Happy Oscar Sunday! Or as it may come to be known, La La Landpalooza.
While tonight’s results may seem set in stone until those envelopes are opened all the nominees are still potential winners…and who knows there may even be some surprises.
Right now we can all relish in the unknown, and remember that the only certainty about tonight is that someone will win in each category and that things will get political.
Another certainty is that the 2WC will be providing you with our picks for tonight’s awards. We’re going big again this year and making picks in all 24 categories.
Full disclosure, some of the more obscure ones are based on things like the title of the film, the movie poster, or one of the nominee’s names sounding like they’d be a cool dude to hang out with.
Fair warning, it could get ugly, but that’s part of the fun, right? So, without further ado, here are our picks for the 89th Academy Awards.
Best Writing (Original Screenplay):
Zer: “Manchester by the Sea” — I realize that “La La Land” is nominated in this category, but I also don’t think they have the strongest screenplay. “Manchester by the Sea,” is complex, moving and surprising.
Stephanie: “Manchester by the Sea”—I won’t be stunned if “La La Land” takes this…but Kenneth Lonergan has a bit of an upper hand here.
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Zer: “Moonlight” — I think the Academy wants to acknowledge “Moonlight” for the impact it has had and will have. This and another category (you’ll see when you get to it) are how they’ll give “Moonlight” its due respect while still celebrating “La La Land.”
Stephanie: “Fences” —There’s a good chance that “Moonlight” will win this won, but I cannot deny the power of August Wilson, who adapted his play before his death in 2005. This feels like a wonderful tribute to his collection of work.
Best Supporting Actor:
Zer: Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”) — The Academy LOVES Jeff Bridges, but it would be a major upset of Mr. Ali didn’t take this category. “Moonlight” is full of amazing acting, but his (and Naomie Harris) stand out as a stereotype-busting tour de force.
Stephanie: Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”)—This role is amazing and Mahershala acts the crap out of it (technical term).
Best Costume Design:
Zer: Madeline Fontaine (“Jackie”) — Lots of research and recreated and reimagined outfits of a beloved first lady…need I say more?
Stephanie: Madeline Fontaine (“Jackie”)—I’ll echo Zer’s sentiments, and I’m a sucker for research.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling:
Zer: Joel Harlow and Richard Alonzo (“Star Trek Beyond”) — Have you seen Captain Kirk’s hair?
Stephanie: Joel Harlow and Richard Alonzo (“Star Trek Beyond”) — Space and sci-fi, the ultimate winning combo for makeup and hair.
Best Foreign Language Film:
Zer: “The Salesman” (Iran)
Stephanie: “The Salesman” (Iran)
Best Live Action Short Film:
Zer: “Sing”
Stephanie: “Ennemis Intérieurs”
Best Documentary Short Subject:
Zer: “The White Helmets”
Stephanie: “Extremis”
Best Sound Mixing:
Zer: “Arrival”
Stephanie: “Arrival”
Best Sound Editing:
Zer: “Arrival”
Stephanie: “Arrival”
Best Supporting Actress:
Zer: Viola Davis (“Fences”) — It really is a shame that Ms. Davis’s character is deemed supporting. She’s the heart and soul of “Fences,” and has earned every inch of this award.
Stephanie: Viola Davis (“Fences”) —I’ll refer you to my love letter…I mean my review of “Fences.”
Best Visual Effects:
Zer: Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon (“The Jungle Book”) — It really is amazing what’s being done in the world of visual effects, and if there was any justice in the world, everyone in this category would win. However, what “The Jungle Book” managed to pull offsets it apart from the other movies in this category. They created an entire world, full of dazzling colors, sites, and sounds. It’s a little heartbreaking to know that with the exception of Mowgli and a few small set pieces, it’s completely imaginary. Of course, it’s also beyond impressive…and why “The Jungle Book” will win.
Stephanie: Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon (“The Jungle Book”) — Ditto.
