The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has narrowed down the contenders for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar for the upcoming 85th Academy Awards.  The shortlist includes showy stuff like Hitchcock and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, along with the more subdued work like Looper, Lincoln, and Snow White and the Huntsman.  The one to watch for the win, though, is Rick Baker’s excellent makeup effects from Men in Black 3 as Baker has previously won this award 7 times, including for 1997's Men in Black.  Notably left out of the race is Cloud Atlas, which put makeup to heavy use in order for its ensemble of actors to play multiple roles, switching race and gender.  Response to the film’s makeup work was fairly split, but I’m surprised it didn’t at least make the Oscar shortlist.Hit the jump to check out the full list of all seven films that remain in competition for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling trophy.  The nominations for the Oscars will be announced on January 10th, followed by the ceremony on February 24th.the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-dwarvesHere’s the list of films that remain in the running for Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

Hitchcock

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

Lincoln

Looper

Men in Black 3

Snow White and the Huntsman 

If you missed them, be sure to check out the Oscar shortlists for Best Documentary Feature, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.

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