Today's three Oscar categories are some of the most frustrating, because they can be damn impossible to predict-- how on earth do you compare the costumes from Changeling and Milk-- but also the most fun. Who doesn't like the little details of the movies, like the ornate buttons on Keira Knightley's Duchess costume or the atmospheric sets from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And when it comes to visual effects, well, for many of these nominees, that was the whole game-- one bad effect and the whole thing is toast.

Below, check out my picks for Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, and Best VIsual Effects. At the bottom are links to previous articles with other Oscar predictions.

Best Costume Design
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road
I think the smart money here is The Duchess, given that its' the kind of elaborate costume drama that the Academy routinely loves in this category. But then again, Australia's costumes were pretty marvelous, and Revolutionary Road did have that period thing nailed. So surprises would be more than welcome.
And the winner is: The Duchess

Best Art Direction
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road
I admitted on the pdocast that I have no flippin' clue who will win this category. The big echo-y chambers of The Duchess? The warm Louisiana interiors amid the digital manipulation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? Or hey, maybe the gritty hyper-realism of The Dark Knight will win some fans. For no other reason than it has the most nominations, I'm going for Button on this one.
And the winner is: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
The Iron Man suit was perfect, and the completely computer-generated Batpod was a marvel of CGI. But the prize here has to go to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which leapt over the Uncanny Valley to create a perfectly realized, believable, computer-generated human.
And the winner is: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Previously

Predicting Best Original Song and Best Original Score

Predicting Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing