Editing:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: THE POWER OF THE DOG

Should Win: DON’T LOOK UP

Editing typically goes hand-in-hand with whatever wins in the sound category, but regardless, this is yet another award I don’t see “Dune” missing on. It’s a high-stakes, intense sci-fi epic, and nothing else nominated holds a candle to the action this film displays. The “West Side Story” and “Belfast” misses here are absolutely critical to their chances at winning Best Picture because, to win that, you almost need to be recognized here, which is why I believe if there was a runner-up it would be “The Power of the Dog.” In the places of those two films, I’m quite surprised “King Richard” and “tick, tick…BOOM!” got in. “tick, tick…BOOM!” obviously being nominated for the “Therapy” scene – which is immaculately intercut between scenes of Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield) in his home and singing. “King Richard” was one of those movies this year that was nominated everywhere it was supposed to be; it didn’t get any more or any less. I understand it’s an extremely divisive film among audiences in a divided country, but I thought the editing in “Don’t Look Up” was incredibly well done. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour film that didn’t leave me bored for a minute, but nothing to my knowledge makes me believe the Academy will vote for that. 

Cinematography:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Should Win: THE POWER OF THE DOG

The Cinematography category is by far my favorite group of single nominees in the overall nomination lineup. There is not a single bad choice, although I believe that the eventual winner, “Dune,” is the least impressive of the five. “Nightmare Alley” has a fantastic noir aesthetic. “West Side Story” has a great use of color contrasting and lighting. I would personally give it to “The Power of the Dog” – it’s also a fun fact that Ari Wegner is the second woman to ever be nominated here – but “Spencer” is the best-shot film of 2021 and has been wrongfully snubbed here. “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is the most artsy Shakespearean adaptation I’ve ever laid eyes on, and it is gorgeous to look at. Speaking on the black-and-white, I’m surprised how “Belfast” managed to miss here as well, despite getting nominated almost everywhere else. Not that I’m disappointed it missed; among the black-and-white shot films like “Macbeth,” “Passing” and “C’mon C’mon,” it is the least pleasing to look at of this past year. Also, for being one of the best shot action films I’ve seen in a long time, “No Time To Die” should have been nominated here.

Score:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: THE POWER OF THE DOG

Should Win: DON’T LOOK UP

Hans Zimmer hasn’t received an Academy Award since “The Lion King,” and his work on “Dune” feels like an “it’s his time again” award. It adds to the scale and epicness (I know, redundant, but “Dune” is unstoppable) of the film, and he gave bagpipes an additional purpose. Jonny Greenwood could take it here because he composed three notable soundtracks this year with “The Power of the Dog,” “Licorice Pizza” and “Spencer,” which also should have been nominated here. “Encanto” is a lazy nomination here and doesn’t stand above many other Disney themes in recent years. They nominated the wrong animated film in this category – it should have been “Luca.” The score for “Parallel Mothers” is definitely one of my favorites of the year, but I would have taken out “Encant0” to put in some others I felt added the most to my viewing experience. Michael Giacchino did fantastic work on “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” managing to intertwine all three Spider-Man themes together. A jazz-centric soundtrack won last year already with “Soul,”  but I adore listening to Nicholas Brittel’s work for “Don’t Look Up.” Overall, quite a solid category.

Sound:

Will Win: DUNE

Could Win: WEST SIDE STORY

Should Win: DUNE

“Dune.” I don’t even know what else could win because “Dune” is unquestionably winning this award. “Belfast” and “The Power of the Dog” have no chance of winning and that’s that. “No Time To Die” is possible because guns are fired in that film, but guns are also fired in “Dune.”  Nevertheless, the sound design in “No Time To Die” is spectacular overall. If anything, “West Side Story” is possible because it’s a musical and the original film won here in 1962. However, back in 1962, it didn’t have to face off against the craft category sweeper, it was the sweeper.