Oscar-nomics: Best Visual Effects Predictions

Still working on the design here, bare with me

  





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Now, I have to be honest, I don't really care for visual effects. That isn't to say I hate them, but I am more of a story enthusiast and if that is done well, then the visual effects can and should be used to help enhance the film around it. That is why while I have my prediction, and at this point I think its a bankable one, I am having a sneaking suspicion one film, equally deserving mind you, might upset here. Before I go into that, however, let us take a look at the nominees (by the way, no Tree of Life? What the f*#! academy?):

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows pt. 2: Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, and John Richardson
This is the third nomination of the HP team, a sign that the academy likes the bunch, but isn't in love since the other 5 weren't nominated. Still, its nice to see them make it in, given the final film is quite arguably their most ambitious in terms of effects and such, with the Battle of Hogwarts looking as amazing as it did. That being said, the only true chance I see it winning would be out of respect for it being the last HP film, which I just can't see happening.

Hugo: Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann, and Alex Henning
This is a dark horse in this category, and is deserving of the win if it gets the gold statue. Its visual effects really enhanced the film in a way that it wasn't over the top, like one of the nominees I will mention later. Whether its the nightlife of Paris, a visual showcase of the legendary Georges Melies, or the intricate dream sequences, one involving a train falling off its tracks. While I don't generally care for the effects, I will say that I enjoyed the special effects in this film. There is also a clear love for the film, as its 11 nominations show, and its the sole Best Picture nomination (which is understandable if you look at the other nominations, minus the previous one of course). Don't be surprised if we see this film winning come Oscar night, but for now I see it just coming up short.

Real Steel: Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Danny Gordon Taylor, and Swen Gillberg
I have a really big problem with this nomination. I don't think this doesn't belong in the category, it clearly uses mo-cap technology aptly for its robot fighting scenes (if not a tad clunky). The fact is, it took out a category that only did a beautiful showcase of the creation of the freaking universe. I feel this film robbed the Tree of Life of its deserving nomination, argh. That being said, it wasn't a terribly well liked film, more liked than some others, but not enough for it to merit Oscar attention. Also, it didn't really get that much of an audience so I felt the film would disappear, and it clearly didn't. That being said, I doubt it has any chance of winning here, so the nom is the award (ugh).

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White, and Daniel Barrett
There is so much going for this film to win that I am betting on this one to take it. Its visual mo-cap of the actors playing apes was very well done, it reminded me of the visual effects done on the aliens in Avatar. Its visual effects are seemless, anchored only more so by a strong performance by Andy Serkis. This film is also on a Visual Effects hot streak, so it is the strong frontrunner. While I am predicting it to win, it should be noted that this is the films only nomination, so I think its not as in a strong 1st as I had thought. Hugo could very well take it out in the end, but for now I am banking on those damn dirty apes.

Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon: Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew E. Butler, and John Frazier
A Hollywood blockbuster with sense-destructive visuals and sound designs. It was a lock since its debut, and with little competition as it has in previous years (or apparently little competition since the creation of the universe with beauty and style is considered "unworthy"), a nomination seemed more and more likely. However, I can count the ways this film won't win, but I will stick with the traditional, "The Academy hates Transformers." It was a terrible film, but it is hard to discredit its sound and visuals so those, like many Bay films, will get the nomination and not win, and I don't see this film changing this trend.

Will Win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Runner-up: Hugo

Should win: Hugo or Rise of the Planet of the Apes (I'm not picky)
Should've Been Nominated: Tree of Life

Oscar-nomics: Sound Editing/Mixing Predictions

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Not my best of display pictures, but what can you do?

Seeing as how I missed posting yesterday, I would figure I would do a double header to make up for lost time. I was thinking of doing both of the writing categories, but I feel those deserve there own, separate time. I picked doing both of the sound categories for two reasons: 1) I am never 100% on this and 2) I am predicting the same movie to win both so as to avoid having to explain the difference. Generally, when you are nominated in both categories, you are already the presumed frontrunner, which makes a bit of sense. Take last year, Inception won both and its closest competition was True Grit, the only other double nominee. I am not saying that this is an absolute but given 4/5 slots are double nominees, I'm going to assume there is a slight chance this will happen. And for my rant of the day: WHERE THE F!@* IS TINTIN!!! Now, with that out of the way, here are the nominees:

Moneyball: Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco and Ed Novick (Sound Mixing only)
I am rather happy that this made the list, cause it has every right to be here. The mixing of the sounds in the baseball games is subtle in that it works to its advantages of raising the suspense of each hit and every tense moment. That being said, I think its too subtle and being that it is not also nominated for editing, I'd say its a long-shot, but A for the nomination.

Drive: Lon Bender, Victor Ray Ennis (Editing only)
Again, another solid choice, the sound designs were excellent and definitely helped set the mood. However, this is the film's sole nomination, following the rude snub of Mr. Brooks, which means the film's lack of overall love gives this little hope.

Now, for the dual nominees:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin (mixing) Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn (editing)
As bad as the Transformers films are, the sound designs are generally top notch. They help keep the action sequences from being unbearable (which is no mean feat in a Bay film) and actually makes them fun to watch at times. That being said, the Academy generally never had much love for the franchise, so seeing them take either of these would probably be the longest shot of the double nominees.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson (Mixing) Ren Klyce (editing)
Personally, this is my favorite of the lot. The mixing of the music to the scene as well as the editing of the creepy tones and intense sequences makes this a worthy nominee, and almost worthy winner. In another year, I would be picking this one hands down, but I don't see the film quite taking down these next two nominees.

Hugo: Tom Fleischman and John Midgley (mixing) Eugene Gearty, Philip Stockton (editing)
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if this is your winner. The sound design team does a wonderful time with the design and editing of the sounds that go on within the clock tower, as well as the train station (such as the scene with the train going through the station). This would be a welcomed win and a deserving one at that, but I am putting this as my runner up with a dark horse chance against this nominee (GwDT is also a dark horse, but I think Hugo stands a better chance at an upset).

War Horse: Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson (Mixing) Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom (editing)
Like how I noted in Best Original Score Prediction, this has everything going for it in the way of a win. Its a war film that has strong sound effects. This is from the same team that did Saving Private Ryan, and have won 7 of these bad boys in the past. Its hard to bet against them since they are in there comfort zone, which is why I have a sneaking suspicion they might end up losing. I am picking this film for a double win, but something tells me they might be set up for an upset, it just seems to easy the choice. I know that isn't the best excuse for a reason, but I have a feeling Hugo might overtake it. The Academy clearly loves Hugo with the 11 nominations, and there thoughts on War Horse weren't as loving as many had originally thought. Still, the safe money is War Horse, but I would be pleasantly surprised if Hugo upsets, or maybe even takes a split (personally I'm pulling for an editing upset for Hugo, or even Dragon Tattoo, but Hugo seems more likely).

That's it for today, fingers crossed I'm back tomorrow for more predictions...

Winner: War Horse (both editing and mixing)
Runner-up: Hugo (both editing and mixing)

Should win: Dragon Tattoo (editing) and Hugo (mixing)
Should've been nominated: The Adventures of Tintin (for both mixing and editing)