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A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars – 2019 Edition

Hello fellow movie lovers! It’s been another busy award season. There were 121 nominations and I got to see all but 9 of the films this year. Not too shabby, all things considered.

This season, like the ones before it, was full of pleasant surprises, a few hours I can’t get back and films shining a bright light on topics which were painful to watch.

Now, for the four of you who still read this each year, let’s get to the movies! J

Best Picture:

· Black Panther – The first Marvel movie to be nominated for Best Picture. I don’t see this as the winner.

· BlacKkKlansman – Based on a true story, about a black cop, impersonating a white cop, to infiltrate the KKK.

· Bohemian Rhapsody – I loved this movie. I love Queen. I wish Freddie Mercury had been able to grace us with his presence for more than we were lucky enough to receive. I would love to see this beat Roma but unfortunately, the Director’s alleged shenanigans will get in the way.

· The Favourite – Dark and witty, full of strong performances. This however, was not my favorite. (Yes, pun intended…I know, I’m hilarious)

· Green Book – Another based on a true story, about a black performer in need of a driver/ body guard as he tours the deep South and how their friendship was formed. I really enjoyed this film. Mahershala and Viggo were both fantastic. I kept wondering how I had never heard of these men before watching this.

· Roma – While I can’t call this my personal favorite film in the bunch, I do think it will take the top prize this year. It’s been so lovingly received by critics while others on this list have been subject to controversy moving Roma to the top of the pile.I did enjoy it, just not as much as others here.

· A Star Is Born – I loved this too and when I saw it, I thought it would be a lock for Best Picture… until I saw the competition. I was equally surprised by Lady Gaga’s acting and by Cooper’s singing. I’ve seen the previous versions of this film and while I typically dislike remakes, this was well done. Cooper should have received a Director nod here.

· Vice – Based on the life and career of the notoriously private Dick Cheney. Something tells me he will never endorse this one, or confirm any of its story line. If you like Cheney, you will hate this movie. And if you hate him, it will make you question just how awfully distasteful you can find another human being to be.

Lead Actor:

· Christian Bale – Vice –When I first read that Bale was going to play Dick Cheney in a movie, I thought Central Casting was delusional. Then I saw it. If anyone is going to give Malek competition, it’s Bale. You literally forget it’s him buried behind the makeup.

· Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born – Cooper will get his Oscar one day and I thought he was fantastic in this movie, but this is not his time.

· Willem Dafoe – At Eternity’s Gate – He’s always great, this time as Vincent van Gogh

· Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody – Malek became Freddie Mercury. Every detail of his iconic performances, recreated to the letter. He must have studied Mercury’s every move. The commitment to getting that right is stunning and I think this win will be well deserved.

· Viggo Mortensen – Green Book – Another great performance by an actor who seems to be able to play anyone.

Lead Actress:

· Yalitza Aparicio – Roma

· Glenn Close – The Wife – I didn’t want to like this one. I don’t care for her, ever since she boiled a bunny back in the day, but she was amazing.

· Olivia Colman – The Favourite – I have a sneaking suspicion that we’ll be seeing much more of her.

· Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born – She was surprisingly great in this movie, but it wasn’t really much of a stretch… playing a singer and all. Don’t get me wrong. She’s an incredible talent and deserving of this nomination, but I’m curious to see how her film career progresses playing roles outside of the scope of her ‘day job”.

· Melissa McCarthy – Can You Ever Forgive Me? – Another true story and another surprise. McCarthy in a serious role as the caustic (not to mention desperate) author, Lee Israel, as she resorts to forging letters for profit. If you haven’t seen this one, watch it. And someone please sign her up for more roles outside of the comedic space!

Supporting Actor:

· Mahershala Ali – Green Book – Everything I’ve seen him in has been excellent. This was no exception.

· Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman – I love, love, love Driver.

· Sam Elliott – A Star Is Born – About time you nominated him, Academy!

· Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me? – I’m not sure I’ve seen him before but watching him here made me want to find everything else he’s ever done. I don’t think he will beat Ali, but if he did, I wouldn’t be disappointed.

· Sam Rockwell – Vice – Another consistently consistent character actor, this time as a weirdly convincing G.W. Bush. I love it when the Indy guys get the attention they deserve!

Supporting Actress:

· Amy Adams – Vice – We get it… the Academy adores Amy Adams. She did not blow me away in this movie.

· Marina de Tavira – Roma

· Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk – I must confess that this was one of the films I was not able to see. It left the theater too soon, and as you may know, I won’t use bootlegs on this journey each year. I’ve chosen her for a few reasons… one, she’s won virtually every other award known to man for this performance. And two, this has been a long time coming. She’s always great!

· Emma Stone – The Favourite – Stone and Weisz here a glorious team.

· Rachel Weisz – The Favourite - She’s married to Daniel Craig so she’s basically already won at life.

Director:

· Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman - Spike Lee is finally nominated here! I do believe he will take home a statue one day but I don’t think it will be this year.

· Pawel Pawlikowski – Cold War

· Yorgos Lanthimos – The Favourite

· Alfonso Cuaron – Roma

· Adam McKay – Vice

Animated Feature:

· Incredibles 2 - this gets my kid’s vote, just for the record.

· Isle of Dogs – Another year where I have the opportunity to declare my love for Wes Anderson. Another year where he will go home empty handed.

· Mirai

· Ralph Breaks the Internet

· Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – I can’t believe I’m choosing a non-Disney / Pixar for the win, but I am. It’s visually stunning.

Animated Short:

· Animal Behaviour

· Bao – Pixar for the (predictable) win. Every one of the films in this category is a gem! Watch them all!!

· Late Afternoon

· One Small Step

· Weekends

Adapted Screenplay:

· The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it.

· BlacKkKlansman – This category is tough. I think this may be where Lee picks up a win, but…

· Can You Ever Forgive Me? – … I really loved how this was written… and I think it can bump Lee out of the top spot.

· If Beale Street Could Talk

· A Star Is Born

Original Screenplay:

· The Favourite – The quick witted dialogue may push this one over the top to win.

