94th Academy Awards Predictions
94th Academy Awards Predictions
The time has come for my favorite night of the year when it comes to cinema - the 94th Academy Awards, which honors the best of the best in film in the last year. While it's not a hugely popular show, it's still something I never miss and make sure to check out as many films nominated as possible before the big night in order to make my own predictions.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Affairs of the Art
Bestia
Boxballet
Robin Robin
The Windshield Wiper
The only one I've seen here is "Robin Robin," so I'll go with that.
SHOULD WIN: Robin Robin
WILL WIN: Robin Robin
LIVE ACTION SHORT
Ala Kachuu - Take and Run
The Dress
The Long Goodbye
On My Mind
Please Hold
The only thing I know about any of these is that last year's Best Actor nominee Riz Ahmed is in "The Long Goodbye," so I'll go with that.
SHOULD WIN: The Long Goodbye
WILL WIN: The Long Goodbye
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Audible
Lead Me Home
The Queen of Basketball
Three Songs for Benazir
When We Were Bullies
Again, going into this totally blind (since I don't really get a chance to see the short film nominees), but "Audible" sounds like a good bet (pun not intended).
SHOULD WIN: Audible
WILL WIN: Audible
COSTUME DESIGN
Cruella
Cyrano
Dune
Nightmare Alley
West Side Story
I saw all these films except "Cyrano," and obviously they all deserve to be nominated for their vastly different costume designs. From "Cruella's" fashion-centric chic to "Dune's" otherworldly designs, to the classic noir "Nightmare Alley" and "West Side Story's" 50s/60s American style, and "Cyrano's" classic take, they're all lavish and wonderful. That being said, I feel that "Cruella" really nails the costume designs beautifully, turning the once villainess into a fashionista.
SHOULD WIN: Cruella
WILL WIN: Cruella
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Coming 2 America
Cruella
Dune
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
House of Gucci
This category, surprisingly, is a real nail-biter, with what I feel will come down to three films on the list. "Cruella" absolutely nails it with the makeup and hairstyling department. "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" turned Jessica Chastain into the late, troubled televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in an extraordinary way. "House of Gucci's" makeup and hairstyling team turned Jared Leto into an unrecognizable character and gifted Lady Gaga with some esquisite styling. Out of the three, I give the edge to "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," because the film focuses the most on Tammy Faye and her outlandish makeup and hairstyling throughout the decades.
SHOULD WIN: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
WILL WIN: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
VISUAL EFFECTS
Dune
Free Guy
No Time to Die
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spider-Man: No Way Home
A few years ago, "Mad Max: Fury Road" was nominated for all the technical categories, and I felt that the Academy would never award such a blockbuster an award, and to my dismay (strictly due to my predictions), I was wrong every time. I won't make that same mistake again this year. "Dune" blows everyone else out of the water, and is the only film in the category to be nominated for anything else. The MCU has never won this category, and "Dune" used the stunning visual effects to tell their story in a wholly unique way.
SHOULD WIN: Dune
WILL WIN: Dune
FILM EDITING
Don't Look Up
Dune
King Richard
Tick, Tick...BOOM!
The Power of the Dog
Out of all the films nominated here, only one was a huge blockbuster action epic that kept your attention throughout its long runtime, and also knowing it's only the first part of a two-parter. That being said, no other film on the list - to me anyway - holds a candle to it.
SHOULD WIN: Dune
WILL WIN: Dune
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Dune
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story
Cinematography is the art of motion picture photography, involving techniques like composition, lighting, camera usage, the choice of lenses, filters, and film stock, the camera angles and movements, and the use of special effects. This is a tough category as well, because all the films nominated are so vastly different and unique that they can't be grouped together. "Dune" is the obvious choice here as it's a sweeping action epic that also uses its lighting and camera angles to their strengths, along with its stunning special effects. Yet "Nightmare Alley" turns Guillero del Toro's directed film into a lavish film noir, "The Power of the Dog" turns New Zealand into Montana, "The Tragedy of Macbeth" makes what looks like a film shot on a high school stage into something spectacular, and "West Side Story" transports us to a more racially divided America in the 50s/60s. Apart from "Dune's" dominance, I feel that out of all of these nominees "Nightmare Alley" should win it.
