The 95th Oscars: Who’ll Win?

The 95th Oscars: Wholl Win?

The 95th  Oscars is only days away, Sunday, March 12. With the Golden Globes and SAG Awards already behind us, it’s interesting to hypothesize the outcome of The Oscars – the most prestigious, culturally significant, and oldest film awards show on air.

Best Picture – “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

“The Fabelmans” has a good chance of winning, with a talented cast and of course, Steven Spielberg, and I adored “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which is my personal favorite movie of the year. But overall, I think “Everything Everywhere All At Once” has the best chance. “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is highly acclaimed, as cast and crew have won multiple Golden Globes including Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) Michelle Yeoh, Best Supporting Actor Ke Huy Quan, as well as Best Motion Picture Cast at the SAG Awards. This film is stunning, impressive, and incredibly original, as well as a box office hit. With a talented cast and very rich storyline, I expect it to win Best Picture.

Actor in a Leading Role – Collin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

This prediction was really tight between Collin Farrell and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) because of Frasers win at the SAG Awards and his haunting performance, but I had to go with my personal favorite. Farrell was heartbreaking in “The Banshees of Inisherin” and with his win at The Golden Globes (Best Actor Musical or Comedy), I believe the award will go to him. None of the nominees have been nominated before which makes it quite difficult to predict, but I’m going with my personal favorite performance, I think he has the best chance.

Actress in a Leading Role – Cate Blanchett, “Tár”

This was also really tight between Cate Blanchett and Yeoh, who both had incredible performances, and won prestigious awards for their work. because of the biographical nature of “Tár,” and how everything is focused on Blanchett’s cold narcissistic character, which she portrays so well as stuck in her own bubble. Yeoh was also amazing in “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” A fan favorite with an incredibly emotional performance, she shares the stage with many other great actors, which might make the solitary performance in “Tár” more stand out to the Academy, though I would absolutely love for Yeoh to win.

Actor in a Supporting Role – Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

Ke Huy Quan’s return to acting in this film is astounding, a fan favorite and a very enjoyable onstage presence,  Quan is who I expect to take the award for best supporting actor. His performance was heartbreaking and real, and after his win at the Golden Globes for the same award, I feel he’s the best contender. I absolutely adored Barry Keoghan in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and his acting transcended any of his previous performances. I’ll now recognize his name because of his performance in the film. His character was absolutely devastating, and the acting was incredible especially for such a quirky character. Though he won my heart with his performance, he doesn’t have much chance against the hit “Everything Everywhere All At Once” with Quan, who’s so endearing in the film.

Actress in a Supporting Role – Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

Angela Bassett was great in “Wakanda Forever,” and Kerry Condon in “The Banshees of Inisherin” had an amazing heartfelt performance, but Jamie Lee Curtis has a great chance to win, with a win at the SAG award for best actress in a supporting role, as well as her familial connection to the film industry she has the best chance at winning. Her performance was impressive and a completely new character, she’s never acted as one similar, with her hilarious villainy in the film.

Animated Feature Film – “Marcell the Shell with Shoes On”

“Marcell the Shell with Shoes On” was a heart-wrenching film, setting a new standard for animated. The nominees this year are really great, as animation is developing into true masterful filmmaking rather than something put off as “just for kids.” “Marcell the Shell with Shoes On” is very meaningful and a great story of grief told in simple terms. Though this film had the best story of all animated features this year, the incredibly complicated animating techniques used in the stunning Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pinocchio” makes it a strong contender. The content and lovely sad story of “Marcell the Shell” will give it the best chance out of all the nominees.

International Feature Film – “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

More often than not, if a film nominated for Best International Feature and other Oscar awards, that one will win International Feature. “All Quiet on the Western Front,” being nominated for Best Picture, as well as Production Design, Sound, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Music, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Cinematography, it’s sure to take Best International Feature Film. I enjoyed “Close” a lot, and I wish “RRR” was nominated, but “All Quiet on the Western Front” is almost absolutely sure to win this.

Cinematography – Florian Hoffmeister, “Tár”

“Tár” used bright, stark lighting and beautifully simplistic sets that scream Stanley Kubrick, with grand concert halls and bright hallways, I believe “Tár” is the best contender in Cinematography. I believe “Elvis” is also a good contender for this award, with its modern and creative cinematography that’s like nothing I’ve seen before (though it could be a little annoying at times, with the quick collage type shots).

Directing –  Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” was overall astounding and incredibly impressive, so I have to go with best directing for this film. It was so pulled together and original, with a star studded cast and beautiful story and execution, I think this has to be the best contender, though Steven Spielberg might win for “The Fabelmans” because of his notorious reputation and the great quality of “The Fabelmans,” especially when seeing how the film is semi-autobiographical.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) –  Sarah Polley, “Women Talking”

“Women Talking” was a powerful story with a horribly sad plot. The writing was phenomenal, and with its contenders being not as highly rated, like “Top Gun Maverick” and “Glass Onion,” I’m confident “Women Talking” will take the award for adapted screenplay.

Writing (Original Screenplay) – Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

This film was pure genius, the use of symbolism and repeated points was beautiful, and the allegory for the Irish Civil War truly confirmed the films genius. This film can be interpreted to have so many different meanings, and the dialogue can be hilarious and simply heartbreaking. The other contenders for this award include other Best Picture Nominees, such as “The Fabelmans” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” which also have strong chances to win this award. But because of the raw simplicity of the story which conveys so much with so little, I believe “The Banshees of Inisherin” will win.