Strong Opinion: 2007: Best Art Direction & Costume Design

BEST ART DIRECTION

1. 300

Every year, there’s one film that pushes the boundaries of film as a visual medium. Frank Miller’s graphic novel Sin City was the basis for Robert Rodriguez’s groundbreaking work in 2005, and now Miller’s 300 was transferred into this year’s yummiest eye candy.

Every shot was Art Directed to within an inch of its life. From the skies to the sand, from Xerxes’ mighty throne to the endless fields of tall wheat, everything got a thorough run through the computer and the artistic end result is breathtaking.

2. ZODIAC

The film feels so authentic you'd be shocked to learn how much was filmed on sets. And it’s so seeped in the geography of San Francisco, you’d be even more amazed to learn how much was filmed in L.A. Heck, the period is so authentic, it’s hard to believe ZODIAC wasn’t filmed over 30 years ago.

3. SWEENEY TODD

Like a great theatre stage, everything not only looks great, but the geography (from Todd’s slanted window to Judge Turpin’s 2-story estate) serves at the pleasure of the director.

4. HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

New editions this year include the spacious Room of Requirement and the Gigantic Ministry of Magic. You can admire PHOENIX for the endless shelves of glass balls or for the kitten plates that adorn Umbridge’s room.

5. SUNSHINE

The sun room, the plant-filled oxygen chamber, even the design of the ship itself is very unique yet ingeniously practical.

6. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Everything is minimal, and extremely spacious, even the final section, but it supports the mood of the film perfectly. My favorite touch is probably the cross cut out of the wall of the church.

7. LUST, CAUTION

The interesting sets are finely detailed, yet deliberately feel like a Hollywood backlot. Like SWEENEY TODD, proof that great Art Direction doesn’t just come from being ultra-realistic. Sometimes it helps the melodrama to feel like a soundstage.

8. BLACK BOOK

I’ve been talking about realistic sets and theatrical sets and BLACK BOOK actually qualifies as both. What’s interesting is that it works here too. As long as the Art Direction is consistent with the tone of the piece, you can do whatever you want. BLACK BOOK is realistic when it needs to be and artificial when the situations are more pulpy.

9. ATONEMENT

Some nice details here and there, but it breaks into the Top 10 mostly on the Dunkirk evacuation. I especially loved the Ferris Wheel and the cars getting their radiators smashed in.

10. SMOKIN’ ACES

Reno is represented with Las Vegas glitz, but much sleazier. Aces’ penthouse apartment including the outside lobby was a shiny-surfaced marvel.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

1. 300

The first image in your head when you read this might be bare-chested Spartans, but think about their outfits, especially the capes and helmets. Then there’s the various Persians, like the masked Immortals and chain faced Magicians. Even the Queen’s outfits were more memorable than Keira Knightly’s green dress. This was some original stuff, and while it may have been inspired by the graphic novel, that hardly ever guarantees a smooth transition onto flesh and blood actors.

2. ZODIAC

Again, getting the details right, many costumes were taken from actual case photos.

3. HAIRSPRAY

The costumes start in the pastel-colored 50’s, but as some of the characters progress their clothing style also moves forward into looks that would eventually define the pre-hippie 60’s.

4. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

Adding to their usual shabby, but extremely detailed costumes are some really great Asian influences.

5. SWEENEY TODD

The leads are wonderfully theatrical, the “By The Sea” number changes the style while remaining consistent with the dark streets of London and the masquerade ball is an orgy of great costuming.

6. LUST, CAUTION

Ang Lee’s camera scrutinizes every detail of the lovely period costumes.

7. DEATH PROOF

Tarantino films usually make my list (and not the Academy) because the outfits aren’t complex, but they are iconic. In DEATH PROOF, the outfits of Stuntman Mike, Jungle Julia, ‘Butterfly’ Arlene, Pam, Kim and Zoe Bell become forever linked with their characters.

8. ALPHA DOG

B-boy and valley culture outfits. The subtle differences between the characters said a lot about their class and level of street cred. Kind of like if AMERICAN GANGSTER didn’t dress their people in such broad strokes, but made a more lived-in look.

9. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

It wouldn’t fit to go for a flashier look. The clothes needed to be simple, with a muted color palette. But within those limitations, the level of authenticity is peerless.

10. BLACK BOOK