SHOULD WIN: Nightmare Alley
WILL WIN: Dune
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Dune
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story
Much like the Cinematography category, Production Design relies heavily on visuals to tell its story, and it's no surprise that the same five films nominated for Cinematography are also nominated for Production Design. Here, once again, I feel "Dune" will win out, but from my own personal choice, I'd give it to "The Tragedy of Macbeth" for its unique designs.
SHOULD WIN: The Tragedy of Macbeth
WILL WIN: Dune
ORIGINAL SONG
Be Alive (King Richard)
Dos Oruguitas (Encanto)
Down to Joy (Belfast)
No Time to Die (No Time to Die)
Somehow You Do (Four Good Days)
The Original Song category has always had a unique set of films included for their obscure songs (last year's Will Ferrell film "Eurovision Song Contest" had a song nominated, along with the little-seen Christian film "Breakthrough" in 2019, for example), and it's also interesting that Diane Warren - who's been nominated an astonishingly thirteen times with no wins - is nominated once again for an obscure song from a very obscure film, and she'll leave the awards show again without a win. While you don't ever count out Disney in this category, Lin-Manuel Miranda made a mistake in not considering "We Don't Talk About Bruno" (which, oddly enough, will be performed on the big night) but instead opting for the more Academy-friendly "Dos Oruguitas." Beyonce gets her first Oscar nod for co-writing the "King Richard" anthem "Be Alive," but that - along with "Belfast's" "Down to Joy," will be eclipsed by the sure-fire bet: a James Bond song. Billie Eilish will earn an Academy Award for her hauntingly beautiful song "No Time to Die," and it's one of the sure bets of the season.
SHOULD WIN: No Time to Die
WILL WIN: No Time to Die
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
Don't Look Up
Dune
Encanto
Parallel Mothers
The Power of the Dog
Iconic composer Hans Zimmer is in his element with "Dune," crafting a massive score that shatters your eardrums in the most wonderful way possible, and the only real contender for Oscar gold is Jonny Greenwood's haunting, guttural soundtrack for "The Power of the Dog" - but again, it's "Dune" for the win.
SHOULD WIN: The Power of the Dog
WILL WIN: Dune
SOUND
Belfast
Dune
No Time to Die
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
Blending the former two categories of Sound Mixing and Sound Editing into just Sound, this is another easy category to call. No other film has the shattering sound that "Dune" possesses, as you can feel everything that the film delivers strictly from its sound - from the desert rustling to the shootouts and desert creatures, there's not a moment where you're not physically and emotionally moved by the sound.
SHOULD WIN: Dune
WILL WIN: Dune
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Flee
Attica
Ascension
Writing With Fire
As much as I adore "Flee" and think it should win due to its unique storytelling capabilities and its strong tale about one man's journey from a war-torn country to escape its horrors as well as coming to terms with his sexuality, "Summer of Soul" has been dominating the other awards shows and in its own right truly deserves the title, featuring Questlove's look at the iconic 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and its lasting impact.
SHOULD WIN: Flee
WILL WIN: Summer of Soul
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Drive My Car
Flee
The Hand of God
The Worst Person in the World
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
Out of these nominees I only saw three: "Drive My Car," "Flee," and "The Worst Person in the World." Obviously, this is an easy category to call because only one film here is nominated for Best Picture and Best Director, and while my love for "Flee" is never-ending, "Drive My Car" is easily the best picture of the bunch, a three-hour epic tale of love and loss that'll leave an indelible imprint in your mind. Tragic that "A Hero" wasn't nominated, but even then it wouldn't have a chance against "Drive My Car."
SHOULD WIN: Drive My Car
WILL WIN: Drive My Car
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Encanto
Flee
Luca
The Mitchells vs the Machines
Raya and the Last Dragon
Personally, I feel "Luca" is one of Pixar's weakest outings, as I wasn't a fan of the animation and the story itself seemed rather lackluster. "Raya and the Last Dragon" was decent enough, but not one that I remember too much about. "The Mitchells vs the Machines" was a surprising joy, a wonderfully animated piece of art that tells the story of a quirky family who must come together to save the world from evil machines. Of course there's "Flee," which I feel is the strongest of the bunch, but you never go against Disney in this category (still sore that "Kubo and the Two Strings" lost out), so "Encanto" will take the win.
