It’s here, crusaders! Oscar Sunday is here!
It’s been quite the journey and if the history of this award season has taught us anything, it’s far from over.
This year, Jimmy Kimmel gets a chance at hosting redemption, and the Oscars get a chance at changing its image in the midst of a transformational awards season.
Heading into its 90th ceremony the Academy is already pushing its boundaries (which frankly does not take much when your boundaries are very, very, very narrow).
Heading into its ninth decade, the Oscars are still experiencing firsts like the very first woman nominated for cinematography and allowing Greta Gerwig to join the elite club of women allowed in the best director category (she’s the fifth…only one of them has won), not to mention 23 percent of the nominees this year are women (the highest ever), which may seem low considering more than half of the population is female.
It’s just good to see that even at the ripe, old age of 90, the Oscars can still try new things. Snark aside, it is nice to see efforts being made, it would be nicer if we could pick up the pace. We know change takes time, but it takes even more time when those claiming to be working on it are dragging their feet.
The stories we tell show the world who we are and the Academy has quite the opportunity before it. We are a diverse and fascinating community with diverse and fascinating stories just waiting to be shared.
Tonight we celebrate the movies, where they’ve been and where they’re going. So without further ado, here they are, the 2WC 2018 Oscar predictions.
Best Supporting Actor:
Zer: Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards” — I’m a fan of giving credit to the actors who consistently deliver rock solid, and often under appreciated performances. This is one of those instances.
Stephanie: Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards” — This movie surprised me in so many ways, Mr. Rockwell being as excellent as always was not one of the surprises, but seeing him recognized for it has certainly been a delight.
Best Costume Design:
Zer: Jacqueline Durran, “Beauty and the Beast” — “Phantom Thread,” is a favorite for this category, seeing as it is about fashion. That’s too boring for me, so I’m going rogue and picking a film that made fashion a part of the story without setting it in the fashion world.
Stephanie: Jacqueline Durran, “Beauty and the Beast”—There’s a good chance “Shape of Water” or “Phantom Thread” takes this one, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling:
Zer: Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick, “Darkest Hour” — Admit it, it took you a second to recognize Gary Oldman in those early photos and trailers. Yet when you watch the film you forget it’s makeup. I think I’ve made my point.
Stephanie: Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick, “Darkest Hour” — “Wonder” might beat out Winston, but I’m sticking with the PM on this one.
Best Documentary Feature:
Zer: “Faces Places”
Stephanie: “Icarus”
Best Sound Editing:
Zer: “Dunkirk” — If you didn’t see this film in theaters, you missed out on one of the most powerful performances—the sound. It truly is a huge part of the film, and I can’t see anyone by “Dunkirk,” taking both sound categories.
Stephanie: “Baby Driver”
Best Sound Mixing:
Zer: “Dunkirk” — Same as before, “Dunkirk,” made sound an integral part of its storytelling. It’s hard to imagine anyone causing an upset in this category.
Stephanie: “Dunkirk”
Best Supporting Actress:
Zer: Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird” — I love Allison Janney, but I’m rooting for Ms. Metcalf. She’s one of those actresses who has always been there doing not just solid, but amazing work. The thing about that type of quiet consistency is that it sometimes goes unnoticed. In short, it would be amazing if Sheldon’s Mom won an Oscar.
Stephanie: Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird” — I know that Alison Janney is probably going to go home with the trophy and I’m okay with that, but I have to show my props here, however small they may be.
Best Foreign Language Film:
Zer: “A Fantastic Woman” (Chile)
Stephanie: “A Fantastic Woman” (Chile)
Animated Short Film:
Zer: “Dear Basketball” — I’m not a fan of rewarding star power, but it is kind of amazing that Kobe Bryant is nominated for an Oscar. That and most of the voters live right in the heart of Laker country.
Stephanie: “Lou” — I mean, it’s Pixar, so…
Best Animated Feature Film:
Zer: “Coco” — This wasn’t Pixar’s best film, but it is beautiful and adds some much-needed diversity to the Pixar catalog.
Stephanie: “Coco” — Anything but “The Boss Baby” is a win for humanity, but I can’t imagine Pixar losing this one (but I’d be okay if “Loving Vincent” took this one home).
