I keep scratching my head at all the recognition The King's Speech is getting. I still don't think it will win any Oscars beyond Best Actor, but its nomination total is apt to be more than I would have thought.
I'm with you. I really don't understand any technical citations.
The Academy tends to move towards the lavish for costumes and the fantastical for sets. I don't think The King's Speech qualifies for either. I think it is close to a lock for a Best Original Score win. It's a very lovely score and it's Alexandre Desplat's time to win. So, that's two. I don't think Rush or Carter have enough to do to warrant a win. Best Original Screenplay probably won't happen but it's in the cards. I think the best The King's Speech can hope for is wins for Best Actor, Original Screenplay, and Original Score, which may very well tie its total take with The Social Network (which looks strong for Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay, and that's about it).