Production Design:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Should Win: NIGHTMARE ALLEY

“Don’t underestimate ‘Dune’” was the biggest piece of advice anyone could’ve been given at the beginning of this awards season. Aside from being snubbed from the one major nomination I thought was certain for this film, of its double-digit nominations, it could possibly win over half of them – all in the less competitive categories. I’m quite surprised “The Power of the Dog” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” managed to get into this category over “Belfast,” which surprisingly missed a lot of categories, and “The French Dispatch.” I wasn’t a fan of Wes Anderson’s latest, and neither was the Academy, who gave it zero nominations. However, even I thought the production design was quite extraordinary. If not “Dune” because of its astounding worldbuilding, “Nightmare Alley” was just as capturing. The look, and the film’s standout performances, carried the film, which was rather uninteresting to me. From the introductory carnival set pieces to the more noir, twentieth-century esque streets, “Nightmare Alley” screams production design at the top of its lungs.

Costume Design:

Will Win: CRUELLA

Could Win: DUNE

Should Win: CRUELLA

One of the embarrassing misses for “House of Gucci,” a movie about the Gucci costume designer family, was missing out on a Best Costume Design nomination. I would’ve appreciated a “Last Night in Soho” nod here as well. Either way, “Cruella” has to win this category. That movie also incorporates this aspect into the film wholeheartedly, and Emma Stone’s and Emma Thompson’s costume-off montage should lock it in. As we know, the Academy doesn’t always make the right decision. “Dune” surely has much detail put into its costumes, but I don’t find them nearly as appealing as the eighty different outfits worn by the two leading ladies of “Cruella.” If “West Side Story” were to win more than a single award it could be here, but I wouldn’t be willing to bet it’s even the runner-up.

Makeup and Hairstyling:

Will Win: THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Could Win: HOUSE OF GUCCI

Should Win: THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

In regards to my nominee predictions, I did fairly well playing it safer this year over last. Makeup and Hairstyling was one of the categories I went five for five in. As for snubs, I wish the remarkable work on “The Green Knight” or “The Suicide Squad” could’ve been included either here or recognized in Best Visual Effects. That said, this category could play out in any nominee’s favor. “Cruella” could have this win to go hand-in-hand with its Costume Design win, however, I feel it’s the least likely to win because the Academy tends to go for the more flashy, detailed prosthetics, and in recent years, fat suits. “Dune” is sweeping this year in the majority of these technology and craft categories, but Stellan Skarsgård, who plays Baron Harkonnen, in a heavy fat suit could be just enough to do so. “Coming 2 America” has a very similar deal, with detailed makeup making Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall look elderly in the film in their multiple roles; most people didn’t think this would get in, but even “Bad Grandpa” got nominated here in a year of three nominees. I’ve had “House of Gucci” winning here ever since I first saw images of Jared Leto in this film, and I don’t think the Academy cares that he looks nothing like the person he’s playing, Paolo Gucci. “Tammy Faye” has the makeup that is consistently in your face, but unlike Leto’s, is a key aspect of Chastain’s performance and is actually a necessity to the film. Throughout the film, you see the transformation and variety of her look. I believe this race is down to two nominees: “House of Gucci” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” Personally, I would go with the latter; sure it may look over the top in the film, but that was the point, that’s how Tammy Faye looked in real life. Although the Academy does tend to spread the love of awards among the films, especially in recent years, this is the only nomination “House of Gucci” got. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jared Leto’s unnaturality, despite not being nominated for an acting award this year, was responsible for this film winning the award.

Visual Effects:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

Should Win: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

This should just be called the “Dune” award, because even though I’d like for “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to win something, there’s no competition whatsoever. “Dune” embraced Sci-Fi to its full potential and made you feel like you were on the planet Arrakis (which is why it’s winning many other awards as well). “Spider-Man” had consistent visuals, and an amazing final act, but outside of the seamless deaging CGI on Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe and the scene with Spider-Man fighting Doctor Strange, it didn’t do much more than just get the job done. I’m very surprised that “The Matrix Resurrections,” “Eternals” and “Godzilla vs. Kong” missed, while “Free Guy,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and “No Time To Die” got in, all of whom should be happy they were at least considered in this category.