Well it’s almost that time of year again where Hollywood pats it self on the back and hands out awards to its best films and stars of the past year. The Oscars themselves are kind of pointless yet I can’t help but get swept up by all the glitz and glamour and join in celebrating these wonderful creations.
Last year, I made predictions for 20 of the nominations (excluding the short subject, documentary and foreign language categories), and 9 of those I guessed correctly. So let’s see how we do this year…
Best Costume Design
Victoria & Abdul and Darkest Hour clearly have some great period costumes, but to think anything other than Phantom Thread - a film about a tailor - is madness. Sadly, it doesn’t look like my local cinema will be playing this one in time for the awards, but having said that, it’s still the clear frontrunner and I’ll be amazed if it doesn’t win!
Beauty and the Beast is nominated as well, and while the costumes are impressive, they are literally just lifted from the cartoon - just like everything else!
Will Win: Phantom Thread
Should Win: Phantom Thread
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Well I think it’s obvious what’s going to win here, even if I don’t think it should! I can’t fault the talents of the makeup artists who worked on Gary Oldman’s Winston Churchill, but there’s just something about it that doesn’t work for me, especially after seeing John Lithgow as Churchill in The Crown.
I do want to know why on Earth The Shape of Water isn’t nominated here because that Amphibian Man is INCREDIBLE!
Will Win: Darkest Hour
Should Win: Wonder
Best Sound Editing
The sound in The Shape of Water is captivating. From the bubbles of water and sound effects of the creature to the muffled underwater sequences, it’s truly magical - much like the film itself. Baby Driver is another contender here for the cuts on gear shifts and the slapping of money on the table alone.
Will Win: The Shape of Water
Should Win: The Shape of Water OR Baby Driver
Best Sound Mixing
Baby Driver is a sure contender for it’s energetic mix of music, gear shifts and engine revs, and Blade Runner 2049 is also one to note for it’s beautiful sweeping vistas and sounds of a futuristic LA combined with Zimmer’s electrifying and pulsating score.
But Dunkirk easily has the upper hand. It’s sound design is an intense blend of ticks and splashes that compliment Zimmer’s score and play with the viewers emotions so perfectly, that that the film just wouldn’t work without it!
Will Win: Dunkirk
Should Win: Dunkirk
Best Film Editing
I fully expect Dunkirk will take home the award this year for it’s ‘unconventional’ story telling, but I don’t think it should as in that regard it isn’t all that unique. Baby Driver on the other hand is an inspired piece of filmmaking that is expertly choreographed and edited with such fluidity that the whole thing moves along with rhythm in time to the best of the kick-ass soundtrack!
Will Win: Dunkirk
Should Win: Baby Driver
Best Original Song
Like last year, this is a particularly strong category but I do think “Remember Me” from Coco is the highlight of the bunch. It is first presented in the film as a jolly dance number, but quickly transpires to be something much more heartfelt and poignant, and is just one small part of what makes Coco such a great film.
Will Win: “Remember Me” from Coco
Should Win: “Remember Me” from Coco
Best Original Score
Another strong year. Dunkirk would be incomplete without Zimmer’s score but The Shape of Water has such a sweet and inspired score that isn’t over-bearing and compliments the film in such a way that enchants and makes one feel as if they’re underwater themselves.
Will Win: The Shape of Water OR Dunkirk.
Should Win: The Shape of Water
Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049 has some stellar VFX, but honestly, if you didn’t know better, the apes could be real…
Will Win: War for the Planet of the Apes
Should Win: War for the Planet of the Apes
Best Production Design
A magical, turquoise reimagining of 1960’s America that almost looks as if it could be underwater. I’m sorry, but there’s really no competition here.
Will Win: The Shape of Water
Should Win: The Shape of Water
Best Cinematography
It will honestly be the crime of the century if Roger Deakins doesn’t finally win and Oscar for Blade Runner 2049.
Will Win: Roger Deakins - Blade Runner 2049
Should Win: Roger Deakins - Blade Runner 2049
Best Original Screenplay
I think it’s going to be a toss up between Get Out and Three Billboards for this award and it’s hard to predict. Get Out is a clever, timely and widely popular film. Three Billboards is a much more divisive movie, but still one with many nuances. It could sweep in and take the award given the Academy’s narrow view of the horror genre, but the increasing, and in my opinion, unwarranted backlash against the film could sully it’s chances here and in other awards.
Or perhaps Lady Bird will jump in and take the award from under the other films’ noses…
Will Win: Get Out
Should Win: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri OR Get Out
Best Adapted Screenplay
Now the only film I’ve had chance to see in this category is Logan, and whilst it’s nice to talk about it in regards to the Oscars, I can’t see it wining. From the reactions I’ve seen online, I think Call Me by Your Name is a certain win.
Will Win: Call Me by Your Name
Best Animated Feature
I think it’s pretty fair to say that Disney/Pixar will win this one again. Coco is just such a beautiful film and is easily one of, if not Pixar’s best. I cannot praise it enough nor find words that are eloquent enough to describe it.
Loving Vincent could potentially sneak in for the prize for it’s art style alone, but I think the depth and heart Coco has, puts it leagues above the rest. And I’m sorry, but why was Boss Baby nominated when The LEGO Batman Movie exists… I mean, c’mon guys!
Will Win: Coco
Should Win: Coco
Best Supporting Actress
Allison Janney seems set to take home the gold for her performance. Personally, I would chose Octavia Spencer for The Shape of Water but that’s just because I think she’s fabulous in everything.
Will Win: Allison Janney - I, Tonya
Should Win: Octavia Spencer - The Shape of Water
Best Supporting Actor
I think the Oscar is pretty much guaranteed for Sam Rockwell. He’s a brilliant and often overlooked actor who really gives it his all here. It’s interesting to see Woody Harrelson also nominated for Three Billboards - I think he’s a brilliant actor and I loved him as Chief Willoughby but I think Rockwell has the edge.
Unlikely, but perhaps the two nominations for Three Billboards could split the vote and Willem Dafoe could win it, or even Richard Jenkins who I thought was particularly brilliant in The Shape of Water. Christopher Plummer just seems to be there because of the whole Kevin Spacey problem…
Will Win: Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Should Win: Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress
I think Frances McDormand is quite brilliant in Three Billboards and I fully expect she’s going to win the award for Best Actress this year. Personally, if I had a vote, it would go to Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water. She brings so much depth and emotion to that character and doesn’t utter a single word. Amazing.
Will Win: Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Should Win: Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water
Best Actor
Well it’s obvious who it is isn’t it. Though it would be quite funny to see Daniel Day Lewis get it for what is apparently going to be his final performance.
Will Win: Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
Best Director
After his Golden Globe win, I fully expect Guillermo del Toro will win for Best Director, and quite deservedly so! It would however be nice to see Christopher Nolan finally win for his masterpiece, Dunkirk.
Will Win: Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water
Should Win: Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water OR Christopher Nolan - Dunkirk
Best Picture
For a little while I fully expected Three Billboards would win but like with the screenplay category, the divisiveness of the film could lessen it’s chances. The Shape of Water is the next obvious choice which is praised but met with some skepticism. In which case, something universally praised like Lady Bird come fly in and take the award.
Will Win: Lady Bird OR The Shape of Water
Should Win: The Shape of Water
Nick is a 2000 year old alien who travels through time and space, saving the good and conquering the evil... or so he likes to think.
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