Predictions : Best Animated Feature

Here are the best animated feature (5 nominations) line up:

LOCKS

1. Toy Story 3: Which recent film has got 99% (yes it is 99%) rating at Rotten Tomatoes? And 92 at the Metacritic? And the film is already the highest grossing film of this year, a billionaire? Yes- Toy Story 3 is going to be nominated and win a well. Nothing stands in front of it.

2. Tangled : This recent hit is critically acclaimed, and who doesn't loves Rapunzel? Another Disney's pic, this film is almost a lock for the nominations.

3. The Illusionist (L'illusionniste) : This french traditionally animated film will definitely gather some attention, the film has already got nominated for Golden Globes.

STRONG CONTENDERS
4. How to Train Your Dragon - Yes, it is also almost a lock, but then again, the constant snubbing of this wonderful film makes me feel different. But still, there are strong chances that the film will get nomination for the Best Animated Feature.

5. Despicable Me - Universal's this picture will probably get a nomination, as the film is critically well received and has performed greatly at the box offfice.

6. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole : Warner Bros' 3D animated film met with positive reviews from the critics, so no one should stuck off the film's chances at the Academy Awards.

ALSO IN RACE
At #7 is Megamind, #8 is Shrek Forever. Rest of #9 and #10 are probably some foreign animated films, as other US films were almost unwatchable.

Costume Design Lineups

Let us take a look at this year's costume design lineups (5 nominations)

LOCKS
1. Alice in the Wonderland - Colleen Atwood anyone? Eight times Academy Award nominated (2 times winning as well), this woman is definitely a front runner for Burton's Alice in the Wonderland.

2. The Black Swan - Costume designer Amy Westcott is pretty new face in terms of Academy Awards, but the film showcases some spectacular ballet costumes and wonderful clothings, Amy is definitely going to be nominated.

3. The King's Speech - British costume drama and about British monarchy? It is baity indeed.
Costume designer Jenny Beavan is an Oscar favorite, so no problems for TKS for this nomination.

STRONG CONTENDERS
4. True Grit - Mary Zophres has designed some flashy western outfits for Coen Brother's True Grit. Mary is nominated for a BAFTA for 'Catch me if you can', let us see what this year gives her.

5. Shutter Island - Sandy Powell, a regular for Scorsese, is again up for the thriller 'Shutter Island'. Take a look:-

6. Robin Hood - Ridley Scott's complete disappointment, but atleast it showcases some amazing costumes, thanks to Janty Yates (winner of Oscar for Ridley's 'Gladiator').

ALSO IN RACE
At number 7 is Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, #8 is Eat, Pray, Love, #9 is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, #10 is The Social Network.

Predictions - Best Editing

Let us see what films are up for Best Editing (5 nominations) for this year's Oscars -

LOCKS
1. Inception - Lee Smith's work for Inception is definitely going to be a front runner for Best Editing this year. The film's interwoven and sleek editing is marvelous. Moreover, Lee is twice nominated for an Oscar (recently for Nolan's The Dark Knight).

2. 127 Hours - The swift and crisp editing for Boyle's film by Jon Harris is also going to gather Academy's attention. Jon is previously known for his work on 'Snatch (2000) and recently 'Kick Ass' (2010).

3. The Social Network - Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter are pretty much locks due to their amazing work in 'The Social Network', this duo was previously nominated for Fincher's 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'.

STRONG CONTENDERs
4. Black Swan - Editor Andrew Weisblum worked as an addition editor for a lot of acclaimed films like 'Chicago', and as an editor he worked for Darren's previous film' The Wrestler'. This time, he is one of the major contender for Academy Award for Best Editing, and there's no denying.

5. Shutter Island - Thelma Schoonmaker is no new name of the world of film editing. She is probably the most talented film editor of recent times, and she was won 3 Oscars for Scorsese's films. This time again, nothing will stop her for getting a nomination for Best Editing.

6. True Grit - Coen Brothers (as Roderick Jaynes) are always Academy's favorite and this time, there is no exception.


ALSO IN RACE

7. The King's Speech - Tariq Anwar is having a great opportunity for this year, as TKS is one of the front runners for Academy Award for Best Picture.

8. Kick Ass - Although the film has three editors (Jesus Christ!), namely Eddie Hamilton, Jon Harris and Pietro Scalia, this swift and furious film will probably get some Oscar attention. Scalia is two times winner of an Academy Award.

9. Buitiful - Stephen Mirrione may get an Oscar nod for this Spanish film.

10. The Town - Dylan Tichenor is known for acclaimed films like 'There Will Be Blood', 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'Magnolia'. One time Oscar nominee, this year could be his lucky year.

Line Ups - Art Direction/Production Design

Here are some shots for the Oscar for Best Production Design (or Art Direction in some other awards) :

LOCKS
1. Alice in the Wonderland

Alice in the Wonderland's art direction is innovative and captivating. Moreover, the production designer Robert Stromberg is already the defending winner (he won for 'Avatar'), Alice is always in the first place.

2. Inception

The liberty of architecture due to dream world is fully utilized by this years most favorable film in terms of technical awards, Inception. Production Designer Guy Hendrix Dyas created majestic buildings, cathedrals and domes, hotel corridors and what not. A three times Art Director Guilds nominee and a BAFTA nominee, Dyas certainly is going to be nominated for Inception.

