Best Sound Editing
WINNER: Berberian Sound Studio This is one of those categories that just confuses the Hell out of most people, so allow me to uncomplicate it; sound editing is the
creation of the film's various sound effects, such as the Batpod's low hum, the machine-gun fire in Skyfall's finale, and so on. Though it's far too obscure to be making any Academy shortlists, Berberian Sound Studio is the unquestionable winner here, given that it's a film
about sound editing. Though that might sound boring, Peter Strickland's homage to Italian horror is a fantastically intelligent, literate and charming film about the creative process and the potent effects it can have on the creator. Listening to Toby Jones pull marrows and slice fruit is deliciously satisfying; the film's sound-scape is, quite aptly, marvellous.
RUNNERS UP: The Dark Knight Rises Skyfall Looper Django Unchained
Best Sound Mixing
WINNER: Les Misérables Sound mixing, meanwhile, is the means through which dialogue, score, and editing sound effects are all weaved together into the final mix that we hear in cinemas. There's one big reason why Tom Hooper's bombastic, opulent musical adaptation Les Misérables wins big here, and that's because of the rarely-used live singing technique. Indeed, Hooper had his actors singing live, recording their performances as they acted, a far more demanding task than the majority of musical performances (which are simply mimed over a backing track); it creates a far more naturalistic, visceral and gritty feel to the singing, complete with its little imperfections and environmental affectations, an important decision given the subject matter.
RUNNERS UP: Skyfall The Dark Knight Rises Looper Django Unchained
Best Original Score
WINNER: The Dark Knight Rises (Hans Zimmer) Hans Zimmer continues to astound us with his superb contributions to Christopher Nolan's films, and though The Dark Knight Rises' score might use a lot of the same leitmotifs we've become used to throughout the series, he manages to create another diverse score that perfectly reflects its villain. The famously catchy "Deshi! Deshi! Basara! Basara!" chant has become firmly ingrained in pop culture, while the haunting themes that Zimmer employs for the film's finale help bolster the emotional quality of these scenes.
RUNNERS UP: Cloud Atlas Skyfall Lincoln The Master
Best Original Song
WINNER: Skyfall (Skyfall) You needn't be a fan of Adele to at least appreciate that she has a fantastic voice, one which was a superbly canny choice for the main theme song for Skyfall. Her deep, booming register hearkens back to the classic Bond themes sung by the likes of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, helping to give Skyfall a classy vibe. After the underwhelming song for Quantum of Solace by Jack White and Alicia Keys, as well as the excellent if different rock riff by Chris Cornell for the Casino Royale reboot, it's nice to hear a song that reminds us of the style that made Bond famous in the first place.
RUNNERS UP: Dull Tool (This Is 40) Anything Made of Paper (West of Memphis) When Can I See You Again (Wreck-It Ralph) Ladies of Tampa (Magic Mike) The awards for Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects are next.