Oscar Predictions 2016

My Oscar 2016 Predictions

The 88th Academy Awards are upon us and with it, much controversy. However, that is not the focus of this post. Instead, I will detail the nominees for each category giving my own personal opinions on each one as well as who I think; should win, will win and is missing from the list. Of course, I have no say in what or who will actually succeed tonight nor am I a fortune teller. I'm simply voicing my own viewpoints. Also worth noting, there are certain awards categories that I will not cover solely because I have seen very little/none of the nominees or it may be that I am not entirely sure how to judge/compare the films. Those categories are:
- Best Foreign Language Film
- Best Documentary: Feature
- Best Documentary: Short Subject
- Best Live Action Short Film
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Original Song
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Sound Editing
- Best Production Design
- Best Makeup & Hairstyling
- Best Costume Design
- Best Film Editing
So, on with the predictions.


BEST PICTURE:

- The Big Short
- Bridge Of Spies
- Brooklyn
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
- The Revenant
- Room
- Spotlight

Some people often regard the 'Best Picture' category to mean which was the best film made in that year. Whilst it does bare that significance, I view it to mean which film had the most important impact upon cinema as a whole. The Big Short was a change of direction for Adam McKay and presented a tough topic in a way for most to understand. Yet, it may be too complex for some to handle, myself included, and so might not win this Oscar.
Bridge Of Spies was a more reserved film by Steven Spielberg but whilst it featured an intriguing look into the Cold War, it hasn't been tracking too well in this awards season, so it will most likely not go this this film.
Brooklyn is a film that hardly anyone is talking about. It was a competently well made movie and I bought the romance included but the recognition it isn't receiving means that it is unlikely that it'll win anything.
Having been new to the Mad Max franchise, the fourth installment surprised and entertained me. But action films do not have a good record amongst the Academy with the only exception being The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.
The Martian was a film that caught me off guard and with Ridley Scott's previous films not being of the highest standard, I was glad that this film was so enjoyable. Will it win? I doubt it.
The Revenant is an experience like no other. The relentless nature of the film as well as how technically advanced it was made makes it a possibility to win.
Room could be the underdog of the entire show. The film is emotionally harrowing and contains some of the best performances I've seen all year.
Spotlight is a major contender for winning this award. The way in which this true story is presented makes for an incredible viewing experience.

Should Win: Spotlight

Will Win: The Revenant

Missing: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

BEST DIRECTOR:

- Adam McKay: The Big Short
- George Miller: Mad Max: Fury Road
- Alejandro González Iñárritu: The Revenant
- Lenny Abrahamson: Room
- Tom McCarthy: Spotlight

The fact that McKay managed to shift his directorial status from comedies to dramas is worth the nomination alone.
What George Miller was able to do at the age of 70 is spellbinding.
After his success of Birdman last year and what Iñárritu achieved with The Revenant, he is most certainly a contender.
I found the direction of Room to be almost faultless and Abrahamson's work both within the room and in the open world is a joy to watch.
Tom McCarthy could possibly be the one to steal the victory because of how effective the storytelling was in Spotlight.

Should Win: Lenny Abrahamson - Room

Will Win: Alejandro González Iñárritu - The Revenant

Missing: Ryan Coogler - Creed

BEST ACTOR:

- Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo: Trumbo
- Matt Damon as Mark Watney: The Martian
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass: The Revenant
- Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs
- Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe: The Danish Girl

To see Cranston transfer from television to an awards calibre performance in Trumbo is a joy, however I can't see him winning this year.
Matt Damon seemed the unlikely nominee but after watching it for a second time, the fact that Damon managed to carry practically the entirety of the film is purely astonishing.
After years of hype and subsequent disappointment, could this be DiCaprio's year? I don't think that his performance as Glass was his best but it will be close nonetheless.
I think that Fassbender's interpretation of Steve Jobs was a performance that has sneaked under the radar and it is such as shame because he gives a monumental representation of the late genius.
Winning two years on the bounce is very rare in the Oscars. However, because of Redmayne's transformative performance, he does stand a chance.

Should Win: Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs - Steve Jobs

Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass - The Revenant

Missing: Jacob Tremblay as Jack Newsome - Room

BEST ACTRESS:

- Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird: Carol
- Brie Larson as Joy 'Ma' Newsome: Room
- Jennifer Lawrence as Joy Mangano: Joy
- Charlotte Rampling as Kate Mercer: 45 Years
- Saoirse Ronan as Ellie Lacey: Brooklyn

I don't think that Carol was that phenomenal of a movie but I cannot deny how good Cate Blanchett was. However, there are better performances within this category that deserve that award more.
Brie Larson displays, quite possibly, the most supreme acting talent I have seen in some time. She has won all the awards so far meaning that it is very likely for her to win.
I am not quite sure what Jennifer Lawrence is doing here. Her performance was fine in Joy but does not match the standards of other nominees. Perhaps she may be becoming the Academy's new favourite following in the footsteps of Meryl Streep.
I have not seen 45 Years so I cannot comment on Rampling's performance.
I was enthralled by the character of Ellis Lacey and her story and most of that is thanks to an amazing performance by Ronan. However, due to the little recognition that this film is receiving, I very much doubt that she'll win.

