2012 Oscar nomination predictions: Part Two

What to watch for in the technical categories

By Geoff Berkshire

Posted January 18, 2012

Metromix

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Asa Butterfield and Chloë Grace Moretz in "Hugo," an expected nominee for Best Picture and nearly every technical category. (Credit: Jaap Buitendijk/Paramount)

The nominees for the 84th Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 24. Follow Metromix's Geoff Berkshire on Twitter @geoffberkshire for instant reactions and award season commentary.

(This is part two of a two part predictions article. Read Part One here.)

BEST ART DIRECTION
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Also possible: "The Help"; "Jane Eyre"; "War Horse"; "Water for Elephants"

What to watch for: One of the few categories where "Potter" stands a good chance at a farewell nomination.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
"The Artist"
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Also possible: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"; "Midnight in Paris"; "Moneyball"; "The Descendants"

What to watch for: Can "Tinker" trump "War," like it did in the cinematographers guild nominations. And if the not-so-flashy visuals of "Descendants" land a nom, it could mean broader than expected Best Picture support for the movie.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"My Week with Marilyn"

Also possible: "W.E."; "The Help"; "Immortals"; "Water for Elephants"; "Midnight in Paris"

What to watch for: What splashy costume drama lands a fluke Oscar nomination this year. Could Madonna's "W.E." have a shot?

BEST EDITING
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"

Also possible: "The Help"; "War Horse"; "Midnight in Paris"; "The Tree of Life"

What to watch for: Best Picture frontrunners "Artist" and "Descendants" really want to be here. The last movie to win Best Picture without a Best Editing nomination was "Ordinary People" in 1981.

BEST MAKEUP
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"The Iron Lady"

Also possible: "Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life"; "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"; "Anonymous"; "Albert Nobbs"

What to watch for: If both "Artist" and "Hugo" make it in, or if this becomes a category that helps "Hugo" take a lead in overall nominations.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
"The Adventures of Tintin"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"War Horse"

Also possible: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"; "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"; "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; "The Help"

What to watch for: If John Williams lands two noms for "Tintin" and "War Horse," his lifetime nomination total would rise to 47, while "Dragon Tattoo" composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross hope follow up last year's "Social Network" win with another nomination. The only likely first time nominee here: Ludovic Bource for "The Artist," who is practically a lock to win.

BEST SOUND
"The Adventures of Tintin"
"Hugo"
"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"
"Super 8"
"War Horse"

Also possible: "The Artist"; "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"; "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"; "Rango"

What to watch for: A potentially significant nomination for silent film "The Artist." And also, which of the year's best popcorn pics ("Mission"? "Apes"? "Super"?) will turn up here?

BEST SOUND EDITING
"The Adventures of Tintin"
"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Super 8"
"War Horse"

Also possible: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"; "Hugo"; "Cars 2"; "Rango"; "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

What to watch for: How closely the categories mirrors Best Sound. There are usually only minor differences. A nomination for "Potter" in either sound category would be a franchise first.