Oscar Predictions 2015

Oscar Sunday is almost here!  Which means we are all making our guesses and predictions on what films will go down in history as Oscar winners.  Personally, I think this year has been a bit bland, but let’s have fun with it anyway.

First off, let’s have some fun and pretend this is before 2010 again, where only 5 films were nominated for best picture for the past 65 years.  If only five films could be nominated for best picture, this year’s list would only include

Spotlight                  Mad Max                    Room                    The Big Short          The Revenant

Personally, I hate to cut Brooklyn off, but I think it would have been cut because 1. some might see it as a bit straight forward and underwhelming and 2. Mad Max and Room already have female protagonists and Hollywood is still pretty sexist.  A quirky movie about white guys betting on the collapse of the American economy would probably be seen as “more important” than the story of an Irish immigrant girl.  Bridge of Spies is pretty bland and The Martian isn’t serious enough.  These are only my opinions about how The Academy would have whittled it down, just for shits, giggles and food for thought.

Anyway, here are my Oscar predictions:

Animated Feature

Honestly, I’ve only seen Inside Out, but I so love Inside Out. And it is the only other nominated film that also has another nomination (original screenplay).  Pixar will take it again.

Production Design

Mad Max: Fury Road is my bet.  The world created is so crazy, beautiful and immersive.  I love all the details.  Honestly, I’ll be kinda pissed if I’m wrong here.

Makeup and Hairstyling:

I think this is a toss-up between Mad Max and The Revenant.  Both excel here in very different ways.  If I had to choose, I’d go with Mad Max simply because there are so many different characters with many different styling needs.

Visual Effects

All these movies are so worthy of nomination, but Mad Max stands above and beyond here.  

Film Editing

I’m never good at predicting this category.  The Big Short has the most stylized editing, Star Wars does such a good job that it feels like one of the old trilogy, but I feel like both of those seem too obvious.  I imagine there is so much going on in Mad Max that the editing must have been exhausting.  Chalk up another for my love, Mad Max.

Cinematography

I think The Revenant will overpower Mad Max on this one, just barely though

Adapted Screenplay

To me, the way The Big Short was written is simply what makes it great.

Original Screenplay

Maybe it’s because I watch it 3 times a week with my son, maybe it’s because I’m still not over Bing Bong, but I would love to see Inside Out win this.  I think it is by far the most inventive and imaginative film and it works because of the perfectly woven story.  

Supporting Actress

I know she’s a long-shot, but I loved Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Hateful Eight.  

Supporting Actor

Ugh, I find it sad that no one really stands out for me here.  I’d bet on Tom Hardy in The Revenant.

Actress

Unfortunately, I’ve only seen Room and Brooklyn, so I don’t haven’t seen a majority of the performances.  I loved Brie Larson in room, maybe she can pull ahead of Lawrence and Blanchette who have already won before.

Actor

THIS IS LEO’S YEAR! 

Director:

As much as I would love to see George Miller win for Mad Max, I think Alejandro González Iñárritu has it in the bag this year, again. But really, I want to see some women nominated next year, dammit.

Best Picture

This year comes down to two outstanding films- Mad Max and The Revnant

What I think should win: Mad Max: Fury Road

What I think will win: The Revenant

While The Academy did rightfully nominate Fury Road in all its awesome glory, I think it is too rough around the edges, not refined enough for this crop of voters to bring home the big trophy.  The Revenant is just as well done, a lot less colorful and little less crazy.  They’ll play it safe.  

But years from now, which of these movies will be remembered?  I plan to take my son to the Mad Max: Fury Road 20th edition re-release (let me know when tickets are on sale).  And we’ll talk about the tragedy and triumph of Room, laugh about how The Martian is nothing like the recent Mars expeditions, and forget about the rest.  I hope we all have such high hopes for the future. 

Whatever the outcome on Sunday, I wish all of you a happy Oscar night!