The 96th Academy Award Predictions
The 96th Academy Awards will be presented tonight, March 10th and if you have spent any time on twitter in the recent weeks, you will have no doubt seen many opinions and “hot takes” on who they feel should take the awards.
I am one of those individuals who has many thoughts on the nominees and who I feel should take the coveted trophies. So I would like to break down my thoughts and guesses on who I think will win, will win, and try to explain why.
Best Picture
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Oppenheimer
Why: There is very little standing in Oppenheimer’s way going into tonight’s awards. It has the drama and intensity that people have come to expect from political dramas, a stellar cast, and pristine direction from one of the best working directors of our time.
Best Actor
Will Win: Cillian Murphy
Should Win: Cillian Murphy
Why: There is no doubt that Paul Giamatti is spectacular in The Holdovers and I was certain he was going to take the Oscar but the build up to the awards has made me question his chances. Murphy gives a monumental performance as Robert J. Oppenheimer and he deserves everything that is coming to him.
Best Actress
Will Win: Emma Stone
Should Win: Emma Stone
Why: There is no denying that Lily Gladstone gave a remarkable performance in Killers of the Flower Moon but this is the year of Emma Stone. Her performance in Poor Things is THE performance of the year.
Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Robert Downey Jr.
Should Win: Robert Downey Jr.
Why: He was the best of the best this year. Full stop.
Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Should Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Why: From her heartbreaking portrayal of Mary to the love and admiration that has been showered on her, this is the year of Randolph.
Best Director
Will Win: Christopher Nolan
Should Win: Christopher Nolan
Why: There has rarely been a win that has felt so right in this category and it is time to give Nolan his dues.
Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Anatomy of a Fall
Should Win: Anatomy of a Fall
Why: The subtlety, the courtroom drama, and the uncertain ending all give this screenplay the edge to Justine Triet and Arthur Harris screenplay.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Poor Things
Why: Oppenheimer is a tough adaptation but bringing Poor Things to the screen is a true feat and I feel like it just edges out Oppenheimer.
Best Cinematography:
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Oppenheimer
Why: From the mixture of black and white to the sensational visuals when the atomic explosion occurs, there is rarely a flaw in Hoyte van Hoytema’s work.
Best Animated Film
Will Win: The Boy and the Heron
Should Win: The Boy and the Heron
Why: Studio Ghibli has created another magnum opus and it should take the trophy, even though Spider-man was amazing to view.
Best Sound
Will Win: The Zone of Interest
Should Win: The Zone of Interest
Why: There is nothing that comes near the power of the sound in The Zone of Interest. The juxtaposition of what we see vs what we hear within this heart wrenching film is a triumph.
Best Visual Effects
Will Win: Godzilla Minus One
Should Win: Godzilla Minus One
Why: One word: Godzilla.
Best Production Design:
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Poor Things
Why: The visual production design of Poor Things is sensationally beautiful and haunting. Blending reality and fantasy, it should be the front runner.
Best Music (Song)
Will Win: What Was I Made For?
Should Win: What Was I Made For?
Why: Ever since it debuted, it has been THE SONG to beat. From the haunting melody to the sublime vocals of Billie Eilish, how could it lose?
Best Music (Score)
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Oppenheimer
Why: From the deep base to the horrifying violin strings, Ludwig Göransson’s score is a masterclass in transporting the audience to new heights.
Best Makeup and Hair
Will Win: Maestro
Should Win: Poor Things
Why: Everyone talks about how amazing the makeup on Bradley Cooper was but the transformative work in Poor Things is the clear winner to me.
Best International Feature
Will Win: The Zone of Interest
Should Win: The Zone of Interest
Why: There is no other film this year that provided the level of horror and emotional responses in it’s audience, than The Zone of Interest.
Best Editing
Will Win: Oppenheimer
Should Win: Oppenheimer
Why: From the cutaway scenes to the transitions from one segment to the next, Jennifer Lame created a sensational film with Nolan’s guidance.
Best Costume Design
Will Win: Barbie
Should Win: Poor Things
Why: Many people have claimed that Barbie should be the front runner but it feels like a throw away to hand it to the team who didn’t have to create anything from scratch. Yes, they did well in re-creating previous work for humans but it feels like a cop out. Poor Things was required to create a whole world that didn’t necessarily feel real and for that, they deserve it.
As I did not view any of the documentary pieces, I will not be comments on those.
What are your thoughts? Make sure to check back after the awards for my thoughts!
