Saturday 3 March 2018

3rd Annual Oscar Predictions!



The 90th edition of the annual Academy Awards is happening this Sunday and with that, everyone is making their predictions before the big night! It's always a bit of good fun and brings good discussion, whether you agree with the nominees or not. So for the third year running, my friends and I will be making our predictions and who will be the 2018 winner. Returning are Billy, Drew and last years winner Michael, as well as newcomer Conor.


 Like last year, there will be a brief look at some of the major categories with a table down below listing our entire predictions. Unfortunately again, we have not managed to see the documentaries or short films so these will be excluded. Now that's out of the way, lets take a look at some of the predictions. 




Best Supporting Actor


The nominees:

Willem Dafoe - The Florida Project, 
    Woody Harrelson - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,     
Richard Jenkins - The Shape of Water,     
Christopher Plummer - All The Money In The World,    
 Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri


My Pick (Angus): Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell seems to be the frontrunner for this award, beating out co-star Woody Harrelson in what would be a deserving Academy Award win. Although I am not the biggest fan of Three Billboards, I can't deny that Rockwell's performance was one of the best of the year and was helped by strong writing.

Billy's Pick: Sam Rockwell
Sam's character has a really interesting arc in Three Billboards and he approaches it with great care and subtlety, very funny performance.

Conor's Pick: Sam Rockwell
I haven't seen many of the films and Rockwell is simply the favourite to win.

Drew's Pick: Sam Rockwell
Rockwell just stunned me. I had no idea of his acting capabilities beforehand, to be honest.

Michael's Pick: Sam Rockwell
I chose Sam Rockwell because he seems to be the critics favourite at this point and has already won a Golden Globe, BAFTA and a SAG award so I expect him to add this to his trophy case which considering his redeeming character arc in Three Billboards, it is deserving of one.

Best Supporting Actress




The nominees:

Mary J Blige - Mudbound
Allison Janney - I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf - Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer - The Shape of Water
Lesley Manville - Phantom Thread

My Pick (Angus): Allison Janney
Janney seems to steal every scene that she appears in giving an incredibly humourous performance amongst the craziness of I, Tonya.

Billy's Pick: Allison Janney
Similar with Rockwell, Allison gives a fiery, punchy performance and while it's an archetype character, she brings it to life.

Conor's Pick: Allison Janney
Same as before, I'm not too familiar but Janney is the favourite.

Drew's Pick: Allison Janney
She provided an interesting "anti" antagonist role into I, Tonya that added depth to Tonya's struggle.

Michael's Pick: Allison Janney
Allison Janney should pick up this award easily as she plays the unlikeable detestable mother to Tonya and both presents a barrier to her social life and tey pushes Tonya's skaing success and drive to win. Mixed with the fact that there's no outstanding candidates to win this award this should seem a certainty.




Best Director


The nominees:

Christopher Nolan - Dunkirk
Jordan Peele - Get Out
Greta Gerwig - Lady Bird
Paul Thomas Anderson - Phantom Thread
Guillermo Del Toro - The Shape of Water

My Pick (Angus): Guillermo Del Toro
In an ideal world, Christopher Nolan would be picking up this award for Dunkirk which I believe is the best-directed film up for contention. But I'm going with my head and choosing Del Toro for The Shape of Water who has been doing very well on the awards circuit and who I do believe is the second best director in the category.

Billy's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro
Loved The Shape of Water and each scene really has a dynamic and rich dressing. I think the overall aesthetic and style of the film makes it what it is, it really feels like Del Toro loved crafting it and it is unique to his flavour of film.

Conor's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro
Del Toro expertly crafted his story world in The Shape of Water. The way in which the story is told in addition to the aesthetics of the film were really interesting and enjoyable and I feel he should be recognised for his work.

Drew's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro
Del Toro always spends years developing the world he wants to showcase to the world, within his head and it shows with The Shape of Water. It was close between him and Nolan, but the pure originality of the world crafted helped nudge it on top.

Michael's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro
GDT really creates a magnificent looking world here and places a beautiful love story in the middle of it. This combination along with this world coming directly from GDT crafts my favourite film of the year so far as the passion for this masterpiece is clearly seen and should pick up the award.


Best Actor


The nominees:

Daniel Day Lewis - Phantom Thread
Timothee Chalamet - Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Kaluuya - Get Out
Denzel Washington - Roman J. Israel Esq
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour

My Pick (Angus): Timothee Chalamet
I'm going to afford myself a gamble and thinking with my heart on this one. Chalamet is by far the best performance and it'll be an atrocity if he misses out. He showcases more range in his role than the rest of the nominees combined in what is a powerful and emotional masterclass. No gimmick is needed, just pure raw emotion.