SHOULD WIN: Flee
WILL WIN: Encanto
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Power of the Dog
The Lost Daughter
CODA
Dune
Drive My Car
This is where "Dune's" dominance comes to an end, as it's running a distant fifth place compared to its fellow nominees. Out of the others, I wouldn't be surprised if "The Lost Daughter" or "CODA" squeaks out a win, but Jane Campion's adaptation of Thomas Savage's novel "The Power of the Dog" is a strong contender to win - and rightfully so.
SHOULD WIN: The Power of the Dog
WILL WIN: The Power of the Dog
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Licorice Pizza
Belfast
Don't Look Up
No Time to Die
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
Blending the former two categories of Sound Mixing and Sound Editing into just Sound, this is another easy category to call. No other film has the shattering sound that "Dune" possesses, as you can feel everything that the film delivers strictly from its sound - from the desert rustling to the shootouts and desert creatures, there's not a moment where you're not physically and emotionally moved by the sound.
SHOULD WIN: Dune
WILL WIN: Dune
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Flee
Attica
Ascension
Writing With Fire
As much as I adore "Flee" and think it should win due to its unique storytelling capabilities and its strong tale about one man's journey from a war-torn country to escape its horrors as well as coming to terms with his sexuality, "Summer of Soul" has been dominating the other awards shows and in its own right truly deserves the title, featuring Questlove's look at the iconic 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and its lasting impact.
SHOULD WIN: Flee
WILL WIN: Summer of Soul
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Drive My Car
Flee
The Hand of God
The Worst Person in the World
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
Out of these nominees I only saw three: "Drive My Car," "Flee," and "The Worst Person in the World." Obviously, this is an easy category to call because only one film here is nominated for Best Picture and Best Director, and while my love for "Flee" is never-ending, "Drive My Car" is easily the best picture of the bunch, a three-hour epic tale of love and loss that'll leave an indelible imprint in your mind. Tragic that "A Hero" wasn't nominated, but even then it wouldn't have a chance against "Drive My Car."
SHOULD WIN: Drive My Car
WILL WIN: Drive My Car
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Encanto
Flee
Luca
The Mitchells vs the Machines
Raya and the Last Dragon
Personally, I feel "Luca" is one of Pixar's weakest outings, as I wasn't a fan of the animation and the story itself seemed rather lackluster. "Raya and the Last Dragon" was decent enough, but not one that I remember too much about. "The Mitchells vs the Machines" was a surprising joy, a wonderfully animated piece of art that tells the story of a quirky family who must come together to save the world from evil machines. Of course there's "Flee," which I feel is the strongest of the bunch, but you never go against Disney in this category (still sore that "Kubo and the Two Strings" lost out), so "Encanto" will take the win.
SHOULD WIN: Flee
WILL WIN: Encanto
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Power of the Dog
The Lost Daughter
CODA
Dune
Drive My Car
This is where "Dune's" dominance comes to an end, as it's running a distant fifth place compared to its fellow nominees. Out of the others, I wouldn't be surprised if "The Lost Daughter" or "CODA" squeaks out a win, but Jane Campion's adaptation of Thomas Savage's novel "The Power of the Dog" is a strong contender to win - and rightfully so.
SHOULD WIN: The Power of the Dog
WILL WIN: The Power of the Dog
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Licorice Pizza
Belfast
Don't Look Up
King Richard
The Worst Person in the World
This category looks like a two-horse race between two men who's films were written by themselves and centers around their growing-up years. Paul Thomas Anderson's (five-time nominee in this category) "Licorice Pizza" is a wonderful coming-of-age dramedy with two up-and-coming actors who more than held their own, while Kenneth Branagh's "Belfast" is a black-and-white extravaganza about his formative years living in Belfast during The Troubles. It's neck-and-neck, but I feel Branagh will squeak out a win - but I wouldn't be surprised if Anderson finally gets the credit he rightfully deserves.
