The Oscar Narrative: Final Nomination Predictions - Best Original Score, Original Song, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing

Best Original Score
Thomas Newman "1917"
Michael Giacchino "Jojo Rabbit"
Hildur Guđnadóttir "Joker"
Alexandre Desplat "Little Women"
John Williams "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

Other Contenders - Randy Newman "Marriage Story", Michael Abels "Us", Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders "Ford v Ferrari", Alberto Iglesias "Pain & Glory"

Commentary - I think this is a seven-way race. 1917 and Joker feel like locks, and Alexandre Desplat seems to get in a lot lately, so expect his score for Little Women to pop up. John Williams missed out at BAFTA, but it is not a safe move to bet against him with these voters. Finally, the whole season, I had Randy Newman in that slot, but I get this feeling that Jojo Rabbit is on the rise, and Michael Giacchino is a previous winner who got the BAFTA nod. I will probably regret it, and move Randy Newman back in, but for now, I am predicting a snub.

Best Original Song
Frozen II - Into the Unknown
Harriet - Stand Up
The Lion King - Spirit
Rocketman - I'm Gonna Love Me Again
Wild Rose - Glasgow (No Place Like Home)

Other Contenders - Aladdin - Speechless, Motherless Brooklyn - Daily Battles, The Black Godfather - Letter to My Godfather, The LEGO Movie Part 2 - The Catchy Song, Toy Story 4 - I Can't Let Your Throw Yourself Away

Commentary - Anyone who purports to have a full understanding of this category is lying to you. I feel confident picking Rocketman (Elton John), Spirit (Beyonce), and Into the Unknown (It's Frozen). But the other two slots are interesting. I don't know what will happen in the Best Actress category, I think Cynthia Erivo will do well with the musicians, and still end up an Oscar nominee. Finally, I am going out on a limb for Wild Rose. The song has been popping up all over the place, and seems to be the darkhorse favorite to crash the party. But watch out for Aladdin, Motherless Brooklyn, Toy Story, and yes, even The LEGO Movie Part 2.

Best Sound Editing
1917
Ford v Ferrari
Joker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman

Other Contenders - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jojo Rabbit, Avengers: Endgame, The Irishman

Best Sound Mixing
1917
Ford v Ferrari
Joker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman

Other Contenders - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jojo Rabbit, Avengers: Endgame, The Irishman