Oscar 2014 Best Art Direction Prediction: 'The Great Gatsby' Favorite to Win

The Art Direction category is one of the most interesting categories at the Academy Awards this year. Three of the films went home with the Art Directors Guild award while two films are top contenders to take home the Best Picture of the year. Additionally, four of the nominees are Best Picture nominees while one is only nominated for two awards. Previous winners include "Lincoln," "Hugo," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Avatar."

"American Hustle" - Judy Becker and Heather Loeffler have received their first nominations for the Academy Award. The nomination was one of the most surprising in the category as pundits expected other films to be nominated. "American Hustle" has not won a single precursor award in this category and is unlikely to win here given the competition this year.

"Gravity" - Andy Nicholson and Rosie Goodwin are receiving their first nominations for the Academy Award while Joanne Woollard obtained her second nomination after being nominated for "Hope and Glory." "Gravity" is one of the front-runners in this category as it won the Art Directors Guild, as well as many critics' awards. However, the film is already in line to win at least five awards and unless the Academy decides to give "Gravity" every single award as well as Best Picture, it is unlikely the film will win this category.

"The Great Gatsby" - Catherine Martin is receiving her sixth nomination at the Academy Awards. The Costume Designer and Art Director already won both categories for "Moulin Rouge." Meanwhile, Beverley Dunn is receiving his first nomination. "The Great Gatsby" is likely to win the Oscar in the category after receiving the ADG award and the Critics Choice in this category. Additionally, the Academy is known for choosing films with lavish sets, set in the past or in a fantasy world. The film's only debility is the fact that it is not nominated for Best Picture. However, this award is not necessarily given to a Best Picture nominee and as result it looks like "The Great Gatsby" is unstoppable.

"Her" - The nominations for K.K. Barrett and Gene Serdena mark their first Oscar nods. "Her" won the Los Angeles Film Critics and the Art Directors Guild and as a result is a strong candidate to win the award. However, the film has very little buzz and while it has been nominated for a number of awards it has only been successful in the Best Original Screenplay category. Spike Jonze's fans should not get their hopes up because the film is unlikely to win.

"12 Years a Slave" - Adam Stockhausen and Alice Baker are receiving their first Oscar nominations. The Steve McQueen film has been nominated for the Art Directors Guild and Critics Choice Awards. However, the film has been unsuccessful. The movie is currently a front-runner to win the Oscar and if the movie wins Best Picture then it could surprise in this category. Last year the Academy gave the award to "Lincoln," making it one of the biggest surprises of the night. The Academy tends to go for showier and lavish work and "Lincoln" was far from those standards. If the recent win is an indicator of the Academy's change of heart, then "12 Years a Slave" could go home with the award.

Predictions: "The Great Gatsby" is likely to win but "Gravity" could surprise.