As with
last year, these are picks, not predictions – the films/people I’d like to see win rather than the ones who
may be likely to win. So, since I have no great love for La La Land, what I’m saying is, this
post will not constitute an airtight
Oscar ballot. Covering my nine favorite
categories here.
Best Picture:
Lion – I’ll be sad if this
film takes home nothing on Oscar night, even though I’d say that’s more than
likely, because it remains my absolute favorite of the nominees. There are others I like, admire, and love,
but this one wows me, absolutely. So
gorgeously made, with heartfelt emotions and an amazing story.
Best Leading Actor: Denzel
Washington (Fences) – While the
three performances I saw are obviously all very good, there isn’t a clear
standout for me. I went with Washington
because I really enjoy how he plays a man who spends his life “performing” his
personality to those around him. (I didn’t
see Casey Affleck in Manchester by the
Sea or Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw
Ridge.)
Best Leading Actress: Natalie
Portman (Jackie) – It was between
Portman and, surprisingly for me, Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins, but in the end, I thought Portman had the
clear edge. She has some really meaty
moments here and carries them off beautifully. (I didn’t see Isabelle Hupert in Elle.)
Best Supporting Actor: Dev
Patel (Lion) – This was a tough
one, because Mahershala Ali is great, too; if Patel had been up for Leading
Actor, I would’ve gladly picked him there and gone with Ali here. But I couldn’t not pick Patel. Lion
just knocked me out, and his superb, emotional performance is a big part of
that. (I didn’t see Lucas Hedges in Manchester by the Sea.)
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (Fences)
– Another one that I think would have been better placed in the Leading
category, which makes it a little unfair to the actresses who are in supporting roles. Still, of what we have, it’s no contest for
Davis. She’s sublime, and her big speech
to Troy (you know the one) is just incredible.
(I didn’t see Michelle Williams in Manchester
by the Sea.)
Best Directing:
Arrival – Yes, yes, yes. Visually inventive, making Louise’s first
contact such a sensory experience for us the viewers. The heptopods, their language, their ship,
and everything about them feels so real and well-thought-out. The other films I saw were really
well-directed, but Arrival is a
slam-dunk for me. (I didn’t see Manchester by the Sea or Hacksaw Ridge.)
Best Original Screenplay: Hell or High Water – I didn’t have a
clear favorite here; I just knew that I didn’t think La La Land was up to snuff.
But while The Lobster and 20th Century Women are both
excellently-written films, I think Hell
or High Water is probably the most consistent of the bunch. (I didn’t see Manchester by the Sea.)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Lion – Super unfair category here,
because I unreservedly love pretty much every one. Ultimately, though, I had to give it to Lion – this story just tears at my
heart, and it’s so beautifully realized onscreen. (I saw all five nominees here.)
Best Cinematography: Lion – Sensing a theme? I debated for quite a while about Arrival, because that one’s pretty
spectacular too, but Lion has a few
sequences that pull me so much more deeply into the story on the strength of
its cinematography, especially young Saroo arriving at the train station and
adult Saroo “walking” his familiar streets in his mind.
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