Well folks, it’s been a wild time since last year’s Oscars, but we have finally reached Oscar time for this year! Just like always, we here at Reel Heels are super excited for Hollywood’s biggest night and we are going to predict this year’s winners! We will predict all the categories but we will do longer write ups for animated feature, original and adapted screenplay, the acting categories, directing, and best picture.
Cinematography: Nomadland
Costume Design: Mank
Documentary (Feature): Collective
Documentary (Short): A Love Song for Latasha
Film Editing: The Trial of the Chicago 7
International Feature Film: Another Round
Makeup and Hairstyling: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Music (Score): Mank
Music (Song): One Night in Miami
Production Design: Mank
Short Film (Animated): If Anything Happens I Love You
Short Film (Live Action): Feeling Through
Sound: Sound of Metal
Visual Effects: Tenet
Animated Feature
There are some great animated options this year, with everyone’s favorite claymation sheep returning in Shaun the Sheep: Farmaggedon, and our more unique options like Wolfwalkers and Over the Moon. But as it seems is the case every year, this year will come down to Pixar who has two nominees in this category this year, Soul and Onward. While neither is necessarily the absolute pinnacle of what the studio has to offer, I expect one of them to take this category, and I believe that will be the one I preferred: Soul.
Original Screenplay
There were some really great original screenplays this year that told unique and exciting stories. Aaron Sorkin is a stalwart in this category, and this may be his best shot at a win for the Trial of the Chicago 7, but voters may be more inclined for the other historical drama Judas and the Black Messiah. Then again, Minari and Sound of Metal are certainly contenders. However, I believe this one will deservedly go to Promising Young Woman which won the WGA in this category.
Adapted Screenplay
This category has several great options. The White Tiger tells a story very reminiscent of last year’s original screenplay winner Parasite. One Night in Miami is based on the play of the same name and has a captivating story about four titans of the 60’s spending one night together. The Father tells the story of a man battling dementia in a very unique and immersive way. Nomadland shines a light on a group of people living in America unlike almost anything I’ve seen before. But I think this has to go to Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm. After 14 years, Sacha Baron Cohen gave us an incredibly satisfying sequel to one of my favorite comedies of the 21st century, and he may have surpassed that one this time out. It’s funny, it’s biting, and I think it wins Oscar gold here.
Supporting Actress
Several great actresses are nominated here, including a former Lead Actress winner Olivia Colman who was terrific in The Father. Maria Bakalova had a breakthrough performance keeping step for step with Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm. Yuh-Jung Youn was a delight in Minari and took home the SAG. However, I think this will be a two woman race between Amanda Seyfried in Mank and Glenn Close in Hillbilly Elegy. Admittedly, Hillbilly Elegy isn’t the greatest performance that Close ever gave, but the Oscars love lifetime achievement awards, and they’ve denied Close so long. I’m saying she gets her long overdue win here.
Supporting Actor
Another category filled with great performances, this category could go a number of ways. Paul Raci is a wonderful addition in Sound of Metal, while Leslie Odom and Sacha Baron Cohen give some of the best performances of their careers in One Night in Miami and The Trial of the Chicago 7 respectively. But this category seems like it is going to come down to Judas and the Black Messiah which saw its two main characters played by Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya both nominated in this category. I expect Kaluuya will take home the Oscar like he did the SAG and Golden Globe.
Lead Actor
This category features some incredibly talented actors giving some of the best performances of their careers. Gary Oldman melts into the role in Mank, and Anthony Hopkins gives a very nuanced challenging performance in The Father. Steven Yeun was a revelation in Minari, becoming the first Asian American nominated for Lead Actor. Riz Ahmed is a powerhouse in Sound of Metal. But this category will go to the late great Chadwick Boseman for his incredible performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and deservedly so.
Lead Actress
This year’s lead actress category was full of incredible and incredibly different performances. Vanessa Kirby is amazing as a woman suffering through the grief of a lost child in Pieces of a Woman. Andra Day completely captures Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Frances McDormand is among the best she’s ever been in Nomadland. Again, I see this as coming down to one of two nominees: Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman and Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. These two performances are incredibly different but equally impressive. I think Viola becomes a two time Oscar winner with a win here.
Directing
This category has taken some heat in recent years for a lack of diversity but the excellent crop of directors this year made history in this category. Emerald Fennell brought an amazing touch to Promising Young Woman. Thomas Vinterberg directed a delightful film in Another Round. David Fischer continued his run as one of the best directors in the game with Mank. Lee Isaac Chung made a wonderful personal film with Minari. Chloe Zhao showed America in one of the most beautifully cinematic films in Nomadland. While they are all deserving of a win, I think Chloe Zhao makes history as only the second woman to take home this award.
Best Picture
In a year where we had no idea what this category would look like due to incredibly unusual real world circumstances, we have eight very solid nominees for Best Picture. I have honestly had a hard time separating one from the pack because they are all very solid nominees. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is the most traditional Oscar movie, and its all star cast delivers a very strong movie. The Father and Sound of Metal are two of the most immersive movies I can remember, where you feel like you are experiencing the same struggles as the lead characters. Mank is a love letter to the golden age of Hollywood and a companion to one of the great all time movies. Judas and the Black Messiah is a powerful snapshot into the civil rights movement that feels as timely and potent as if it was taking place today. Promising Young Woman is a dark satire that delivers a strong message through humor and shocking moments. Minari is a story of the American dream seen through the eyes of Korean immigrants, while Nomadland is also the story of the American dream seen through the eyes of some of the forgotten citizens of the country. Any of them could take this home, and I think it’s going to come down to Nomadland and The Trial of the Chicago 7, with Nomadland ultimately taking Best Picture.
So there you have it! My predictions for this year’s Oscars! Who do you think is going to win this year? Let us know, and make sure to check out Jason’s predictions as well!