Sights and sounds

Oscar success is most impressive when a film sweeps. That means it has demonstrated strong support across the academy’s branches, which can bolster its shot at claiming the top prize. Over the last 20 years, the movie with the most nominations has won best picture 15 times. That’s why epics like “Australia” or blockbusters like “The Dark Knight” have an edge.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Favorites

“Bolt”

“Kung Fu Panda”

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”

“Wall-E”

“Waltz With Bashir”

Spotlight: Over the seven-year history of this category, Pixar has won three times (“Ratatouille,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo”) and lost only twice (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”). “Wall-E” has another edge too. The adorable robot is not only based in part upon one real character, but two: Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

Possible

“Delgo”

“Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!”

“Dragon Hunters”

“Fly Me to the Moon”

“Igor”

“$9.99”

“The Sky Crawlers”

“Sword of the Stranger”

“The Tale of Despereaux”

--

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE

Favorites

“Australia,” David Hirschfelder

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Alexandre Desplat

“Defiance,” James Newton Howard

“Doubt,” Howard Shore

“Frost/Nixon,” Hans Zimmer

“Milk,” Danny Elfman

“The Reader,” Nico Muhly

“Revolutionary Road,” Thomas Newman

“Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman

“Wall-E,” Thomas Newman

Spotlight: Several composers are way overdue to win (Howard, Elfman, Newman), but need to be leery of Shore, who has never lost (he’s two for two).

Possible

“Bolt,” John Powell

“Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” James Horner

“Burn After Reading,” Carter Burwell

“Captain Abu Raed,” Austin Wintory

“Changeling,” Clint Eastwood

“Che,” Albert Iglesias

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” Harry Gregson-Williams

“The Duchess,” Rachel Portman

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” John Williams

“Last Chance Harvey,” Dickon Hinchliffe

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” Hans Zimmer

“Secret Life of Bees,” Mark Isham

“Seven Pounds,” Angelo Milli

“The Spirit,” David Newman

“The Tale of Despereaux,” William Ross

“Twilight,” Carter Burwell

“The Visitor,” Jan A. P. Kaczmarek

--

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Favorites

“All Dressed Up in Love” (“Sex and the City”), written by MC Jack Splash, Cee-Lo Green, performed by Jennifer Hudson

“Another Way to Die” (“Quantum of Solace”), written by Jack White, performed by Alicia Keys and White

“Can I Have This Dance?” (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”), written by Adam Anders and Nikki Hassman, performed by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

“Decode” (“Twilight”), written and performed by Paramore

“Down to Earth” (“Wall-E”), written by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newton, performed by Gabriel

“I Thought I Lost You” (“Bolt”), written by Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele, performed by Cyrus and John Travolta

“I Want It All” (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”), written by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, performed by Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel

“Jai Ho” (“Slumdog Millionaire”), written by A.R. Rahman, performed by Sukhwinder Singh

“A Night to Remember” (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”), written by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, performed by film cast

“Rock Me Sexy Jesus” (“Hamlet 2”), written by Pam Brady and Andrew Fleming, performed by Phoebe Strole

“Scream” (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”), written by Jamie Houston, performed by Zac Efron

“The Traveling Song” (“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”), written by Hans Zimmer and will.i.am, performed by will.i.am

“The Wrestler” (“The Wrestler”), written and performed by Bruce Springsteen

“Gran Torino,” (“Gran Torino”), written by Clint Eastwood and Jamie Cullum, performed by Jamie Cullum)

Spotlight: Do you find this concept scary: Miley Cyrus, Oscar winner? Beware, academy voters: The Disney TV superstar not only croons “I Thought I Lost You” from “Bolt,” but she has co-songwriting credit.

