Post by doc on Feb 24, 2017 14:22:17 GMT
First, I predict La La Land will win at least 8 Oscars on Sunday night. The movie is nominated for 14 so the stage is set for a big evening for the modern day musical. I won't pick all the winners but here's who I think will win most of the major awards.
Best Adapted Screenplay - Moonlight (Barry Jenkins)
The Academy has a way of honoring movies that aren't going to win Best Picture with one of the writing awards. Barry Jenkins also directed Moonlight so giving him the Best Adapted Screenplay is a way to recognize him and his movie. This is a very strong category with Hidden Figures, Lion and Fences also nominated and I could see any one of them also winning.
Best Original Screenplay - Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan)
This is one I think La La Land might actually lose for much of the same reason I gave for Moonlight winning. Lonergan wrote and directed Manchester by the Sea and this is a way to honor him for his movie.
Best Animated Feature - Kubo and the Two Strings
I only saw one animated film this year and it was The Secret Life of Pets which I thought was very fun. This is a pretty strong category but the Academy has recognized these anime films before so I'm going with Kubo to win the prize. I would not be surprised if Moana or Zootopia wins - I was surprised Finding Dory wasn't nominated.
Best Original Score - La La Land
The La La Land momentum will continue with this category.
Best Original Song - City of Stars
A musical about Hollywood has to win this category but I actually think Audition was a better song and far more pivotal to the plot of the movie - it's the scene that wins Emma Stone the Oscar. And personally I think the Justin Timberlake song from Trolls - Can't Stop the Feeling - is the one everyone has heard, unless you've been in a bomb shelter the past 6 months. And one additional note, should How Far I'll Go from Moana win, Linn Manuel Miranda will become the youngest person to become a member of the prestigious OGET club - completing the entertainment grand slam of winning an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award. He is the writer behind the Broadway phenomenon, Hamilton, which I'm seeing with my wife and daughter this weekend.
Best Director - Damien Chazelle, La La Land
With Jenkins and Lonergan getting their recognition in the writing category, this would appear to be a slam dunk for Chazelle.
Best Picture - La La Land
A musical about big dreams and Hollywood, how can it lose? Having seen all the movies I think the two biggest threats are Moonlight and Hidden Figures - if I had a vote I think I'd actually pick Hidden Figures. But all of Hollywood can identify with La La Land and I'd be surprised if the top Oscar goes to any of the other films and pleasantly surprised if it goes to Hidden Figures (which actually won the SAG award for Best Cast.)
Other than that, I expect Arrival to win a hand full of the technical awards and more than a couple of winners to make asses of themselves with political statements. God help us if Meryl Streep wins - I'll be turning the show off! Have a great weekend!
