The 93rd Annual Academy Awards are this weekend, and while a lot of these films are indeed really depressing (that story HERE), there are some good performances and some genuinely competitive contests to look forward to.
Let’s run down the major categories, followed by who I believe will win and who I would like to see win.
Best Picture:
Mank
The Trial Of The Chicago 7
The Sound Of Metal
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Nomadland
The Father
Judas And The Black Messiah
Nomadland is still the favorite and has been the entire way. I liked Promising Young Woman the best out of this field and while they’ve made a big PR push, it’s still an unlikely victory for anyone else in this field.
Who will win?: Nomadland
Who would I like to see win? Promising Young Woman
Best Actress:
Andra Day: The United States Vs. Billie Holliday
Vanessa Kirby: Pieces Of A Woman
Carey Mulligan: Promising Young Woman
Frances McDormand: Nomadland
Viola Davis: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Many are calling this the toughest overall field of the night, with reason to believe everyone has a chance to win here. And that’s for a good reason. Everyone here is great. Davis has made a strong push in this final month, but you still can’t ignore McDormand or even Day, who won the Golden Globe out of nowhere. Kirby is my favorite but at this point she could be the longest shot in the field.
Who will win? Viola Davis
Who I would like to see win? Vanessa Kirby
Best Actor:
Chadwick Boseman: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins: The Father
Riz Ahmed: The Sound Of Metal
Gary Oldman: Mank
Steven Yeun: Minari
It’s coming down to the two strongest performances in the field. Boseman and Hopkins are both worthy. But we’ve talked about how fans will be expecting a final moment for Boseman and how the broadcast could be in trouble if it doesn’t happen (story HERE).
Who should win? Chadwick Boseman.
Who I would like to see win?: Chadwick Boseman
Best Supporting Actress:
Glenn Close: Hillbilly Elegy
Amanda Seyfried: Mank
Olivia Colman: The Father
Maria Bakalova: Borat Subsequent Film
Youn Yuh-Jung: Minari
Just a while ago, Seyfried or Bakalova might have been considered the favorites, but Youn Yuh-Jung has had all of the momentum recently. There is an argument here to be made for everyone (don’t forget Colman or Close) but Yuh-Jung should have the moment.
Who should win?: Youn Yun-Jung
Who I would like to see win? Youn Yuh-Jung
Best Supporting Actor:
Daniel Kaluuya: Judas And The Black Messiah
Leslie Odom Jr: One Night in Miami
Sasha Baron Cohen: The Trial Of the Chicago 7
Lakeith Stanfield: Judas And The Black Messiah
Paul Raci: The Sound Of Metal
All signs point to Kaluuya here. And his performance was worthy. I’ll be rooting for Stanfield, just because he remains underrated in every film he’s in and also had a great outing.
Who should win? Daniel Kaluuya
Who I would like to see win? Lakeith Stanfield
Best Director:
Chloe Zhao: Nomadland
David Fincher: Mank
Emerald Fennell: Promising Young Woman
Lee Issac Chung Minari
Thomas Vinterburg Another Round
Zhao and Zhao. Nomadland is art on the screen. And while it is a very slow film, there are just some shots in this film that are incredible. The director’s eye is just so sharp here.
Who should win? Chloe Zhao
Who will win? Chloe Zhao
The Oscars will air on Sunday, at 8PM on ABC.