Best Original Song
- "Almost There," The Princess and the Frog
- “Down in New Orleans," The Princess and the Frog
- "Loin de Paname," Paris 36
- "Take It All," Nine
- "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)," Crazy Heart
All nominees feature each film’s great musical incorporation into the story. “The Weary Kind” is the most personal here. Randy Newman’s multiple Frog nominations split votes, which reduces their larger exposure advantage. It’s been a long time since these nominees were actually heard on the radio. 1998’s “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic seems to be the last big one. Avatar tried another love epic again with Leona Lewis, but didn’t even get nominated.
Best Makeup
- Il Divo
- Star Trek
- The Young Victoria
High frequency helps Star Trek here, which wins one for the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Eric Bana is almost unrecognizable as Nero and somehow they make Zoe Saldana look even more beautiful as Uhura.
Best Sound Editing
- Avatar
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Star Trek
- Up
Pandora’s amazing world deserves recognition for the audio work as much as the visuals here. Christopher Boyes has already won four Oscars and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle has a nomination, but they still win here. Most remaining nominees already have multiple nominations while Michael Silvers (Up) has an Incredible Oscar win.
Best Visual Effects
- Avatar
- District 9
- Star Trek
Usually the film production who spend the most money win here, but District 9 could pull an upset because they did a lot with a limited budget – it’s their best chance among their four nominations.
Best Costume Design
- Bright Star
- Coco Before Chanel
- The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
- Nine
- The Young Victoria
Imaginarium and Young Victoria are the Costume Designers Guild winners, so these likely contenders will battle it out. Sandy Powell (Young Victoria) already has two Oscars, so first time nominee Monique Prudhomme wins here, though it would not be a surprise if four-time nominee Janet Patterson wins for Bright Star.
Best Art Direction
- Avatar
- The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
- Nine
- Sherlock Holmes
- The Young Victoria
Avatar and Holmes are the Guild winners, but Victoria certainly has a chance. Imaginarium has a good chance to win out (their other nomination is in costume), but Avatar is the choice. Art direction with real objects is challenging enough, so recognition should be given for creators of this amazing world.
Enjoy the Oscars!
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Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
I agree with you almost across the board, except in two cases:
I think Hurt Locker wins Best Picture.
Morgan Freeman wins Best Actor.
2 - Tall Writer
Yes, it's going to be close for Best Picture. Locker's been gaining momentum and it's not impossible for a release on home video to win now...it might be better. Freeman was the only casting choice for that role; Mandela even mentioned him by name. Just wish Eastwood would have got nominated for Best Director.
3 - El Bicho
Interesting pick of winners, but not clear about a few things.
"Avatar is the front runner here."
Not sure where you get that. The buzz and many of the awards given out already make it "Hurt Locker"
"British actresses swapped as Mirren replaced Emily Blunt"
How were they swapped? Didn't hear Blunt got nominated for an Oscar.
"Bullock who gets her first nomination and likely win, perhaps by popular vote"
Other than Best Pic with its weighted voting, I am pretty sure everyone wins an Oscar by popular vote.
"an achievement which adds some credibility to "crossover" actresses and actors coming from stand-up or music."
With past winners like Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Jennifer Hudson is there really a need to add credibility?
4 - El Bicho
Freeman will absolutely not win Best Actor.
5 - Tall Writer
Yes, interesting. It's an opinion remember. Mirren got nominated instead of Blunt who deserves some recognition for The Young Victoria. As mentioned, other factors seem to influence Bullock's vote beyond basic merit of the performance. Mo'Nique definitely adds to that "crossover" credibility. Hopefully that "clears things up". Can't wait until Sunday.
6 - Lisa E
It's going to be a great Oscars. Like the picks. Makes me think about the politics and business, but the artistic and creative elements as well.
7 - Jeff
Wow! Great picks. Think you only missed best picture and adapted screenplay on the first three pages!
8 - Jeff
...and sound editing and costume design missed on the 4th page. Wow! Only missed 4 out of 18! Good choices. Best picture was a surprise, but not too many Oscars for sci-fi in the past either. Star Wars got nominated for best pic, but didn't win either.