The 89th Academy Awards are this Sunday, February 26th, and I’m trying to mentally prepare for a seven-hour telecast. Also, I have a tiny glimmer of hope to see Jack (no last name required) there in the front row. The nominations this year weren’t too surprising, actually. In a lot of the central categories, the names announced were consistent with this entire awards season.
I must say my favorite category is Best Supporting Actor because all of my favorites are in it. Jeff Bridges and Michael Shannon should be fighting for the win, but I have a feeling they’ll leave empty-handed. We all must acknowledge that Mel Gibson has officially been forgiven. It’s been a long, dark, drunken road back to the Oscars, but he’s nominated as is his movie, Hacksaw Ridge. Having director Denis Villeneuve as a first time nominee is personally gratifying, but he should’ve been nominated at least once, if not twice, for Sicario and/or Prisoners.
Of all the predictions I’ll be making, my most confident and joyous pick will be for the incomparable Viola Davis for Best Supporting Actress for Fences. The woman should’ve won for The Help, so it’s redemption time for the Academy.
Before we start, please remember my predictions are built on acute knowledge and research of every little component involving film. Therefore, they cannot be judged or questioned in the least. The assumption is that all of them are correct.
Every single one.
Best Animated Film
Moana
My Life As A Zucchini
Zootopia
Kubo and the Two Strings
The Red Turtle
Should Win: Kubo and the Two Strings
Will Win: Zootopia
Best Documentary
Fire At Sea
Life, Animated
13th
O.J.: Made In America
I Am Not Your Negro
Should Win: O.J.: Made In America
Will Win: O.J.: Made In America
Best Foreign Language Film
Tanna (Australia)
Toni Erdmann (Germany)
Land Of Mine (Denmark)
The Salesman (Iran)
A Man Called Ove (Sweden)
Should Win: Land Of Mine
Will Win: The Salesman
Best Supporting Actor
Jeff Bridges- Hell or High Water
Michael Shannon- Nocturnal Animals
Lucas Hedges-Manchester By the Sea
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight
Dev Patel- Lion
Should Win: Jeff Bridges
Will Win: Mahershala Ali
Best Supporting Actress
Naomie Harris- Moonlight
Michelle Williams- Manchester By the Sea
Octavia Spencer- Hidden Figures
Nicole Kidman- Lion
Viola Davis-Fences
Should Win: Viola Davis
Will Win: Viola Davis
Best Actor
Viggo Mortensen- Captain Fantastic
Andrew Garfield- Hacksaw Ridge
Denzel Washington- Fences
Casey Affleck- Manchester By the Sea
Ryan Gosling- La La Land
Should Win: Casey Affleck
Will Win: Denzel Washington
Best Actress
Natalie Portman- Jackie
Meryl Streep- Florence Foster Jenkins
Isabelle Huppert- Elle
Emma Stone- La La Land
Ruth Negga- Loving
Should Win: Natalie Portman
Will Win: Emma Stone
Best Director
Mel Gibson- Hacksaw Ridge
Denis Villenueve- Arrival
Damien Chazelle- La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan- Manchester By the Sea
Barry Jenkins- Moonlight
Should Win: Damien Chazelle
Will Win: Damien Chazelle
Best Picture
Hidden Figures
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Arrival
Manchester By the Sea
Hacksaw Ridge
Lion
Fences
Should Win: Hell or High Water
Will Win: La La Land
