4. Life Of Pi - Visual Effects/Cinematography
Other than The Hobbit in VFX, there is no real competition here, but I think Life Of Pi will trump The Hobbit. The CGI animals, especially Richard Parker the Bengal Tiger, are jaw dropping. From the features to the movements, the tiger was flawless. Throw in Ang Lee creating a massive water tank to film the scenes on the ocean and it all culminates in one of the most gorgeous films you will ever see. The Cinematography category boasts a stronger field of nominees, but Life Of Pi's Claudio Miranda captured the tone and look of the film beautifully and put us right in the middle of Pi's journey with beautiful colors and stunning landscapes. Adapted from a book that has long been believed to be "unfilmmable", Ang Lee and his special effects team of Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott along with Director of Photography Claudio Miranda, were able to create Pi's world with realistic, stunning VFX and beautiful, luscious cinematography filled with bright colours and gorgeous scenery, putting you in the middle of Pi's journey. This is also the best use of 3D technology since James Cameron's Avatar.