Image Credit: AMPAS
As award season comes to a close, one of film’s most prestigious awards will be given out this Sunday! The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California once again plays host to the 91st Academy Awards ceremony. This year the show will be host-less, and there’s bound to be some surprises and big moments. Once again, here at the The Hudsucker we try our best to predict the winners in each of the major categories.
For the seventh year in a row, our resident cinephiles share their thoughts on the nominees, as well as who they feel was snubbed and who they’d like to see win each category.
Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Best Picture
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice
Predicted Winner: Green Book
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Roma (also receiving votes: Black Panther and A Star is Born)
Best Actor
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Predicted Winner: Rami Malek
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Bradley Cooper (also receiving votes: Christian Bale and Rami Malek)
Best Actress
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Predicted Winner: Glenn Close
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Yalitza Aparicio (also receiving votes: Lady Gaga and Melissa McCarthy)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice
Predicted Winner: Mahershala Ali
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Adam Driver (also receiving votes: Mahershala Ali and Richard E. Grant)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Image Credit: Annapurna Pictures
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Predicted Winner: Regina King
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Regina King (also receiving votes: Amy Adams)
Best Director
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War
Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Adam McKay, Vice
Predicted Winner: Alfonso Cuarón
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Alfonso Cuarón (also receiving votes: Spike Lee)
Best Animated Feature
Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Predicted Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The Hudsucker’s Choice: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Best Original Song
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
“All the Stars” (Black Panther)
“I’ll Fight” (RBG)
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” (Mary Poppins Returns)
“Shallow” (A Star is Born)
“When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs)
Predicted Winner: “Shallow” (A Star is Born)
The Hudsucker’s Choice: “Shallow” (also receiving votes: “All the Stars”)
Snubs
Crazy Rich Asians
Liz says:
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The fact that “Crazy Rich Asians” failed to receive a single nomination from the Academy proves that despite all the talk about championing diverse stories in film, the art and the hard work that goes into it is far from being fully appreciated. How can you forget Michelle Yeoh’s scene-stealing Eleanor Young for Best Supporting Actress? This groundbreaking film should have at least received recognition in the categories of Production Design and Costume Design.
Tania says:
“Crazy Rich Asians” was one of 2018’s most celebrated films, beloved by so many and surprisingly didn’t pick up a single nomination. That is just honestly, downright garbage. Representation matters and for a film to hit it out of the park in just about every category from performances to soundtrack, to directing and production, I am baffled it got no love. When the Oscars snubs films like this it makes it feel as if they just don’t care about the impact of movies and their numerous vessels or aspects in quality storytelling.
Bo Burnham
Alex says:
There is definitely no shortage of celebrities who have made a name for themselves that got their start on YouTube. And while some of their antics may make you roll your eyes, that definitely is not the case with Bo Burnham. His film “Eighth Grade” was hailed by critics for the original screenplay that was written by Bo and has a score of 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Bo also directed the film which makes its absence at the Oscars all the more shocking. Bo doesn’t seem phased by it, stating, “Have fun at the Oscars, losers!” after recently winning an award for Best Original Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America Awards. A win that should make the Oscars all the more embarrassed they snubbed him.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Katherine says:
Image Credit: Focus Features
I was absolutely shocked when “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” didn’t receive a nomination for Best Documentary. The film showed great insight into the life of Fred Rogers and the creation and sometimes controversy surrounding “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” It showed that he wasn’t always a perfect person but that he did have a genuine love and care for children. When I saw it, there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater at the end! Both audiences and critics loved the film, and though this was a good year for documentary films, it definitely deserved a nomination.
Bradley Cooper/Best Director
Nicole says:
I’ve loved Bradley Cooper since “Alias.” I really want him to win Best Actor. He and Ryan Coogler also both deserved Best Director nominations for their amazing work.
A Quiet Place
Tania says:
“A Quiet Place” was arguably one of the best movies from the first quarter of 2018 and needed the perfect sound mix to work, which is why it’s such a travesty it didn’t pick up a nomination for Best Sound Mixing. Being so light on dialogue, the sounds gave great importance to the story and its depth to elevate emotion and scares, and that was an inventive aspect in redefining the genre. That said, it did get a nod for Best Sound Editing, so maybe something’s better than nothing.
Some Final Thoughts on the Nominees Before the Show:
Tania says:
Image Credit: Focus Features
I would be really upset and broken up if Adam Driver didn’t win for Best Supporting Actor. I think he is such a fantastic, underrated actor, it would be such a shame if his performance in “BlacKkKlansman” was overlooked by the Academy. Working with some of the industry’s most prolific filmmakers in the span of a decade, the former theatre actor brings something unique and refreshing to every role of his and this was no different. Playing an undercover detective in the KKK, Driver honed in on that role most precisely and charmingly, while helping to give gravitas and depth to the film’s message. He’s incredible and I would really like to see him in more roles and an Oscar win would be the stepping stone for his captivating versatility.
Elizabeth says:
Though “If Beale Street Could Talk” is nominated for its screenplay and score, this beautiful film directed by Barry Jenkins was snubbed in terms of nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, along with acting nods for other members of the cast. The film deserves an Academy Award and Best Supporting Actress nominee Regina King is their best bet at the prize. Her portrayal of a mother who is willing to sacrifice everything for her family was astonishing, and the incredible King deserves all the acclaim she is receiving this awards season.
Alex says:
Christian Bale has transformed his body for numerous roles in his career. Whether it is shrinking down for “The Machinist” or bulking up to play Batman. Bale changed up his look once again to play Dick Chaney in the film “Vice” but his performance is just as impressive as the physical change. The film is well represented at the Oscars including, but not limited to, Amy Adams being nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Sam Rockwell for Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay by Adam McKay, and Best Picture. But none of those awards will seem as fulfilling if Bale does not come away with his rightfully earned award for his incredible performance.
Katherine says:
Image Credit: Marvel Studios
It’s highly unlikely, but I really hope “Black Panther” wins Best Picture. It’s a movie that transcends the superhero genre, and its cultural impact cannot be overstated. Its Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture win gives me a hope that it has a shot to take home the top prize at the Oscars, even though many voters will always look down on superhero movies. A win would send an important message at a critical time in America, plus its storyline, acting, costumes, cinematography, and score make it more than deserving of a win.
Nicole says:
I’m going to be so mad if “Black Panther” doesn’t win. That movie was an incredible film, not just a great superhero movie.
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Now that we’ve given you our thoughts, we’d love to hear yours! Who do you think will take home the golden statue at the 91st Academy Awards? Think we got it right? Or do you think we’re way off the mark? Who do you think was snubbed and what award are you most looking forward to?
Leave us a comment and let us know who you think will win big at the Oscars this Sunday! And please come back on Sunday after the show to share your thoughts on the results in the comments.
The Oscars air live on Sunday Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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