Countdown to Oscar Night: The Art of Filmmaking

Best Production Design
Black Panther
The Favourite
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Roma

This is another category that begs the question: "What are voters looking for?" All of the nominees are works of art, but are the members looking for note-perfect attention to detail (Roma, The Favourite), colorful, nostalgic-fueled fantasy (Mary Poppins), or fantasy world building (Black Panther). Many are predicting that Black Panther goes home empty-handed after racking up the nominations, but I think this is its best chance to take home a well-deserved trophy.

My Ballot
Black Panther
Roma
Mary Poppins Returns
The Favourite
First Man

My Pick to Win
Black Panther

Shamefully Snubbed
Sorry to Bother You


Best Costume Design
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Black Panther
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Queen of Scots

I sound like a broken record, but this is yet another tough to predict category. It's usually the best bet to go with "most colorful" which means this is a two way race between Black Panther and Mary Poppins. I think nostalgia will win the day with this one though.

My Ballot
Mary Queen of Scots
Black Panther
Mary Poppins Returns
The Favourite
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

My Pick to Win
Mary Poppins Returns

Shamefully Snubbed
Crazy Rich Asians


Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Border
Mary Queen of Scots
Vice

I really wish this was split into two categories: Transformative makeup (think Charlize Theron in Monster, Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club, and, the Academy's favorite, old man makeup) and Artistic makeup (think period dramas or sci-fi artistry). Both Mary Queen of Scots and Vice deserve makeup artist recommendation, but the reason is not remotely similar. Both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth are flawlessly sculpted and look like works of art. On the other hand, Christian Bale looks like Dick Cheney, which is not exactly an artistic visage but impressive nonetheless. Looking at the past few years, this is pretty clearly Vice's trophy.

My Ballot
Mary Queen of Scots
Vice

My Pick to Win
Vice

Shamefully Snubbed
Aquaman