As always, it's a tricky year for the Sound categories, and last night's CAS victory for the mixing team of Hugo did nothing to clarify. With the CAS award and BAFTA in hand (not to mention the fact that it's clearly the most beloved nominee), it's looking good to nab the Sound Mixing prize from the Academy as well. But I'm not convinced. The CAS has only matched up with the Academy three times in the past ten years. If voters really only vote for their favourite film, wouldn't The King's Speech have won last year? The sound in the film needs to be obvious in order to win.
I'm going to continue leaning on my theory that the Motion Picture Sound Editors (who announce tonight) will prove a better gauge of both Sound categories, as I'm just not comfortable predicting a split. War Horse is just such a typical winner. That said, if the MPSE shuts War Horse out tonight, I may have to welch on my initial predictions and go with Hugo. Or, I could predict a split in the hopes of getting at least one right, rather than go all in and risk getting both wrong.