Possible

“Barking at the Moon” (“Bolt”), written and performed by Jenny Lewis

“The Drover’s Ballad” (“Australia”), written and performed by Elton John

“It Ain’t Right” (“Dark Streets”), written by Tim Brown, performed by Etta James

“Little Person” (“Synecdoche, New York”), written by Charlie Kaufman and Jon Brion, performed by Brion

“The Little Things” (“Wanted”), written and performed by Danny Elfman

“Nothing But the Truth” (“Nothing But the Truth”), written by Coby Brown and Rod Lurie, performed by Brown

“Too Much Juice” (“Dark Streets”), written by Tony DeMeur, performed by Chaka Khan

--

BEST ART DIRECTION

Favorites

“Australia,” Catherine Martin

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo

“The Dark Knight,” Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando

“Doubt,” David Gropman

“The Duchess,” Michael Carlin

“Frost/Nixon,” Michael Corenblith, Susan Benjamin

“The Reader,” Brigitte Broch, Eva Marie Stiebler

“Revolutionary Road,” Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Spotlight: Long-term voter preferences in this race obviously favor some films: epics (“Australia”), period pics (“Changeling,” “The Duchess”) and fantasies (“Dark Knight,” “Benjamin Button”)

Possible

“Changeling,” James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis

“Milk,” Bill Groom

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Guy Dyas, Larry Dias, Alyssa Winter

“Rachel Getting Married,” Ford Wheeler

“Slumdog Millionaire,” Mark Digby, Michelle Day

“Wall-E,” Ralph Eggleston

--

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Favorites

“Australia,” Catherine Martin

“Changeling,” Deborah Hopper

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Jacqueline West

“The Dark Knight,” Lindy Hemming

“Doubt,” Ann Roth

“The Duchess,” Michael O’Connor

“Milk,” Danny Glicker

“The Reader,” Ann Roth

“Revolutionary Road,” Albert Wolsky

“Sex and the City,” Patricia Field

Spotlight: In recent years, three-quarters of the costume nominees have been period films, a trend that benefits most of the contenders listed above. Patricia Field’s nomination in 2006 for “The Devil Wears Prada” bodes well for her being recognized for her latest contemporary film bursting with designer-label divas: “Sex and the City.” Field won an Emmy for dressing the TV series in 2002.

Possible

“Defiance,” Jenny Beaven

“Frost/Nixon,” Daniel Orlandi

“Mamma Mia!” Ann Roth

“Rachel Getting Married,” Susan Lyall

“Slumdog Millionaire,” Suttirat Anne Larlarb

“Tropic Thunder,” Marlene Stewart

--

BEST FILM EDITING

Favorites

“Australia,” Dody Dorn, Michael McCusker

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall

“The Dark Knight,” Lee Smith

“Frost/Nixon,” Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Michael Kahn

“Revolutionary Road,” Tariq Anwar

“Slumdog Millionaire, Chris Dickens

“The Reader,” Claire Simpson

“Wall-E,” Stephen Schaffer

Spotlight: This race favors best picture nominees with obvious, choppy editing. That bodes well for the zig-zagging in “Slumdog Millionaire” between scenes of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and flashbacks to horrific memories of growing up in the slums of Mumbai. Also the time jumping in “Benjamin Button” and “The Reader.”

Possible

“Bolt,” Tim Mertens

“Defiance,” Steven Rosenblum

“Doubt,” Dylan Tichenor

“Changeling,” Joel Cox, Gary D. Roach

“Gran Torino,” Joel Cox, Gary D. Roach

“Iron Man,” Dan Lebental

“Milk,” Elliot Graham

“Quantum of Solace,” Matt Chesse, Richard Pearson

“Rachel Getting Married,” Tim Squyres

“Synecdoche, New York,” Robert Frazen

“Seven Pounds,” Hughes Winborne

“The Wrestler,” Andrew Weisblum

--

BEST MAKEUP

Favorites

“Australia,” Maurizio Silvi

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” Paul Engelen

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Colleen Callaghan, Fionagh Cush

“The Dark Knight,” Peter Robb-King, John Caglione Jr.

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” Mike Elizalde

“Iron Man,” Deborah La Mia Denaver, Nina Paskowitz

“Frost/Nixon,” Edouard Henriques, Kim Santantonio

“The Reader,” Ivana Primorac, Pauline Fowler

“Tropic Thunder,” Beth Miller, Gerald Quist

“W.,” Trefor Proud, Karen Huston

Spotlight: When this category doesn’t reward films with fantastic characters like hobbits, it often hails ones in which characters age dramatically. There are a few of those roles this year -- Kate Winslet in “The Reader” and Cate Blanchett in “Benjamin Button,” practically the entire cast of “Synecdoche, New York” -- but also a unique choice: Brad Pitt aging in reverse in “Button.”