Should Win: Brie Larson as Joy 'Ma' Newsome: Room

Win Win: Brie Larson as Joy 'Ma' Newsome: Room

Missing: Alicia Vikander as Ava: Ex Machina

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

- Christian Bale as Michael Burry: The Big Short
- Tom Hardy as John Fitzgerald: The Revenant
- Mark Ruffalo as Michael Rezendes: Spotlight
- Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel: Bridge Of Spies
- Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa: Creed

There has been quite a lack of Christian Bale over the past couple of years but now he returns with a tour de force of a performance in The Big Short, maybe even one of the best in his career.
Tom Hardy almost rivaled DiCaprio during The Revenant but I'm not sure if his mumbles and grumbles would put some of the voters off.
Moving away from his portrayal of The Hulk, Mark Ruffalo proved in Spotlight how great of a dramatic actor he can be and, in my opinion, has a great chance of winning this year.
I'm always pleased when British talent is recognised and Mark Rylance has seemed to have mostly gone unnoticed during his entire career. That all changed however, when people witnessed his calm and collected portrayal of a Russian spy.
But I do not think any of these nominees stand a chance against the sheer talent of Sylvester Stallone in Creed. Almost forty years on from his debut as Rocky Balboa, Stallone won our hearts once again with what his easily his greatest performance he has ever given.

Should Win: Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa: Creed

Will Win: Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa: Creed

Missing: Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E: Straight Outta Compton

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue: The Hateful Eight
- Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet: Carol
- Rachel McAdams as Sacha Pfeiffer: Spotlight
- Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener: The Danish Girl
- Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman: Steve Jobs

Both Jason Leigh and Samuel L. Jackson were the best parts of The Hateful Eight. So with only one nominated, Jason Leigh has a possible chance of winning for her accurate depiction of a twisted psychopath.
There is no doubt that Rooney Mara in Carol was very good but I found her to be more of a main actress so I'm not sure she is deserving of this award.
When the nominations were officially announced, I was pleasantly surprised that McAdams was chosen. She is not the best part of Spotlight but she helps elevate it even further.
Alicia Vikander has had the best of years with roles in Ex Machina, The Man From U.N.C.L.E and now The Danish Girl. And her performance as a struggling wife is the best of them all. It is heartbreaking to watch and she easily holds her own against Redmayne.
Kate Winslet seems to be one of the Academy's sweethearts so the nomination for Steve Jobs was to be expected because of the great performance she gives. However, even since the Golden Globes, she has been constantly winning so a victory for her here would not come as a shock.

Should Win: Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener: The Danish Girl

Will Win: Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman: Steve Jobs

Missing: Olivia Cooke as Rachel: Me & Earl & The Dying Girl

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

- Bridge Of Spies: Matt Charman, Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
- Ex Machina: Alex Garland
- Inside Out: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley & Ronnie del Carmen
- Spotlight: Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer
- Straight Outta Compton: Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff, S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus

The flow of Bridge Of Spies was at a refreshing pace and had a clear influence by the Coen Brothers. However, it never quite delivered the thrill or tension that I had hoped. As you can see from the other nominees of this category, it was a collaborative effort. All apart from Alex Garland who created a thought provoking script and story that gets better each and every time that I watch it. However, the early February release that it had last year might damage its chances.
Inside Out was a glorious return to form from Pixar and the screenplay they generated spoke both to children and adults alike. They made a truly magical story that encapsulated all that means to be human.
The work of McCarthy and Singer was an achievement to say the least. They took a story that I knew nothing about and had me on the edge of my seat consistently.
Straight Outta Compton was one of my favourite films last year and to see it receive hardly any nominations bothers me. Nonetheless, the script and story created here is fantastic bringing the tale of N.W.A to life.

Should Win: Inside Out - Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley & Ronnie del Carmen

Will Win: Spotlight - Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer

Missing: The Hateful Eight - Quentin Tarantino

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

- The Big Short: Adam McKay & Josh Randolph from the book 'The Big Short' by Michael Lewis

- Brooklyn: Nick Hornby from the book 'Brooklyn' by Colm Tóibín
- Carol: Phyllis Nagy from the book 'The Price Of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith
- The Martian: Drew Goddard from the book 'The Martian' by Andy Weir
- Room: Emma Donoghue from the book 'Room' by Emma Donoghue

The Big Short could have been incredibly boring, uninteresting and left the audience just as confused as they were before. However, thanks to the eccentric story based from the book about the same crisis, we can experience the true story in all of its horrifying glory.
What may seem as yet another tween romance story, Brooklyn is anything but that. The convincing tale taken from the novel of the same name transports you into New York and Ireland as you bare witness to Ellis Lacey's troublesome times.
Carol was a film that I didn't really care for. I could see that it was well made and how socially relevant it was but it lost my interest after a while. But I wouldn't be too surprised if it won this award.
I had heard reports that many were worried about The Martian because of the book being extremely scientifically complex. And the film was. But it was executed in such a way that the movie never treated you like an idiot. It took care in explaining things and had me entertained from start to finish.
Simply describing the story of Room may put some people off. It is a film that you have to witness. You may leave emotionally ruined but it will most certainly have a significant impact upon you.