· First Reformed – I want my two hours back

· Green Book – The Favourite is the favorite in this category, but I think the story line in our current climate will give this screenplay well warranted votes

· Roma

· Vice – Another film where the writing definitely shined!

Cinematography:

· Cold War

· The Favourite

· Never Look Away

· Roma - There is just something about the way this movie was shot which immediately grabbed me at the opening scene. The very things I loved about it are things that others found to be a turn off, but the crisp black and white, tight, artsy shots were mesmerizing. Maybe it’s my love of photography, particularly B&W, but this film made it easy to see the beauty in the mundane.

· A Star Is Born

Best Documentary Feature:

· Free Solo – Will probably win, but…

· Hale County This Morning, This Evening – A film about regular people doing regular things. I hope the point is not lost on those who see it.

· Minding the Gap - This is an interesting narrative on the leap into adulthood and just how hard that is to navigate.

· Of Fathers and Sons – Watching this literally made me feel physically ill. If you question whether or not hatred can be taught, this confirms it.

· RBG - … I’m rooting for RBG, tonight and every single day for every single reason! Someone please put this woman in a bubble and preserve her for all of eternity... or at least until the next administration.

Best Documentary Short:

· Black Sheep - The Shorts this year were difficult to watch. This is about a young black man and his experiences growing up in a suburban white British town.

· End Game –This film is about the painful process of helping a loved one through the last days of their life and the humanity of the doctors and nurses who are walking alongside them. This is my vote.

· Lifeboat –About refugees fleeing their war torn home in the hope of a better life.

· A Night at the Garden – Actual footage of a 1939 Nazi rally at “The World’s Most Famous Arena”. The fact that this actually happened in this country, and so long ago, hurts my heart.

· Period. End of Sentence – About young women in India just trying to survive being a girl in a culture that demonizes something which is utterly (and biologically) out of their control.

Best Live Action Short Film:

· Detainment – A reenactment of the interrogation of two ten year old boys in Ireland, accused of murdering a toddler. Terrifying. And true.

· Fauve - this won at Sundance, but…

· Marguerite – my pick to win

· Mother – As a parent of a 6 year old boy, this one kept me up at night.

· Skin

Best Foreign Language Film:

· Capernaum

· Cold War

· Never Look Away

· Roma – If this doesn’t win I’ll be shocked, but since it’s a likely winner in other categories, voters may spread the love and throw Cold War a bone.

· Shoplifters – I really liked this one, about an unlikely group of outcasts in Japan, trying to survive on stolen items while flying under the radar.

Film Editing:

· BlacKkKlansman

· Bohemian Rhapsody

· Green Book

· The Favourite

· Vice

Sound Editing:

· Black Panther

· Bohemian Rhapsody

· First Man

· A Quiet Place – I’m selecting this because of how profoundly important sound was to the entire concept of the film. I know I’m probably wrong... it will probably be Black Panther

· Roma

Sound Mixing:

· Black Panther

· Bohemian Rhapsody – Because of the music

· First Man

· Roma

· A Star Is Born

Production Design:

· Black Panther

· First Man

· The Favourite – Period piece + Castle = Win

· Mary Poppins Returns

· Roma

Original Score:

· BlacKkKlansman

· Black Panther

· If Beale Street Could Talk

· Isle of Dogs

· Mary Poppins Returns

Original Song:

· All The Stars

· I’ll Fight

· The Place Where Lost Things Go

· Shallow – if there is one certainty about tonight, this is it.

· When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings

Makeup and Hair:

· Border

· Mary Queen of Scots

· Vice – Because I forgot Christian Bale was in there….

Costume Design:

· The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

· Black Panther – This is hard because any one of these could take it, but this is my gut feeling

· The Favourite

· Mary Poppins Returns

· Mary Queen of Scots

Visual Effects:

· Avengers: Infinity War

· Christopher Robin

· First Man

· Ready Player One

· Solo: A Star Wars Story

I’m sad to see this season come to an end as the summer blockbusters approach. Here’s hoping there are some hidden gems among the moneymakers this summer to keep me company!

Thanks for sticking with me to the end, all four of you. :)

#moviesnob

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mymoviesnob · 6 years

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A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars - 2018 Edition

Happy Oscar Day!!

It seems like just yesterday that we saw La La Land, I mean Moonlight, take home the award for Best Picture. This year, it is another close race in the top category, but if I were betting (and I am betting), I expect the rest of the awards will likely yield few surprises.

Nonetheless, this is my favorite time of year and I always look forward to the mad dash to watch everything. This year, more friends joined in my madness and also saw most of the nominated films in all of the categories. I love seeing movies with them and our mutual love of some films and spirited disdain for others. They make this even more fun for me and I love them all for it!

Now the time has come for me to make my annual predictions. This year, like most, brought surprises… both pleasant and not so much. And the annual struggle between my personal favorites and what I think the Academy will vote for, was real.

Without further ado… and prepare for a few spoilers.

Best Actor

Timothee Chalamet – Call Me by Your Name – I loved this movie and loved him in it. He was in two Best Picture nominees this year. His performance was brave and authentic and I can’t wait to see more of him. He’s got a long, bright career ahead and while I wish he would win tonight, I think he will have to wait for his Oscar. His day will come though. I’m sure of it.

Daniel Day Lewis – Phantom Thread – This is supposed to be his last movie. He should make another “last movie” because even the worst band knows you encore with a hit!

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour – He’s our likely winner… but if you ask me, the makeup made the man in this case. He’s a great actor, don’t get me wrong, but if the makeup had not been so amazing, I’m not convinced Chalamet would not take it

Denzel Washington – Roman J Isreal, Esq. – This is the first time in a long time that I legitimately enjoined Denzel in a movie. He always seems to play the same guy… tough talking, in different clothes. This time, he actually seemed to have to try.

Best Supporting Actor

Willem Defoe – The Florida Project – I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and wish it received more love this awards season. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it. I don’t expect Defoe to win tonight.

Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – I always love him.

Richard Jenkins – The Shape of Water – He’s been a favorite of mine since Six Feet Under.

Christopher Plummer – All the Money in the World

Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – A likely lock as a racist cop attempting to find redemption in the last minutes of the film. He’s a long time character actor who’s flown under the radar for a long time.

