ORIGINAL SCORE: One of these years, 48-time nominee John Williams will win another Oscar (he has five, the last coming for "Schindler's List"), but it likely won't be for the beautiful, Copland-esque touches he brought to "Lincoln." Mychael Danna's imaginative, multi-dimensional score played an integral role to "Pi's" success and won the Globe earlier this year. This is another crafts category that "Pi" should take.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Voters may not be able to distinguish the line between Claudio Miranda's photography and the film's visual effects work, but that probably won't matter. More than any other movie of the season, "Pi" has been hailed for its gorgeous visuals as well as its striking use of 3-D. All those beautiful images were likely dancing in academy members' minds when they filled out their ballots.

VISUAL EFFECTS: See: cinematography.

SOUND EDITING: Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton won this Oscar last year for "Hugo," and their work on "Pi" -- the thunder of the crashing waves, the digitally rendered roar of the tiger, the frenzy of the flying fish -- is crucial to its success. "Pi" just picked up two prizes from the Motion Picture Sound Editors over the weekend, and the academy should follow suit.