The first Academy Awards were held in 1929; today, it is known as the Oscars, the most prestigious award ceremony for films all over the world. This year’s Oscars will be hosted by Conan O’Brien on Mar. 15. Here is a sneak preview of my favorites to win Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture.
Best Actor
Favorite: Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
Marty Mauser, a determined, selfish, way-too-fast-talking ping-pong player, fit Chalamet like a glove. Chalamet has been in a wide array of roles throughout his young career, acting in the genres of science fiction (Dune), drama (Don’t Look Up), musical fantasy (Wonka), and many other movies. So far, this is his best performance by a long shot. He made audiences shiver in the sheer beauty of his acting. He was so likable and enjoyable to watch. He balanced the good and bad of Marty Mauser by showing his desperation for money, but his confidence jumped off the screen. Chalamet was the heart and soul of this movie. Without him, it would have nowhere near the success it had. I think Chalamet could definitely win, but the other nominees are extremely strong.
Other Nominations:
Leonardo DiCaprio– One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawk– Blue Moon Michael B. Jordan– Sinners
Wagner Moura– The Secret Agent
Best Actress
Favorite: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Buckley was tasked with the role of playing Agnes Shakespeare, an emotional and grieving mother. She drew tears through her pain and warmed hearts with her love. This is just her second nomination, but I don’t think it will be her last. The film industry has been raving about her wonderful performance, with the Rolling Stone saying that audiences “will be talking about Jessie Buckley’s performance for years.” (The Guardian). Buckley worked hard to sink her claws into viewers with her passion as Agnes. Hamnet was not just an everyday drama; it was an emotional rollercoaster, and at the head of it all was Jessie Buckley. I think she deserves the award of best actress
Other Nominations:
Emma Stone– Bugonia
Kate Hudson– Song Sung Blue
Rose Byrne– If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Renate Reinsve– Sentimental Value
Best Picture Favorite: Sinners
Sinners was special. This vampire thriller had the theatres shouting and the film industry buzzing. Fans adored the creativity of the music, the 1930’s African-American southern culture, and the crazy sequences of vampire action. Michael B. Jordan had to play two characters, and did a fantastic job. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Wunmi Mosaku were all nominated for their acting. The deep symbolism and history of the movie were just a cherry on top of Ryan Coogler’s best film yet. Sinners broke into the record books with 16 Academy Awards nominations. This is truly deserved. There was talent beaming all across the screen, from the acting, the production, the costumes, and the direction; no wonder it was historic. I think it will win best picture, but I don’t think it will leave the ceremony with just one award.
Other Nominations:
F1
Bugonia
Train Dreams
Sentimental Value
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Frankenstein
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
Best Director
Favorite: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another is thrilling, absurd, dramatic, and funny. Anderson took all of these different emotions and blended them to make a two-hour and 41-minute masterpiece. He conveyed a political message where he explored the topic of extremism and political hate through the ideas of a revolution. It was filled with bizarre action, yet it had these heartfelt moments that drove the core of the movie. Steven Spielberg, one of the best directors in the world, said in an interview, “What an insane movie, oh my God.” (According to IMDB). Leonardo DiCaprio was able to act freely and swallow the role of the crazy protagonist, Bob Ferguson. The whole movie was outstanding. With the camera shots, the acting, and the story, all glued together by Anderson.
Other Nominations:
Chloé Zhao– Hamnet
Joachim Trier– Sentimental Value
Ryan Coogler– Sinners
Josh Safdie– Marty Supreme
We will see tears, speeches, and exciting selections, but overall, it’s just about congratulating those who poured their lives into these films. This has been a fantastic year for the movies, and the Oscars are here to celebrate it.