Best Actress

Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water – I think she has a real chance to steal this from McDormand. There is something to be said for a performance where the actor speaks practically zero dialog.

Frances McDormand – Three Billboards – She’s the clear favorite to win here. A grieving mother on the war path against local police who are not doing enough to find her daughter’s murderer. Her performance was bad ass.

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird – Ronan won the Golden Globe for her relatable performance as a cranky teenager at odds with her mother. I don’t think she can win tonight though.

Meryl Streep – The Post

Best Supporting Actress

Mary J Blige – Mudbound

Allison Janney – I, Tonya – She must win. She played the most convincingly horrible parent in the history of parenting. If half of the things in the movie really happened, holy shit!!

Lesley Manville – Phantom Thread

Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird – Playing a mom, struggling to connect with her teenage daughter. She’s the only one in this bunch who may have a chance against Janney but pretty sure that won’t happen.

Octavia Spencer – The Shape of Water – She’s great in everything. What can I say?

Animated Feature

The Boss Baby

The Breadwinner

Coco – Every year there is a Disney Pixar flick and every year, it takes this category. I don’t expect this year to be any different. This movie is visually stunning and if it did not tug at your heart strings, you must be a robot. It should win just for the scene when Miguel looks upon the Land of the Dead alone. It’s just amazing! If you ask my 5 year old, however, it was the worst movie EVER… because it made him cry.

Ferdinand – this was my son’s favorite. I enjoyed it too but it can’t beat Coco.

Loving Vincent

Cinematography

Blade Runner 2049

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

Mudbound

The Shape of Water

Costume Design

Beauty and the Beast

Darkest Hour

Phantom Thread – I think this is the only award this film will take home.It’s literally about making dresses, so...

The Shape of Water

Victoria & Abdul – Another unexpected bright spot among the films for this year. Judi Dench is predictably sassy and charming. I recommend it.

Directing

Christopher Nolan - Dunkirk

Jordan Peele - Get Out

Greta Gerwig - Lady Bird – I hope this is the first of many nominations for Gerwig. I’ve liked the films she’s acted in previously and really liked her directorial debut.

Paul Thomas Anderson - Phantom Thread

Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water – Thinking about what it must have taken to shoot this movie… my guess is that he’s our winner tonight.

Documentary Feature

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

Faces Places – Maybe it’s the wanna-be photographer in me but I really liked this one

Icarus

Last Men in Aleppo – This felt like the sequel to last year’s Documentary Short, The White Helmets. Following men as they struggle to keep themselves and their families safe while rushing into bombed out buildings and burning cars to save their friends and neighbors. It’s tough to sit through, but important.

Strong Island

Documentary Short

Edith + Eddie

Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405

Heroin(e) – Highlights the communities in West Virginia being ravaged by addiction.

Knife Skills

Traffic Stop – my least favorite in this bunch. I see this event as being avoidable… Did he use excessive force? Absolutely! But perhaps simply providing the officer with what he asked for instead of arguing would have kept things from escalating.

Film Editing

Baby Driver – Another pleasant surprise for me. If it had not been for word of mouth and the nominations, this is the perfect example of a movie I would avoid. I really, really enjoyed it. It’s basically an action movie, set to music. It had me at the opening credits.

Dunkirk – I’m pretty sure this is our winner.

I, Tonya – I’m sure that trying to edit Margot Robbie’s face onto a figure skater’s body was extraordinarily difficult. I don’t think they pulled it off well enough for this nomination.

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards

Foreign Language Film

A Fantastic Woman – pretty sure this is our winner, but it was one of four films I was unable to see this year

The Insult

Loveless

On Body and Soul – Last night I dreamt I was a deer in the woods. You too? Awesome. Let’s hook up.

The Square – This was one of the strangest movies I’ve seen in a long time with full sections of the plot that had no point in the grand scheme of things… I didn’t get it.

Makeup and Hairstyling

Darkest Hour – I forgot Gary Oldman was Gary Oldman.

Victoria & Abdul

Wonder

Original Score

Dunkirk

Phantom Thread

The Shape of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – I can’t believe I’m voting against Star Wars, considering the iconic scores of movies past, but my guess is that TSOW will win

Three Billboards

Original Song

Mighty River – Mudbound

Mystery of Love – Call Me by Your Name

Remember Me – Coco

Stand Up for Something – Marshall

This is Me – The Greatest Showman – I think the Academy will throw this movie a bone and give this song the win. Since this is the one and only category where this movie received a nomination, I must say that, I know a LOT of people who really loved it but I HATED it. I’m so glad it was not nominated and I’m sure Hugh Jackman is pissed!!! Re-watch Moulin Rouge instead.

Production Design

Beauty and the Beast

Blade Runner 2049

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

The Shape of Water – This movie was beautifully set and dressed. I think it will win.

Animated Short

Dear Basketball – Going with my gut on this one.

Garden Party – I’m sure it must be animated but it looked so real that I had a hard time believing it

Lou – It’s Pixar so I’m probably wrong with my pick but it just wasn’t as impressive to me

Negative Space

Revolting Rhymes

Live Action Short

Dekalb Elementary – I had to take a Xanax after this one. Seriously

The Eleven O’Clock – My personal favorite in the bunch

My Nephew Emmett

The Silent Child – My choice for winner

Watu Wote/ All of Us

Sound Editing

Baby Driver- I desperately want this movie to win something but I don’t think it will. It does star Kevin Spacey, pre-perv allegations, so beware if you’re avoiding him.

Blade Runner 2049

Dunkirk

The Shape of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Sound Mixing

Baby Driver

Blade Runner 2049

Dunkirk

The Shape of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Visual Effects

Blade Runner 2049 – I was surprised to have enjoyed this movie as well. Sci-Fi is not typically my cup of tea but I went in hopeful that Ryan Gosling would make it bearable. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s long… that’s my only complaint.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Kong: Skull Island

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

War for the Planet of the Apes

Adapted Screenplay

Call Me by Your Name

The Disaster Artist – Say what you will about James Franco and what he may or may not have done or said, I loved this one. It’s a good movie about the making of a truly bad movie. It’s funny. It’s weird. And it’s true!! I literally sent a text message during the closing credits telling people to see it.

