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

Best Cinematography

Dan Laustsen "Frankenstein"

Darius Khondji "Marty Supreme"

Michael Bauman "One Battle After Another"

Autumn Durald Arkapaw "Sinners"

Adolpho Veloso "Train Dreams"

Other Contenders - Łukasz Żal "Hamnet", Seamus McGarvey "Die My Love", Claudio Miranda "F1: The Movie", Robbie Ryan "Bugonia", David Chambille "Nouvelle Vague", Mauro Herce "Sirat", James Friend "The Ballad of the Small Player", Alice Brooks "Wicked: For Good", Kasper Tuxen "Sentimental Value"

Commentary - After missing both the British and American guilds, Hamnet has moved to a solid number seventh slot for me. If it gets in, it showcases strength for the film. Four crossed over both guilds: Sinners, Frankenstein, Sinners, and One Battle After Another. These feel solid. The final ASC slot went to Train Dreams, and the final British slot went for Die My Love. I am sticking with Train Dreams. It also won at the Critics Choice, and is a bigger contenders overall. Beyond Hamnet and Die My Love, look out for Bugonia, Nouvelle Vague, and F1. 

Best Costume Design

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Sinners

Wicked: For Good

Other Contenders - Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Hedda, Marty Supreme, Nouvelle Vague, Bugonia, Nuremburg, The Testament of Ann Lee, Blue Moon, Kiss of the Spider Woman,

Commentary - Four are solid: Sinners, Hamnet, Wicked, and Frankenstein. The last slot: I have no idea. One Battle, Bugonia, and Downton Abbey are the three that cross from CDG to the BAFTA longlists. Of the three, Downton is the most costumes, and considering how little this franchise has done on the awards scene, I'm fascinated that suddenly the costumers are going to bat for it. I am probably way off, but I honestly have no idea, and am going with the most obvious costumes among the three. That doesn't mean that some of those that only hit one of the two can't also breakthrough. Watch out for Hedda, Marty Supreme, Nouvelle Vague, and Nuremberg. 

Best Film Editing

F1: The Movie

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Other Contenders - Hamnet, Bugonia, A House of Dynamite, Weapons, It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value, Sirat, Wicked: For Good, The Secret Agent

Commentary - Boldly leaving out Hamnet, but it is no longer a prerequisite for Best Picture. The other five just feel like the types of films that Editors respect. I also think Bugonia and Weapons could surprise. 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein

Sinners

The Smashing Machine

The Ugly Stepsister 

Wicked: For Good

Other Contenders - The Alto Knights, One Battle After Another, Kokuho, Marty Supreme, Nuremberg, 

Commentary - This category always throws in some curveballs. So expect things like The Ugly Stepsister and The Smashing Machine alongside bigger overall contenders like Frankenstein, Sinners, and Wicked. I also think The Alto Knights (yes) is a huge spoiler, as is Nuremberg. 

Best Production Design

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

Hamnet

Sinners

Wicked: For Good

Other Contenders - Bugonia, One Battle After Another, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avatar: Fire and Ash, F1: The Movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Mickey 17, Superman, The Phoenician Scheme

Commentary - When you look at the most obvious, I think of Frankenstein, Sinners, and Hamnet. Wicked is vulnerable, but I don't know how they deny a nod her. Marty Supreme is my fifth, but I worry about One Battle, Bugonia, and some of the more visual films like Avatar, F1, Wake Up Dead Man, and The Fantastic Four.