Best Production Design:
Zer: Paul Denham Austerberry (Production Design); Shane Vieau and Jeffrey A. Melvin (Set Decoration), “The Shape of Water” — I really wanted to pick, “Beauty and the Beast,” for this one. I mean have you seen their sets, but I can’t see the Academy missing the opportunity to give this one to their favorite film of the year.
Stephanie: “The Shape of Water” — My heart will be so happy if “Beauty and the Beast” gets this one, but Hollywood loves nothing more than Hollywood.
Best Visual Effects:
Zer: Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon and Joel Whist, “War for the Planet of the Apes” — The final film in this gorgeous trilogy continues to amaze with its ability to create these lifelike characters using real locations, actors, and motion capture technology. It’s truly stunning work.
Stephanie: Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon and Joel Whist, “War for the Planet of the Apes” — or “Blade Runner 2049”
Best Film Editing:
Zer: Lee Smith, “Dunkirk” — The ambitious scale and timeline of the WWII film makes this a no brainer. If someone else takes home this award they literally stole it.
Stephanie: Lee Smith, “Dunkirk”
Best Live-Action Short Film:
Zer: “DeKalb Elementary”
Stephanie: “DeKalb Elementary”
Best Documentary Short Subject:
Zer: “Heroin(e)” — In the middle of the worst opioid epidemics, I’m picking this one based on cultural relevance.
Stephanie: “Edith + Eddie”
Best Cinematography:
Zer: Rachel Morrison, “Mudbound” — It will break my heart if they don’t give this to the first female nominee in 90 years…but I could see “Blade Runner 2049,” or “Dunkirk,” taking this.
Stephanie: Rachel Morrison, “Mudbound” — First. Female. Nominee. In. This. Category.
Best Original Score:
Zer: Alexandre Desplat, “The Shape of Water” — The music is fun and playful, and very much another character in the film. It’s Hollywood music at its finest.
Stephanie: Alexandre Desplat, “The Shape of Water” — A beautiful, whimsical homage to old Hollywood with the music to match.
Best Original Song:
Zer: “This is Me” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, “The Greatest Showman” — Because this is the golden, songwriting team of the moment, but mostly because this is Keala.
Stephanie: “This Is Me” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, “The Greatest Showman” — This is for you, Keala.
Best Writing (Original Screenplay):
Zer: Jordan Peele, “Get Out” — I honestly would love to see this go to Greta Gerwig, but I see “Get Out,” as having a slight advantage if only because of the horror factor. In an ideal world, I see these two directing writers (or writing directors) splitting the directing and original screenplay categories. However, I’ll save the rest of that thought for the directing category.
Stephanie: Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird” — Jordan Peele for “Get Out” is also an acceptable answer too, Academy.
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Zer: James Ivory, “Call Me By Your Name” — Although, it would be kind of amazing if “Logan,” won.
Stephanie: James Ivory, “Call Me By Your Name”
Best Director:
Zer: Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” — I would love for Greta Gerwig or Jordan Peele to win this, but the Academy clearly loves “The Shape of Water,” and Guillermo del Toro brought it to life.
Stephanie: Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” — I wouldn’t be mad if Greta Gerwig or Jordan Peele got this top honor, I wouldn’t be suprised if Chris Nolan did.
Best Actor:
Zer: Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” — Truly an amazing performance and a well-deserved honor for one of the greatest actors of a generation.
Stephanie: Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” — Again, sticking with the PM on this one.
Best Actress:
Zer: Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards” — We are all lucky to be alive at the same time as this amazing actor. She is always perfection, but she outdoes herself as Mildred. Also, as a side note, I’m kind of bummed we won’t get to see her accept her award from Casey Affleck. Oh what might have been…
Stephanie: Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards” — I am not ashamed to say I worship at the alter of Frances McDormand and look forward to this acceptance speech.
Best Picture:
Zer: “Three Billboards” — I’m not going to lie, it was a really good year. I could see any of these nine films walking away with the top prize. While many are thinking, “The Shape of Water,” will win, I have to disagree. “Three Billboards,” is relevant in a way that may not be obvious from just reading the synopsis. It strikes a nerve, and then twists and turns so you can’t help but marvel at the beautiful anguish of its characters. It stays with you, and has something new to offer.
Stephanie: “Three Billboards” — Despite all of its wins this awards seasons, most of the odds put “The Shape of Water” ahead of Martin McDonagh’s incredible film. So, believe it or not, I’m rooting for the underdog here.
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