(I know the ceremony was last night – Damn, Will Smith! – but I had these picks done by last Wednesday night, as the weekend was going to be busy).
BEST PICTURE-Belfast-feel good film amongst a turbulent era – timely, given Ukraine-directed and written by one of the best thespians of his generation. I think it’s a shoo-in.
BEST ACTOR–Will Smith – I hear good things about Andrew Garfield, but I think Will killed it.
BEST ACTRESS-Jessica Chastain – haven’t heard much buzz for anyone else
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR –JK Simmons – everyone loves him and he’s been everywhere this awards season.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-I think Ariana DeBose has it; she’s won everything else.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – See Best Picture
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY – I think Coda gets it because it’s not going to get anything else.
BEST DIRECTOR – Jane Campion – People have gushed over her work, and she won the DGA award, which often mirrors the Academy.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM – Drive My Car is getting all the buzz, so I think it wins, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Flee Takes it.
BEST SONG – Billie Eilish – it’s a haunting song and it’s Bond – they’ve won the last two Oscars in this category, I think they get the trifecta
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE – Everyone loved Encanto but Mitchell vs the Machines is hailed as entertaining with a more powerful message. That’s my pick.
VISUAL EFFECTS, CINEMATOGRAPHY & SCORE – Dune – good sci-fi seems to get all the technical awards, but never the big ones. That trend continues here.