90th Annual Academy Awards take place Sunday night
Sunday marks an annual tradition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out their famous golden statues to the best in 2017’s cinematic outputs. Let’s take a look at the major awards and see who I think will win. I’ll be looking at the acting, directing, cinematography, best animation, and best picture categories. Here’s to me being hilariously wrong in my predictions!
Best Supporting Actress:
Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”
Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread”
Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”
Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water”
Winner: Lesley Manville
Daniel Day-Lewis is the face of Phantom Thread, but the best character behind Day-Lewis is Manville’s stern portrayal. As the only one who can stand up to Day-Lewis, she’s funny, spunky, and a pleasure to watch.
Best Supporting Actor:
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Winner: Sam Rockwell
Rockwell’s performance makes Three Billboards the most fascinating film nominated for anything this year. His arc makes this film both a dark comedy and an uplifting flick about the potential for good in every person.
Best Short Film, Animation:
“Dear Basketball”
“Garden Party”
“Lou”
“Negative Space”
“Revolting Rhymes
Winner: Lou
I’d give this to Revolting Rhymes, but I think Pixar will claim another Oscar in this category. Better name recognition and a more concise film.
Best Short Film, Live Action:
“DeKalb Elementary”
“My Nephew Emmett”
“The Eleven O’Clock”
“The Silent Child”
“Watu Wote / All of Us”
Winner: DeKalb Elementary
This is a topical film about a recent event that is at the heart of a fierce political debate right now. I think this should win on its timeliness alone, considering how frequently political the Oscars are.
Best Cinematography:
Roger Deakins, “Blade Runner 2049”
Bruno Delbonnel “Darkest Hour”
Dan Laustsen, “The Shape of Water”
Rachel Morrison, “Mudbound”
Hoyte van Hoytema, “Dunkirk”
Winner: Roger Deakins
The fact that Blade Runner 2049 was not nominated for more awards, especially for best picture, is the biggest crime of this year’s Oscars. If Deakins does not win for Best Cinematography, then he will never win and I won’t take these awards as seriously anymore. This is the prettiest film I’ve ever seen and Deakins has been nominated for 13 Oscars without winning yet. It’s time to get him his Golden Statue.
Best Sound Editing:
“Baby Driver”
“Blade Runner 2049”
“Dunkirk”
“The Shape of Water”
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Winner: Baby Driver
Baby Driver is another film I would’ve recommended for more than it was nominated for. Without doubt, the best aspect of the film is the sound editing and sound design. This should be among the easiest awards of the night.
Best Animated Feature:
“The Boss Baby”
“The Breadwinner”
“Coco”
“Ferdinand”
“Loving Vincent”
Winner: Coco
Pixar’s best film since Toy Story 3 against lesser films. This is by far the easiest pick of the night.
Best Director:
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”
Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”
Jordan Peele, “Get Out”
Winner: Guillermo Del Toro
I’ll admit to not being a big fan of Del Toro or The Shape of Water. I think it’s an overly long, bizarre film that got far too much praise. That said, Del Toro has incredible talent and made a beautiful and visionary film that only he could make. I think the Academy will honor his singular style
Best Actress:
Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”
Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”
Meryl Streep, “The Post”
Winner: Sally Hawkins
The Shape of Water is a weird film, and Sally Hawkins is it’s strangest yet best aspect. She’s charming, down to earth, and headstrong. I didn’t see a performance that compelled me the way Hawkins did this year.
Best Actor:
Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me By Your Name”
Daniel Day- Lewis, “Phantom Thread”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”
Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”
Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
Winner: Gary Oldman
This will either go to Oldman or Day-Lewis. I’d prefer to see Oldman win because he’s never won before and the story in his film is more compelling than in Day-Lewis’s. I’d ultimately say both of them deserve it, but Oldman’s portrayal of Winston Churchill is the more deserving nod this year.
Best Picture:
“Call Me By Your Name”
“Darkest Hour”
“Dunkirk”
“Get Out”
“Lady Bird”
“Phantom Thread”
“The Post”
“The Shape of Water”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Winner: The Post
This is the safest bet. I’d rather have Darkest Hour or Three Billboards win, but the power trio of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep making a politically charged film should be enough to lift The Post to a victory.