On March 12th, the most prestigious awards ceremony in the film industry will air: the 95th Academy Awards.
It has been a LONG but exciting awards season, with no clear front runners and many imaginative and intriguing stories that challenged our minds. From aviators testing their limits to friends who will simply never, ever get back together, there was something for every viewer to become attached to this season filled with impressive performances, state-of-the-art technical feats, sweeping scores, and, of course, Jenny the Donkey.
As this season ends, I bring back my favorite tradition — breaking down the top categories of the season based on my candid thoughts about who will win and who should win the coveted Oscar.
Best Supporting Actor
I will probably sound like a broken record by the end of this post; however, there have been so many spectacular performances this year. The Best Supporting Actor category is no exception, packed with a cast of memorable characters who stole the show in many of their films.
You know what I say? All hail the comeback kid. Ke Huy Quan is the one to beat. No other performance in this category resonated with viewers and votes as much this season as Waymond Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The way Quan effortlessly displayed Waymond’s hopeful disposition and heartbreaking vulnerability is second to none. It would be a damn shame if he did not win after almost sweeping this awards season.
Plus, he will have an AMAZING speech, so grab some tissues.
Who Should Win: Ke Huy Quan
Who Will Win: Ke Huy Quan
Best Supporting Actress
When this season began, there was a clear front-runner: Angela Bassett. Now…it is chaos.
Although this makes predicting winners difficult, I personally enjoy it. Seeing more talent recognized for their work is incredible, especially because this category is STACKED! And we all know I wish I could go all “Mean Girls” and give everyone a piece of the Oscar.
But I must decide, as do the voters, which is why I believe this is Angela Bassett’s year to win. Not only is she overdue for this accolade, but she is a force to be reckoned with as Queen Ramona. She DID THE THING! This would also make Bassett the first actor recognized for their work in a Marvel film. And I’m all about making history, baby!
Who Should Win: Angela Bassett
Who Will Win: Angela Bassett
Best Actor
This year’s Best Actor category features a collection of complex and emotionally rich characters brought to life by all first-time nominees. It’s been a very close race this season between Brendan Fraser for “The Whale” and Austin Butler for “Elvis.” And honestly, I have been debating between the two as well.
The Academy loves a transformational role, and the world loves a good comeback story. Fraser boasts both this season. Plus, it’s clear that he is loved by the entire community – how could you not! After all he has been through, I would love to see Fraser take the prize.
However, the Academy loves a biographical performance way more, and statistically, 3 out of 5 of the last 5 winners have portrayed a real person. Therefore I think the odds are in Butler’s favor. And Butler is PHENOMENAL.
Who Should Win: Brendan Fraser
Who Will Win: Austin Butler
Best Actress
Before we dive in, I need you all to know that I am still bitter that Viola Davis was snubbed in this category. Nevertheless, the best actress category has genuinely been a battle of the “mothers” – Cate Blanchett versus Michelle Yeoh. Two extremely different roles. Both master classes in acting.
I love Blanchett; holy hell, there is no “TÁR” without her. Her power and ferocity make this a career-best performance. She has won most of the precursors. However, my gut tells me that this is Yeoh’s year.
Hot off her historic SAG win, Yeoh’s performance is mesmerizing in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” She is fierce. She is funny. She is full of feelings. My heart explodes every time I watch her as Evelyn Wang and discover little nuances that add to the brilliance of this layered performance. Yeoh has always been a master of her craft, but this role further solidifies it. No one else deserves this recognition more than Michelle Yeoh. She is THE moment.
Who Should Win: Michelle Yeoh
Who Will Win: Michelle Yeoh
Best Director
What a boys club this year, am I right? From beloved heavyweights like Spielberg to creative newcomers like Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert (more commonly referred to as the Daniels), the five nominees have created a diverse collection of compelling stories.
However, no one has been as ambitious and game-changing in the art of direction as The Daniels’ masterpiece, “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
Hot from their Directors Guild of America (DGA), statistically speaking, the Daniels are favored to win this category. The DGA has gone to 8 of the last 10 eventual Best Director winners. Statistics aside, the Daniels have united the film community. Between its rapid-fire cuts between multiverses, its slow-motion kung fu battles, to its unhinged sausage fingers plotline, they have boldly created something so weird and wonderful that it has forever changed the landscape. And for that, bravo.
Who Should Win: The Daniels – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Who Will Win: The Daniels – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Best Picture
Since I started writing these prediction posts, I’ve been wrong about my prediction every year. I went with statistics or trying to put myself in the shoes of the old-school Academy voters, even if I wanted something else to take the top award.
This year, I’m going with my gut and my heart.
I deeply fell in love with “Everything Everywhere All At Once” when I saw it in the theatre. It shook me to my core and reminded me why I love film. “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is perfectly executed from start to finish, featuring a brilliant and powerful ensemble. Not to sound like a broken record again, but the film has united the industry and continues to blow audiences and critics away. The universe where this film wins Best Picture is the only one I want to acknowledge.
Who Should Win: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Who Will Win: Everything Everywhere All At Once
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