Wow, two for five. That kinda stinks. I probably will see All Is Lost this weekend, and I might be able to check out the other two if I have time before Oscar night. Anyway, much like Sound Mixing, there seems to be a default winner here, so let’s take a look.

First, we have All Is Lost, which underperformed big-time, only scoring one nomination. The Academy didn’t seem to take to the film very much, so I can’t see why they would vote for it. This film is most likely in bottom place.

Next is Captain Phillips. Being a Best Picture nominee automatically puts it into a good spot. This category could be the only place to reward the film, similarly to Zero Dark Thirty last year. Keep an eye out for this category, because it could easily happen.

The most likely winner here is Gravity. One one hand, the sound editing isn’t as obvious as the mixing, but on the other hand, how many Academy voters know the difference between the two categories anyway? The design is very impressive, and the sweep factor helps too.

Then we have The Hobbit: The Desolation Smaug. Even though the sound branch really seemed to like the film, the Academy a a whole seems to be done with Middle Earth. Middle Earth is like that person who keeps texting you even though the relationship is over.

Finally, there’s Lone Survivor. Let me see a show of hands of everyone who saw the movie. Okay, then. Now let me see a show of hands of everybody who thought it should win Best Sound Editing. That’s what I thought. It ain’t winning, here.

WILL WIN: Gravity
RUNNER UP: Captain Phillips
SHOULD WIN: Gravity