SHOULD WIN: Licorice Pizza
WILL WIN: Belfast
BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
Looks like the Oscars will make history this year in awarding the Best Director statuette to another female after doing so last year, awarding Chloe Zhao the Oscar for her work in "Nomadland." Compared to Jane Campion's powerful directorial work (the first since her equally powerful "The Piano," which, ironically enough, she lost out to Spielberg's "Schindler's List," so look for the tables to turn this year). Campion is the only two-time female nominee in this category, and her win will mean a woman has won this category two years in a row - another first for the Academy.
SHOULD WIN: Jane Campion
WILL WIN: Jane Campion
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ciaran Hinds (Belfast)
Troy Kotsur (CODA)
Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)
Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)
#5 - While he does admirable work in "Belfast," Ciaran Hinds has the least amount of screentime among the other nominees
#4 - Out of the two actors nominated for "The Power of the Dog," Jesse Plemons gets overshadowed by pretty much everyone on screen
#3 - J.K. Simmons - a previous winner in this category for "Whiplash" - will just be happy to be nominated in his so-so work in "Being the Ricardos"
#2 - Kodi Smit-McPhee's turn in "The Power of the Dog" is haunting, reserved, and downright unnerving, and besides my #1 pick, deserves the Oscar
#1 - Troy Kotsur will be the first deaf actor to receive an Oscar for acting (and the second deaf person to win, after his co-star Marlee Matlin's win back in the 80s), and it will be greatly deserved, as his work in "CODA" is the driving force for the story's momentum and you can't help but shed a tear of two thanks to his powerful, memorable performance
SHOULD WIN: Troy Kotsur
WILL WIN: Troy Kotsur
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)
Judi Dench (Belfast)
#5 - Judi Dench's performance in "Belfast" doesn't even go into double digit timing, so her nomination here is quite surprising
#4 - Jessie Buckley gives a great performance in "The Lost Daughter," and it's one of the few times in Oscar history where two actresses were nominated for the same role, but compared to the competition, she doesn't stand chance
#3 - Aunjanue Ellis has a couple shining moments in "King Richard," but the film's entirety rests on the soon-to-be Oscar winner Will Smith
#2 - Kirsten Dunst steps out into another meaty role in "The Power of the Dog" which almost erases her history in films like "Bring It On"
#1 - No one can stop Ariana DeBose's winning streak, and will be the lone Oscar for "West Side Story." With her eventual win, she'll be the first openly lesbian actress to win an Oscar, and only the second Puerto Rican actress to win besides Rita Moreno, who actually won the Oscar for the very same role in the 1961 original.
SHOULD WIN: Kirsten Dunst
WILL WIN: Ariana DeBose
BEST ACTOR
Will Smith (King Richard)
Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick...BOOM!)
#5 - Javier Bardem is more suited for Supporting Actor since Nicole Kidman clearly eclipses him in "Being the Ricardos"
#4 - Personally, I don't see the appeal Will Smith has had for his role in "King Richard," as it seems that it was tailor made for the star as he plays to his strengths. He breezes through the film with effortless charm, and while I feel he'll win the statue, I think that a couple other actors deserve it more
#3 - Denzel Washington's portrayal of Macbeth is something unique, and that's saying something for a character that's been portrayed by literally scores of people throughout the centuries, but he made it his own and breathed new life into the iconic character
#2 - Benedict Cumberbatch proves that he's more than Doctor Strange in "The Power of the Dog," playing a wholly unappealing person who's a master manipulator and also as swarmy as they come - you'll actually hate him at the end of it
#1 - Andrew Garfield's role as the late, great playwright Jonathan Larson is a thing of beauty, as he exudes all the emotions needed to garner a strong response, as he used the film to deal with his mother's recent passing. You can tell he gave it his all, and I'll die on the hill that he should win this Oscar
SHOULD WIN: Andrew Garfield
WILL WIN: Will Smith
BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
Penelope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
#5 - Penelope Cruz returns to her comfort zone in "Parallel Mothers," starring for the seventh time in director Pedro Almodovar's story about two vastly different new mothers and their viewpoints on life
