I cannot believe the Oscars are tonight. They’ve completely snuck up on me. I haven’t finished watching everything I wanted to yet, but I’ve marked below what I want to win in pink. An asterisk (*) denotes that I haven’t seen the film yet so they were obviously not taken into consideration for my personal choices. I have also left notes on what I think will win. I think we’re looking at an Anora and The Brutalist sweep, but Emilia Pérez being the most nominated does make me wonder where that might pull in some wins. I’m looking forward to being angry and dumbfounded at some potential dumbfounding surprises, for better or worse.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Adrien Brody in The Brutalist*
- Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown
- Colman Domingo in Sing Sing
- Ralph Fiennes in Conclave
- Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice*
I was most impressed by Domingo’s performance in Sing Sing. It was powerful and emotional. He’s truly impressive. I also think Fiennes absolutely served in Conclave and I would not be mad if he won. I think Chalamet did a fantastic job at capturing Dylan, but I don’t find Dylan that interesting, not as a person or a character. The singing was great but, at the end of the day, all Dylan does is mumble and be mean. I think Chalamet was way more deserving of a nomination for his powerful performance as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two over his serviceable performance in A Complete Unknown. I think Adrien Brody will take home the Oscar for Best Actor.
ACTOR IN SUPPORTING LEADING ROLE
- Yura Borisov in Anora
- Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain
- Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown
- Guy Pearce in The Brutalist*
- Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice*
The more I think about it, the more I think Kieran Culkin should win this award. His role was quite masterfully performed. But Borisov was definitely a stand out in Anora. I do think one of these will win, but I’m not sure I can predict which. I do wonder if The Brutalist will win in this category, too, but I haven’t heard much about Pearce’s performance. Norton is a great actor and he continued that greatness in A Complete Unknown, but I feel like there are probably other actors who could’ve been nominated in his place.
ACTRESS IN LEADING ROLE
- Cynthia Erivo in Wicked
- Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez
- Mikey Madison in Anora
- Demi Moore in The Substance
- Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here*
I think each actress here delivered an incredible performance. I would like to see Moore win because not only did she deliver a powerhouse performance, but it was brave of her to commit to a role that examined the very sexist and ageist beauty standards of an industry that she has been a victim of herself. She was truly free in this film, willing to look ugly and committing to the absurdity of it all. Madison did wonderful in Anora and her performance was one of the best things about it for me. I think it will be a tough call for The Academy, but I have a feeling Madison will win. I will be pleasantly surprised if it goes to Moore. Erivo also delivered a powerhouse performance, but I’m not sure The Academy will take it as seriously because it’s Wicked and it’s kinda goofy. She was excellent though!
ACTRESS IN SUPPORTING ROLE
- Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown
- Ariana Grande in Wicked
- Isabella Rossellini in Conclave
- Felicity Jones in The Brutalist*
- Zoe Saldana in Emilia Pérez
My main choice if Grande because I was impressed by her comedic timing in Wicked, despite being somewhat familiar with her knack for comedy acting from SNL. She truly makes the role of Glinda her own and creates such tremendous fun. If not Grande, I would love to see this award go to Barbaro for her performance as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown. The characters are not well developed in this film despite them being based on real people, but it’s her singing that truly impressed me. She captures the voice and spirit of Baez wonderfully. Rossellini was great in Conclave, but much like Norton in A Complete Unknown, I feel that someone else could’ve been nominated in her place. It’s hard to truly recall Saldana’s performance in Emilia Pérez. but I don’t remember it being bad. Who I think will win is hard to predict. I think it could go to Barbaro because The Academy loves a biopic, or Saldana because of how much I saw people praise her performance when the film came out.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- Flow*
- Inside Out 2
- Memoir of a Snail*
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*
- The Wild Robot*
I’ve been hearing great thing about all of these films and simply haven’t gotten around to seeing them yet, but I intend to watch them all. It’s difficult for me to call which might win, but I wonder if Flow featuring no dialogue will win it some extra points amongst voters for such a feat. That or The Wild Robot for being more accessible. Inside Out 2 was nowhere near as good as the first one.
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- Beautiful Men*
- In the Shadows of the Cypress*
- Magic Candles*
- Wander to Wonder*
- Yucki*
I know so little about these that I can’t even pull a win prediction.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
- The Brutalist* by Lol Crawley
- Dune: Part Two by Greig Fraser
- Emilia Pérez by Paul Guilhaume
- Maria* by Ed Lachman
- Nosferatu by Jarin Blaschke
Dune: Part Two strikes me as the most admirable for cinematography, but Nosferatu strikes me as the most skilful, considering its well-lit dark shots and impressive use of shadow to create fear, tension, and suspense. For any weaknesses Nosferatu has in storytelling, it makes up for with its masterful filmmaking. That said, it is also impressive to make a film set in the desert not absolutely boring to look at. It has some beautiful scenes. Tough call. I do think either of these could win, but I’ve heard wonderful things about The Brutalist and think that will take this.
COSTUME DESIGN
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
I am rooting for Wicked purely based on Grande’s entire wardrobe. How stunning! But Nosferatu is my second choice as they were some beautiful 19th century costumes. I’m just more of a modern girl. Costume design for Conclave is lovely, very cohesive. I think Wicked will win.
