While we could go on about the off-screen drama (and we have), tonight is about the films. It's about their power to entertain, enlighten, and make us question. I would argue that this year's nominees have all those qualities in spades. You may not agree with their messages or the people behind the camera, but they're sparking discussions and that's a good thing.
And at the very least, the off-screen drama is making for some serious Academy indecision. Literally, anyone could win almost every category.
Without further ado, let's get this show on the road. We're making our picks, as usual. Just keep in mind that this is not a normal Oscars, so don't judge us too harshly...
Stephanie: Richard E. Grant, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" - Mahershala Ali of "Green Book" is the favorite for this category and it's well-deserved, but if ever there were an upset to be had, this is the one. I could also see the Academy giving the honor to Sam Elliott in "A Star is Born," who was long overdue for a nomination.
Stephanie: Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehane "Vice"
Stephanie: Sandy Powell, "The Favourite"
Stephanie: "RBG" - As though there's another choice.
Stephanie: Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl, "A Quiet Place"
Stephanie: Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl, "A Quiet Place"
Stephanie: Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton, "The Favourite"
Stephanie: "Roma" - There's very little debate to be had here.
Stephanie: Regina King, "If Beale Street Could Talk" - This is a tough one, because this category is stacked, but with Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone likely splitting a lot of the vote (and don't get me started on Amy Adams...who should have one for "Arrival"), I think Ms. King will be hearing her name called this evening.
Stephanie: "Bao" - I'm definitely "not crying" and "not getting hungry" just thinking about this short.
Stephanie: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" - In a different world, this movie would have been up for Best Picture too, but the Academy just got around to nominating superhero movies for Best Picture, so I don't think we're quite at animated superhero movies yet. Someday...
Stephanie: Dan DeLeeuw, Kelly Port, Russell Earl, and Dan Sudick, "Avengers: Infinity War"
Stephanie: John Ottman, "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Stephanie: "Period. End of Sentence." - Punctuation puns and a story of women helping women? That's all I need to know.
Stephanie: "Skin"
Stephanie: Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, and Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman"
Stephanie: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, "The Favourite"
Stephanie: Alfonso Cuarón, "Roma"
Stephanie: Nicholas Britell, "If Beale Street Could Talk"
Stephanie: "Shallow" by Lady Gaga, "A Star is Born" - But I'd also like "Where the Lost Things Go" from "Mary Poppins Returns" to pull an upset.
Stephanie: Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman" - I know Alfonso Cuarón is expected to win this one, but this nomination is so overdue for Spike Lee, and Cuarón has previously been awarded, so we shall see.
Stephanie: Rami Malek "Bohemian Rhapsody" - This is a tough category, but will likely come down to Mr. Malek or Mr. Bale, who was absolutely uncanny as Dick Cheney in "Vice."
Stephanie: Olivia Colman, "The Favourite" - I know Glenn Close is expected to win, but I have a good feeling about the Queen on this one.
Stephanie: "The Favourite" - Really, this category is up for grabs...and I wouldn't be mad about "Black Panther" making Oscar history. However, as one of the most nominated films of the night (tied with "Roma"), I'm going with "The Favourite" to be a favorite tonight.