3. Black Swan

The above FYC poster says it all. Black Swan showcases some spectacular sets and visual treats, Thérèse DePrez, the Production Designer of this Drama-Thriller, is already nominated for more than 5 critics circles for the film and he is definitely a lock for the Oscars.

ALSO IN RACE
4. The King's Speech

This British political drama is one of the major contenders of this years Oscars, and so is the film's art direction. Eve Stewart is a one time Oscar nominee, and she has done a great job in this film.
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Stuart Craig is a long overdue for Potter, and this time again, he has shown a great work for the magical world of Harry Potter. A potent contender, Potter 7.1 may get a nod for Production Design.

6. Shutter Island

Dante Ferretti's eerie sets for this Scorsese's thriller is getting a lot of attention, and deservingly so. Also, Feretti is a huge name for Oscars(he is nominated for no more than 8 times). What is stopping this film from getting a nod?

Others
At number 7 is True Grit, which has got some Critics Circle nominations and showcases art direction by Jess Gonchor, at number 8 is Scott Pilgrim versus the World , number 9 is The Ghost Writer and at number 10 is Kick Ass.

Oscar Predictions : Best Cinematography

I'm starting off with techies, so here are my predictions for Cinematography this year (5 nominations).
MOST LIKELY
1. Inception : Wally Pfister's work for Inception is marvellous. Let it be the slow motion shots, or the gravity defying scenes, Wally has excelled all of them. Here are some of the screen shots.


2. Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky's psycho-thriller is filmed along with graceful and beautiful ballets, wonderful use of lighting and ofcourse Natalie Portman. Take a look.

3. True Grit
Roger Deakins long due is hopefully going to be paid, as he is back behind the camera for Coen Brother's True Grit. The film itself, is isn't much into the Oscar race, but it certainly does have some strong photography.

4. The Social Network
Jeff Cronenweth's urban and fresh cinematography for 'The Social Network' is definitely going to get some attention from the Academy. Shot with beautiful lighting and wonderful camera angles, the film is a real treat to watch. Take a look.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
It was almost a pleasant surprise previous year, when Bruno Delbonnel was nominated for sixth Potter for cinematography. This time again, Potter shows its true colors with new DOP Eduardo Serra, who has shot the film with naturalistic tone, stark-spectacular landscapes and some great camera techniques. See it yourself-



ALSO IN RACE
Along with above films, these films may also make their way into the Oscars:-
6. 127 Hours - Anthony Dod Mantle and Enrique Chediak's deserted but beautiful wide angled shot 127 Hours is a serious contender for this year's Oscars.
7. Shutter Island - Although the buzz for Seresin's this thriller has died down, Robert Richardson's photography should never be under-considered.
8. The King's Speech - Danny Cohen has never got any huge success in terms of Awards (except for a nod for Primetime Emmy), he might just get his first glory this year, because of The King's Speech's big buzz for Oscars.

UNLIKELY, BUT CONTENDERS
Here are some unlikely contenders but who may get a nod in the final place. At #9 is 'The Way Back' which is beautifully shot film, and #10 is 'Never Let Me Go'.

Oscar Predictions 2011 - Best Original Score

As award season has just started, here are my very first predictions for Best Original Score (5 nominations).
EDIT - As unfortunately, Black Swan is deemed ineligible, the lineups are changed.

LOCKS

1. How to Train Your Dragon : John Powell was always ignored by the Academy, primarily because he worked on mostly action films, where music didn't had much scope. But fortunately, Mr. Powell has shown his true potential in Dreamworks' animation How to Train Your Dragon, and his score is almost a lock for now. Here is a sample track.
2. 127 Hours : Another great score by Mozart of Madras, A.R. Rahman. It is the second collaboration of Rahman with Danny Boyle, and the film itself is getting some great buzz. The score is completely electrifying and heart-breaking at the same time. Here is the sample track.
3. Inception : Hans Zimmer + Christopher Nolan, what else you could ask for? The score has some of the best use of bass in recent times, it is swift and exciting. 'Dream is Collapsing' - a great track.

Strong Contenders

1. The Social Network - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's perfect rhythms complemented this years most acclaimed film, David Fincher's Social Network. A lot of critics praised the score for the film, however, there is some doubt that the score might be ineligible for Oscars because it has some 'tweaked' versions of 'Ghosts'. Anyways, here's the ear-candy.
2. The King's Speech - Desplat's another work this year, the score suits the film pretty well and it is the trademark style of Desplat. Moreover, the film itself is getting pretty huge Oscar buzz, so it definitely has a shot. Check it out.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One - Alexandre Desplat's score for Deathly Hallows is emotional, moving and yet powerful and exciting at the same time. People always think of Desplat as a minimalist, paino-only, indie film composer, but he has proved that he can compose some blockbusters too. Check it out.
4. The Ghost Writer - Its Desplat over and over again, and this time, it is for thriller 'The Ghost Writer'. Check it out.
   
5. Never Let Me Go - Rachel Portman's sweeping music, with strong emotions, definitely demands a listen. The film itself has not got much acclaim, though Rachel has got high praise of the film's score. You can listen to one of the tracks here.

Other contenders which are also in the race are Toy Story 3 (Randy Newman has never got lucky for Oscars due to Toy Story, but we'll see),Alice in the Wonderland (Danny Elfman has got a Golden Globe nod for this film, so who knows?) and Tron Legacy (Daft Punk's score is an electrifying fusion of classical orchestra and synth sounds, but only time will tell).