Logan

Molly’s Game - Quick, smart. Chastain is fantastic!

Mudbound

Original Screenplay

The Big Sick - Another favorite. I’m so glad it got a nod.

Get Out

Lady Bird

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards

Best Picture

Call Me by Your Name – I am so in love with this movie. I knew I loved it when the closing scene went dark in the theater but it’s one of those stories that stays with you and makes you fall deeper in love with it. About a summer fling. I’m sure we can all relate on some level. I learned a few things watching this one… Armie Hammer is impossibly good looking. Too good looking. And he cannot dance. I will never be able to see/ eat peaches the same way again. And Love My Way by the Psychedelic Furs will forever be associated with it.

Darkest Hour – This could have been combined with Dunkirk and given me several hours of my life back.

Dunkirk – Steaming pile of boring garbage. I know many disagree with me on this… that’s fine. It stars EVERY British actor, and Harry Styles. And it’s yet another movie where Tom Hardy spends most of it with his gorgeous face covered by some apparatus.

Get Out – This tea is making me sleepy.

Lady Bird – This is another polarizing one. Some loved it. Others despised it. I’m somewhere in the middle. I did find it to be incredibly relatable. I think most teenage girls struggle with their relationships with their mothers. Most have that best friend that we hate for five minutes and then love again. We fall (stupidly) for the wrong boy. And we try to figure out who we are, often leaving a trail of bodies in our wake. DMB’s Crash Into Me is featured several times, so that certainly didn’t hurt.

Phantom Thread – Let me save you 2 hours and 10 minutes. 60 year old man meets 30 year old woman. Man invites woman to dinner. Woman agrees to go back to his house. Man measures her for a dress, in her underwear, while a grumpy woman watches. Woman moves in. Man can’t handle the sound of her buttering her toast and throws tantrum. Woman tries to make him a nice dinner. Man throws another tantrum because his asparagus was cooked with butter. Woman intentionally feeds man poison mushrooms. Man decides he loves her, proposes. They marry. He decides he hates her. She feeds him more poison mushrooms. She tells him he’s about to feel like death. He likes it. They live happily ever after. I genuinely thought it was awful.

The Post – Fake news!!! Just kidding. Spielberg and two of the Academy’s favorite actors, add in all the discussion about the free press and the women’s movement, it was destined to cause a ruckus.

The Shape of Water – Woman meets fish and it’s love. Strangely beautiful and this year’s critical darling. It’s not my personal favorite but I do think it will come down to this or Three Billboards. It has a dream cast and del Torro is likely to win.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – I’m secretly hoping this one pulls the upset. I liked it a lot.

Thanks for sticking with me until the end! Until next year!

#moviesnob2018

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mymoviesnob · 7 years

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A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars - 2017 Edition

Hello again! Welcome to the 2017 edition of A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars.

As I have been preparing to write this, I’ve been going back over the list of nominees and I noticed a few themes in the films across categories… from overcoming adversity in Hidden Figures and Hacksaw Ridge. to complicated families in Fences. Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea. But the theme I found the most compelling is that of refugees fleeing war torn countries to find a better life for their children in several documentaries, 4.1 Miles, The White Helmets, Fire at Sea and to some extent, Ennemis Interieurs. The Academy was certainly trying to shine a bright light on this global issue and I hope the nominations brought more viewers to hear these stories.

While many of the films were heavy in subject matter, there were a few bright spots as well with small movies like Captain Fantastic, A Man Called Ove, La Femme et la TGV and the not so small and much beloved La La Land.

I typically wrestle with the films I personally enjoyed the most vs those which I believe will actually win. … because, let’s face it, I like being right. This year, I feel like the Academy and I will be pretty well lined up in that regard.

And as the whitest white girl ever, I can’t claim that the diversity issue from past years has been resolved, but this year feels like a step in the right direction.

So, without further ado, here are my picks for the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

Best Picture

Arrival – A film about aliens who land on earth and the linguists who attempt to communicate with them. I found the concept to be interesting, but I could have done without the whole “special powers” thing that Amy Adams’ character experienced. Not a favorite.

Fences – Adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, it was one of this year’s best. Solid performances all around and full of flawed characters and quick dialog.

Hacksaw Ridge – A lot of people who saw this one before I did raved about it. Maybe my expectations going in were too high but I personally did not love it. I agree that this man’s story is miraculous and he’s a true hero. I’m glad his story has been told, but this is not my choice for Best Picture. And who casts Vince Vaughn as a drill sergeant?? Seriously?

Hell or High Water – The Dude, Chris Pine, Ben Foster… some bank robberies and lots of dirt. Good flick, but not the best in this bunch. See it though. I liked it.

Hidden Figures – this is another story I’m glad was told. I had no idea that these women had a hand in getting our space program off the ground. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I don’t think it’s the best.

La La Land – Hands down my favorite movie I’ve seen in years. I’m not typically one for glossy romances, let alone musicals, but this movie is pure magic. It was shot in Cinemascope and from the opening sequence, it had me. This is a throwback to the old Hollywood that made me fall in love with movies. And yes, I actually loved the singing and dancing and even the mushy stuff. This year I will not agonize about my favorite vs. the critical darling because they are one in the same! With all the darkness out there, it was refreshing to have a little light. Anyway.. much more gushing over this one later.

Lion – The amazing true story of a little boy who gets separated from his family in India and adopted by an Australian family. I found this to be more interesting than I expected but it was probably my least favorite of this bunch.

Manchester by the Sea – This is a heartbreaking story of a man who is forced to confront a dark past to care for his nephew after his brother passes away unexpectedly. This is slow and sad and looks at how people deal with loss and grief. This is one I had to reflect upon a bit. Initially, I was not a fan, but it’s not meant to be the “feel good movie of the year” and it accomplishes what it sets out to do.

Moonlight – this is one I saw almost as soon as it came out, not knowing anything at all about it. I went in with no expectations and left pleasantly surprised. Again, not a “feel good” movie, but one that tells the story of a boy, growing up in a drug infested community with a mother who is an addict and a drug dealer as his role model. and father figure. It follows him through three stages in his life and the internal conflict he experiences as he learns who he is. See it.