#4 - Until recently, I felt this would be a three-horse race between my top three, but it seems that Jessica Chastain's work in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" will land the actress her first Oscar, even though it's a bit too late as she was more deserving for her other work
#3 - Nicole Kidman seemed to be an odd choice for the iconic comedianne Lucille Ball, but she managed to pull out all the stops and give a great performance
#2 - Olivia Colman's work in "The Lost Daughter" is evocative, stirring, and at some points almost unwatchable for her committed work to delivering sometimes a cringy performance in all the right ways
#1 - When Kristen Stewart first emerged as the star of the tween series "Twilight," I made fun of her, saying she had no range and couldn't act. I'm eating my words now, as she gave the strongest performance of all the ladies nominated as a tormented, tortured Princess Diana in "Spencer," and - much like Garfield - I'll die on the hill that she should win this category for her completely transformative performance
SHOULD WIN: Kristen Stewart
WILL WIN: Jessica Chastain
BEST PICTURE
Belfast
CODA
Don't Look Up
Drive My Car
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
#10 - "King Richard" was an overly long biopic that didn't really resonate with me and I wasn't overly impressed with anything associated with it
#9 - "Don't Look Up" was a fun, satirical look at how America would react to a world-ending crisis, but ultimately it pales in comparison to other nominees
#8 - "Dune" is a strong contender to win all the technical awards, and while the story is also compelling, it's hindered in the fact that it's not a complete narrative
#7 - "Nightmare Alley" was a beautiful, neo-noir thriller by an Oscar-winning director, but apart from its stunning visuals, it's rather simplistic in its storytelling compared to the other nominees
#6 - Spielberg's version of "West Side Story" was every part as elegant and beautiful as the original, but no remake has ever won the Oscar that its original did, and I don't expect it to happen this year
#5 - "Drive My Car" is a masterclass tale of love and loss, but its long runtime might've hindered its chances of winning
#4 - "Belfast" is a wonderful pseudo-autobiographical tale, but there's a few films here that are ultimately stronger
#3 - Paul Thomas Anderson's love letter to 1970s Los Angeles and misguided young love in "Licorice Pizza" is marvelous, and is one of the two films that could upset the nearly-unanimous winner
#2 - "CODA's" surprise upset at the SAG Awards could spell doom for the number one choice, much like "Green Book" beat out perennial favorite "Roma," or "Parasite's" surprise win over "1917" ("Parasite" also shocked critics when it won the SAG Award as well), and I would be extremely happy if that happened. While I love the number one pick, "CODA" holds a special place in my heart as it's filled with tremendous performances, a heartfelt story, and even includes a "Fences" moment that I'll never forget (ask me what a '"Fences" moment" is)
#1 - It seems a foregone conclusion that Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" will win the Best Picture Oscar, as it's never lost steam during any of the other awards ceremonies (apart from the SAG awards, where it wasn't even nominated), and it appears that this epic tale will take home the golden statuette at the end of the night
SHOULD WIN: CODA
WILL WIN: The Power of the Dog
The Worst Person in the World
This category looks like a two-horse race between two men who's films were written by themselves and centers around their growing-up years. Paul Thomas Anderson's (five-time nominee in this category) "Licorice Pizza" is a wonderful coming-of-age dramedy with two up-and-coming actors who more than held their own, while Kenneth Branagh's "Belfast" is a black-and-white extravaganza about his formative years living in Belfast during The Troubles. It's neck-and-neck, but I feel Branagh will squeak out a win - but I wouldn't be surprised if Anderson finally gets the credit he rightfully deserves.
SHOULD WIN: Licorice Pizza
WILL WIN: Belfast
BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
Looks like the Oscars will make history this year in awarding the Best Director statuette to another female after doing so last year, awarding Chloe Zhao the Oscar for her work in "Nomadland." Compared to Jane Campion's powerful directorial work (the first since her equally powerful "The Piano," which, ironically enough, she lost out to Spielberg's "Schindler's List," so look for the tables to turn this year). Campion is the only two-time female nominee in this category, and her win will mean a woman has won this category two years in a row - another first for the Academy.
