Oscars 2019 Predictions

I wonder how John Travolta would say my name?

It’s the night of the Oscars everyone! After a full year of arguing over every single film. It’s finally time to see what the Academy has deemed to be the almighty products of Hollywood. As an Irishman I have the pleasure of staying up to 4am just to be pissed off when Bohemian Rhapsody inevitably sweeps the board. Is this Toni Collete’s year? Will Ethan Hawke win Best Actor for his career defining role in First Reformed. Surely Steve McQueen will do the impossible and win both Best Director and Best Picture for Widows. Wait what? None of these people were nominated? This is such bullshi….. let’s carry on with the predictions. Remember we are all friends here. No matter what happens no one will have a worse night than Kevin Hart.

Best Picture: Roma.

In an ideal world my film of 2018 Bad Times at the El Royale would have won this, but Roma is a worthy substitute. Roma is a film which strikes me as this generations Citizen Kane. Pretty big statement I know. Bear with me here. Roma is a film which on paper seems to be a bit of a slog. The films plot is not an epic story which catapults you into an adventure you’ll never forget. Instead what you get is 2 hours of humanity on screen. Roma is all about humans. Through the lead character Cleo (Yalitza Aparico), the audience is given a lesson on how everyone’s life is ultimately the same. No matter if you’re rich, poor, in love or alone. Everyone is the same. We all experience the highs and lows of life. When you’ve just had the best day of your life. Someone else has just had their worst. Director Alfonso Cuarón has made what I deem to be the most important film of the century so far. Roma is a worthy Best Picture winner. Even if it doesn’t win you have to watch this movie. This is cinema at its finest.

Best Actor:  Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born.

Please don’t be Malek. If anyone is out there, please don’t let me live in a world where Bohemian Rhapsody has an Oscar. I’ve given far too much time over the past few months fighting with that film; let’s focus on a man who deserves recognition. Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine in A Star is Born is a revolution. Cooper’s direction is superb, but it’s his performance which takes the cake. Cooper is charming, funny, emotional and is surprisingly musically talented in the role. This is Coopers big moment. Perhaps he should have won for Silver Linings Playbook. Over the past few years Cooper seemed to be struggling to nail a big role. I watched Burnt for the first-time last week; it was 90% Bradley Cooper licking a spoon. Cooper has given himself the character he was born to play. Jackson Maine is a tragic character that we don’t get to see often in movies anymore. Cooper has showed the world that he deserves his A-list ranking. His 4^th nomination at the Oscars will hopefully give him his first win. Cooper deserves this.

Best Actress: Olivia Colman, The Favourite.

What a journey it’s been for Olivia Colman. In my eyes she is the greatest actress to ever grace British television. Every phenomenal show to air on BBC or ITV seemed to have Colman is in it. Check out her work on Broadchurch if you haven’t yet. To see her in a race for best leading actress at the Oscar’s is mind blowing. It’s what she deserves. Colman as Queen Anne gives a performance which most could only dream of. Queen Anne is a character who will make you erupt with laughter; see the scene where she screams at the poor boy to look at her. A bonkers character is made believable through Colman’s performance. Her heart-breaking backstory packs a heavy punch through Colman’s raw honesty. Many have complained that Queen Anne isn’t the lead in The Favourite. The character may only be in about half an hour of the film, but this is her movie. Let’s not forget that Anthony Hopkins was only in 16 minutes of The Silence of the Lambs. All cards on the table. I still haven’t seen Glenn Close in The Wife yet. I don’t see a world where I wouldn’t pick Colman. She played PC Doris in Hot Fuzz for crying out loud!

Best Supporting Actor: Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

The most charming man in Hollywood. If 2019 turns out to be a disaster at least we got to see what a lovely man Grant is. Mahershala Ali saves Green Book from being a forgettable flick, but it’s Grant who leaves the biggest impression. Grant plays Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Grant bounces off Melissa McCarthy’s Lee Israel with ease. The character of Jack is interesting as he is a gay man in the 90s with aids; yet this never really comes into play. The only thing that is key to his character is his personality. Jack is a man who is a charismatic scumbag. Grant is easy to love and hate all at once. It’s his best role since he was Withnail. He managed to steal the spotlight off McCarthy’s best performance to date. Watch just one interview with Grant. I promise you that you’ll be rooting for him too tonight.

Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz, The Favourite.

Lady Sarah is a fascinating character. On the surface it seems that she is the films antagonist. This is due to Weisz being horrid to everyone she encounters. However, when you investigate the character. It becomes clear that she is the goody guy in the film. Lady Abigail (Emma Stone) may be who we think we’re meant to root for, but it’s Lady Sarah who is the honest one.  Lady Sarah is the one who is the true leader of Britain. Lady Sarah is also the only person who truly loves Queen Anne (Olivia Colman). Weisz is amazing in the role. Her facial expressions are always stern. When you re-watch the film it becomes clear just how good Weisz. This is a performance which is made for multiple viewings. Balancing comedy and drama perfectly. Weisz has given the best performance of her career. The Favourite may pull off the Best Actresses double.

