2020 Oscar Picks

Once again the nomination process raises serious concerns. It is profoundly disappointing that Greta Gerwig lost out to five men in the Best Director category and that Jennifer Lopez was ignored after her memorable role in Hustlers.

Combine that with the failure to include Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice and One Child Nation in the Best Documentary category and you are left wondering if sex and racism continues to lurk under Hollywood’s outer surface.

Regardless, here are my picks which I once again anticipate will be largely wrong.

  • Best Picture: Laugh if you like, but I pick Jojo Rabbit. I saw it three times, though I will applaud if either 1917 or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Best Actor in a Leading Role: Joaquin Phoenix. While nobody, and I mean nobody, was better than Jonathan Pryce in Two Popes, Phoenix seems to be a lock.
  • Best Actress in a Leading Role: Renée Zellweger. Judy was not a great movie, but this was a great performance.
  • Best Actor is a Supporting Role: Brad Pitt. This pick was a no-brainer.
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Scarlett Johansson. Laura Dern is the favorite, but Ms. Johansson made Jojo Rabbit
  • Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 4. It is a shame that How to Train Your Dragon can’t share this award.
  • Best Cinematography: 1917. The work by Roger Deakins may very well elevate this film to Best Picture Award.
  • Best Costume Design: Little Women. Lord, these women were beautifully attired.
  • Best Director: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino has never won this award. It’s time.
  • Best Film Editing: Jojo Rabbit. Once again, I’m going out on a limb with this pick. Parasite or Joker could win, but I don’t care if I again go down with the ship.
  • Best International Feature Film: Parasite. An easy pick even though Pain and Glory and Honeyland are far better films.
  • Best Original Music Score: 1917. A close call over Little Women.
  • Best Original Song: “I’m Going to Love Me Again” from Rocketman. Give it to Elton John even though Toy Story 4’s “I Can’t Let you Throw Yourself Away” and Frozen’s “Into the Unknown” are equally deserving.
  • Best Sound Editing and Mixing: Ford v. Ferrari. This marvelous film stands out in this category.
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Bombshell.
  • Best Production Design: 1917
  • Best Visual Effects: 1917
  • Best Adapted Screenplay: Little Women. If the Oscar voters are to preserve any dignity, this has to go to Greta Gerwig, though The Two Popes is nipping at her heels.
  • Best Original Screenplay: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Hoping that Parasite doesn’t prevail, this looks like Tarantino’s year.
  • Best Documentary Feature: Honeyland. Having noted my disgust given the films ignored, I haven’t seen any of the nominated films. However, my friend Steve Brock has, and he picks American Factory. Nonetheless, I’ll go with Honeyland given it has also been nominated for Best International Film.
  • Best Animated Short: Memorable (France). While Kitbull (U.S.) stands out with its portrayal of a stray cat saving an abused bulldog, as does Sister (China) as you watch the consequences of China’s one child policy, Memorable will capture your heart with its focus on a loving wife and her dementia-addled husband.
  • Best Documentary Short and Live Action Short: No prediction, unless I can manage to see the late theatre release of the live action shorts.

So, there you are. Mock me all you want when Jojo Rabbit falls down the expected rabbit hole. Then again, maybe it will rally in the fourth quarter like the Kansas City Chiefs!

 

Category : Big-Mouth Bob's Big Mouth