Oscar Smackdown XII

Tonight, Carolina and I will do battle in our 12th Annual Oscar Smackdown competition. After another loss by a sizable margin in the Grammy challenge, I once again find myself with my back against the wall.

Let's do this:

Short Film (Animated): Day & Night, Teddy Newton
Actually saw this one.

Documentary (Feature): Inside Job, Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Actually want to see this one.

Short Film (Live Action): Na Wewe, Ivan Goldschmidt
Heard this is good.

Documentary (Short Subject): Killing in the Name
Looks Oscar-worthy.

Film Editing: The Social Network, Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
You notice the editing in The Social Network, in a good way.

Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
British+handicap+ royalty = Oscar Trifecta

Sound Editing: Inception, Richard King
Inceptions sweeps the technical awards

Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Body change (weight loss) + Crack addict = Oscar

Foreign Language Film: In a Better World, Denmark
The Danes are so hot right now.

Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Momentum+Body Change+Oscars Need Natalie Portman = Win

Sound Mixing: Inception, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick

Makeup: The Wolfman, Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
Thriller x 2010 = Oscar for Rick Baker

Actress in a Supporting Role: Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
I probably should have gone with Melissa Leo, who was great in Frozen River last year and didn't win. This could be the make-up year.

Visual Effects: Inception, Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

Music (Original Score): The Social Network, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
It's recognizable and set just the right tone for that film.

Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3, Lee Unkrich
It's an unwritten Academy law that some geek from Pixar must take a break from Segway-ing around the office to deliver an Oscar acceptance speech.

Art Direction: The King's Speech, Production Design: Eve Stewart, Set Decoration: Judy Farr
Period + British + 11 other nominations = Oscar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): The Social Network, Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
The Social Network needs to be acknowledged with at least one major award. This will be it.

Cinematography: Inception, Wally Pfister
I like his name.

Music (Original Song): If I Rise (from "127 Hours"), Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
Shot in the dark. Rahman won for Slumdog and I don't see Randy Newman getting up there for another Toy Story song.

Costume Design: The King's Speech, Jenny Beavan
Period + British + 11 other noms = Oscar

Writing (Original Screenplay): Inception, Written by Christopher Nolan
Personally, I prefer "The Kids Are All Right," but this is my official pick.

Directing: The King's Speech, Tom Hooper
Uncle Mo'

Best Picture: The King's Speech
British + World War II + Handicap = Oscar