The Oscar Narrative: Final Nomination Predictions - Best Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, and Visual Effects

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins "1917"
Phedon Papamichael "Ford v. Ferrari"
Rodrigo Prieto "The Irishman"
Lawrence Sher "Joker"
Robert Richardson "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

Other Contenders - Jarin Blasche "The Lighthouse", Robbie Ryan "Marriage Story", Mihai Malaimare Jr. "Jojo Rabbit", Kyung-pyo Hong "Parasite"

Commentary - There are six contenders between BAFTA and ASC. Ford v Ferrari, The Irishman, 1917, and Joker landed on both lists. Of the other two, I am leaning toward Richardson, who has missed ASC and/or BAFTA before and still managed an Oscar nod. But Blasche will probably be the replacement.

Best Costume Design
Dolemite is My Name
The Irishman
Little Women
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman

Other Contenders - Jojo Rabbit, Judy, Aladdin, Joker, Downton Abbey, Hustlers, Knives Out, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Commentary - A tough one this year, with no real front runner. Little Women rebounded at BAFTA, Rocketman missed out a BAFTA, which is a shocker, as did Dolemite is My Name. But I think all will do well on this side of the pond. Finally Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Irishman are tech-heavy Oscar front runners, and The Irishman is Sandy Powell.

Best Film Editing
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Joker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite

Other Contenders - Jojo Rabbit, Knives Out, The Farewell, Marriage Story

Commentary - So BAFTA missed several last year. I am predicting a 4/5 crossover. I think The Irishman, Once, Joker, and Ford are in. I think Jojo is on the rise, but I think Parasite is stronger over here than people are guessing. I predict it takes the fifth slot.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Rocketman
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Other Contenders - 1917, Dolemite is My Name, Downton Abbey, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Little Women

Commentary - Word out of the bake off is that Bombshell, Judy, and Joker had the most buzz, and I have to assume Rocketman will do well. I think the last slot is between 1917 and Once. I am going with Once, as its period part should win over war makeup.

Best Production Design
1917
The Irishman
Joker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite

Other Contenders - Jojo Rabbit, Ford v Ferrari, Aladdin, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Us

Commentary - The Irishman and Once Upon a Time feel locked, and after their BAFTA runs, I feel good about Joker and 1917. Jojo Rabbit is a strong contender, but I feel like Parasite will follow Roma as the film that had to built its entire set from scratch.

Best Visual Effects
Alita: Battle Angel
Avengers: Endgame
The Irishman
The Lion King
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Other Contenders - 1917, Gemini Man, Cats, Captain Marvel, Terminator: Dark Fate

Commentary - The Lion King is a shoo-in, as is Avengers and Star Wars. Despite the battle over de-aging, I feel like The Irishman is going to get in for pushing the genre forward, whether it completely worked or not. Finally, the best film of the bunch left is 1917, who got BAFTA. But Alita: Battle Angel led the VES nods, and is clearly a favorite among this branch, even though the film was not well received. I think it surprises.