This is one of my personal favorite categories. Cinematography is the infrastructure of the art of cinema. When a film is beautiful you just know. There’s just something about it that strikes you. That’s probably cinematography awing you with miraculous shots.

2015 was no slouch when it came to cinematography. Lush films dominated the year. Every film in this category is beautiful. But, of course, there can be only one.

That one is Emmanuel Lubezki. The Revenant is absolutely stunning. Its cinematography may be the best of the decade so far, let alone 2015. Add to the sheer beauty of the film that Lubezki used only natural light to get his shots, and you have an achievement in camera work that is unparalleled. Seriously, how did he do it?

Nominees:

• Carol (Edward Lachman)
• The Hateful Eight (Robert Richardson)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (John Seale)
• The Revenant (Emmanuel Lubezki)
• Sicario (Roger Deakins)

 

Will Win: The Revenant

Could Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Dark Horse: The Hateful Eight

 

You can find a full list of Oscar predictions here.

As always, thanks for reading!

What do you think? Which 2015 film was the most beautifully shot? Let me know in the comments!

—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)