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One film that might not be ostentatious, but is certainly Austentatious, is Jane Eyre (I couldn't figure out how to get the word Bronte in there, sorry lit nerds). Jane Eyre could follow in the tradition of similar costume dramas such as Bright Star, The Young Victoria, and The Duchess and score at least one artistic nomination. Another film with very notable dresses, although set more recently, is The Iron Lady. Margaret Thatcher's wardrobe in the film is quite distinctive, and if films like I Am Love, La Vie en Rose and The Queen can get nominated on the strength of their dresses, you shouldn't count this film out. But the category where The Iron Lady is almost certain to have a presence is Best Makeup; even the film's detractors credit its impressive aging of Streep to look almost exactly like Thatcher in her twilight years.

As always there are a few Hollywood blockbusters looking to score nominations this year. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 has a chance to capitalize on support for the series as a whole, capping a remarkable run of eight films. Three Potter films have been nominated for Art Direction, while only Sorcerer's Stone got a costume nomination. The Academy might be tired of the Potter series, but if they decide to support the film it could show up in all three of these categories.

Captain America: The First Avenger could be the first superhero film not about Batman to be nominated for Best Art Direction. Any film set during World War II must be considered for that award, but will the Art Directors be able to take it seriously enough to nominate it? The ADG did, but they were able to nominate 15 films, which gave them more freedom. The Adventures of Tintin is also trying for a first, as it would be the first animated film to be nominated in this category (not counting Who Framed Roger Rabbit). Will its impressive art direction be able to overcome the bias against animated films? Probably not, but it has a shot. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will attempt to overcome series fatigue to be the second Pirates film nominated for Art Direction (and potentially the first to be nominated for its costumes) while Cowboys and Aliens will try to be this year's Academy Award nominated movie that everybody hates.

There are a few wild cards that have to be mentioned, mostly so that if they do get nominated I won't feel foolish for not even considering them. Prestigious period pieces are always a threat to stumble in here, and two that should be brought up are A Dangerous Method and My Week with Marilyn. A Dangerous Method is set in early 20th Century Germany, which gives it plenty of opportunities for sets and costumes that you don't get to see very often. My Week with Marilyn, of course, has the chance to clothe Marilyn Monroe as well as create “movie” sets and costumes that could impress voters. Two modern films are hoping to make a splash: Drive's highly stylized sets and costumes might win over voters looking to nominate something set in the present (it did get an ADG nomination) and The Tree of Life's eclectic art direction might turn a few heads.

Rounding out the Best Makeup shortlist are two films that very few people have seen, which is why they deserve attention simply for making it this far in the nomination process. The transformation of Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs does not stand out as much as Streep's in The Iron Lady (at least from what I've seen in commercials), but clearly it did what it did very well if it was able to beat out J. Edgar for a spot on this list. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is an even less recognizable title; the french biopic about musician Serge Gainsbourg received little fanfare upon its American release this August, but apparently the aging process of lead Eric Elmosnino got the attention of the people who selected the films on the shortlist. When unconventional picks like The Way Back and Il Divo can get nominated, it's impossible to rule out anything.

So now that I have broken down all of the contenders for these awards, here are my predictions for which films have the best shot. The usual disclaimers apply, in that I am not a licensed Oscar predictor and that my haphazard guesses should not be taken as gospel. These are just my best bets right now.

Best Art Direction:

1. Hugo
2. The Artist
3. War Horse
4. Anonymous
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
6. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
7. Jane Eyre
8. The Help

Best Costumes:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. Jane Eyre
4. Anonymous
5. The Help
6. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
7. My Week with Marilyn
8. The Iron Lady

Best Makeup:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
2. The Iron Lady
3. Albert Nobbs
4. The Artist
5. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life
6. Hugo
7. Anonymous

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