The American Society of Cinematographers hand out their prizes on Sunday, but don’t expect it to mean much with the Academy. While they do often match-up, they just as often don’t. That means that in a close race, like this one, it could be an influential choice.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS AWARDS

Best Cinematography

Bridge of Spies (Peter)
Carol (RU:Peter)
Mad Max: Fury Road (RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
The Revenant (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas)
Sicario

Wesley Lovell: Always remember that this award is given out by cinematographers, meaning they don’t care how many times someone has won, they just want to reward the most visually pleasing film. I suspect Emmanuel Lubezki will win again (he’s already got four ASC awards under his belt and even Roger Deakins has a couple), but watch out for John Seale who hasn’t won since The English Patient in 1996. Of course, they could give it to Janusz Kaminski or Edward Lachman, neither of whom have won before. Ultimately, I think Lubezki will win for The Revenant with a close race between Lachman for Carol and Seale for Mad Max for second.
Peter J. Patrick: I think the Oscar will go to either Emmanuel Lubezki in a three-peat for The Revenant or perennial nominee Roger Deakins for Sicario. On the hunch that ASC might do something different, I am predicting two-time Oscar winner Janusz Kaminksi, a six-time ASC nominee yet to win for Bridge of Spies, his latest Spielberg collaboration. My runner-up is Todd Haynes’ favorite cinematographer, Ed Lachman for Carol.
Tripp Burton: And we are back down to our tech battle of the season: The Revenant vs. Mad Max. If Lubezki can manage another win here, he probably has the Oscar all sewn up. After all, there has been so much talk of his natural lighting on The Revenant. If legend John Seale can win here, that could mean that Mad Max is a stronger opponent than we are thinking.
Thomas LaTourette: The Revenant has absolutely stunning cinematography. Even people that do not like the film comment on it. I think that recognition will carry over to a win. Mad Max is probably the one film that could pull an upset, as it was the other one that was hardest to film. Mad Max has more precursor awards, but I do not think that it will triumph here.