Actress:

Isabelle Huppert – Elle – I wasn’t able to see this movie… it’s not available anywhere yet in the States, but she did win the Golden Globe so I think she has a shot.

Ruth Negga – Loving – Good movie… I’m surprised it didn’t get more nominations.

Natalie Portman – Jackie – I think she was good in this, but I found the character to be super annoying. I realize she was playing a real person… so maybe that means I would have found Jackie Kennedy to be super annoying? Anyway, not my favorite.

Emma Stone – La La Land – She’s my pick. Singing and dancing and being vulnerable in that way made me love her.

Meryl Streep – Florence Foster Jenkins – She can do no wrong… we all know this.

Supporting Actress:

Viola Davis – Fences – Hands down, no brainer, this is her night. She was AMAZING. She put Denzel in his place like her life depended on it. She will win and if she doesn’t it will be a travesty!

Naomi Harris – Moonlight – She was great as the crack addicted mother in this film. I also saw an interview with her later and realized she’s not American… accent was spot on. I would never had guessed!

Nicole Kidman – Lion – I’m not sure why she’s in this bunch. I like her, but I don’t get it this year.

Octavia Spenser – Hidden Figures – Another great performance from her, but Viola kicked her butt this go round.

Michelle Williams – Manchester by the Sea – I don’t think she got enough screen time to warrant a nomination. Sure, she was good when we saw her, but she didn’t make a huge impression for me.

Actor:

Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea – He gave a heart wrenching performance of an incredibly complicated character. It was more nuanced, less in your face than the other front runner and that is my reason for going with him. He gets my vote but I’ve read that there have been some recent harassment suits brought against him that may cause him to lose votes.

Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge – nope.

Ryan Gosling – La La Land – I don’t think he will win, but I need to say that he proved to be more than a pretty face (and perfect abs, etc, etc). He sang. He danced. And as I was leaving the theater, I immediately looked up whether or not he played his own piano to find that HE DID! I find that to be incredibly impressive. And can we talk about his speech at the Golden Globes where he thanked his lady for being home raising their daughters while he was making this movie? Love him.

Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic – I had no idea what this movie was until it was nominated and I really, really liked it. He plays a single father, living off the grid with his six children. I know that sounds riveting, but it was surprisingly sweet and funny and entertaining. I recommend it.

Denzel Washington – Fences – If Affleck doesn’t take it, it’s got to go to Denzel. He’s Denzel. And delivering those lines had to have been one hell of a challenge. Someone i feel it must be “easier” to be bold and boastful as he was in this performance vs quiet and subdued as Affleck was.

Supporting Actor:

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight – He’s my favorite to win. He’s that character you’re not supposed to like by the nature of what he does, but you find out that he’s a compassionate guy doing what he had to in order to survive.

Jeff Bridges – Hell of High Water – He’s THE DUDE! No other explanation necessary … you know that means he is, and always will be, awesome.

Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea – He’s the teenager dealing with the loss of his father and an uncertain future.

Dev Patel – Lion – He’s the lost Indian boy, all grown up and trying to find his family. I’m not sure who he was “supporting” though... he was the main guy in this movie...

Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals – He’s a cop with nothing to lose… (you know you want to read that in the “movie announcer voice”). Anyway, he is a great actor. Does great with creepy and/or crazy characters. This is not his year though. I wish this nomination had gone to his counterpart in this film, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, instead. He played a really good psychopath.

Animated Feature:

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana – I loved this, and I think it would win if not for Zootopia

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia – this is our winner

Cinematography:

Arrival

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Silence

Costume Design:

Allied

Fantastic Beasts and where to Find Them

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

Director:

Damien Chazelle – La La Land – yes, yes, yes a thousand times, yes, he should win. He also directed Whiplash (which was amazing… you should see it) and is likely becoming my new favorite director! He’s brave and only 32 years old. I’m looking forward to his long, beautiful, brilliant career!

Mel Gibson – Hacksaw Ridge – I’m just glad he wasn’t IN this movie. And I hold him responsible for the whole “Vince Vaughn as a drill sergeant” thing.

Barry Jenkins – Moonlight

Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea

Denis Villeneuve – Arrival

Documentary Feature:

Fire at Sea – about refugees fleeing the African coast for a small Italian island, and the people who rescue them

I am not your Negro

Life, Animated – this is about an autistic boy who grew up relating life to what he learned watching Disney movies. I liked it.

O.J:. Made in America – I think this will win due to its pure scope and scale. It literally goes on for days… (ok… 7 hours and 47 min but that felt like days..) and I did walk away having learned things I didn’t know about him and the murder trial.

The 13th – This is the one I secretly hope will win.

Documentary Short Film:

Extremis – about doctor’s helping terminally ill patients and their families make difficult end of life decisions

4.1 Miles – about Syrian refugee’s fleeing for a small Greek island

Joe’s Violin – about a 92 year old holocaust survivor’s violin which has been passed on to a young music student at a school for immigrant girls in the Bronx. As the one not about the refugee crisis, it stands out, which is why I think it will win.

Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets - about a group of men, former builders, tailors, blacksmiths, etc, who risk their lives volunteering to save civilians (from either side of the fight) in Aleppo as bombs fall around them. Everyone who believes that we should not allow refugees in to our country should see this movie. I realize that things are more complicated than that, but there is nothing complicated about parents not wanting to have to teach their toddlers the difference between the sound of a regular plane and the sound of one carrying bombs or not wanting to have to dig them out of a pile of concrete that used to be their home or school. I’ve heard the “if it’s so bad, they should leave” argument… but they need a place to go.

Film Editing:

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

La La Land – let’s keep this lovefest going…

Moonlight

Foreign Language Film:

Land of Mine

A Man Called Ove - really, really enjoyed this one.

The Salesman – for political reasons, I think this will win

Tanna

Toni Erdmann

Makeup and Hairstyling:

A Man Called Ove

Star Trek Beyond – because of the Spock ears and stuff. (BTW… I hate these movies)

Suicide Squad – I can’t believe I sat through this garbage.

