Well, my friends, a lot has happened since the last time we met for the 2020 Academy Awards. I figured “Parasite” pulling the Best Picture upset would be a highlight of the year in entertainment, but I didn’t predict that it would be pretty much the highlight of the year, period. Its been…weird.
For the first time since doing this thang, I am not entering myself in any Oscar pools. The movies were more accessible than ever, yet I could not bring myself to drop, say, $20 on “Minari” on Amazon. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting filmmakers and would easily drop that on a theater experience. But when I pay for five streaming services a month and there are literally thousands of options, I don’t feel as motivated.
I also wanted to watch “Citizan Kane” before diving into “Mank,” this year’s most nominated film. But alas, the prospect of needing to watch two free movies (the former is in my DVD collection, the latter is available on Netflix) was too much to bear. I did, however, manage to binge seven episodes of “The Circle” season 2 this weekend. Go figure.
So ultimately, I know less about the slate of movies this season than ever before. While this disappoints me, I am trying to put less pressure on myself to consume things that I feel I have to consume and focusing more on watching/reading/experiencing the things I want to experience. Thus, less “The Father,” and more “The Circle” season 2. Who wants to weep after the year we just had??
Anywho! On to the predictions. I’m in a bit of a COVID-19 vaccine fog since I got my second dose yesterday so please excuse typos and general aloofness. Just as a reminder, get your fucking vaccine so we can go back to normal. No excuses.
As always, my three catagories:
“I’m 100% Sure,” “I’m 75% Sure,” and “Coin Toss.”
I’m 100% Sure
Tempted to make this catagory 95% sure because I really don’t have confidence in anything today.
Best Director - Chloe Zhao
The list of women who have won Best Director isn’t even a list. It’s just Katheryn Bigelow. Until tonight…
Best Actor - Chadwick Boseman
Word on the street is that his performance in “Da 5 Bloods” is even better than what he was nominated for in “Ma Rainey.” That doesn’t matter. Crown this man. He was a king.
Best Original Score - “Soul”
“Soul” may end up with more wins than “Mank.” Just saying.
Best Song - “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami”
An underwhelming film overall, “Speak Now” apparently has legs in the song catagory so let’s just slap it up here to give my “100%” section a little more meat.
Best Sound - “Sound of Metal”
It has sound in the title. Come on, people!
Best Visual Effects - “Tenet”
Bwong!
Best Animated Feature - “Soul”
I cried during.
Best International Film - “Another Round”
I’d like to take this space to rave about another int’l film featuring Mads Mikkelson that was nominated in 2014. “The Hunt,” but only if you are prepared to be triggered for 115 minutes and then subsequently not sleep for a few nights.
Best Live Action Short - “Two Distant Strangers”
Read the synopsis and try telling me how this won’t win.
I’m 75% Sure
Best Picture - “Nomadland”
Chloe Zhao is primed for a huge night and a huge career to follow. “Nomadland” has the most going for it: it’s the latest to be free on streaming services (“Mank” and “Chicago 7” have been out a while), it’s done well on the award circuit, it’s taking home Best Director (like “Parasite” in 2020 & “The Shape of Water” in 2018), and it’s also really, really good.
Best Supporting Actress - Olivia Colman
Colman’s ascent to Hollywood royalty seemed to happen overnight. Since her win for “The Favourite” she has yet to miss. From “The Crown” to “Fleabag,” Colman is hot in the streets. For this reason, I think she beats out some stronger and lesser known nominees (Youn). However, Youn has done very well for herself so a win for her would be far from an upset.
Best Supporting Actor - Daniel Kaluula
What is there to say about a performance I didn’t see? I’m going with the odds here (3/1).
Best Original Screenplay - “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Consolation prize for “Chicago 7” which is otherwise blanked on the night.
Best Cinematography - “Nomadland”
I don’t see how “Mank” doesn’t win a single award on the night, yet I don’t know where it sneaks a win. I guess it would have to be here, but my gut says Joshua James Richards.
Best Hair/Makeup - “Ma Rainey”
The work they did to Viola Davis alone is worthy.
Best Production Design - “Mank”
Here it is, the one win for the top nominated picture. Enjoy!
Best Animated Short - “If Anything Happens I Love You”
Love you too, boo.
Coin Toss
Best Actress - Frances McDormand
I cannot bring myself to type the name Carey Mulligan for what I believe was a subpar performance in a subpar movie. And only one black woman has won Best Actress (Halle Berry) in been 93 years. Viola Davis, who is destined to win it someday, doesn’t have as much screentime as Frances McDormand, who commands nearly every frame of “Nomadland.”
Best Adapted Screenplay - “Nomadland”
“The Father” is Gold Derby’s favorite to win, but who would I be if I just copied and pasted Gold Derby’s predictions? I think since “Nomadland” is the picture and director favorite that it carries some weight in the screenwriting catagory.
Best Costume Design - “Ma Rainey”
Very nervous about “Emma” and “Mank” in this catagory. True toss.
Best Film Editing - “Nomadland”
The tightest catagory of the evening, so I’ll default to the Best Pic. If I’m wrong about how much everyone appreciated Nomadland than this could be a long night for ya boi. Here’s to hoping…
Best Documentary Feature - “My Octopus Teacher”
Please do the right thing and give this award to a truly beautiful film. “Time,” the favorite, is just awful. We need to stop rewarding bad filmmaking simply because a topic is important and timely.
Best Documentary Short - “A Love Song for Latasha”
I usually don’t get a chance to watch the doc shorts so I typically defer to the consensus online. In this case “Love Letter”and “Colette” seem to be the two competiting favorites.
There you have it, my peeps. Enjoy and remember, no matter who wins, “Palm Springs” is the best movie of 2020. Don’t let the Academy tell you otherwise.
Matt