Animated Short Film:
Zer: “Piper” — It’s adorable and Pixar…and the only one I’ve seen.
Stephanie: “Piper” — It’s a practically unbeatable combination—Pixar and adorable.
Best Animated Feature Film:
Zer: “Moana” — Call it blind loyalty, but I have to go with the Disney princess movie on this one. I was wrong at the Golden Globes, and the other Disney flick, “Zootopia” took home to prize, but I just can’t give up hope that “Moana” will surprise nearly all the Oscar predictions.
Stephanie: “Zootopia” — I’m rooting for “Moana,” but I think “Zootopia” has this one. And truth be told, they’re both wonderful films.
Best Production Design:
Zer: “La La Land” — Nothing to say here other than it’s “La La Land’s” night.
Stephanie: “La La Land” — If nothing else (and there’s plenty else)…it’s visually stunning.
Best Cinematography:
Zer: “La La Land” — I want “Moonlight” to win this category, but I don’t see it happening. “La La Land” deserves this for its opening number’s choreography alone, and since there’s not a choreography category,I suppose it seems fair that they take this category instead.
Stephanie: “La La Land” — Again…stunning.
Best Film Editing:
Zer: Tom Cross (“La La Land”)
Stephanie: Tom Cross (“La La Land”)
Best Documentary Feature:
Zer: “I Am Not Your Negro”
Stephanie: “I Am Not Your Negro”
Best Original Song:
Zer: “How Far I’ll Go” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Moana”) — I know, I’m going against “La La Land” on this one, which is basically Oscar picks suicide, but if anyone can beat “La La Land” it’s the current King of Broadway, Mr. Miranda. It also doesn’t hurt that he has the Mouse on his side. “La La” may have some momentum, but Disney and the Academy have a history…plus I can’t help but root for the possibility of an EGOT.
Stephanie: “How Far I’ll Go” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Moana”) — Say it with me: EGOT.
Best Original Score:
Zer: “La La Land” — Do I even need to explain this one? …I sure hope not.
Stephanie: “La La Land” — A no brainer.
Best Director:
Zer: Damien Chazelle (“La La Land”) — The film may have been overhyped by some of its more dedicated fans, but that doesn’t make Mr. Chazelle work any less impressive. From beginning to end, “La La Land,” embodies old Hollywood charm with a modern edge, and this cohesive story is due to Mr. Chazelle’s vision. “La La Land,” will not sweep the Oscars in with their 14 nominations, but this category is one that they most certainly will claim.
Stephanie: Damien Chazelle (“La La Land”) — Kenneth Lonergan may upset in this category…but that would be a huge surprise.
Best Actor:
Zer: Casey Affleck (“Manchester by the Sea”) — I would love for Viggo Mortensen to come out of left field and steal this category, but my gut tells me that this one will go to Mr. Affleck. His performance in “Manchester” is Oscar-worthy, and I don’t see the majority of Academy members holding his personal legal battles and transgressions against him.
Stephanie: Casey Affleck (“Manchester by the Sea”) — Ditto on Viggo, and I wouldn’t be opposed to a Gosling upset, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else upsetting this gutwrenching performance.
Best Actress:
Zer: Emma Stone (“La La Land”) — Honestly, there’s always a chance that Meryl or Isabelle Huppert (French Meryl) could win, but I think this is Ms. Stone’s to win or lose.
Stephanie: Emma Stone (“La La Land”) — I imagine this will be the first of many for habitually fantastic Ms. Stone.
Best Picture:
Zer: “La La Land” — If there is an upset, it will either be “Moonlight” or “Hidden Figures,” but I really don’t see that happening. It may not be a game changing film like some of the other nominees, but it’s success speaks to a world looking for a little bit of brightness. If people find that in “La La Land,” it’s hard to argue that it d
Stephanie: “La La Land” — I’m rooting for an upset, not because I don’t love this movie, but because the Oscars are WAY too predictable…but we shall see.
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