Oscar nomination predictions (part 1)

Before I get to the writing, directing and acting categories, not to mention best picture, here is my predictions in the other categories (with some commentary):

ART DIRECTION

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two
Hugo
The Tree of Life
Wae Horse

Always go for the period pieces. The Artist and Hugo are locks and should fight for the award.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

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

This is one branch that is quite name driven, which is why my one change from the guild nominees is to delete the relative unknown who shot Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and replace him with the two time Oscar winner who shot War Horse.

COSTUME DESIGN

Anonymous
The Artist
The Help
Hugo
Jane Eyre

Even more beholden to period pieces than the Art Direction branch. If W/E gets in for that reason I may start throwing things.

EDITING

The Artist
Contagion
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

My wildcard pick is Contagion, but with multiple storylines balanced its name editor has the best shot that film has of scoring a nom.

MAKEUP

Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Iron Lady

Yeah, I haven't heard of it either, but it did make the shortlist, so I expect a little film like Harry Potter has a chance against these two much bigger films.

MUSIC: ORIGINAL SCORE

The Adventures of Tintin
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
War Horse

Yes, I am predicting John Williams to get two more nominations in this category. And then have zero chance of winning it.

MUSIC: ORIGINAL SONG

"Lay Your Head Down" (Albert Nobbs)
"The Living Proof" (The Help)
"Life's a Happy Song" (The Muppets)
"Pictures in My Head" (The Muppets)

As a result of a stupid rule change, only two songs from a given movie can be nominated now. That cost The Muppets a nomination, as I believe "Man or Muppet" would have been nominated as well. I can't find any other eligible song that I think will score high enough to be nominated. (The Madonna song which won the Golden Globe is not eligible.) If I were to pick a fifth song, it would be "So Long" from Winnie the Pooh.

SOUND EDITING

The Adventures of Tintin
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

With Transformers winning the MOST SOUND award, of course.

SOUND MIXING

Hanna
Hugo
Super 8
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

I really hate the sound categories. I have a harder time picking them as any.

VISUAL EFFECTS

Captain America: The First Avenger
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The Tree of Life

The Apes have the best shot here.

ANIMATED FEATURE

The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Puss in Boots
Rango
Winnie the Pooh

In an off year for animation, I think this year is ripe for a film out of nowhere to be nominated. Problem is, which one? Arrugas (Wrinkles)? Chico & Rita? A Cat in Paris? So instead, above is my timid prediction five studio pictures get nominated.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Bill Cunningham: New York
Hell and Back Again
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Project Nim

I chose Hell and Back Again due to subject matter and the other four for their critical acclaim. Which is dangerous in this category, as there is always a bizarre snub.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
Pina (Germany)
A Separation (Iran)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)

Heavy favorite A Separation seems to be the one lock in this category.