Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2012: Nominations and predictions part 2

View the 2012 Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Jan. 12 at 8ET on VH1.

Continuing the analysis of the nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards of 2012:

Best Original Screenplay:  Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist), Will Reiser (50/50), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Thomas McCarthy/Joe Tiboni (Win Win), Diablo Cody (Young Adult)

McCarthy and Cody are both honored screenwriters, but their films haven’t been getting as much attention as their past movies.  Reiser’s a newcomer that will probably be overshadowed by the competition.  The win will probably go to the most experienced writer of the group, Woody Allen, with one of his most unique films.  My guess:  Woody Allen

Best Adapted Screenplay:  Alexander Payne/Nat Faxon/Jim Rash (The Descendants), Eric Roth (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), Tate Taylor (The Help), John Logan (Hugo), Steven Zailllian/Aaron Sorkin/Stan Chervin (Moneyball)

Alexander Payne has previously won an Oscar and much acclaim for his writing.  But The Help was such a popular book, it’s hard to ignore its very successful adaptation.  My guess:  The Descendants

Best Animated Feature:  The Adventures of Tintin, Arthur Christmas, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, Rango

Since there was no strong Pixar film, other animated films will actually get noticed this year!  The Adventures of Tintin has the excitement of Indiana Jones but is playful enough for kids.  Rango is an unusual film, but somehow Johnny Depp’s demeanor showed in the animation.  My guess:  The Adventures of Tintin

Best Young Actor/Actress:  Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Thomas Horn (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin), Saoirse Ronan (Hanna), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)

What a surprisingly talented and mature list.  Butterfield, Horn, and Ronan play the main characters in their films, making them all worthy of the award.  Elle Fanning has such a magical scene early in Super 8 that was one of my favorite scenes/acting of the whole year.  Shailene Woodley has been gaining the majority of attention, though, with many nominations and some wins for Best Supporting Actress.  My guess:  Shailene Woodley

Best Action Movie:  Drive, Fast Five, Hanna, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Super 8

Unfortunately, it seems that Hanna and Super 8 have been forgotten already.  Audiences expected Drive to be like Fast Five, but the lack of many car chases might disappoint.  My guess:  Drive

Best Comedy Movie:  Bridesmaids; Crazy, Stupid, Love.; Horrible Bosses, Midnight in Paris, The Muppets

Midnight in Paris has been so popular amongst critics, but Bridesmaids has sprouted up everywhere on top ten lists and has received many nominations.  Maybe Woody Allen will win the screenplay category and let Bridesmaids win for the best comedy.  My guess:  Bridesmaids

Best Foreign Language Film:  In Darkness, Le Havre, A Separation, The Skin I Live In, Where Do We Go Now?

It would be a complete shock of A Separation doesn’t win.  My guess:  A Separation

Best Documentary Feature:  Buck, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Page One: Inside the New York Times, Project Nim, Undefeated

I have a limited knowledge of these documentaries, but I’ve heard praise of Cave of Forgotten Dreams.  My guess:  Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Best Song:  Gnomeo & Juliet “Hello Hello,” The Help “The Living Proof,” The Muppets “Life’s a Happy Song,” The Muppet “Man or Muppet,” The Muppets “Pictures in My Head”

Will The Muppets’ multiple nominations hurt its chances or split its votes?  I hope not.  My guess:  “Life’s a Happy Song” from The Muppets

Best Score:  Ludovic Bource (The Artist), Cliff Martinez (Drive), Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Howard Shore (Hugo), John Williams (War Horse)

Though I love Trent Reznor’s and Atticus Ross’ work together, they received numerous awards last year with The Social Network and it might be too soon to honor them again.  Martinez’s score might be too stylized.  Shore’s work perfectly captures the energy of Hugo and its setting.  I think the clear frontrunner is Bource since he had to fill in all the space where actors’ dialogue would go.  My guess:  Ludovic Bource (The Artist)

Best Cinematography:  Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist), Newton Thomas Sigel (Drive), Robert Richardson (Hugo), Emmanuel Lubezki (The Tree of Life), Janusz Kaminski (War Horse)

I’m biased and love his other work, but nothing compares to Lubezki’s work in The Tree of Life.  It is a true experiment in storytelling and relies heavily on the visuals to complement the story.  Of the rest, Richardson does deserve acknowledgement for his spectacular work in Hugo; he made 3-D worthwhile in ways I have never seen.  My guess:  Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Art Direction:  Laurence Bennett/Gregory S. Hooper (The Artist), Stuart Craig/Stephenie McMillan (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2), Dante Ferretti/Francesca Lo Schiavo (Hugo), Jack Fisk/David Crank (The Tree of Life), Rick Carter/Lee Sandales (War Horse)

I have absolutely no idea how the critics will vote, but Hugo is by far the most deserving.  The details in the film are absolutely exquisite.  My guess:  Hugo

Best Editing:  Michel Hazanavicius/Anne-Sophie Bion (The Artist), Matthew Newman (Drive), Kirk Baxter/Angus Wall (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Thelma Schoonmaker (Hugo), Michael Kahn (War Horse)

In the past, best editing always went to the best picture (at least at the Oscars).  My guess:  The Artist

Best Costume Design:  Mark Bridges (The Artist), Sharen Davis (The Help), Sandy Powell (Hugo), Michael O’Connor (Jane Eyre), Jill Taylor (My Week with Marilyn)

Sandy Powell has already won three Oscars and is probably most well-known of the nominees.  She’s hard to beat with her gorgeous, bold colors and the style of 1930s Paris.

Best Makeup:  Albert Nobbs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Iron Lady, J. Edgar, My Week with Marilyn

There aren’t any good monsters or sci-fi makeup this year (unless you count some of Harry Potter).  My guess:  Albert Nobbs

Best Visual Effects:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Hugo, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Super 8, The Tree of Life

A tough list to break down, Rise of the Planet of the Apes has a good chance with a muse like Andy Serkis.  My guess: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Best Sound:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Hugo, Super 8, The Tree of Life, War Horse

War movies, sci-fi, and action films are all normal sound nominees.  But trains might dominate.  My guess:  Hugo

For a breakdown of the major awards, see Part 1.

For a complete listing of the nominations, click here.