really gauge how much the Academy really loves the film, or at least, whether their love could translate to a category like this. Nevertheless, those who do love it have precious few places to chalk it up for some love, and this would be one of them.

Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton won this category last year for "Hugo," a bit of a surprise honestly given the aforementioned presence of bigger sound plays. They're on "Life of Pi" this time around, which picked up two MPSE wins (the most of any feature) and could be seen as the default second place among the Best Picture films nominated in the category. The sound was absolutely key to the film, as whole stretches are dependent on the aural atmosphere. I wouldgive it the slightest of edges right now, and it could frankly win in both sound categories if "Les Misérables" doesn't end up having the sound mixing vote locked down.

"Life of Pi" seemed ready to sweep the Golden Reel Awards Sunday night but at the last minute, the most coveted prize of the lot (for sound effects and foley) ended up going to the "Skyfall" team, sending this race into a real tailspin. This is, after all, a $1 billion-grossing endeavor that has been considered a bold re-imagining of a series on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. A tribute is lined-up for the show. Surely the film will win SOMETHING, right? But where will voters make their voices heard on it? Will the expected original song victory