Possible

“Blindness,” Debra Johnson, Micheline Trepanier

“The Duchess,” Jan Archibald, Daniel Phillips

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” Lesley Smith

“Revolutionary Road,” Michele Paris, Karen Specht

“Synecdoche, New York,” Naomi Donne, Mike Marino

--

BEST SOUND EDITING

Favorites

“Australia,” Jenny Ward

“Bolt,” Frank Eulner

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Ren Klyce

“The Dark Knight,” Richard King

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Ben Burtt

“Iron Man,” Frank Eulner

“Milk,” Leslie Shatz

“Quantum of Solace,” Eddie Joseph

“Wall-E,” Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood

Spotlight: This category usually favors blockbusters such as “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man,” animated hits like “Kung Fu Panda” and “Wall-E” and an occasional epic like “Australia” or “Benjamin Button” if it’s nominated for best picture.

Possible

“Changeling,” Bub Asman, Alan Robert Murray

“Defiance,” Lon Bender

“Doubt,” Ron Bochar

“The Duchess,” Catherine Hodgson

“Frost/Nixon,” Chic Ciccolini III

“Gran Torino,” Bub Asman, Alan Robert Murray

“Rachel Getting Married,” Blake Leyh, Paul Urmson

“The Reader,” Blake Leyh

“Revolutionary Road,” Warren Shaw

--

BEST SOUND MIXING

Favorites

“Bolt,” David Fluhr, Gabriel Guy, Bill Higley, Doc Kane, Randy Thom

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Mark Weingarten, David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce

“The Dark Knight,” Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” Douglas Cameron, Terry Porter, Dean Zupancic

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Ben Burtt

“Iron Man,” Mark Ulano, Adam Blantz

“Mamma Mia!” Simon Hayes, Michael Barry, Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella

“Quantum of Solace,” Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor

“Rachel Getting Married,” Jeff Pullman, Tony Volante, Paul Urmson

“Revolutionary Road,” Danny Michael, Scott Milan, David Parker

“Wall-E,” Ben Burtt, Tom Myers, Michael Semanick

Spotlight: Nominees echo the lineup for sound editing, with one exception: Musicals tend to do well here. “Mamma Mia!” has an edge since its demographic favors the tastes of those older academy members, who may pooh-pooh “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Possible

“Changeling,” Walt Martin, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff

“Defiance,” Anna Behlmer, Petur Hliddal, Andy Nelson

“Doubt,” Ron Bochar, Lee Dichter, Danny Michael

“The Duchess,” Simon Fraser, Paul Hamblin

“Frost/Nixon,” Peter Devlin, Chris Jenkins, Frank Montano

“Gran Torino,” Walt Martin, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff

“Milk,” Felix Bruce Andrew, Chris David, Leslie Shatz, Gus Van Sant

“Slumdog Millionaire,” Resul Pookutty, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke

--

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Favorites

“Bolt,” John Murrah

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Eric Barba

“The Dark Knight,” Chris Corbould, Nick Davis, Paul Franklin, Tim Webber

“The Day the Earth Stood Still,” Jeffrey A. Okun, Neil Greenberg, Thomas Boland, Tom Ford

“Frost/Nixon,” Eric J. Robertson

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” Michael J. Wassel

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Pablo Helman

“Iron Man,” John Nelson

“Revolutionary Road,” Randy Balsmeyer

“The Spirit,” Stu Maschwitz, Nancy St. John

Spotlight: Too bad this category has only three nominees. It’s already crowded with front-runners. “The Dark Knight” is an obvious fave. “Iron Man’s” John Nelson is a past Oscar champ (“Gladiator”). When will computer animated films finally break through?

Possible

“Changeling,” Romain Bayle, Geoffrey Hancock, Michael Owens, Steven Riley

“The Incredible Hulk,” Kurt Williams

“The Reader,” Adam Hawkes, Nitant Karnik, Brian Krijgsman, Jim Rider

“Synecdoche, New York,” Mark Russell

“Tropic Thunder,” Michael Fink, Michael Meinardus

“Wanted,” Stefen Fangmeier, Jon Farhat

--

THE PICKS

Gold Derby blogger Tom O’Neil predicts the Oscar season for The Envelope. For ongoing discussion of that race and other campaigns for gold -- Golden Globes, Grammys and more -- visit TheEnvelope.com.