With the Oscar nominees being unveiled in less than a week, numerous critics are attempting to predict what will be nominated. I could offer you my forecast of what will be nominated on Oscar morning. Given my track record though, I'll likely just end up feeling like an idiot. So instead, I've compiled a list of what should be nominated, something that I can't possibly be wrong about.
Best Picture
In this category we should see "50/50," "The Artist," "Bridesmaids," "The Descendants," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "The Help," "Midnight in Paris," "The Muppets," "The Tree of Life" and "War Horse" all being nominated.
Best Actor
Look for George Clooney: "The Descendants," Jean Dujardin: "The Artist," Joseph Gordon-Levitt: "50/50," Ryan Gosling: "Drive" and Brad Pitt: "Moneyball" to all receive nominations.
Best Actress
This category should see Viola Davis: "The Help," Rooney Mara: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Melusine Mayance: "Sarah's Key," Charlize Theron: "Young Adult" and Michelle Williams: "My Week With Marilyn" as nominees.
Best Supporting Actor
In this category we should see Albert Brooks: "Drive," Jonah Hill: "Moneyball," Nick Nolte: "Warrior," Brad Pitt: "The Tree of Life" and Alan Rickman: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" all being nominated.
Best Supporting Actress
Look for Bérénice Bejo: "The Artist," Jessica Chastain: "The Help," Mellissa McCarthy: "Bridesmaids," Octavia Spencer: "The Help" and Shailene Woodley: "The Descendants" to all receive nominations.
Best Director
This category should see Woody Allen: "Midnight In Paris," Michel Hazanavicius: "The Artist," Terrence Malick: "The Tree of Life," Steven Spielberg: "War Horse" and David Yates: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" as nominees.
Best Original Screenplay
In this category look for "50/50," "The Artist," "Bridesmaids," "Midnight in Paris" and "Young Adult.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Look for "The Descendants," "Drive," "The Help," "Moneyball" and "War Horse" to all receive nominations.
Best Art Direction
This category should see "The Artist," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Hugo," "Thor" and War Horse as nominees.
Best Cinematography
In this category look for "The Artist," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Hugo," "The Tree of Life" and "War Horse."
Best Editing
Look for "The Artist," "Drive, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo" and "The Tree of Life."
Best Costume Design
Look for "The Artist," "The Help," "Hugo," "My Week With Marilyn" and "War Horse."
Best Makeup
Look for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "The Iron Lady" and "Hugo."
Best Original Song
Look for "Happy Feet Two: Bridge of Light," "The Help: Living Proof," "The Muppets: Life's a Happy Song," "The Muppets: Man or Muppet" and "Winnie the Pooh: So Long."
Best Original Score
Look for "The Artist," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "The Tree of Life," "Super 8" and "War Horse."
Best Sound
Look for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Hugo," "Super 8," "The Tree of Life" and "War Horse."
Best Sound Editing
Look for "The Adventures of Tintin," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Hugo," "The Tree of Life" and "War Horse."
Best Visual Effects
This category should see "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," "Super 8' and "Thor."
Best Animated Feature
In this category look for "The Adventures of Tintin," "Arthur Christmas," "Kung-fu Panda 2," "Rango" and "Winnie the Pooh" as nominees.
Check out the real nominees on Jan. 24 to see if the Academy made the correct choices.
• Ahwatukee native and Desert Vista graduate Nick Spake is a student at Arizona State University. He has been working as a film critic for five years, reviewing movies on his website, NICKPICKSFLICKS.com. Reach him at nspake@asu.edu.
