Oscar Winner Predictions: Best Sound

The competition: Bridge of Spies, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, The Revenant, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Previous winners: Whiplash, Gravity, Les Miserables, Hugo, Inception, The Hurt Locker, Slumdog Millionaire, The Bourne Ultimatum
My winner: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The facts: Each nominated team contains at least two sound mixers who have been nominated many times before, and some quick analysis indicates that it’s way too much information to filter and count. Usually, sci-fi films, action films, and musicals do well here. From the “Star Wars” saga, episodes four and five won this award, and six and one were nominated.

Who should win: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” or “The Martian”
Who will win: I see this going to Mad Max: Fury Road over “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” though it’s hardly a lock.