Production Design

Nominees:"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," "The Irishman," "1917," "Jojo Rabbit," "Parasite"

Capturing the spirit of timey Hollywood was the one element of Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt, that my squeamish step mother was drawn to. Although I adore Tarantino's expected efforts in pushing on screen gore past the standard threshold, I couldn't agree more with that point. Watching "Once..." in theaters felt innocent and smokey like much of Hollywood's early era. Dicaprio's car looked so special yet perfectly in place when it's driven across the city, and to learn that a freeway was closed for the production is a powerful demonstration of the filmmaking team's dedication and ability.

Should Win: "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

Costume Design

Nominees: "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," "Little Women," "The Irishman," "Jojo Rabbit," "Joker"

It would take lengths of time to understand and follow the evolutions of women's clothing. Ashamedly, history has focused on that area with great magnitude and criticism, but with that comes perfect eras to capture and represent in film. In "Little Women," we witness the class distinction by simply watching clothing change from character to character as their lives reach different points. Whether it's a ball in Europe, a meeting with a New York City publisher, or a holiday morning in the 60s, all these and more were connected seamlessly in Greta Gerwig's "Little Women."

Should Win: "Little Women"

Related: Check out Muska Olumi's "Little Women" review on ASU Odyssey.

Makeup and Hair

Nominees: "Bombshell," "Joker," "Judy," "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil," "1917"

Charlize Theron's transformation into Megyn Kelly is a scarily spot-on effort put on by the makeup department. To have multiple news outlets recognize and praise the depiction is outstanding for this area. Not only was Charlize Theron's makeup a standout for the portrayal of Megyn Kelly, but Nicole Kidman and John Lithgow as Gretchen Carlson and Roger Ailes, respectively.

Should Win: "Bombshell"

Original Screenplay

Nominees: "Marriage Story," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," "Parasite," "Knives Out," "1917"

I was satisfied with every nominee in this category. A hard choice, as all of these should be, but one that I still feel confident in predicting a winner for. For this category "Parasite" truly blew me away. It isn't always about the climactic twist when it comes to storytelling, but more so about the contributions made by the writer and why they ultimately matter to the characters and plot. There are wonderful payoffs in this story and especially in its climax. Parasite flips the switch on the intensity at the turn of a second and made this story one of the best out there of the decade.

Should Win: "Parasite"

Related: Check out Parasite and more on my Top 5 movies of 2019 on ASU Odyssey.

Cinematography

Nominees: "1917," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,""The Irishman," "Joker," "The Lighthouse"

One shot movies. The long take. There are numerous entries in this form of filmmaking over the years, but few stand out as superb as Sam Mendes's "1917." A factor of being awarded in this category is how euphoric the movie watching experience is upon immediately entering the theater. Intensity isn't turned away from and following two soldiers in the middle of war territory racing against time is a muddy, bloody adventure that is amazingly told as best as could be; From the first shot to the rolling credits, audiences witness the story right beside the troops who went endured it.

Should Win: "1917"

Related: Check out Sam Incorvaia's "1917" review on ASU Odyssey.

Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees: Antonio Banderas, "Pain and Glory," Leonardo DiCaprio, "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood," Adam Driver, "Marriage Story," Joaquin Phoenix, "Joker," Jonathan Pryce, "The Two Popes"

As Joaquin Phoenix was cast as the famous Batman villain Joker in his standalone movie "Joker," directed by Todd Phillips, people were critical of the actor's potential to match or maybe surpass the late Heath Ledger's masterful performance within "The Dark Knight" directed by Christopher Nolan. After the initial viewings, the response was obvious that Phoenix was a remarkable force pulling off the twisted role and giving the world a new Joker hold at a high tier. From reaching a piercing cry of laughter that sent chills through any listener, to maintaining tension and atmosphere with a look on his face, Phoenix gave a hell of a performance.

Should Win: Joaquin Phoenix, "Joker"

Related: Check out Brandon King's "Joker" review on ASU Odyssey.

Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees: Cynthia Erivo, "Harriet," Scarlett Johansson, "Marriage Story," Saoirse Ronan, "Little Women," Renée Zellweger, "Judy," Charlize Theron, "Bombshell"

Based on the book with the same name, Greta Gerwig's "Little Women," stars Saoirse Ronan portraying independent aspiring writer Jo March. She is one of four sisters who live day to day hoping to help others during the American Civil War era and discover themselves along the way. Ronan holds Jo's character together excellently while the world that surrounds women pressures the importance of marriage. Fending herself from a scornful aunt and internal debates over love and its qualms are tasks well befit for the strong actress like Ronan. Within "Little Women" Ronan exceeds at a range like that she's shown before in her previous nominations.

This is Ronan's fourth nomination for an Academy Award and third nomination in the category for Actress in a Leading Role!

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan "Little Women"

Best Picture

Nominees: "Ford v Ferrari," "The Irishman," "Jojo Rabbit," "Joker," "Little Women," "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood," "Marriage Story," "Parasite," "1917"

With a limited presence in American theaters, Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite" still made its way into every film conversation I had last Fall. Whether it was a recommendation, an analysis, or just an open discussion, the movie passed expectations placed on how best to tell a story framed around class division and societal prejudices. The actors worked together like one multi-operational device whenever they shared the screen, and the movie reintroduced the importance of blocking in each scene. The location was appropriate for the main focus of the film, the host being a rich upper city living family while the "parasite" in portrayal is the family that lives at the bottom of a city in a partially underground home. The beauty that was put into making "Parasite" is a special ingredient belonging to the filmmakers and because they shared it with the world I would be surprised if an Oscar wasn't awarded to the movie.

Should Win: "Parasite"