Original Score:

Jackie

La La Land – YES! The music is as much a part of this movie as Stone and Gosling.

Lion

Moonlight

Passengers

Original Song:

Audition (The Fools Who Dream) – La La Land – I love this! And I had a really hard time between this and City of Stars…

Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Trolls – as much as I would like to see JT win an Oscar, I don’t think this will win, even if it is the only song in this bunch that most of you know.

City of Stars – La La Land – this is the one I’ve had stuck in my head since I saw the movie. I love it!

The Empty Chair – Jim: The James Foley Story

How Far I’ll Go – Moana – I want Lin-Manuel Miranda to win, but not this year

Production Design:

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar!

La La Land - the sets are amazing!

Passengers

Animated Short Film:

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pearl – this one is made to be viewed in virtual reality so its ground breaking and cool… I think it could win. But Piper is Pixar so...

Piper – will win… and it’s cute.

Live Action Short Film:

Ennemis Interieurs – this is about the interrogation of an Algerian man who has lived in France for years but is trying to gain official citizenship. I hope this doesn’t happen in real life but something tells me it is likely not far off from reality…

La Femme et la TGV-about a woman who lives alongside the tracks of a high speed train and strikes up a friendship with the train operator she’s never met.

Silent Nights – didn’t love it.

Sing – about a girl who wants to join her school choir and a teacher who is hell bent on them winning a competition. I really liked this one too.

Timecode - silly and weirdly sweet

Sound Editing:

Arrival

Deepwater Horizon – I sat through this garbage too. Marky Mark needs to go away

Hacksaw Ridge – this is where I throw this one a bone…

La La Land – if Hacksaw doesn’t take it

Sully

Sound Mixing:

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land – because it’s a musical

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Visual Effects:

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

The Jungle Book

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Adapted Screenplay:

Arrival

Fences – I’m torn…

Hidden Figures

Lion

Moonlight – I’m going with this, but Fences may take it.

Original Screenplay:

Hell or High Water

La La Land – again, torn, but…

The Lobster – quite possibly the weirdest movie I’ve ever enjoyed. Very, very strange.

Manchester by the Sea- I’m going with my gut and saying this is the winner

20th Century Women

Well, there you have it!

This year I’ve been fortunate enough to have brought a few more friends into the “watch all the movies” challenge and it’s been so much fun! Can’t wait to see what next year brings!

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mymoviesnob · 8 years

Text

A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars - 2016 Edition

It’s that time again ladies and gentlemen! The Academy Awards are upon us and this year I expect at least a few surprises.

Before I get to the nominees, I wanted to clear up a few questions I’ve been asked over the past few months as I’ve buried myself in movies and people have been curious.

Yes, I see every film, in every category… even if it’s a movie or genre that I don’t think I will enjoy, as long as I can get my hands on it - legally. I do not watch pirated/ bootleg copies. I won’t use YouTube. I watch what I can in the theater and on DVD or through one of many streaming services. Yes, that means I pay for the privilege of seeing these films, as I should (and so should everyone else).

Why? Because I genuinely love movies and I love that this marathon at the start of every year forces me to see movies I would not normally gravitate toward or even know existed. Over the years, I’ve found some really great films that I would have avoided like the plague if it weren’t for the nomination (hello, Argo).

When asked why I’m so against the pirated versions, my answer is always that if you really love these movies, why would you not want to support the making of them by forking over a few bucks? If we can spend $10+ a person to watch people blow shit up during the summer, and you appreciate the art of the films nominated for the highest honor in the industry, why not show them the same respect and hope that we’re lucky enough to have new filmmakers create them in the coming years? Anyway, enough with the soap box… but please don’t ever offer me a DVD copy of the latest box office hit that you conveniently picked up at the barber shop. I will probably smack you with it.

On to the movies.

This was a good year… lots of amazing movies and performances and a Best Picture race that has been all over the place when you look at how the other awards have been given out.

Best Picture

The Big Short - This is a dialogue heavy, fast moving film about the housing crisis. If for no other reason, see it to learn a few things. The cast is amazing and it has won top honors at other award ceremonies this season.

Bridge of Spies - I liked this, but not sure why it made it in to this category. Spielberg + Hanks = Nomination, I suppose.

Brooklyn - A nice love story about a nice Irish girl and a nice Italian boy in NY. Aside from the clothes and the cars, this didn’t do much for me. I’m too practical for a sappy story about happily ever after. I look forward to the sequel though… called “Long Island” and it will pick up with the characters in 10 years when they have each gained 20 pounds, are in debt, have several bratty kids and can barely stand each other.

Mad Max: Fury Road - If you haven’t seen this, love or hate the genre, it’s worth watching. Think impossibly long shots of freaky folks chasing each other through the desert. Oh, and explosions. And Tom Hardy.

The Martian - Well, I’ll start by saying, it was HILARIOUS! This is one I liked, despite being in the Science Fiction genre. I didn’t want to watch Sandra Bullock float around in space for two hours in Gravity either but Matt Damon is someone I don’t mind staring at so I thought, what the hell…? Two hours on Mars. Fun, right? And it was surprisingly entertaining.

The Revenant - My choice for Best Picture. I loved everything about the way this movie was done. DiCaprio, Hardy, the bear… the amazing landscapes and the intense conditions the cast and crew had to endure to make this thing. I loved that it kept my attention with very little script. I’m still amazed that it’s based on true events. I know this year it’s a tight race though, so we’ll see. Seriously though, that bear scene was no joke!

Room - The story about a young mother, held captive with her son. I liked this because it didn’t tie things up in a pretty bow and send you off happy. It shows the agony and desperation of being confined and the painful adjustment to follow when freed.

Spotlight- Great cast, great script and important subject matter. It’s been the sort of silent contender, winning quite a few other big prizes this season. I think this could steal the top award from The Revenant, but since I can only pick one, I stand by my choice.

Best Actor

Brian Cranston - Trumbo - Cranston is awesome. But he’ll always be Walter White to me.

