OFFICIAL Oscar Predictions (Part 3 of 3)

Wrapping up these inklings on the forthcoming Oscar season, I present these last categories, the 'technical' categories. Because there are not as many as the art and craft options, I have invested a bit more time to think about them. However, selections are even more like wild accusations than predictions. It's all a part of the madness behind Oscar mania, I suppose. Here we go:

Sound Mixing

_ Beauty and the Beast

_ Blade Runner 2049

_ Dunkirk
_ The Greatest Showman

_ Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

alt. The Shape of Water

With two larger-scale musicals on hand - Beauty and the Beast and The Greatest Showman - the Academy is bound to reward one of them, right? Dunkirk, however, is probably our best bet. I do notice every year, however, that the most pronounced sound mixes tend to get noticed. Which is completely unfair; polished should always come before loud and bombastic. This does not discredit Dunkirk, with sounds so spectacular and purposeful. But something distinct and driven (no pun intended) like Baby Driver will probably be forgotten.

Sound Editing

_ Baby Driver

_ Blade Runner 2049

_ Dunkirk

_ Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

_ Wonder Woman

alt. War for the Planet of the Apes

Personally, I only a few of these scream at me. Baby Driver and Wonder Woman are definitely on the chopping block. This is not an easy category this year; so far, the options are not so much absent, but not as desirable.
If I may rant, this is a category that concerns me. What if we have come to the day where we have run out of any and all unique sound choices?

Visual Effects

_ Blade Runner 2049

_ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

_ The Shape of Water
_ Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

_ War for the Planet of the Apes

alt. Wonder Woman

What is interesting about Wonder Woman, given its attention as a blockbuster and, by popular opinion, as the most progressive film of the year thus far, it's not greatly discussed as a big awards contender. Some rumored Best Picture and Director (for Patty Jenkins) nominations, but for whatever reason, it hasn't lasted. Even in this category, I kind of see it: the visual effects, fine and eye-catching enough for entertainment's sake, were not the best of the film industry as a whole. With that, Blade Runner, Star Wars, and War are probably the safest conclusions.

Now, I realize I could also delve into the Animated Feature, Foreign Language Feature, and Documentary Feature categories. I probably should, and most definitely will. But as I see it, it is far too premature, especially with a summer full of less-than-kid-friendly features.

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For now, this will wrap up my predictions. If you know me, they'll change and take up new shapes as time goes on. I can't tell you how close I am to making some adjustments even while typing about finalizing my predictions. Oh, the woes of Oscar season. I would love to go on and on about how pleased I am, or about what else might change. Perhaps another time.