My Oscar Picks

(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.