Matt Damon - The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant - This HAS to be his year. He’s been nominated for great performances over and over again and there has always been some other actor who was just a little bit more amazing who takes the award, though always well deserved. Not this year. This year he blew away the competition. He traveled down a freezing river, ate raw buffalo liver, crawled inside a horse carcass and froze his perfect ass off for this movie.

Micheal Fassbender - Steve Jobs - I like Fassbender and I think his year will come. Though he looks nothing like the real life character he plays, he is convincing. I think there is something to be said for that.

Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl - he’s great… but not again this year.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett - Carol - She’s one of our great actresses and I’m sure she’ll see many more statues in time. I don’t see her taking one home tomorrow night.

Brie Larson - Room - Hands down, she’s the winner in this category. I can’t describe her performance. You just have to see it.

Jennifer Lawrence - Joy - I get it. We love JLaw and she’s a critcial darling… but she should not be here this year.

Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn – She’s young with a great career ahead of her. She’s already made some awesome small movies that are worth watching (check out Hanna) and she’s about to start The Crucible on Broadway. Safe to say we’ll be hearing from her again.

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale - The Big Short

Tom Hardy - The Revenant - Practically unrecognizable in this role and fantastic! He’s my new movie hero! He won’t beat Stallone but if he did, I wouldn’t be mad about it.

Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight - Every year I say I love him and every year I mean it. Someday he’ll get his… but not this year.

Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies - He was the best part of this film if you ask me. I don’t know if I’ve seen him before this but he made an impression as the Russian spy with the calm and steady demeanor.

Sylvester Stallone - Creed - He’s won practically everything else this season for his role as Rocky. I don’t expect this to be an exception.

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara - Carol

Rachel McAdams - Spotlight

Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl – Although Winslet won the Golden Globe, Vikander is favored to win, and she was also great in Ex Machina.

Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs - She was able to keep up with Aaron Sorkin’s script and tame Fassbender’s character. I think this category could go either way.

Best Director

Adam McKay - The Big Short

George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road – Directing this film had to be a challenge, and with little dialog to keep it moving, Miller literally kept us moving with shot after incredible shot.

Alejandro G Inarritu - The Revenant - He lived through hell (and made his cast and crew live through it along-side him), no matter how beautiful, to make this movie. For that reason, I think he will take home the Oscar.

Lenny Abrahamson - Room

Tom McCarthy - Spotlight

Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight – Based on true events, needing to do the real life victims of the scandal justice, I think this will win.

Straight Outta Compton

Adapted Screenplay

The Big Short – This movie brought complex financial practices to the people in fast moving dialog that was interesting and easy(ish) to consume. Queue Margot Robbie in a bubble bath explaining how certain mortgages work…

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room

Film Editing

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road- I’m honestly torn here… but I think Mad Max will win in the most of the editing/ effects categories.

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant – There was not a more spectacularly beautiful movie this year (at least not in terms of these nominees)

Sicario

Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out – All the way. Even if you do not have kids… even if you despise Disney… everyone should see this one. I hope they accept the statue in honor of Bing Bong.

Shaun the Sheep

When Marnie Was There

Animated Short Film

Bear Story – Personally I enjoyed this one the most and it’s won every honor known to man.

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

World of Tomorrow – this one is super out there and kind of sad… but worth the watch. These are after all, short.

Documentary Feature

Amy – I found this category to be the most difficult since all of the films were so different and the subject matter of some is far more impactful than others. While learning about groundbreaking musicians was entertaining, seeing people fight for their freedom is far more important. My gut says Amy will win. There was something about seeing Amy Winehouse as a brilliant young singer when the light in her eyes was still real instead of fueled by drugs and alcohol, the way she was went we were finally introduced to her in her career.

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom – my favorite of the year. How the filmmakers did not get shot making this, I have no idea.

Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau, Beyond the Lines

Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

Last Day of Freedom

Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One – This said it was inspired by a real interpreter and her experiences. I have to say this would have been my first and last day on the job…

Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut) – The shorts were heavy this year… and I have two favorites that I have been struggling to decide between. This one, about a father desperate to be with his daughter and …

Shok – about two friends trying to stay alive in the war in Kosovo. I think Shok will win.

Stutterer

Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Son of Saul – I was only able to get my hands on one of this year’s foreign films, which happened to be Theeb. But since Son of Saul has been the winner thus far in other races, I’m going with it for the Oscar as well.

Theeb

A War

Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Makeup and Hairstyling

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – See this movie!! I wouldn’t have known it existed except for this nomination and it was my pleasant surprise of the year.

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant – while the bear battle wounds and gnarly scalp must have taken quite a bit to put together, I’m going with Mad Max here.

Visual Effects

Ex Machina – I want this to win because it found it to be super cool… but going with Mad Max here too.

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens- I know lots of die-hard fans want Star Wars to take something home. This could be it, but we’ll see.

Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight – if it’s a Tarantino movie, the music is as important as any actor in the film.

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Original Song

Earned It

Manta Ray

Simple Song #3

‘Til It Happens to You

Writing’s On the Wall

And, for fun, a few extra thoughts and observations.

Honorable Mention in the Best Actor category goes to Michael B. Jordan for his role as Adonis in Creed. He wouldn’t beat DiCaprio but he deserved a nomination.

The award for hardest working actor goes to… Domhnall Gleeson. You probably don’t know his name, but you know his face if you’ve seen this year’s nominees. He was in Ex Machina, The Revenant, Star Wars: The Force Awakens AND Brooklyn. Dude must have a tremendous agent!

And lastly, one movie I stumbled upon (which would never make this list in a million years) and I wanted to bring your attention to… What We Do in the Shadows. If you like silly vampires, check this one out. It was light and fun and maybe the funniest thing I’ve seen this year.

Enjoy the ceremony! See you next year!

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mymoviesnob · 8 years

Text

A Movie Snob Predicts the Oscars - 2016 Edition

It’s that time again ladies and gentlemen! The Academy Awards are upon us and this year I expect at least a few surprises.

Before I get to the nominees, I wanted to clear up a few questions I’ve been asked over the past few months as I’ve buried myself in movies and people have been curious.

