I tried to watch almost all of the nominees. Sadly, I couldn’t watch them all, even though I did my best. First of all, I don’t watch documentaries, short films and animated films. I didn’t have time to watch all of the action/fantasy films nominated for visual effects. So, my predictions will be based on those films’ trailers.
BEST PICTURE
Call Me by Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
It is too hard to choose just one film, especially, when most of the nominees are so good. Personally, I can not choose among “Get Out”, “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri”. However, I feel like “Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri” is my favorite. “Darkest Hour”, “Dunkirk”, “Lady Bird” and “Phantom Thread” seem like weak choices as the best picture. I don’t think the Academy will choose “Call Me by Your Name” because it would be like “Moonlight 2.0″. Also, I don’t think “The Post” will be chosen because it would be like “Spotlight 2.0″. If “Get Out” wins, it will really be a nice surprise but I don’t think it will happen. I wonder if “The Shape of Water” will be like “La La Land 2.0″ which means it might not win, even though it has a high chance of winning with 13 nominations - well, La La Land had 14 nominations - . Although “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri“ is my favorite, I’d still think it would win, if it weren’t my favorite. Especially, with the “Me, too” movement. The movie might sound problematic for some but it is because it’s black comedy.
The battle: The Shape of Water VS. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
My personal choice: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Dark horse: Get Out
Could win: The Shape of Water
Will win: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Timothée Chalamet - Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis - Phantom Thread
Daniel Kaluuya - Get Out
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington - Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Timothée Chalamet was amazing as Elio, however, I don’t think he will be able to win the award. Denzel Washington was also good but I have seen better performances by him so I don’t think he’ll win either. Daniel Day-Lewis is my personal choice and he could win Oscar as a retirement gift. It seems like Gary Oldman’s everyone’s favorite or at least, everyone expects him to win. It seems like he has no competitor. However, I think, we all might be surprised with Daniel Kaluuya’s win. If he doesn’t win, it will be like Oscars so white. Besides the diverse thing, Daniel Kaluuya really deserves to win with his outstanding performance. He is a rising young talent for sure.
The battle: Daniel Day-Lewis VS. Gary Oldman
My personal choice: Daniel Day-Lewis
Dark horse: Daniel Kaluuya
Could win: Gary Oldman
Will win: Daniel Kaluuya
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand - Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie - I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird
Meryl Streep - The Post
Please, don’t let Meryl Streep win again. I find it personally boring, when previous Oscar winners keep winning Oscars because it is repetitive, even though they are so talented. I also don’t think Meryl was that amazing this time. Saoirse Ronan was good but she was not the best. Although she delivers a good performance each time, she always has this frozen, emotionless look. Sorry Saoirse, no offense taken, hopefully. Margot Robbie was much better than Saoirse Ronan in my opinion. For me, the best performances were delivered by Sally Hawkins and Frances McDormand. They were both fantastic. However, Frances McDormand was more fantastic. It seems like Frances McDormand’s only competitor is herself.
The battle: Frances McDormand VS. Sally Hawkins
My personal choice: Frances McDormand
Dark horse: Margot Robbie
Could win: Sally Hawkins
Will win: Frances McDormand
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Willem Dafoe - The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson - Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Richard Jenkins - The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer - All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
I couldn’t watch “All the Money in the World” so I only was able to watch Christopher Plummer’s performance in the trailer. From what I have seen, it looked good. Richard Jenkin’s performance was enjoyable but not the best. Woody Harrelson was much better than I expected. He really killed it. Sam Rockwell killed it more than him though. However, he has a rival and it is Willem Dafoe. To be frank, I’d say that Sam Rockwell would win it. However, I feel like the Academy might give Willem Dafoe an award because Frances McDormand is probably going to win Oscar.
The battle: Sam Rockwell VS. Willem Dafoe
My personal choice: Sam Rockwell
Dark horse: Woody Harrelson
Could win: Sam Rockwell
Will win: Willem Dafoe
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Mary J. Blige - Mudbound
Allison Janney - I, Tonya
Lesley Manville - Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf - Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer - The Shape of Water
If the Academy wants to avoid becoming a trending topic with the “#OscarsSoWhite” hashtag, either Mary J. Blige or Octavia Spencer will get Oscar. However, I don’t think their performances were as strong as the other three. Octavia Spencer is one of my favorite actresses but her role reminded me of some of her previous roles. It didn’t feel unique or different. Mary J. Blige was good but that was it. Lesley Manville’s performance was very good. She could be a wild card. However, I think, Allison Janney and Laurie Metcalf deserve to win more. Races of mothers!