SHOULD WIN: Jane Campion
WILL WIN: Jane Campion
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ciaran Hinds (Belfast)
Troy Kotsur (CODA)
Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)
Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)
#5 - While he does admirable work in "Belfast," Ciaran Hinds has the least amount of screentime among the other nominees
#4 - Out of the two actors nominated for "The Power of the Dog," Jesse Plemons gets overshadowed by pretty much everyone on screen
#3 - J.K. Simmons - a previous winner in this category for "Whiplash" - will just be happy to be nominated in his so-so work in "Being the Ricardos"
#2 - Kodi Smit-McPhee's turn in "The Power of the Dog" is haunting, reserved, and downright unnerving, and besides my #1 pick, deserves the Oscar
#1 - Troy Kotsur will be the first deaf actor to receive an Oscar for acting (and the second deaf person to win, after his co-star Marlee Matlin's win back in the 80s), and it will be greatly deserved, as his work in "CODA" is the driving force for the story's momentum and you can't help but shed a tear of two thanks to his powerful, memorable performance
SHOULD WIN: Troy Kotsur
WILL WIN: Troy Kotsur
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)
Judi Dench (Belfast)
#5 - Judi Dench's performance in "Belfast" doesn't even go into double digit timing, so her nomination here is quite surprising
#4 - Jessie Buckley gives a great performance in "The Lost Daughter," and it's one of the few times in Oscar history where two actresses were nominated for the same role, but compared to the competition, she doesn't stand chance
#3 - Aunjanue Ellis has a couple shining moments in "King Richard," but the film's entirety rests on the soon-to-be Oscar winner Will Smith
#2 - Kirsten Dunst steps out into another meaty role in "The Power of the Dog" which almost erases her history in films like "Bring It On"
#1 - No one can stop Ariana DeBose's winning streak, and will be the lone Oscar for "West Side Story." With her eventual win, she'll be the first openly lesbian actress to win an Oscar, and only the second Puerto Rican actress to win besides Rita Moreno, who actually won the Oscar for the very same role in the 1961 original.
SHOULD WIN: Kirsten Dunst
WILL WIN: Ariana DeBose
BEST ACTOR
Will Smith (King Richard)
Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick...BOOM!)
#5 - Javier Bardem is more suited for Supporting Actor since Nicole Kidman clearly eclipses him in "Being the Ricardos"
#4 - Personally, I don't see the appeal Will Smith has had for his role in "King Richard," as it seems that it was tailor made for the star as he plays to his strengths. He breezes through the film with effortless charm, and while I feel he'll win the statue, I think that a couple other actors deserve it more
#3 - Denzel Washington's portrayal of Macbeth is something unique, and that's saying something for a character that's been portrayed by literally scores of people throughout the centuries, but he made it his own and breathed new life into the iconic character
#2 - Benedict Cumberbatch proves that he's more than Doctor Strange in "The Power of the Dog," playing a wholly unappealing person who's a master manipulator and also as swarmy as they come - you'll actually hate him at the end of it
#1 - Andrew Garfield's role as the late, great playwright Jonathan Larson is a thing of beauty, as he exudes all the emotions needed to garner a strong response, as he used the film to deal with his mother's recent passing. You can tell he gave it his all, and I'll die on the hill that he should win this Oscar
SHOULD WIN: Andrew Garfield
WILL WIN: Will Smith
BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
Penelope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
#5 - Penelope Cruz returns to her comfort zone in "Parallel Mothers," starring for the seventh time in director Pedro Almodovar's story about two vastly different new mothers and their viewpoints on life
#4 - Until recently, I felt this would be a three-horse race between my top three, but it seems that Jessica Chastain's work in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" will land the actress her first Oscar, even though it's a bit too late as she was more deserving for her other work
#3 - Nicole Kidman seemed to be an odd choice for the iconic comedianne Lucille Ball, but she managed to pull out all the stops and give a great performance
#2 - Olivia Colman's work in "The Lost Daughter" is evocative, stirring, and at some points almost unwatchable for her committed work to delivering sometimes a cringy performance in all the right ways
#1 - When Kristen Stewart first emerged as the star of the tween series "Twilight," I made fun of her, saying she had no range and couldn't act. I'm eating my words now, as she gave the strongest performance of all the ladies nominated as a tormented, tortured Princess Diana in "Spencer," and - much like Garfield - I'll die on the hill that she should win this category for her completely transformative performance
