‘Lego Movie,’ ‘Into the Woods’ might thrive in Oscar craft categories
When it comes to the crafts categories, everything is awesome (or should be) if you’re a member of the teams behind “Into the Woods” or “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” And, yes, we’re liking “The Lego Movie’s” chances of winning animated feature. Here’s how the races currently stand:
ANIMATED FEATURE
“The Lego Movie”
“Big Hero 6”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
“The Boxtrolls”
Bubbling under: “The Book of Life,” “Song of the Sea”
Analysis: Last year’s thin field led to the inevitable coronation of “Frozen,” which, given its ubiquitous pop-culture presence, feels like it should somehow be nominated again this year. “The Lego Movie,” “Big Hero 6” and the “Dragon” sequel received strong reviews and filled seats in theaters, putting them in easily. Isao Takahata’s exquisite tear-jerker “Princess Kaguya” is widely regarded as one of Studio Ghibli’s landmark achievements and should also find a place among the nominees. “Boxtrolls” and “The Book of Life” weren’t as well-received, which could lead to the lovely Irish folklore tale “Song of the Sea” landing the last spot.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Into the Woods”
“Birdman”
“The Imitation Game”
“Interstellar”
Bubbling under: “Mr. Turner,” “Unbroken,” “Maleficent,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings”
Analysis: “Into the Woods” is this year’s version of “The Great Gatsby” — a film that won’t sniff a best picture nomination but should clean up in several crafts categories. Meanwhile, “Budapest Hotel” will likely become the first Wes Anderson movie to be recognized in this category, mind-boggling considering the intricate design work running through his filmography. Branch voters find spectacle irresistible, which could put “Maleficent” (another potential crafts powerhouse) or the critically panned “Exodus” into the winner’s circle.
COSTUME DESIGN
“Into the Woods”
“Maleficent”
“Mr. Turner”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Big Eyes”
Bubbling under: “The Imitation Game,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Selma,” “Belle”
Analysis: The category is crowded with branch favorites — Colleen Atwood, who did “Woods” and Tim Burton’s “Big Eyes,” owns three Oscars, along with 10 nominations. Milena Canonero, who added all those sophisticated threads to “Budapest’s” denizens, has three Oscars too, and eight nominations. And Jacqueline Durran (“Mr. Turner”) owns one. In other words: Somebody is going to have to move something around on the mantel this year.
FILM EDITING
“Boyhood”
“Birdman”
“Gone Girl”
“Interstellar”
“Whiplash”
Bubbling under: “Unbroken,” “The Imitation Game,” “Selma,” “American Sniper”
Analysis: Think of Miles Teller’s standoff with J.K. Simmons in the final performance scene of “Whiplash.” It’s the best piece of editing you’ll see in a movie this year. Does that mean indie newcomer Tom Cross will snag a nomination? We’d like to think so, but that would also mean that “Whiplash” would make it in as a best picture nominee. Since the academy expanded the pic category in 2009, every film editing nominee has come from a best picture candidate. Given our guesses, that could be good news for impeccably edited bubble movies like “Gone Girl” and “Interstellar.”
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
“Into the Woods”
“Foxcatcher”
“Maleficent”
Bubbling under: “The Theory of Everything,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Analysis: Peter King (“The Lord ofthe Rings: The Return of the King”) and Roy Helland (“The Iron Lady”) may add to their Oscar collection for making Johnny Depp a wolf and Meryl Streep a witch in “Woods.” “Foxcatcher” gets in by a nose (see what I did there?) and the final spot could go to seven-time winner Rick Baker for his magnificent work on “Maleficent.”
ORIGINAL SCORE
“Birdman”
“Gone Girl”
“Unbroken”
“Interstellar”
“The Theory of Everything”
Bubbling under: “The Imitation Game,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” “Maleficent,” “Foxcatcher”
Analysis: One surprise last year came when voters ignored Hans Zimmer’s percussive score for “12 Years a Slave.” Given the turn-it-to-11 volume of the one-time winner’s work in “Interstellar,” we’re guessing he’s good to go for nomination No. 10. We hope he’ll be joined by jazz drummer Antonio Sanchez, who gave “Birdman” its beating heart. But the music branch tends to be a little insular, so voters could reward John Powell for his second go-around with “Dragon” or maybe even give six-time nominee Alexandre Desplat multiple honors for his work on “Unbroken” and “The Imitation Game.”
SONG
“Everything Is Awesome” (“The Lego Movie”)
“Lone Stars” (“Begin Again”)
“Glory” (“Selma”)
“Mercy Is” (“Noah”)
“Miracles” (“Unbroken”)
Bubbling under: “Split the Difference” (“Boyhood”), “The Last Goodbye” (“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”), “Grateful” (“Beyond the Lights”), “I’ll Get You What You Want” (“Muppets Most Wanted”), “America for Me” (“A Most Violent Year”), “Shine” (“Paddington”)
Analysis: Though there’s no immediate singalong standout like “Let It Go” or “Happy” this year, there’s no shortage of big names with a song in their hearts. John Legend and Common’s striking “Selma” collaboration would seem a good bet, though our favorite duo remains Tegan and Sara (with an assist from the Lonely Island) for “Everything Is Awesome.” Patti Smith has been making the rounds for her lushly orchestrated cut from “Noah.” We’d love to see what she’d wear to the show. And Coldplay is making a late charge with the end titles track from “Unbroken.”
SOUND EDITING
“Interstellar”
“Unbroken”
“Fury”
“American Sniper”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
Bubbling under: “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Noah,” “Godzilla”
Analysis: The boom-boom usually rules the room, though animated titles sometimes sneak in. Did Brad and Angie compare notes about military gunfire in their respective “Fury” and “Unbroken”?
SOUND MIXING
“Into the Woods”
“Unbroken”
“Fury”
“American Sniper”
“Transformers: Age of Extinction”
Bubbling under: “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “Get On Up,” “Interstellar,” “Godzilla,” “Noah”
Analysis: Music-heavy movies do well here, which could leave the makers of “Get On Up” singing come noms morning.
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