Three special effects-laden movies, one outrageous comedy and three touching dramas make up the seven films competing for nominations in the best makeup category for the 81st annual Academy Awards.
Three of the films — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight and Hellboy II: The Golden Army — are also up for consideration in the visual effects category.
The effects-heavy pics are going head to head against the dramas The Reader, Synecdoche, New York and The Wrestler, and the comedy Tropic Thunder for Best Makeup. In Tropic Thunder Robert Downey Jr. plays (both literally and figuratively) an Australian method actor playing a black soldier, LOL!
Members of the academy’s makeup branch will view 10-minute excerpts from the seven shortlisted films on Jan. 17 before voting to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.
They announce the nominations on Jan. 22, but the big show happens exactly one month later. Are you rooting for one film in particular?
Which film should win the Oscar for Best Makeup of 2008?
Loading ...Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Stephie says
January 9th, 2009 at 9:21 amBenjamin Button should definitely win for best make up. I saw the movie and absolutely loved it. I was amazed at how smooth the transition was as each character aged. I thought it would end up looking really fake but I found the changes to look realistic and natural. Of the 7 movies up there, I’ve seen 4 and absolutely enjoyed them [sigh] what a great year for movies 😛
Laurie says
January 9th, 2009 at 9:24 amHellboy scares me – those little nodes on the face or whatever. Ack!
I haven’t seen any of the best picture nominees – so I can’t judge for that one. I am, however, looking forward to Red Carpet Season! First stop: Golden Globes on Sunday:)
cloudburst says
January 9th, 2009 at 9:39 amI haven’t seen Button, but what impressed me the most about the Dark Knight was how the Joker’s makeup really reflected his character. It would seems easy to make his makeup look cake-y and old (like he never washes his face – gross!!!), but to do it in a consistent way is hard work.
Karen B says
January 9th, 2009 at 10:53 amI want to see The Reader, asap. Looks like a fabulous movie.
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Elle says
January 9th, 2009 at 11:14 amTropic Thunder, just because RDJ was awesome. Everyone is talking about Tom Cruise in that movie, but I thought he was annoying–ooh, he’s in a fat suit! Big deal. 🙂 It’s all about RDJ!
Dao says
January 9th, 2009 at 11:51 amBrat Pitt FTW! I haven’t watched the movie yet but the transformation is impressive. I hope he’ll get an Oscar as well!
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Indian Girl says
January 9th, 2009 at 12:29 pmThe curious case of Benjamin Button was amazing but Dark Knight is one my most fav movie ever ! I hope they win !
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Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:12 pmHi Stephie,
It was a great year for movies! What other movies did you enjoy this year? A few foreign films really rocked my boat: Slumdog Millionaire, Tell No One and Bella were some of my faves. Oh yah, Sex and the City was quite fab, too!
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmHi Laurie,
Ah! Awards shows are such great places to get makeup and hair inspiration.
Funny, but I was watching a talk show a few months ago where an actress (ack, I can’t remember her name) talked about how in the 70s and 80s they’d actually just do their own hair, makeup and wardrobe for big shows like the Oscars!
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmHi Cloudburst,
Good point, I hadn’t thought about that at all. They did such a good job of making him look so freaky…
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmHi Karen B.,
Me too! Got that one on my list. 🙂
Do you have a favorite movie of all time?
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmHi Elle,
OMG! What was the deal with him busting a move at the end of the movie? I so didn’t need to see that, LOL!
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmHi Dao,
Girl, you will love the scene where … oops, I don’t want to spoil the movie yet for you. When you watch it let me know so we can dish. 🙂
I heart Brad!
Karen says
January 9th, 2009 at 8:15 pmHi Indian Girl,
Both were good flicks! But yah… I think I liked Dark Knight more, too.
Stephie says
January 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pmHi Karen,
I loved Sex and the City and The Dark Knight to death. I just got slumdog millionaire from my dad’s “sources” so I am pretty excited to check it out. I’ve honestly watched so many movies this year that I can hardly remember all of them.
Btw, is it just me, or does Brad Pitt still look kinda hot in his old man make up in the picture above…
Karen B says
January 10th, 2009 at 2:50 amI don’t really have a favourite movie of all time. I’m a huge Disney fan though, especially Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins.
Anything musical-like is fab.
I watched Hairspray for the first time on Thursday and I LOVED it.
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lily says
January 10th, 2009 at 8:46 amOMG BENJAMIN BUTTON!!
seeing brad pitt as a teenager is PRICELESS. LOL
Vivian says
January 10th, 2009 at 7:37 pmFrom the picture that was shown, but I’m really liking Reader. The lighting is glorious in putting me ina good mood. I’m def curious about Benjamin Button. but when economy was in this low point, I’d like happy movies.
And the dark knight..um, I dislike the makeup, it made heath ledger like a psycho-which the character should be, but I’d much prefer Jack’s interpretation of the Joker back in 90’s. jack nicolson did not have the fancy layers of scary makeup, but he really scared me as a cold blooded killer. no hard feelings, heath.
superstudio says
January 11th, 2009 at 10:32 amHi Karen
Just doing a little IMDBing, Mandy Lyons and Judy Chin may not win anything but Synecdoche, Sex and the City, The Wrestler, and now July Taymore’s Tempest???
They are the dream-team.
erin says
January 11th, 2009 at 10:39 amI believe there was a lot of CGI in CCoBB. Not that the makeup people didn’t do a great job in it, however I have to go with RDJ’s makeup Tropic Thunder.