Yes, I see every film, in every category... even if it’s a movie or genre that I don’t think I will enjoy, as long as I can get my hands on it - legally. I do not watch pirated/ bootleg copies. I won’t use YouTube. I watch what I can in the theater and on DVD or through one of many streaming services. Yes, that means I pay for the privilege of seeing these films, as I should (and so should everyone else).

When asked why I’m so against the pirated versions, my answer is always that if you really love these movies, why would you not want to support the making of them by forking over a few bucks? If we can spend $10+ a person to watch people blow shit up during the summer, and you appreciate the art of the films nominated for the highest honor in the industry, why not show them the same respect and hope that we’re lucky enough to have new filmmakers create them in the coming years? Anyway, enough with the soap box... but please don’t ever offer me a DVD copy of the latest box office hit that you conveniently picked up at the barber shop. I will probably smack you with it.

On to the movies.

This was a good year... lots of amazing movies and performances and a Best Picture race that has been all over the place when you look at how the other awards have been given out.

Best Picture

Bridge of Spies - I liked this, but not sure why it made it in to this category. Spielberg + Hanks = Nomination, I suppose.

Brooklyn - A nice love story about a nice Irish girl and a nice Italian boy in NY. Aside from the clothes and the cars, this didn’t do much for me. I’m too practical for a sappy story about happily ever after. I look forward to the sequel though... called “Long Island” and it will pick up with the characters in 10 years when they have each gained 20 pounds, are in debt, have several bratty kids and can barely stand each other.

The Martian - Well, I’ll start by saying, it was HILARIOUS! This is one I liked, despite being in the Science Fiction genre. I didn’t want to watch Sandra Bullock float around in space for two hours in Gravity either but Matt Damon is someone I don’t mind staring at so I thought, what the hell...? Two hours on Mars. Fun, right? And it was surprisingly entertaining.

The Revenant - My choice for Best Picture. I loved everything about the way this movie was done. DiCaprio, Hardy, the bear... the amazing landscapes and the intense conditions the cast and crew had to endure to make this thing. I loved that it kept my attention with very little script. I’m still amazed that it’s based on true events. I know this year it’s a tight race though, so we’ll see. Seriously though, that bear scene was no joke!

Best Actor

Brian Cranston - Trumbo - Cranston is awesome. But he’ll always be Walter White to me.

Matt Damon - The Martian

Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl - he’s great... but not again this year.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett - Carol - She’s one of our great actresses and I’m sure she’ll see many more statues in time. I don’t see her taking one home tomorrow night.

Brie Larson - Room - Hands down, she’s the winner in this category. I can’t describe her performance. You just have to see it.

Jennifer Lawrence - Joy - I get it. We love JLaw and she’s a critcial darling... but she should not be here this year.

Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale - The Big Short

Tom Hardy - The Revenant - Practically unrecognizable in this role and fantastic! He’s my new movie hero! He won’t beat Stallone but if he did, I wouldn’t be mad about it.

Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight - Every year I say I love him and every year I mean it. Someday he’ll get his... but not this year.

Sylvester Stallone - Creed - He’s won practically everything else this season for his role as Rocky. I don’t expect this to be an exception.

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara - Carol

Rachel McAdams - Spotlight

Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl – Although Winslet won the Golden Globe, Vikander is favored to win, and she was also great in Ex Machina.

Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs - She was able to keep up with Aaron Sorkin’s script and tame Fassbender’s character. I think this category could go either way.

Best Director

Adam McKay - The Big Short

George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road – Directing this film had to be a challenge, and with little dialog to keep it moving, Miller literally kept us moving with shot after incredible shot.

Lenny Abrahamson - Room

Tom McCarthy - Spotlight

Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight – Based on true events, needing to do the real life victims of the scandal justice, I think this will win.

Straight Outta Compton

Adapted Screenplay

Brooklyn

Carol

The Martian

Room

Film Editing

The Big Short

Mad Max: Fury Road- I’m honestly torn here… but I think Mad Max will win in the most of the editing/ effects categories.

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Cinematography

Carol

The Hateful Eight

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant – There was not a more spectacularly beautiful movie this year (at least not in terms of these nominees)

Sicario

Production Design

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Animated Feature

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out – All the way. Even if you do not have kids… even if you despise Disney… everyone should see this one. I hope they accept the statue in honor of Bing Bong.

Shaun the Sheep

When Marnie Was There

Animated Short Film

Bear Story – Personally I enjoyed this one the most and it’s won every honor known to man.

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live Without Cosmos

World of Tomorrow – this one is super out there and kind of sad… but worth the watch. These are after all, short.

Documentary Feature

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom – my favorite of the year. How the filmmakers did not get shot making this, I have no idea.

Documentary Short

Body Team 12

Chau, Beyond the Lines

Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

Last Day of Freedom

Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria

Day One – This said it was inspired by a real interpreter and her experiences. I have to say this would have been my first and last day on the job…

Shok – about two friends trying to stay alive in the war in Kosovo. I think Shok will win.

Stutterer

Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Theeb

A War

Costume Design

Carol

Cinderella

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Makeup and Hairstyling

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – See this movie!! I wouldn’t have known it existed except for this nomination and it was my pleasant surprise of the year.

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant – while the bear battle wounds and gnarly scalp must have taken quite a bit to put together, I’m going with Mad Max here.

Visual Effects

Ex Machina – I want this to win because it found it to be super cool… but going with Mad Max here too.

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens- I know lots of die-hard fans want Star Wars to take something home. This could be it, but we’ll see.

Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Original Score

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight – if it’s a Tarantino movie, the music is as important as any actor in the film.

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Original Song

Earned It

Manta Ray

Simple Song #3

‘Til It Happens to You

Writing’s On the Wall

And, for fun, a few extra thoughts and observations.

Honorable Mention in the Best Actor category goes to Michael B. Jordan for his role as Adonis in Creed. He wouldn’t beat DiCaprio but he deserved a nomination.

And lastly, one movie I stumbled upon (which would never make this list in a million years) and I wanted to bring your attention to... What We Do in the Shadows. If you like silly vampires, check this one out. It was light and fun and maybe the funniest thing I’ve seen this year.

Enjoy the ceremony! See you next year!

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