Blue (Thomas Mitchell) but runs afoul of renegade picaroon Billy Leech (George Sanders-buried under a red wig and beard) and his henchman Wogan (Anthony Quinn) who refuse to give up their thieving ways. Much swordplay ensues. All the while Waring romances the fiery beauty Lady Margaret Denby (Maureen O’Hara). This all unfurls in lush sumptuously rich Technicolor provided by Leon Shamroy who won the Best Color Cinematography Oscar, at the time the category was divided between color and black and white.

    A River Runs Through It (1992)-Mediative drama of two Montana brothers Norman and Paul Maclean (Paul Sheffer and Brad Pitt) and the divergent paths their lives take with their shared love of fly-fishing serving as a metaphor for the vagaries of life. While the story is solid and the acting by the entire cast superior it’s the breathtaking vistas as well as the more intimate scenes shot by Oscar winner Phillipe Rousselot that truly dazzle the eye.

    Legends of the Fall (1994)-Brothers Tristan, Alfred and Samuel Ludlow (Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn and Henry Thomas) all love the same woman, Susannah Fincannon (Julia Ormond) in the wide-open spaces of their father William’s (Anthony Hopkins) sprawling ranch leading to sorrow for all. Sweeping family melodrama once again set in Montana but a quite different one than A River Runs Through It. This is the Montana of vast spaces and operatic happenings and emotions. Venturing farther afield to other continents and the majesty of the ocean cinematographer John Toll earned his award by using his keen eye to lend a strong chiaroscuro element to the picture.

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:10

      I keep saying I'll watch Legends of the Fall since it was added on Netflix months ago but I keep avoiding it because of its genre. I didn't know it won the Oscar for Best Cinematography.

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  3. thevoid991 July 2021 at 22:39

    We share a pick with Blade Runner 2049.

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  4. Ronyell (a.k.a. Rabbitearsblog)2 July 2021 at 00:03

    Great list! I remembered the visual effects from Gravity! Such wonderful effects!

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:11

      They really were! I hate that I missed that one in theatres.

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  5. Sara2 July 2021 at 14:56

    Great idea combining the two! I haven't seen Gravity all the way through yet but everything I have seen of it has been really incredible.

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:13

      The effects and cinematography are my favourite bits of the film. Even if you don't like the film, you like those because of how perfect they are.

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  6. Katy4 July 2021 at 01:39

    Love the screencaps for all three, and amazing to see on the big screen when they were released. Definitely prove why they won! Nice list!

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:14

      I missed Gravity in theaters and I'm still hating myself for that. Watching it on TV is not the same at all. It's still impressive but I can only imagine how glorious it must have been on the big screen.

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  7. Birgit5 July 2021 at 14:21

    I have yet to see Blade Runner. I saw the first one which is excellent so I do want to see this newer one which I heard great things about it. I hate...hate Gravity except for the Special Effects and cinematography With was good but ughh...stupid movie. Life of Pi is such a visual stunner and love the island.

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    1. Sonia Cerca9 July 2021 at 10:15

      I loved the original Blade Runner but wasn't a fan of the new one. It was too boring and slow for me. I'm sorry to hear you didn't like Gravity as I loved it.

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