More techs! Today it’s time to suss out costumes, sets, makeup, music, etc. These can go to either the Best Picture frontrunner in a sweep or to a movie that stands out really spectacularly in its own category, no matter the quality of the overall film. Let’s dive in.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The cinematography of 'La La Land' remains the frontrunner
- Arrival
- Lion
- La La Land
- Moonlight
- Silence
The ASC award (cinematography guild) went to Lion, but the BAFTA went to what’s thought to be the Oscar frontrunner, La La Land. I’d stick with La La Land on this one, for the beautiful shots and lighting.
Winner: La La Land
Alternate: Lion
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
The art direction for the epilogue is where the production design comes in
- Arrival
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Hail, Caesar!
- La La Land
- Passengers
This used to be known as art direction, but it’s all about the sets. As I stated the other day, the guild went to three different films, but La La Land was among them, and BAFTA chose Fantastic Beasts, which certainly has the MOST set decoration. If they’re at all wanting to spread the wealth, I think Fantastic Beasts is where they would go in this category. But the safe bet is to stick with La La Land again.
Winner: La La Land
Alternate: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The recreation of Jackie Kennedy's wardrobe seem to set it apart from the rest
- Allied
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Florence Foster Jenkins
- Jackie
- La La Land
Now this is a category I think probably won’t go to La La Land, since contemporary costumes never win. The fanciest period costumes almost always take this award, no matter the quality of the overall movie. I think Jackie has the upper hand, having won the BAFTA and the Critics Choice award here.
Winner: Jackie
Alternate: Florence Foster Jenkins (the 1920’s outfits are pretty dazzling in this one)
BEST HAIRSTYLING & MAKEUP
'Star Trek Beyond' holds a claim to best makeup over 'Suicide Squad'
- A Man Called Ove
- Star Trek Beyond
- Suicide Squad
BAFTA’s no help on this one, since it went with Florence Foster Jenkins (which I really thought would get nominated here, to no avail), so I’m gonna say Star Trek. They won’t want to give Suicide Squad an Oscar, right? And most voters won’t have seen A Man Called Ove, because it’s a foreign language film (sad, but true).
Winner: Star Trek Beyond
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The 'La La Land' score has it in the bag
- Jackie
- La La Land
- Lion
- Moonlight
- Passengers
This one is an easy win for La La Land, an original musical. It’s taken every precursor in this category.
Winner: La La Land
Alternate: Lion
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
'City of Stars' leads the pack for original song
- “The Empty Chair,” Jim: The James Foley Story
- “Audition,” La La Land
- “City of Stars,” La La Land
- “How Far I’ll Go,” Moana
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Trolls
I’m guessing this is going to “City of Stars,” since it’s the main song of the movie. I do think the Moana song has a chance, since it’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, but as I learned with the Lady Gaga debacle last year, the voters don’t see who the singer is on the ballot and just check off the movie. So there you go. Too bad- the actual best song in this category is the Justin Timberlake Trolls one, as it’s the only popular hit of the bunch.
Winner: “City of Stars,” La La Land
Alternate: “How Far I’ll Go,” Moana
