Oscars. Hollywood’s biggest night has come once again like the never-ending annual employee appreciation award ceremony where it’s encouraged to get liquored up. It’s a night of fashion, speed interviewing on the red carpet, and hardy pats on everyone’s back for doing a “good job”. Many film sites like our own, anticipate this day and we carefully calculate who will win through analyzing each nomination.
We like to give out our personal choices and who will most likely win from the viewpoint of the members of the academy.
But don’t worry readers. The length and time to read our list will not match long hours it would take to watch the Academy Awards show. We’ve chosen to cover the big categories that everyone will most likely discuss, argue, and criticize the following day.
Best Actor
Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood
Adam Driver – Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes
Mark Salcido Prediction:
Who Should Win: Adam Driver – Marriage Story
Adam Driver’s role in Marriage Story is a roller-coaster ride of raw emotions when the rug of life has been pulled from underneath you. The best scene that describes this feeling is the pivotal fight between Driver’s character and Scarlett Johansson’s character. It’s real-life thrown on the big screen. A moment when a couple’s innermost truths come out and weaponized in order to hurt the ones they love.
Who Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
Frank Palmer Prediction:
Who Should Win: Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
He’s won almost every other award for it at this point, and if you’ve seen the film, you already know the dramatic lengths the actors went to to get deep inside of Arthur Fleck to an almost scary point. Well, not even almost. It was scary.
Who Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
I’d be shocked if it didn’t happen at this point.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins – The Two Hopes
Al Pacino – The Irishman
Joe Pesci – The Irishman
Brad Pitt – Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Mark Salcido Prediction:
Who Should Win: Joe Pesci – The Irishman
“Just because you’re in the least amount of time in a film doesn’t mean you don’t have the biggest impact.” Pesci’s portrayal as Russell Bufalino is a display of what the actor has learned from his long career in film. We tend to see the guy has a firecracker on the big screen, but this part showed that the man can play a character with so much depth and layers.
Who Will Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood
Frank Palmer Prediction:
Who Should Win: Joe Pesci – The Irishman
Though the role wasn’t the typical screaming Pesci role that we’ve all come accustomed to seeing over the years, Pesci’s role in The Irishman proved that you don’t have to loud to be intimidating – as the Bufalino character was someone you knew you couldn’t mess with. You could also easily make a case for Al Pacino’s performance as Hoffa.
Who Will Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Seems like it’s pretty much a lock at this point.
Actress in a Leading Role
Cynthia Erivo – Harriet
Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan – Little Women
Charlize Theron – Bombshell
Renee Zellweger – Judy
Mark Salcido Prediction:
Who Should Win: Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
My view on Adam Driver is the same for Johansson. The actress was able to pull something from deep within to speak volumes about a woman that needs to make this life-changing decision for the betterment of her, her son, and even for the soon to be ex-husband. Also, come on. That argument scene between her and Driver is just so damn good.
Who Will Win: Renee Zellweger – Judy
She’ll win because the old guards’ view of the film world just won’t get out of the “glory days” of Hollywood.
Frank Palmer Prediction:
Who Should Win: Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
Marriage Story is a film that, while nominated, probably isn’t getting as much attention as it actually deserves. This routinely happens at the Oscars, but at least it’s getting some notoriety. Anyone who has gone through a break up or family court knows, it’s pretty accurate.
Who Will Win: Renee Zellweger – Judy
Another one that’s pretty much a lock.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell
Laura Dern – Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson – JoJo Rabbit
Florence Pugh – Little Women
Margot Robbie – Bombshell
Mark Salcido Prediction:
Who Should Win: Scarlett Johansson – JoJo Rabbit
If she doesn’t win for Marriage Story, then she gotta win for her role in Jojo Rabbit. Her level of acting in this film was one of the highlights of the movie. It was expertly done that when we later catch up to her character in the film, it’s such a gut punch that should strike the core of anyone with a pulse.
