| Avatar | The Hurt Locker | The White Ribbon | Inglourious Basterds | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince |
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Analysis: Besides director, this is the award I feel The Hurt Locker "should" win. The images from this film are its best aspect in my opinion. However, it appears Avatar is the favorite. For me, it is hard to tell which parts of the film use actual lenses to even deserve this award. It seems most of the film is captured in CGI. I smell an upset here, but the safe bet is on Avatar. Nine seems to have been absolutely robbed in this category. I had a bad feeling the technical side of Nine would take a hit or two after the films poor reviews. Will Win: Avatar Should Win: The Hurt Locker Could Win: The Hurt Locker |
| Avatar | Sherlock Holmes | Nine | The Young Victoria | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus |
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Analysis: Nine was my original pick to win this category, but the snub from the Art Directors Guild left me little choice but to drop it down the line. Maybe this is one more technical award for Avatar. Will Win: Avatar Should Win: Avatar Could Win: Sherlock Holmes |
| The Young Victoria | Coco Avant Chanel | Bright Star | Nine | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus |
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Analysis: This award almost always seems to go to a period piece or to a musical. So what does one choose when there are five highly deserving choices? From pictures and trailers alone, the costumes of The Young Victoria seem to be right up the Academy's aisle. The awful Elizabeth sequel won this award a couple years ago, so I'll stick in with that same line of thinking. Will Win: The Young Victoria Should Win: The Young Victoria Could Win: Coco Avant Chanel |
| Star Trek | Il Divo | The Young Victoria |
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Analysis: Star Trek should be the favorite for Makeup. Star Trek was one of the most enjoyable films of the year, and this would be its best chance to be recognized. Will Win: Star Trek Should Win: Star Trek Could Win: Il Divo |