DIRECTING
- Sean Baker for Anora
- Brady Corbet for The Brutalist*
- James Mangold for A Complete Unknown
- Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
- Coralie Fargeat for The Substance
I would like Coralie Fargeat to win because her direction in The Substance was masterful, aiming for absolute perfection. If I were more adventurous, I would pick Anora, as many others might, put off by the clinical nature of The Substance (which was also by design). I think Sean Baker or Brady Corbet for The Brutalist will win. I don’t have much to say about the directing of the other films.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- Black Box Diaries*
- No Other Land*
- Porcelain War*
- Soundtrack to A Coup d’Etat*
- Sugarcane*
I think No Other Land will win. I keep hearing about it and its exploration of the Palestinian-Israeli war is of course very topical right now, as it should be.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- Death by Numbers*
- I Am Not Ready, Warden*
- Incident*
- Instruments of a Beating Heart*
- The Only Girl in the Orchestra*
Much like Animated Short Film, I know so little about these that I can’t attempt to predict a winner.
FILM EDITING
- Anora
- The Brutalist*
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
Conclave stood out for film editing, balancing everything well. I would like to see it win this category and I think it will.
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- I’m Still Here*
- The Girl with the Needle*
- Emilia Pérez
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig*
- Flow*
But I think Emilia Pérez will win.
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
- A Different Man*
- Emilia Pérez
- Nosferatu
- The Substance
- Wicked
I think The Substance will win here for the efforts of practical body horror effects. Not to mention, Moore and Margaret Qualley look stunning throughout. Well, right up until they’re… you know. The styling of the other characters, such as Dennis Quaid, was also impressive and helped to integrate everyone effortlessly into the film’s hyper-stylised world.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
- The Brutalist*
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot*
I have got to be honest: I do not pay much attention to a film’s score unless it is particuarly striking and noticeable. My bad for not thinking about this while watching potential Oscar nominated films, however I think The Brutalist will win. It’s crazy that Challengers wasn’t nominated in this category; a score that was impossible to ignore and used very effectively throughout.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
- El Mal from Emilia Pérez
- The Journey from The Six Triple Eight*
- Like A Bird from Sing Sing
- Mi Camino from Emilia Pérez
- Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late*
I haven’t seen two of these films but I did listen to all of the songs. My favourites are “The Journey” and “Like A Bird,” with a preference for the latter. I think something from Emilia Pérez will win, probably “El Mal” because it’s very interesting sonically. I’m surprised nothing from Wicked was nominated, but I imagine that’s because they’re technically not “original” songs, the film being a remake of a well-known and long-staged musical.
BEST PICTURE
- Anora
- The Brutalist*
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here*
- Nickel Boys*
- The Substance
- Wicked
I think most films here are deserving of a Best Picture nomination, but I don’t think any of them are perfect. The Substance is my favourite to win because I think it is the most perfect, but even that has its problems (mainly it being too long). Everyone loves Anora, but I don’t think it’s a strong enough film overall. I wouldn’t be mad if it won, though. A Complete Unknown is underwhelming and I didn’t think much to Emilia Pérez, but it had its moments and I admire its boldness in doing something completely out there. I enjoyed Wicked but I don’t know if I agree with it being nominated for Best Picture. Conclave was incredibly well-written and I understand why it was nominated. I think The Brutalist will win. But I think Anora has a strong chance of winning here, too. Tough call. I wonder how much The Academy prefer The Brutalist over I’m Still Here and Nickel Boys. Dune: Part Two was impressive filmmaking in most categories, but possibly forgotten about.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
- The Brutalist*
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
This is another one I find hard to predict. I wonder if Wicked will receive its only award in this category, but do think many of these films have the potential to win. I’m not sure who who I want to win because all of them are deserving of being nominated here.
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
I haven’t seen enough in this category to make a decision.
- A Lien
- Anuja
- I’m Not A Robot
- The Last Ranger
- The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
But I heard through the grapevine that The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent is a favourite to win.
SOUND
- A Complete Unknown
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot*
Dune: Part Two makes impressive use of sound and I think it will win. It’s cool that they used over 43 period microphones from the 60s in A Complete Unknown to capture a more authentic sound in both studio and live performance scenes. But Dune: Part Two takes the cake.
VISUAL EFFECTS
- Alien: Romulus
- Better Man
- Dune: Part Two
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*
- Wicked
I want Alien: Romulus to win because that fuck ass alien (you know the one) has not left my mind since I saw it in the cinema. I didn’t think my fear of aliens could get any worse, but then they created my worst fear. It was impressive, though the use of AI in the film to resurrect a late actor’s character was a bit iffy. Dune: Part Two would be my next choice for winner and I think it has a high chance of taking home the award. The chimpanzee in Better Man was actually way more impressive than I thought it would be. Wicked was visually beautiful but my memory of the visual effects isn’t as sharp. I think it did well, they were integrated into the film’s world seamlessly. I also love vibrant cinematography and colour grading, though I know everyone was saying it was dull simply because it wasn’t as vibrant as The Wizard of Oz’s Technicolor. Some scenes weren’t as nice, but anyway, it wasn’t nominated for cinematography, this is visual effects…
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
- A Complete Unknown by James Mangold and Jay Cocks
- Conclave by Peter Straughan
- Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard; In collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius, and Nicolas Lievcchi
- Nickel Boys* by RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes
- Sing Sing by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John “Divine G” Whitfield
Hard for me to pick between Conclave and Sing Sing. I would be happy with either of them winning, but I think Conclave will win this one purely due to the excellence of gossip no matter which industry you work in. Excellent screenplay.
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
- Anora by Sean Baker
- The Brutalist* by Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold
- A Real Pain by Jesse Eisenberg
- September 5* by Moritz Binder, Tim Felhbaum; Co-Written by Alex David
- The Substance by Coralie Fargeat
I think The Substance is excellent, but its filmmaking is better than its writing. I think Anora is up there, but it lacks significant character depth for me despite some great attempts being made. That leaves A Real Pain which is a well-written and executed script that has a lot going for it. It helps that it is performed extremely well.
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