What Should Win Tonight

I posted my final predictions for the Academy Awards yesterday, and I thought it appropriate to further anticipate tonight’s festivities by sharing my “should win” picks in each category. (Though, having not seen all of the nominees, I have abstained from choosing a favorite in the animation and documentary short fields.) As you can see, I’m expecting most of the crossovers to come near the bottom of the ballot, yet those are also the fields that appear to be most up for grabs. So who knows? We’ll see how it shakes out in a few hours.

BEST PICTURE: The Tree of Life

BEST DIRECTOR: Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life)

BEST ACTOR: Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

BEST ACTRESS: Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Nick Nolte (Warrior)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Moneyball

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: A Separation

BEST ART DIRECTION: Hugo

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Tree of Life

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Anonymous

BEST FILM EDITING: Moneyball

BEST MAKEUP: The Iron Lady

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “Man or Muppet” (The Muppets)

BEST SOUND EDITING: Drive

BEST SOUND MIXING: Moneyball

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

BEST ANIMATED FILM: Rango

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Undefeated

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: A Separation

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT: Tuba Atlantic