For the first time in many years, I managed to catch at least one nominated film in every category and all ten Best Picture nominees prior to Oscar night. To commemorate this truly momentous achievement, I have decided to embarrass myself by sharing picks for Sunday’s awards ceremony. Which, needless to say, I am watching despite the Academy’s decision not to include the presentation of eight awards in the broadcast, not because of it. Anyway, these are not predictions: I restricted myself to just movies I’ve seen and don’t claim to have any insight into the voting tendencies of academy members, so I’m not expecting to be right about anything. If you are foolish enough to make wagers based on this post, that is (emphatically) entirely on you, is what I’m saying. Also, you have a gambling problem. Anyway, without further ado, here’s who I’ll be rooting for this weekend!
Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye. But only because Alana Haim wasn’t nominated for Licorice Pizza.
Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith – King Richard.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Troy Kotsur – CODA.
Actress in a Supporting Role: Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter.
Animated Feature Film: The Mitchells vs. the Machines. This was a tough one! But maybe that’s just because I live with a four- and six-year-old and therefore have already seen some of these films eight to ten times? They would probably go with Encanto here, by the way.
Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel – The Tragedy of Macbeth. Stunning.
Costume Design: Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan – Dune.
Directing: Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog.
Documentary (Feature): Attica.
Documentary (Short Subject): Audible.
Film Editing: Joe Walker – Dune.
International Feature Film: Drive My Car.
Makeup and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne, and Julia Vernon – Cruella.
Music (Original Score): Hans Zimmer – Dune.
Music (Original Song): “Dos Oruguitas” by Lin-Manuel Miranda – Encanto.
Production Design: Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos – Dune.
Short Film (Animated): Robin Robin. I have a soft spot for Christmas movies, and this one is going into our regular rotation.
Short Film (Live Action): The Long Goodbye.
Sound: Tod A. Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson, and Shawn Murphy – West Side Story.
Visual Effects: Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer – Dune.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Maggie Gyllenhaal – The Lost Daughter.
Writing (Original Screenplay): Kenneth Branagh – Belfast.
Best Picture: Drive My Car.
The Prodigal Cinephile 