Before we get to the lead acting categories, as well as Best Director and Best Picture, let’s take a look at all of the smaller categories. I get that some believe that there are no small categories if you love movies (and I do), but you know what I mean: we know actors and movies and even some directors. No one could tell me what Rodrigo Prieto, cinematographer, looks like.
These are the categories that can make or break your Oscar bracket. Let’s knock them out!
CINEMATOGRAPHY: If Rodrigo Prieto is your boy, then I have bad news for you. Expect a victory for the wonderfully named Hoyt Van Hoytema for his work in Oppenheimer.
COSTUME DESIGN: This feels like a two-horse race, and I’m going to give the edge to Barbie (Jacqueline Duran) but do not be surprised if Poor Things comes home with the win.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: It feels like the frontrunner here is American Symphony, the story of musician Jon Bastiste trying to compose as his wife deals with cancer.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: This one is wide open, but I think The ABC’s Of Book Banning is topical enough to get the win, and it’s also excellent and worth checking out.
FILM EDITING: This will be tipping my hand for future predictions, because usually winning Best Editing means winning Best Picture. So, I’ll just say I have Jennifer Lame winning for Oppenheimer and let you take that as you will.
MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: If Barbie is getting Costume Design, then here is where I think Poor Things (Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston) get their due.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE): I so badly want Robbie Robertson to win, because the score for Killers Of The Flower Moon rips so hard. But this one is going to Ludwig Göransson and Oppenheimer, which is also a great score but I’m still bummed. Darn you, Ludwig!
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG): Barbie will get the Oscar here, but for the wrong song! The winner will be “Barbie (What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish, leaving “I’m Just Ken” in the dust and my heart slightly broken.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: This is another one of the dogfights between Poor Things and Barbie. I think you’re going to see a lot of Academy voters recognize Barbie, especially with director Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie not getting nominated. Give Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer the win.
ANIMATED SHORT: The safe money here feels like War Is Over! Inspired By The Music Of John & Yoko, but I am predicting an upset special and think the wonderful Letter To A Pig is going to be getting the prize.
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: The Academy is weird sometimes. They don’t give Wes Anderson’s last two films any nominations, so you are inclined to believe they just don’t dig the dude. But The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar is a damn lock here, and it’s one of the most Wes Anderson-y things he’s ever made. Pick a lane, Oscars.
SOUND: The Zone Of Interest has a chance here, and not a small one. But I think this win goes to Oppenheimer (Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell.
VISUAL EFFECTS: This feels like a two-horse race, and I’m giving it to team behind Godzilla Minus One over The Creator for a series of reasons, but mostly because Godzilla eats horses.
Fancy Boys Club 