In what seems to be the only remaining reason I use this blog – here’s my annual Oscar thoughts (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014). As usual: awards are silly – now let’s take them really seriously.
Best Picture
Will win: Oppenheimer
Could win: The Holdovers
Should win: Anatomy of a Fall
If only… All of Us Strangers
I have a raised eyebrow every time I came across a critic or commentator referring to 2023 as a stellar year in film. There are certainly some highlights, but if these are the ten films that represent the year I’m pretty unimpressed. My ballot would read: Anatomy of a Fall, Killers of a Flower Moon, Poor Things, Past Lives, Oppenheimer, Barbie, American Fiction, The Holdovers, and Maestro. I’ve left The Zone of Interest out because after one viewing I’ve got such complicated feelings about I don’t know how to include it in a ranked ballot. Overall, I have thoughts about all these films and there perhaps only Anatomy of a Fall that I have unbridled passion for … but even then…
Best Director
Will win: Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
Could win: Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)
Should win: Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)
If only… Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Celine Song (Past Lives), A.V. Rockwell (A Thousand and One) or Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret)
Best Actress
Will win: Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)
Could win: Emma Stone (Poor Things)
Should win: Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall)
If only… Natalie Portman (May December) or Julia Louis Dreyfus (You Hurt My Feelings)
Best Actor
Will win: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Could win: Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)
Should win: Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)
If only… Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers)
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
Could win: Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)
Should win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
If only… Julianne Moore (May December)
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
Could win: Ryan Gosling (Barbie)
Should win: Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)
If only… Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers)
Best Original Screenplay
Will win: Anatomy of a Fall
Could win: The Holdovers
Should win: May December
If only… You Hurt My Feelings
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will win: American Fiction
Could win: Barbie
Should win: Barbie
If only… All of Us Strangers
Best International Picture
Will win: Zone of Interest
Could win: Society of the Snow
Should win: Perfect Days
If only… Fallen Leaves
Best Documentary Feature
Will win: 20 Days in Mariupol
Could win: Four Daughters
Should win: 20 Days in Mariupol
If only… Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros
Best Animated Feature
Will win: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Could win: The Boy and the Heron
Should win: The Boy and the Heron
If only… Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Best Cinematography
Will win: Oppenheimer
Could win: Killers of the Flower Moon
Should win: El Conde
If only… Saltburn
Best Editing
Will win: Oppenheimer
Could win: Anatomy of a Fall
Should win: Anatomy of a Fall
If only… Passages
Best Production Design
Will win: Poor Things
Could win: Barbie
Should win: Poor Things
If only… Asteroid City
Best Costume Design
Will win: Barbie
Could win: Poor Things
Should win: Poor Things
If only… Wonka
Best Make-Up & Hair
Will win: Maestro
Could win: Poor Things
Should win: Poor Things
If only… Priscilla
Best Score
Will win: Oppenheimer
Could win: Killers of the Flower Moon
Should win: Oppenheimer
If only… Past Lives
Best Original Song
Will win: “What Was I Made For?” Barbie
Could win: “I’m Just Ken” Barbie
Should win: “What Was I Made For?” Barbie
If only… “Peaches” The Super Mario Bros
Best Visual Effects
Will win: Godzilla Minus One
Could win: The Creator
Should win: The Creator
If only…
Best Sound
Will win: Zone of Interest
Could win: Oppenheimer
Should win: Zone of Interest
If only… Ferrari
Best Live Action Short
Will win: ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’
Could win: ‘The After’
Best Animation Short
Will win: ‘WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko’
Could win: ‘Letter to a Pig’
Best Documentary Short
Will win: ‘The ABCs of Book Banning’
Could win: ‘The Last Repair Shop’
Chicargill's Media Musings 