As the film award season begins to draw to a close, the finest night in all of Hollywood is finally approaching: The 88th Annual Academy Award Awards. As a movie-lover, this night can be one of the most exciting/disappointing nights of the year. While seeing a film get the praise it deserves is a spectacular moment, seeing an snub can make throwing something at the TV sound like the best possible response.
Overall, its a great night for film and I couldn't be more excited. Here is a list of what I want to win as well as what I think will actually win the big awards this Sunday night.
Best animated feature film:
Inside Out
When Marnie Was There
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Shaun the Sheep Movie
What Should Win:
Inside Out
What Will Win:
Inside Out
While "Anomalisa" was a film that took critics by storm, I don't think it's enough to beat the tremendously intelligent and entertaining "Inside Out." Pixar came back in a major way with this animated masterpiece, and I can't see it losing to any of the other nominees.
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)
Christian Bale (The Big Short)
Tom Hardy (The Revenant)
Who Should Win:
Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
Who Will Win:
Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
If you haven't gotten a chance to see "Creed," do it. Not only will you be convinced that Sylvester Stallone ("Rocky") delivers not only his best, but the best supporting performance of the year as well. He's unlike anything you've seen him as before and both Hollywood and overall audiences seem to agree.
Actress in a Supporting Role:
Rooney Mara (Carol)
Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight)
Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)
Who Should Win: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Who Will Win: Kate Winslet
While I never saw "Steve Jobs," I've heard Kate Winslet ("Titanic") was incredible in her role. She is a fantastic actress and I have no doubt that reciting screenwriting Aaron Sorkin's ("The Social Network") helped her out a bit. But Jennifer Jason Leigh's ("The Machinist") performance as a no-good outlaw in "The Hateful 8" was something special. She was terrifying, disgusting, hilarious, mellow, and just a classic Tarantino character. It would be great to hear her named announced this year, but I don't think there's much of a shot.
Best Director:
Alejandro Iñárritu (The Revenant)
George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)
Adam McKay (The Big Short)
Lenny Abrahamson (Room)
Who Should Win:
George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Who Will Win:
Alejandro Iñárritu (The Revenant)
First off, I want to say that "The Revenant" showcased some of the finest directing I've ever witnessed. Iñárritu has officially proven himself to be one of the best directors of late and I have no doubt that he will continue to be mentioned in awards seasons for years to come. However, for a 70 year old man to make one of the most chaotic and exciting action films of all time is something to celebrate. George Miller's ("Mad Max") "Mad Max: Fury Road" was nothing short of an action-packed masterpiece and I think returning to his former franchise and raising the stakes to this level deserves recognition.
Actor in a leading role:
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
Matt Damon (The Martian)
Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
Bryan Cranston (Trumbo)
Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)
Who Should Win:
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
Who Will Win:
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
I mean the man ate the liver of a Buffalo and swam in freezing cold water... Just give him his damn Oscar already.
Actress in a leading role:
Brie Larson (Room)
Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)
Cate Blanchett (Carol)
Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
Who Should Win:
Brie Larson (Room)
Who Will Win:
Brie Larson (Room)
Sadly I haven't gotten a chance to check out "Room," but from what I've heard, Brie Larson's ("Short Term 12") performance as a mother who raised her son within one room is nothing short of remarkable. I've seen a few clips and scenes, and even in these short moments, there is so much depth and emotion. Especially between Larson and her son played by Jacob Tremblay. I'm seeing this as her year, and I also can only imagine her career is going to take off since this film got so much attention.
Best picture:
Spotlight
The Revenant
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Room
The Martian
What Should Win:
Spotlight
What Will Win:
The Revenant
Maybe it's just the Boston in me, but I think "Spotlight" is deserving of the big award. Not only does the film tell such an important story, but it executes it in such a unique and stylistic way. This movie could have been a by-the-numbers investigative story, but instead it captured a cities essence, along with the disturbing events that occurred within it. Each performance from the stellar cast is better then the last, and director Tom McCarthy has officially caught my eye as an up and coming director. That being said, I can't deny the quality of "Revenant," nor how much effort it took to make. While I think the Academy would wrong in giving it Best Picture, its a close second in my opinion.