Should Win: The Martian - Drew Goddard from the book 'The Martian' by Andy Weir

Will Win: The Big Short - Adam McKay & Josh Randolph from the book 'The Big Short' by Michael Lewis

Missing: Steve Jobs - Aaron Sorkin from the book 'Steve Jobs' by Walter Isaacson

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

- Anomalisa
- Boy & The World
- Inside Out
- Shaun The Sheep Movie
- When Marnie Was There

I have not seen Anomalisa, Boy & The World nor When Marnie Was There so I cannot comment on them.
I believe Inside Out to be one of Pixar's greatest and maybe one of the top five animated films made. It fulfills its aim in making you feel every emotion and the animators succeed in creating the most fantastical world in the space of your mind.
Having watched some episodes of Shaun The Sheep on TV, I was interested as to how well it would transfer to film. I was not disappointed as it was a funny and heartfelt movie that can entertain any age.

Should Win: Inside Out

Will Win: Inside Out

Missing: Snoopy & Charlie Brown - The Peanuts Movie

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

- Bridge Of Spies - Thomas Newman
- Carol - Carter Burwell
- The Hateful Eight - Ennio Morricone
- Sicario - Jóhann Jóhannsson
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens - John Williams

Bridge Of Spies was one of the first films by Spielberg that did not contain a score by John Williams. Usually Spielberg's films are elevated by the score but that isn't the case here. It serves a purpose but it was never memorable.
The same can be said for Carol. It succeeded in presenting the classic American period but it never fulfilled the intended impact.
Ennio Morricone has composed many recognisable scores such as The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. Here, Morricone delivers tenfold with a sinister score detailing the impending chaos from the film.
Sicario's score was unfortunately a forgettable one also. It features moments of greatness but ultimately falls into casual tension building music.
However, I cannot reinforce how amazing it was to hear the music of John Williams back in a galaxy far far away. We are treated to new and original themes such as Rey's Theme and Scherzo for the X-Wings as well as the classic opening theme. The magic returns once again and John Williams is one of the reasons why it was my favourite film from last year.

Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens - John Williams

Will Win - The Hateful Eight - Ennio Morricone

Missing - Jurassic World - Michael Giacchino

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:

- Carol: Ed Lachman
- The Hateful Eight: Robert Richardson
- Mad Max: Fury Road: John Seale
- The Revenant: Emmanuel Lubezki
- Sicario: Roger Deakins

The look of Carol perfectly encapsulated 1950's New York but rather than the fluidity of the camera being the cause of this, it was the production design and costumes that influenced it instead.
Tarantino films have a very distinctive look about them and the same goes for The Hateful Eight. The presentation of 70mm film makes for a old and classical feel for the film which was the intention for Tarantino. Fury Road contains some of the most exhilarating action scenes put to the film and they are expertly filmed. But the achievements of other cinematographers mean that Seale will likely be overshadowed in his success.
I'm pretty sure Emmanuel Lubezki is a wizard. The shots and camera angles that he achieves in The Revenant are astonishing and make for one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen.
Deakins also makes a stunning film matching the grit and dirty nature of the film with how it all looks.

Should Win: The Revenant - Emmanuel Lubezki

Will Win: The Revenant - Emmanuel Lubezki

Missing: Creed - Maryse Alberti

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

- Ex Machina
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
- The Revenant
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens

For quite a small budget movie, Ex Machina includes visual effects that rival some of the big Hollywood blockbusters. The look of Ava and how they transformed Alicia Vikander into a robot is fascinating.
I often believe that the best visual effects are those that you don't notice. This is the case with Fury Road. Much of the landscape and desert are CGI which surprised me because they look so realistic.
The same goes for The Martian and The Revenant. The only addition with The Revenant was the inclusion of the nail-biting sequence involving the bear attack.
Whilst The Force Awakens reintroduced practical effects, the visual effects are just as impressive. Be it the numerous planets or aerial battles, the visual effects are simply fantastic to witness.

Should Win: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Will Win: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Missing: Ant-Man

It has undoubtedly been a phenomenal year for cinema and whoever or whatever wins this year, I can wholeheartedly say that the talent has been incredible and long may it continue.

What do you think of my predictions? Who or what do you think will win the awards? Have there been any snubs & surprises? Post your comments below.

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