Previewing the 2012 Oscars

Jacob Pollack, Zachary Brenner and Justin Kroll

Staff Writers

We know the drill for “Oscar Sunday.” Our favorites and hopefuls line the Red Carpet in fresh tuxedoes and gowns, while we immerse ourselves in chips and dip. We host parties, turn the television volume to the maximum and glue our eyes to the TV set. And we make predictions. Here are ours for movie’s biggest night.

Actor in a Supporting Role:

Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn)

Jonah Hill (Moneyball)

Nick Nolte (Warrior)

Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)

Who will win: Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

Who should win: Jonah Hill (Moneyball)

 

Actress in a Supporting Role:

Berenice Bejo (The Artist)

Jessica Chastian (The Help)

Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)

Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs)

Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Who will win: Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Who should win: Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)

 

Cinematography:

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

The Tree of Life

War Horse

What will win: War Horse

What should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 

Art Direction:

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

War Horse

What will win: War Horse

What should win: War Horse

 

Costume Design:

Anonymous

The Artist

Hugo

Jane Eyre

W.E.

What will win: Jane Eyre

What should win: The Artist

 

Directing:

The Artist

The Descendants

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

The Tree of Life

Who will win: Hugo (Martin Scorsese)

What should win: Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen)

 

Film Editing:

The Artist

The Descendants

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

Moneyball

What will win: Hugo

What should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 

Makeup:

Albert Nobbs

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

The Iron Lady

What will win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

What should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

 

Music (Original Score):

The Adventures of Tintin

The Artist

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

What will win: War Horse

What should win: War Horse

 

Visual Effects:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Hugo

Real Steel

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

What will win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

What should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

 

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

The Descendants

Hugo

The Ides of March

Moneyball

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

What will win: The Descendants

What should win: The Ides of March

 

Writing (Original Screenplay):

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Margin Call

Midnight in Paris

A Separation

What will win: Midnight in Paris

What should win: Bridesmaids

 

Actor in a Leading Role:

Demian Bichir (A Better Life)

George Clooney (The Descendants)

Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)

Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

Who will win: George Clooney (The Descendants)

Who should win: Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

 

Actress in Leading Role:

Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)

Viola Davis (The Help)

Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn)

Who will win: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Who should win: Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

 

Best Picture:

The Artist

The Descendants

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

The Help

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

The Tree of Life

War Horse

What will win: The Artist

What should win: The Help