The battle: Allison Janney VS. Laurie Metcalf
My personal choice: Allison Janney
Dark horse: Lesley Manville
Could win: Laurie Metcalf
Will win: Allison Janney
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049 - Roger A. Deakins
Darkest Hour - Bruno Delbonnel
Dunkirk - Hoyte van Hoytema
Mudbound - Rachel Morrison
The Shape of Water - Dan Laustsen
The cinematography of “Darkest Hour” is the weakest out of those 5. “Mudbound”’s cinematography is good but it is just not the best. When I watched “Dunkirk”, I was like “whoa, that is the definition of cinematography”. However, it seems like “The Shape of Water” is favored more than “Dunkirk” in terms of cinematography. “Blade Runner 2049”’s cinematography is marvelous. It is a cinematic masterpiece. “The Shape of Water” is an adult fairytale, whereas “Blade Runner 2049″ is a neon-noir.
The battle: Blade Runner 2049 VS. The Shape of Water
My personal choice: Dunkirk
Dark horse: Dunkirk
Could win: The Shape of Water
Will win: Blade Runner 2049
COSTUME DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast - Jacqueline Durran
Darkest Hour - Jacqueline Durran
Phantom Thread - Mark Bridges
The Shape of Water - Luis Sequeira
Victoria & Abdul - Consolata Boyle
I fell in love with the dresses featured in “Phantom Thread”. So “Phantom Thread” deserves to win. The costumes featured in “Beauty and the Beast” were pretty but those seemed like digitally made which made me dislike them a bit.
The battle: Phantom Thread VS. The Shape of Water
My personal choice: Phantom Thread
Dark horse: Beauty and the Beast
Could win: The Shape of Water
Will win: Phantom Thread
DIRECTING
Dunkirk - Christopher Nolan
Get Out - Jordan Peele
Lady Bird - Greta Gerwig
Phantom Thread - Paul Thomas Anderson
The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro
Choosing the best director is as hard as choosing the best picture. It is even harder because those 5 directors were all great. There were 2 directorial debuts, “Get Out” and “Lady Bird”, which were both splendid. If Greta Gerwig wins, it will be the second time that a woman has won Oscar as a director. As a woman, I would be really proud if Greta wins. However, if I have to be objective, Greta needs to direct a few more movies before winning it because Christopher Nolan and Guillermo del Toro were slightly better than her. Paul Thomas Anderson was just mediocre this time. For me, Christopher Nolan did wonders. However, it is not the best of him according to the critics. It looks like the odds are in favor of Guillermo del Toro this year.
The battle: Christopher Nolan VS. Guillermo del Toro
My personal choice: Christopher Nolan
Dark horse: Greta Gerwig
Could win: Christopher Nolan
Will win: Guillermo del Toro
FILM EDITING
Baby Driver
Dunkirk
I, Tonya
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
It is told so many times that “Baby Driver” is edited so well. However, I just can not see the appeal. “Dunkirk” is much better edited than it, in my opinion. I think, neither “I, Tonya” nor “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” can win because their attempts to use CGI in a proper and realistic way failed. “I, Tonya” could be a little bit better at using CGI though. I believe “The Shape of Water” is edited beautifully.
The battle: Baby Driver VS. Dunkirk
My personal choice: The Shape of Water
Dark horse: The Shape of Water
Could win: Baby Driver
Will win: Dunkirk
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A Fantastic Woman - Chile
The Insult - Lebanon
Loveless - Russia
On Body and Soul - Hungary
The Square - Sweden
This is so hard. All of these movies are more powerful than the best picture contenders. “A Fantastic Woman” is a very important movie which sheds light on trans issues. “The Square” is a social satire. It is a black comedy. It is hard to grasp but it is groundbreaking.
The battle: A Fantastic Woman VS. The Square
My personal choice: The Square
Dark horse: Loveless
Could win: A Fantastic Woman
Will win: The Square
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Darkest Hour - Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick
Victoria & Abdul - Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard
Wonder - Arjen Tuiten
It must have taken a lot of work to transform Gary Oldman into Winston Churchill, right?