Billy's Pick: Gary Oldman
I chose Gary Oldman because I feel there is a romanticism with biopic old-timey representation and added with his transformative prosthetic appearance, he'll be a shoe-in.

Conor's Pick: Gary Oldman
Again, I haven't seen them all but Oldman is once again the favourite by popular vote.

Drew's Pick: Gary Oldman
Oldman always seems to provide a strong commitment to his roles, which in this case execute a powerful showcase of Britain's greatest leader in modern times.

Michael's Pick: Gary Oldman
I chose Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill because the academy values a huge commitment in a leading role which is clear here which helps that he portrays such an iconic figure. His performance is also helped by the excellent hair and makeup work on the film to the point that we don't even recognise Gary Oldman.



Best Actress


The nominees:

Meryl Streep - The Post
Margot Robbie - I, Tonya
Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Saorise Ronan - Lady Bird
Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water

My Pick (Angus): Frances McDormand
It pains me to write this but no matter how much I think Sally Hawkins had the best performance of the year, everything is pointing at a win for McDormand. McDormand does display a strong performance nonetheless but far from the best for me.

Billy's Pick: Frances McDormand
Frances is really great in Three Billboards, she demonstrates a great range and attitude to the unique character.

Conor's Pick: Sally Hawkins
Going with who I know and performance I feel was extremely well executed given that Hawkins had no dialogue.

Drew's Pick: Sally Hawkins
Despite McDormand providing a stellar performance in Three Billboards, I felt like Hawkins provided an experience that I enjoyed more as a viewer, and I somehow connected more with her portrayal of the character.

Michael's Pick: Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand's performance was quite excellent although she wouldn't be my personal pick. Despite this McDormand plays the perfect anti-hero in this, managing to gather sympathy from the audience whilst playing a bitter foul-mouthed violent woman which can be a challenge but is one that she excels in.


Best Picture


The nominees:

The Darkest Hour, Call Me By Your Name, Dunkirk, Get Out, Lady Bird, Phantom Thread, The Post, The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

My Pick (Angus): The Shape of Water
Overall, when taking everything into consideration, I think The Shape of Water is the best film in contention. When you take everything into consideration, from directing and performances to set design and costume and the beautiful story, TSOW stands out from the rest for me.

Billy's Pick: The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water was right up my alley. I decided to go with this film not because I think it'll win but because it was my favourite film of the bunch.

Conor's Pick: Get Out
From the nominees I have seen, Get Out was my favourite and I feel it has a solid chance to win thanks to its cultural commentary as well as the way in which the film borders between genres being a thriller with a very humorous script to alleviate tension and keep us engaged.

Drew's Pick: The Shape of Water
Similar to the Best Director category, it's yet again between Dunkirk and The Shape of Water and once again I've gone with the latter. Again, the originality not only in the visual storytelling but the screenplay (both developed by Del Toro) helped put it ahead yet again.

Michael's Pick: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
As mentioned with Sam Rockwell this seems to be picking up the majority of the awards which includes the BAFTA for Best Film. Considering this is a well-structured film which mostly is a joy to watch barring the first act of the film and deserves it's nomination although it wouldn't be my pick, I wouldn't be disappointed with this winning.





The table below shows the full list of predictions that we have made. Take a look and also say what your predictions or hopes for the Oscars are! Also, who do you think will come out victorious? For a full list of the nominees go to:  https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2018





Angus
Billy
Conor
Drew
Michael
Best Picture
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
Get Out
Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside
Ebbing, Missouri
Director
Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro
Actor
Timothee Chalamet
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman
Actress
Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand
Sally Hawkins
Sally Hawkins
Frances McDormand
Supporting Actor
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell
Supporting Actress
Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Original Screenplay
Three Billboards
Get Out
The Shape of Water
Get Out
Get Out
Adapted Screenplay
Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name
The Disaster Artist
Logan
Call Me By Your Name
Original Song
This Is Me
(The Greatest Showman)
Remember Me (Coco)
This Is Me
(The Greatest Showman)
Remember Me (Coco)
Remember Me (Coco)
Original Score
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
Dunkirk
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Sound Editing
Dunkirk
Dunkirk
Star Wars
Dunkirk
Dunkirk
Sound
Mixing
Dunkirk
Baby Driver
Star Wars
Dunkirk
Dunkirk
Costume
Design
Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread
Beauty and the Beast
Phantom Thread
Phantom Thread
Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049
Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049
War for the Planet
of the Apes
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049
Production
Design
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water
Editing
Dunkirk
Baby Driver
Baby Driver
Baby Driver
Dunkirk
Makeup/
Hairstyling
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour
Animated Feature
Coco
Coco
Coco
Coco
Coco

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