Cinematography is an art form that can be as bold as a gong crashing after a moment of silence or as subtle as the tide coming in. It elevates a film to the heights of accolades or becomes frustrating when it misfires.
While at the heart of cinematography is the Director of Photography or Cinematographer, to get something from the script to the final shot takes a whole team of professionals, and it is their talent that we champion today.
Our Highly Commended Films in 2024 are: A Quiet Place: Day One, The Beekeeper, Civil War, Deadpool & Wolverine, Hundreds of Beavers, Monkey Man, Rebel Ridge, Robot Dreams & Turtles All the Way Down
Our Highly Commended TV in 2024 are: Citadel Honey Bunny, The Diplomat, Dune Prophecy, Earth Abides, Fallout, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Mr. & Mrs. Smith & Shrinking
So, without further ado, these moments of cinematography took our breaths away in 2024. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead.
The Nominees Are –
Challengers
Challengers was this odd visual masterpiece blending digital and live action in ways that are sometimes seamless and sometimes a slap in your face.
Dune: Part Two
When I watched Dune: Part Two, I heard an audience member audibly gasp in those opening moments as the soldiers jumped into the sky. It is choices like that which gets a film on this list.
The Holdovers
The Holdovers captures that 1970s vibe not just in the performances and narrative but also in how it is filmed, framed, and presented. It is those details that help bring you back in time to a world where learning Ancient Greek was seen as a common thing to do.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Few films have ever integrated motion capture into their work, as well as the Planet of the Apes films, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes are no exception. Every moment of the film is a visual masterpiece, and they get bonus points for adding a version without CG to the Blu-ray release [a reminder that physical media is important].
The Penguin
The Penguin had a tough job because it was living in the visual language of The Batman film and needed to stay within that space, but it also wanted to chart its own course. I am not sure how they pulled it off, but they did, and what a series it was.
Shōgun
Choosing to film only using natural lights or emulating that style can often come off as gloomy, but not here. Shōgun is a stunning work that brings every moment to life, capturing every character’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Wild Robot
It is often said that great film means that every frame is a painting, and if any film perfectly imbued that vibe this year, it was The Wild Robot. Its use of light and place brought that small island to life in a way I was not prepared for.
And the Winner is!!!!! – Challengers
Directed by – Luca Guadagnino
Cinematography by – Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
Challengers is one of those films that, more than anything, is capturing a vibe that it wants to revel in. You see this in every facet of the film, including the visuals. What we get in the end is this odd juxtaposition of the clean-cut Tennis visuals with an almost punk visual styling that is always in your face. That section where you become the tennis ball and become intimately involved in the match that blends the digital impossibilities with the real character moments would be enough to get this film on the list. But the way it captures moments of grief and ecstasy in equal measures is what brings this work into something extra. What are your favourite cinematic cinematography from 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.
What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2024?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day.
Credits – All images used were created by the respective studios and artists of each film
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