The battle: Darkest Hour VS. Wonder
My personal choice: Darkest Hour
Dark horse: Victoria & Abdul
Could win: Wonder
Will win: Darkest Hour
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
Dunkirk - Hans Zimmer
Phantom Thread - Jonny Greenwood
The Shape of Water - Alexandre Desplat
Star Wars: The Last Jedi - John Williams
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri - Carter Burwell
Whoa, this is really difficult. Besides John William’s score, all of those scores were pompous. I am aware that Hans Zimmer’s not everyone’s favorite, but I think he was really good. I really enjoyed Carter Burwell’s score but it might not be as strong as scores of Jonny Greenwood and Alexandre Desplat. I am really torn between Johnny Greenwood and Alexandre Desplat though.
The battle: Jonny Greenwood VS. Alexandre Desplat
My personal choice: Alexandre Desplat
Dark horse: Hans Zimmer
Could win: Jonny Greenwood
Will win: Alexandre Desplat
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
"Mighty River” from Mudbound, Music and Lyric by Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson
“Mystery Of Love” from Call Me by Your Name, Music and Lyric by Sufjan Stevens
“Remember Me” from Coco, Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
“Stand Up For Something” from Marshall, Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Lonnie R. Lynn and Diane Warren
“This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, Music and Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
“Mighty River” is a terrific song but it is really underrated. “Stand Up for Something” feels like “Glory 2.0″. “This is Me” is just okay. Some might think “Mystery of Love” is overrated but I think, it is “Remember Me” which is overrated. “Mystery of Love” delivers more feels than “Remember Me”. To be honest, “Remember Me” and “This Is Me” are the worst songs out of those 5.
The battle: Remember Me VS. This Is Me
My personal choice: Mystery of Love
Dark horse: Mystery of Love
Could win: This Is Me
Will win: Mystery of Love
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast - Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
Blade Runner 2049 - Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Alessandra Querzola
Darkest Hour - Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
Dunkirk - Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
The Shape of Water - Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin
I really can’t decide between “Blade Runner 2049″ and “The Shape of Water”. Those two have the best production design in my opinion.
The battle: Blade Runner 2049 VS. The Shape of Water
My personal choice: Blade Runner 2049
Dark horse: Beauty and the Beast
Could win: Blade Runner 2049
Will win: The Shape of Water
SOUND EDITING
Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I didn’t watch the Star Wars so I really can’t say much about it.
The battle: Baby Driver VS. Dunkirk
My personal choice: Dunkirk
Dark horse: Blade Runner 2049
Could win: Dunkirk
Will win: Blade Runner 2049
SOUND MIXING
Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The battle: Baby Driver VS. Dunkirk
My personal choice: Dunkirk
Dark horse: The Shape of Water
Could win: Baby Driver
Will win: Dunkirk
VISUAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Kong: Skull Island
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes
I only watched “Blade Runner 2049″ and I watched the trailers of the rest.
The battle: Blade Runner 2049 VS. War for the Planet of the Apes
My personal choice: Blade Runner 2049
Dark horse: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Could win: War for the Planet of the Apes
Will win: Blade Runner 2049
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
Call Me by Your Name
The Disaster Artist
Logan
Molly’s Game
Mudbound
“The Disaster Artist” and “Molly’s Game” may be the weakest screenplays here. I haven’t watched “Logan” but I heard a lot of praises about it. I don’t know if the Academy would like to choose a Netflix movie’s screenplay as a winner but “Mudbound”’s screenplay definitely deserves more appreciation and recognition. However, it looks like “Call Me by Your Name” will win for sure and it should win.
The battle: Call Me by Your Name VS. Mudbound
My personal choice: Call Me by Your Name
Dark horse: Logan
Could win: Mudbound
Will win: Call Me by Your Name
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
The Big Sick
Get Out
Lady Bird
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Some say that the “Shape of Water”’s screenplay is plagiarized. Therefore, the Academy might avoid calling it winner. “The Big Sick” is entertaining but I don’t think it really deserves to win. “Lady Bird” is good but it is not something extraordinary, even though it seems to be majority of people’s favorite. “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” is a black comedy which is hard to comprehend for some people. “Get Out” is a political satire with thriller element. It is a tough one.
The battle: Get Out VS. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
My personal choice: Get Out
Dark horse: Lady Bird
Could win: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Will win: Get Out
Are you excited for Oscars? Who and what are your favorites?