SHOULD WIN: Kristen Stewart
WILL WIN: Jessica Chastain
BEST PICTURE
Belfast
CODA
Don't Look Up
Drive My Car
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
#10 - "King Richard" was an overly long biopic that didn't really resonate with me and I wasn't overly impressed with anything associated with it
#9 - "Don't Look Up" was a fun, satirical look at how America would react to a world-ending crisis, but ultimately it pales in comparison to other nominees
#8 - "Dune" is a strong contender to win all the technical awards, and while the story is also compelling, it's hindered in the fact that it's not a complete narrative
#7 - "Nightmare Alley" was a beautiful, neo-noir thriller by an Oscar-winning director, but apart from its stunning visuals, it's rather simplistic in its storytelling compared to the other nominees
#6 - Spielberg's version of "West Side Story" was every part as elegant and beautiful as the original, but no remake has ever won the Oscar that its original did, and I don't expect it to happen this year
#5 - "Drive My Car" is a masterclass tale of love and loss, but its long runtime might've hindered its chances of winning
#4 - "Belfast" is a wonderful pseudo-autobiographical tale, but there's a few films here that are ultimately stronger
#3 - Paul Thomas Anderson's love letter to 1970s Los Angeles and misguided young love in "Licorice Pizza" is marvelous, and is one of the two films that could upset the nearly-unanimous winner
#2 - "CODA's" surprise upset at the SAG Awards could spell doom for the number one choice, much like "Green Book" beat out perennial favorite "Roma," or "Parasite's" surprise win over "1917" ("Parasite" also shocked critics when it won the SAG Award as well), and I would be extremely happy if that happened. While I love the number one pick, "CODA" holds a special place in my heart as it's filled with tremendous performances, a heartfelt story, and even includes a "Fences" moment that I'll never forget (ask me what a '"Fences" moment" is)
#1 - It seems a foregone conclusion that Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" will win the Best Picture Oscar, as it's never lost steam during any of the other awards ceremonies (apart from the SAG awards, where it wasn't even nominated), and it appears that this epic tale will take home the golden statuette at the end of the night
SHOULD WIN: CODA
WILL WIN: The Power of the Dog
So here are my final predictions:
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: Robin Robin
LIVE ACTION SHORT: The Long Goodbye
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT - Audible
COSTUME DESIGN - Cruella
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING - The Eyes of Tammy Faye
VISUAL EFFECTS - Dune
FILM EDITING - Dune
CINEMATOGRAPHY - Dune
PRODUCTION DESIGN - Dune
ORIGINAL SONG - No Time to Die
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) - Dune
SOUND - Dune
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - Summer of Soul
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM - Drive My Car
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - Encanto
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - The Power of the Dog
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Belfast
BEST DIRECTOR - Jane Campion
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Troy Kotsur
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Ariana DeBose
BEST ACTOR - Will Smith
BEST ACTRESS - Jessica Chastain
BEST PICTURE - The Power of the Dog
We'll see how many I get right tonight!
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: Robin Robin
LIVE ACTION SHORT: The Long Goodbye
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT - Audible
COSTUME DESIGN - Cruella
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING - The Eyes of Tammy Faye
VISUAL EFFECTS - Dune
FILM EDITING - Dune
CINEMATOGRAPHY - Dune
PRODUCTION DESIGN - Dune
ORIGINAL SONG - No Time to Die
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) - Dune
SOUND - Dune
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - Summer of Soul
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM - Drive My Car
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - Encanto
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - The Power of the Dog
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Belfast
BEST DIRECTOR - Jane Campion
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Troy Kotsur
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Ariana DeBose
BEST ACTOR - Will Smith
BEST ACTRESS - Jessica Chastain
BEST PICTURE - The Power of the Dog
We'll see how many I get right tonight!
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