The 96th Annual Oscars – Who WILL Win, and Who Should!

Well, it’s that time again.  Time to get a big bowl of something crunch and salty, pull up a screen and watch the Oscar awards telecast this Sunday!  Hard to believe it’s already That Time.

So, taking into account the last 3 years of “hmm…that’s pretty good for a Pandemic Year movie” this year’s offerings can stand on their own with ZERO qualifiers.  I’m very happy to be able to make that statement!  Let’s take a look at the Best Picture nominees:

Best Picture:

“Killers Of the Flower Moon” – Great movie from the great Martin Scorsese.

“Oppenheimer” – Incredible story!  And isn’t THAT why we go to the movies?

“Poor Things” – I mean…wow.  Really?  This is an early-60s Monster Movie wrapped in 21st Century Progressive ideology!

“Maestro” – A smart movie about a brilliant, talented American.

“The Holdovers” – About as wacky as Oscar ever gets. “Tuesdays With Morrie” meets “To Sir, With Love” kinda, sorta.

“Barbie” – Remember when THIS was the only contender?  Seems like 10 years ago.

“American Fiction” – This is a fantastic film!  Unfortunately, it won’t win this year.  Keep at it, Cord Jefferson.  Your time is coming.

“Anatomy Of A Fall” – French film, very Hitchcockian.

“Zone of Interest” – The producers of this one should practice saying “It’s an honor just to be nominated” because it IS but that’s it.

“Past Lives” – This is one of those “Notebook”-style love stories that are very well made but hardly ever win Oscars.

I think “Oppenheimer” will win, but “Poor Things” is my favorite.  Reminds me of those Ed Wood-Roger Corman sci-fi flicks!

Best Director:
Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer”, and that’s who SHOULD win.

Best Actress:
Lily Gladstone for her role as “Mollie Burkhart” in Killers Of the Flower Moon. Hands down.  But Emma Stone was AMAZING in “Poor Things”!  It just feels like Oscar Voters will feel like its too soon after her “La-La Land” win.  Plus, hey…Lily is just incredible!

Best Supporting Actress:
Who WILL win? Da’Vine Joy Randolph for “Holdovers”.  Who gets MY vote? Emily Blunt for “Oppenheimer”!

Best Actor:
Who will it be?  Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer”!  And that’s the right choice.  He just KILLED it!  Great performance!

Best Supporting Actor:
Who WILL win?  Probably Robert Downey Jr. And he deserves a win.  The whole time I was watching “Oppenheimer” I was thinking “He’s gonna get an Oscar for this” – BUT!  If Oscar had any courage, they’d give this one to Ryan Gosling for “Barbie”.  Wait!  If they had ANY courage, they’d give it to Willem Dafoe for “Poor Things”!!