2024 Oscar Predications

 

I haven't done this in a few years but I figured it would be fun to make my predictions for the major categories for tonight's 96th Annual Academy Awards telecast tonight. So, without further ado, here is how I'm thinking it will go:

Best Picture: 

This years spread of movies is a really strong one and I genuinely loved each one of them which is a rarity for me. It makes it hard to choose but I genuinely think it will go to Oppenheimer. It was a fantastic film that kept me riveted throughout it's three hour runtime. The direction from Christopher Nolan is magnificent and it has a stellar cast that is acting their socks off. I could see there being an upset for Killers of the Flower Moon but I'm nearly certain it will be Oppenheimer

Best Director: 

Much like Best Picture, I feel like this one is going to go to Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer is a magnificent piece of filmmaking and he did a great job telling that story and tapping into his titular subject. Again, I could see it possibly going to Martin Scorsese too in an upset, but I'm pretty sure this is going to be Nolan's year. 

Best Actor: 

I'm nearly positive it will go to Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer. So much of the movie rested on his shoulders and he rose to the challenge wonderfully, crafting a riveting and revealing performance that, no pun intended, blew me away. I could see an upset and it going to Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, which would thrill me as I adored that performance too, but I'm pretty sure it's going to Cillian Murphy. 

Best Actress: 

This needs to go to Lily Gladstone for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon. She outshone Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro with a dynamite performance that made the film for me. Her character goes through a lot through the film's three and a half hour runtime and throughout her performance was flawless. I loved it and I am convinced she will win. 

Best Supporting Actor: 

Ever since I first saw the movie last July I knew this was going to be Robert Downey Jr.'s year. He was fantastic as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer and I honestly can't see anyone else winning the award. It's Downey's year and I have no doubt about it. 

Best Supporting Actress:

Honestly, if it isn't Da'Vine Joy Randolph for her fantastic and empathetic performance in The Holdovers I will be shocked. From the moment I saw the film, I knew she had to win for that performance. It's such a beautiful and touching performance in a truly wonderful film. 

Best Animated Feature Film:  

I'm nearly positive this one will go to the fantastic Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which features stunning animation coupled with a great story and a smart story. I could see an upset going to The Boy and the Heron, but I'm feeling pretty confident with this one. 

Best International Feature Film: 

I feel confident that this one will go to the powerful and haunting Holocaust film The Zone of Interest. Focused on the commander of Auschwitz Concentration Camp and his family, the film is a searing look at the banality of evil. This one easily outshines the other films. I wouldn't mind seeing an upset for the equally riveting Society of the Snow, but I'm confident this one will go to The Zone of Interest. 

Best Cinematography: 

I'm calling this one for Hoyte van Hoytema for Oppenheimer. He did a fantastic job shooting this film and among all the other things I could say about the film, it looked stunning as well. I'm confident this one is locked up for Oppenheimer. 

Costume Design: 

I'm going to be bold and call this one for Jacqueline Durran for Barbie. She did a magnificent job crafting the style and fashion of Barbie world and all the various different Barbies and Kens with real style and humor that fits the film perfectly. If nothing else, the fact that everyone wanted that I Am Kenough sweatshirt speaks for itself. The Academy could be boring and give it to the latest costume drama, but I really think it deserves to go to Barbie.

Best Original Screenplay: 

I am really hoping this one goes to David Hemingson for his heartfelt, touching and quite funny script for The Holdovers. I adored this film and the writing is a big part of it. I would love for it to get some Oscar love tonight and I think this will be one of the categories where it will win. 

Best Adapted Screenplay: 

Once again, I see this one going to Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer. Trying to adapt the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb as well as it's aftermath, but he managed to do it with a precise and riveting approach that made for a memorable viewing experience. 

Best Original Song: 

I really want it to go to I'm Just Ken for just being the fantastic little earworm that it is. That's the one I'm rooting for but I'd be shocked if it actually won. But hey, Ryan Gosling is performing it live at the Oscars so either way, we win. 

Best Original Score: 

Once again, I think it's going to go to Oppenheimer. Ludwig Göransson's score for that film is a large part of that film and fit the film perfectly. I can't see any of the other nominations winning. 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: 

This one I am not sure of, but I'm going with Poor Things. Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston crafted a unique vision and makeup design for a very memorable film that plays like a fever dream spin on the Frankenstein tale. 

Best Production Design: 

I have to give this one to Barbie for the way it brought Barbie World to life in a way that made it so real and tangible. I think it deserves the win for that alone.   

That's it for me folks, there are a few other categories that I simply don't have predictions for. I haven't seen any of the short films or the documentaries so I don't really have any predictions there. We'll just have to see how right I turn out to be in a couple hours!