Oscars are this Sunday so its time for our annual Reel Heels Oscar Predictions! This has been an unpredictable year in many ways but there have still been some great movies that have been released. This year, we’ll do a speed round for a majority of the awards and then who we think should/will win the bigger awards of the night. Make sure to check out Kenan’s predictions as well!
Speed Round
Best Cinematography: Mank
Best Costume Design: Emma
Best Documentary Feature: My Octopus Teacher
Best Documentary Short Subject: Do Not Split
Best Film Editing: Nomadland
Best International Film Feature: Another Round
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Emma
Best Original Score: News of the World
Best Original Song: Speak Now from One Night in Miami
Best Production Design: Tenet
Best Animated Short Film: Yes-People
Best Live Action Short Film: White Eye
Best Sound: Sound of Metal
Best Visual Effects: Tenet
Major Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- The Father
- NomadLand
- One Night in Miami…
- The White Tiger
Should Win: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm – I was a big fan of the second Borat and I feel like just figuring out a way for this movie to work during a pandemic should be rewarded
Will Will: Nomadland – I feel like Nomadland will have a big night hear. People seemed to like this movie more than I did and while there are things I like about it, its not my favorite. However, I think it will have a good Oscars night.
Best Original Screenplay
- Judas and the Black Messiah
- Minari
- Promising Young Woman
- Sound of Metal
- The Trial of the Chicago 7
Should Win/Will Win – The Trial of the Chicago 7 – This is my favorite movie of last year and I’ll be pulling for it to win each award it is nominated for. If it wins one, I think Aaron Sorkin will win for his screenplay, because he is one of the best screenwriters in Hollywood.
Best Animated Feature
- Onward
- Over the Moon
- A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
- Soul
- Wolfwalkers
Should Win/Will Win – Soul – I’ve only seen the PIXAR movies but PIXAR movies usually win and Soul is so good, I can’t see how it can’t win. I wouldn’t have been surprised with a Best Picture nomination but at the very least, it’s getting an Oscar here on Sunday.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Andra Day, The United States vs Billie Holiday
- Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
- Frances McDormand, Nomadland
- Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Should Win – Carey Mulligan – I really enjoyed Promising Young Woman and while I don’t think she’ll win here, I think she deserves the win.
Will Win – Frances McDormand – I love Frances McDormand. I think she’ll take the win here and she’s great in everything she’s in.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
- Daniel Kaluuyam Judas and the Black Messiah
- Leslie Odom Jr, One Night in Miami
- Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
- Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Should Win – Sacha Baron Cohen – He’s had two award worthy performances last year but I really think he was my favorite part of my favorite movie. Give this man an award
Will Win – Daniel Kaluuya – He was very good playing Fred Hampton. I think he will take it here but with multiple nominations from the same movie, its possible they might split the vote. But I still think Kaluuya will take it.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
- Olivia Coleman, The Father
- Amanda Seyfriend, Mank
- Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Should Win – Maria Bakalova – She was the best thing in my opinion in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and she should get all the awards for her breakthrough role and staying in character in all the situations that she has. You truly believe she is Borat’s daughter
Will Win – Glenn Close – This is more of a gut feeling that the Academy is going to use this year to get her her long overdue Oscar. Thought it would be for The Wife for I’m guessing it will be this year.
Best Actor in a Lead Role
- Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
- Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Anthony Hopkins, The Father
- Gary Oldman, Mank
- Steve Yeun, Minari
Should Win/Will Win – Chadwick Boseman – The Academy will not let the opportunity to give this man an Oscar and tragically, this is the only opportunity it has. He is also really great in this movie and although it will be bittersweet, it will be a great moment when Chadwick gets his Oscar
Best Director
- Another Round
- Mank
- Minari
- Nomadland
- Promising Young Woman
Should Win – Aaron Sorkin – He wasn’t nomanated but I still think he would be my pick.
Will Win – Chloe Zhao, Nomadland – My favorite thing from Nomadland was Zhao’s direction and she definitely deserves to win out of the nominees. I enjoyed her previous film The Rider and look forward to her Marvel movie The Eternals and can’t wait to see what she does in the future
Best Picture
- The Father
- Judas and the Black Messiah
- Mank
- Minari
- Nomadland
- Promising Young Woman
- Sound of Metal
- The Trial of the Chicago 7
Should Win – The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Again, this is my favorite movie of the past year and I also think it is the best. The time flew by and I watched it twice the first week it came out and just really dug this movie. It should win.
Will Win – Nomadland – I would pick Trial of the Chicago 7, Promising Young Woman, Sound of Metal & Judas and the Black Messiah above Nomadland as far as personal preference but I think it will take it here based on how some previous award shows have gone. Full Disclaimer – I haven’t seen Minari or The Father yet due to availability so I cannot say anything to those movies.