Oscar Predictions Part 2: Visual Effects, Score, Cinematography and other Technical Awards
Moving on to Part 2 of our Academy Award Predictions will consist of all the technical awards. Many might find these to be quite boring however sometimes this is the only spot where my favorite film of the year has a chance at winning (fingers crossed for THE TREE OF LIFE in cinematography). These are usually the categories where people have varying opinions and a few surprises might shine through, so it can be a little more exciting for film buffs. But a lot of times only a couple dominate the field and I think this year the battle is between HUGO and THE ARTIST.
Visual Effects
Nominees: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, HUGO, REAL STEAL, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
Projected Winner: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
I have this odd feeling that the final HARRY POTTER film could pull a win out somewhere just as a generous recognition for making such a fun series and finale. But ROTPOTA was just too phenomenal with its CGI apes due in part to another incredible motion capture performance by Andy Serkis.
Sound Editing
Nominees: DRIVE, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO, TRANSFORMSERS: DARK OF THE MOON, WAR HORSE
Projected Winner: HUGO
Sound Mixing
Nominees: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO, MONEYBALL, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, WAR HORSE
Projected Winner: HUGO
Art Direction
Nominees: THE ARTIST, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, HUGO, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, WAR HORSE
Projected Winner: HUGO
While I love DRIVE and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO is the favorite here with a lot of support from the Academy. The art direction was fabulous. WAR HORSE is a second choice in these categories and could possibly pull one out somewhere but I just don’t think enough people loved the film as a whole, which will prevent it from winning anything.
Original Song
Nominees: “Man or Muppet” – THE MUPPETS, “Real in Rio” – RIO
Projected Winner: THE MUPPETS
I was partial to “Life’s A Happy Song” from THE MUPPETS but I’m happy for any win for the wonderfully nostalgic film. There is a 50/50 shot at getting this one wrong, which prompts me to say 50 percent of the time I’m right every time.
Original Score
Nominees: THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, THE ARTIST, HUGO, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, WAR HORSE
Projected Winner: THE ARTIST
Being that the film has no dialogue sound and only music to push the story along, I don’t see how it could lose.
Makeup
Nominees: ALBERT NOBBS, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, THE IRON LADY
Projected Winner: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2
Yes, I know I’m going off the beaten path here a bit but I have a feeling THE IRON LADY and ALBERT NOBBS are going to split the votes from the Academy Members that prefer natural aging or changing a female to a male making way for the more extravagant Potter film to finally get its “good job for all the films” award.
Costume
Nominees: ANONYMOUS, THE ARTIST, HUGO, JANE EYRE, W.E.
Projected Winner: JANE EYRE
HUGO has a good shot here as well but is more recognizable for other achievements. The fact that THE ARTIST is colorless actually hurts its chances. History has shown classical period pieces win this one, which bows well for JANE EYRE or ANONYMOUS.
Editing
Nominees: THE ARTIST, THE DESCENDANTS, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO, MONEYBALL
Projected Winner: THE ARTIST
Editing almost always goes to the (spoiler alert) Best Picture winner.
Cinematography
Nominees: THE ARTIST, THE GRIL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO, THE TREE OF LIFE, WAR HORSE
Projected Winner: THE TREE OF LIFE
As my favorite film of the year, I could very well be voting with my heart rather than my brain. While the other nominees are excellent choices, it will be an absolute travesty if TTOL loses. This is the award that I will be most nervous for during the ceremony.
Oscar Predictions Part One: Documentary, Foreign Language Film and Animated Feature
Oscar Predictions Part 3: Acting and Supporting Acting Awards
Check back for predictions on Supporting Actors and Screenplays
By Nathan Swank
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