Predictions Part Deux

Best Cinematography

Will and Should Win: Birdman- Emmanuel Lubezki

If there happens to be a hardcore Grand Budapest mini-sweep, Lubezki, who won his first Oscar for last year’s Gravity could be back to being shut out.  I doubt it though, many are seriously gravitating towards Birdman, since it hits so close to home.  None of the others have a chance.

Best Film Editing

Will and Should Win: Boyhood- Sandra Adair

With Birdman not up, probably because the film took about three days to edit, so that leaves space for Boyhood, which really is the best film of the bunch, to take the prize.  Again, Grand Budapest could sneak in if the Academy decides to completely shut out Boyhood because that’s what they want you to think.  Basically, a group of molemen squealing, “do you like us yet America?” Yeah, if you give it to Boyhood.

Best Production Design

Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel- Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock

Should Win: Mr. Turner- Suzie Davies, Charlotte Watts

This is quite clear, it seems there a very few real races in the technical categories.  Of course a world outside of the seemingly increasing philistine A.M.P.A.S., Mr. Turner might win, but Grand Budapest had great production design as well.

Best Costume Design

Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel- Milena Canonero

Should Win: Into the Woods- Colleen Atwood

This is another easy one, again without Birdman, it seems Grand Budapest will take home the most awards of the evening.

Best Hair/Makeup

Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel- Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier

Should Win: Guardians of the Galaxy- Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White

Another Grand Budapest win, they have at least 3-4 locked up.

Best Sound Mixing

Will and Should Win: American Sniper- John Reitz, Greg Rudloff and Walt Martin

This film has got to win something right?  Well not necessarily, since it’s already won the box office award for the last couple months.  The movie is surely a phenomenon, but Whiplash has a small shot at stealing this one away from Everybody Loves Sniper

Best Sound Editing

Will and Should Win: American Sniper- Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Same thing as above, there is still a shot for a movie like Birdman or even Interstellar to take this, but American Sniper has got to be a clear favorite still at this point.

Best Visual Effects

Will Win: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett and Erik Winquist

Should Win: Interstellar- Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockly, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher

Many are picking Interstellar because it is the only movie with actual thought required to watch it.  I say, to hell with that, Hollywood already thinks for me.  Besides, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes did pretty well with the Visual Effects Society, and there’s no Birdman or anything nominated.  I would be VERY surprised if any of the other films won, even Guardians of the Galaxy, whose only prayer is to have the other two films split somehow.