For most film lovers like myself, the Academy Awards are our night to geek out with reckless abandon. It's a time to see all of our favorite artists ranging from actors, actresses and directors all the way to cinematographers and editors at their most glamorous. Though they can be problematic and in need of a major restructuring, the Oscars acknowledge such a wide range of achievements that almost all parts of the cinematic process get their time to shine.
Here are my predictions for some of the major Oscar categories, and how I think my favorite films from the past year will do.
Best Picture
Nominees: "The Big Short," "Bridge of Spies," "Brooklyn," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "The Martian," "The Revenant," "Room" and "Spotlight"
My Prediction: "The Revenant"
"The Revenant" is an absolute powerhouse this year. It's nominated in every category it can be, and if the success of "Birdman" at last year's Academy Awards is any indication, it's going to do very well. "Spotlight" and "The Martian" are my favorites in this category, but as much as I would love them to win I don't know how well they can compete.
Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees: Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Fassbender and Eddie Redmayne
My Prediction: Matt Damon
I want this to be the year that Leo wins his Oscar and the internet melts down just as much as everyone else but I have a feeling it won't happen. Leo's performance in "The Revenant" was fantastic, but he has substantial competition. Matt Damon was beyond charming and dynamic in "The Martian," and Eddie Redmayne gave a beautiful performance in "The Danish Girl." This is a tough race to call, but I personally feel like Damon's performance had more to offer. I hope I'm wrong and Leo gets the award he's deserved for so long.
Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees: Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlotte Rampling and Saoirse Ronan
My Prediction: Brie Larson
I am rooting for Brie Larson so hard in this category. I've loved her work for years, especially her performance as Envy Adams in "Scott Pilgrim." Her performance was breathtaking, and she seems so passionate about it in every interview she's done. As much as I love Cate Blanchett with my whole heart, I want Larson to take this one home. However, I wouldn't mind Saoirse Ronan winning and shaking things up one bit.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Mark Ruffalo, Mark Rylance and Sylvester Stallone
My Prediction: Mark Ruffalo
This category actually disappointed me quite a bit this year. There were actors in some other films that should have been nominated or even other actors in these movies. I want Mark Ruffalo to win, and I think he has a good shot, but I would have preferred Michael Keaton be nominated for "Spotlight." Also, "The Big Short" had a great cast. Christian Bale was great, but Steve Carrel and Ryan Gosling were equally as fantastic
Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rooney Mara, Rachel McAdams, Alicia
Vikander and Kate Winslet
My Prediction: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance in "The Hateful Eight" was my favorite of the whole year. She went above and beyond from start to finish, and this made her performance beyond brilliant. Rachel McAdams and Alicia Vikander also had wonderful performances, but Leigh brought more to the table.
Cinematography
Nominees: "Carol," "The Hateful Eight," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "The Revenant" and "Sicario"
My Prediction: "Mad Max: Fury Road"
I adored "Mad Max," and I want it to be a huge upset and take away everything it can, but I think the technical categories is where it will shine. I know that Quentin Tarantino put his heart and soul into "Hateful Eight," and it was a beautiful film, but the shots in "Mad Max" were absolutely stellar. The gorgeous camera work is what propelled this movie, that is essentially one long car chase, into so much more.
Directing
Nominees: "The Big Short," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "The Revenant," "Room" and "Spotlight"
My Prediction: "The Revenant"
Again, I would love "Spotlight" or "Mad Max" to take this, but I don't think they can measure up to the hype "The Revenant" has gained. If it does win, Alejandro González Iñárritu will be only the third director to win in this category two consecutive years in a row.
What are your Oscar predictions for this year? Will you be watching? Let us know!