Who Will Win: Laura Dern – Marriage Story
Dern will get the Oscar because she reminds a lot of academy voters of a few divorce lawyers they’ve met at some Hollywood parties.
Frank Palmer Prediction:
Who Should Win/Who Will Win: Laura Dern – Marriage Story
There were a lot of great performances this year, particularly in this category, as you could make a case for every single one of them. If I was betting, however, I’d go with Dern to pick up the Oscar, as she’s already won almost every other Award for the performance, similar to Phoenix.
Animated Feature Film
Toy Story 4
I Lost My Body
How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World
Klaus
Missing Link
Mark Salcido Predictions:
What Should Win: I Lost My Body
This story went completely under the radar for a lot of people and thankfully, Netflix is willing to rectify that. The French animated film follows a severed hand trying to find its body. What we discovered in the film is a tale about destiny, choosing your own path, and what to do when life throws you a curveball.
What Will Win: Toy Story 4
It’s Disney and Toy Story. The formula that almost guarantees a win.
Frank Palmer Predictions:
What Should Win/What Will Win: Toy Story 4
I had to fight a lot during this movie – fight to hold back tears.
Best Director
Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
Todd Phillips – Joker
Sam Mendes – 1917
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood
Bong Joon-Ho – Parasite
Mark Salcido Prediction:
Who Will Win: Sam Mendes – 1917
While the film is a technical marvel, it’s a gimmick that was pushed to its limit.
Who Should Win: Bong Joon Ho – Parasite
Bong Joon Ho’s filmmaking skills for Parasite could be compared to a master conductor. The director was able to weave a story that is grounded, relatable, and pulled a master class performance from his cast. The shots are beautiful and move in perfect harmony with the script.
Frank Palmer Prediction:
Who Will Win: Sam Mendes – 1917
If Mendes doesn’t win, Bong Joon Ho will definitely win.
Who Should Win: I’d Be Alright With Any Of Them
They’re all very talented and deserving directors in a loaded set of nominations.
Best Picture
Ford V Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood
Parasite
Mark Salcido Prediction:
What Should Win: Parasite
There were a lot of good and great films to be released this year but Parasite was absolutely amazing. Bong Joon Ho made this film a white-knuckle experience while delivering a message that speaks to our times and pulled some of the best acting out there. A perfectly synced film that will be a study in film school as well as social science classes for many years to come.
What Will Win: 1917
A war drama almost never fails at the Oscars.
Frank Palmer Prediction:
What Will Win: 1917
Like Mark said above – but don’t be surprised if Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood pulls an upset victory.
What Should Win: The Irishman
What can I say? I’m a Martin Scorsese fanboy.
Adapted Screenplay
The Irishman
JoJo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
The Two Popes
Mark Salcido Prediction:
What Should Win: Jojo Rabbit
Another example of a film that speaks of our time and sadly a needed reminder of why NAZISM IS BAD! Taika Waititi’s adaptation put so much heart into this unconventional coming-of-age story. The script made me laugh, cry, and instilled a little bit of hope into my cold hardened heart.
What Will Win: The Irishman
Frank Palmer Prediction:
What Should Win/What Will Win: The Irishman
This may be the only major Oscar that The Irishman actually takes home tonight, and deservedly so.
Original Screenplay
Knives Out
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Parasite
Mark Salcido Prediction:
What Should Win: Parasite
An original script that will stick with you well after the credits have rolled. The underlying message and borderline perfect dialogue is something that deserves this level of praise. The script is a masterclass in writing and cements the talent of Bong Joon Ho that will give him a long and successful life in the filmmaking business.
What Will Win: Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood
Hollywood loves a circle jerk story.
Frank Palmer Prediction:
What Will Win: Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
If I had to predict any other movie winning, I’d say Parasite might have a chance, but I’d be pretty surprised if Tarantino didn’t win this one.
So there you have it. Give us your own predictions in the comments!