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Roma.

Alfonso Cuarón is an artist when it comes to direction. He’s the kind of man who brings out the more pretentious film student side of me. Throughout his career the Mexican director as been making big films with big moments. Children of Men allowed the director to immerse the audience with brutal tracking shots. Gravity is one of the best space disaster films to grace our screens. Even his Harry Potter film let him flex his direction muscles. With Roma, Cuarón has dialled back his direction. What makes his direction so great is that he is subtle in his approach for ¾ of the runtime. Cuarón has managed to showcase what life is like in a realistic manner. The kind of approach that is seldom seen on screen. Cuarón’s film is risky. Not many directors would even attempt to make this kind of film in 2018. I adore that he has made a film which is an ode to his childhood. Cuarón has brought life to the screen in beautiful fashion. I can’t stress this enough. Go watch Roma. You will see direction at its finest.

Best Adapted Screenplay: David Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Wilmott and Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman

A screenplay which will make you laugh until your belly aches, but also make you leave the theatre with the hairs on your neck raised. A perfect mix of genres. BlacKkKlansman’s script is the best work Lee has done since Do the Right Thing.

Best Original Screenplay: Paul Schrader, First Reformed.

Schrader has written his best script since Raging Bull in 1980. First Reformed is a movie which relies completely on dialogue. Schrader makes the complex subject of doubting your faith to life in an honest way which never veers into preachy territory. The most important script of 2018. Schrader never even got nominated for writing Taxi Driver. It’ time to give him his moment.

Best Foreign Language Film: Roma.

Brings the Mexican culture to life. Does not shy away from the class conflict which has plagued the country. If it’s the best film of the year then it must be the best foreign film too. A masterpiece.

Best Animated Feature: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Is this the best superhero film of all time? It’s looking likely. A beautiful story which teaches children a valuable lesson. What makes us a hero is what’s inside of us. The animation is unique. It feels like you’re seeing a comic book brought to life right in front of you. The cast is magnificent. The score is one which will be on repeat on your phone once you hear it. Spider-Verse should have gotten a Best Picture nomination. The kind of film which reminds me why I’m so obsessed with this genre.

Best Original Score: Black Panther.

Ludwig Goransson and Kendrick Lamar are one of the reasons why Black Panther became such a mighty moment in culture. The score is terrific. From the Hip-hop anthems which Lamar handpicked to the symphony Goransson has created in the emotional scenes. This is a score which will be remembered for years to come.

Best Original Song: “Shallow,” A Star is Born.

Yes, it is overplayed. Yes, it will become a horrifically executed karaoke song. There is no denying just how powerful this song is. Deserves to win on the back of that ridiculous Lady Gaga note.

Best Documentary Short: End Game.

I’ve seen exactly none of these. So, I’ve decided to go with my most anticipated film of 2019. We’re in the Endgame now.

Best Cinematography: Alfonso Cuarón, Roma.

Once you’ve seen this film, images of it will fill you head daily from it. Beautifully shot in black and white. This is a film which makes cleaning a floor look beautiful. Cuarón is on track to win two solo awards.

Best Documentary Feature: Free Solo.

I’m bitter that Won’t You Be My Neighbour wasn’t even nominated. Free Solo is nevertheless a wonderful film which will make you never even want to attempt rock climbing. This film made me an anxious mess.

Best Production Design: First Man.

A film which has been sadly overlooked in the more popular categories. First Man, thanks to its production, makes you feel as if you are on the moon. I think about the moon sequences at least once a day.

Best Sound Mixing: First Man.

From the extremely loud flight sequences to the dead silence on the moon. This is a film which uses sound as a character. If you close your eyes while watching this film, you will still have Goosebumps.

Best Costume Design: Black Panther.

If there’s one thing that Marvel nails, it’s the costumes. Every single character is brought to life through their outfit. My personal favourite is the blanket tribe’s attire. I nee to pick me up one of those for the cold winter nights.

Best Film Editing: Vice.

This film would crash and burn if the editing was not perfect. An Adam McKay film relies on editing to inject life into it. The only film out of the nominations that I can say does this.

Best Sound Editing: A Quiet Place.

A film that’s entire basis revolves around sound deserves to win an accolade for sound editing. That nail scene alone uses sound to make one of the tensest scenes of all time.

Best Animated Short Film: Bao.

I’m still recovering from this one. An odd tale which makes me scared to eat. Was probably better than The Incredibles 2.

Best Live Action Short: Fauve.

Again, I haven’t seen any of these, so I’m in no position to judge. I’m just curious to see how this title is pronounced.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Vice.

Look at Christian Bale. How can you not give Vice this award?

There you have it folks! You now have my two cents. In a few hours I’ll probably be proven wrong and this article will make me look like a fool. As long as Bohemian Rhapsody doesn’t win anything than that’s a mistake, I’m willing to make.