My 2020 Oscar Predictions

This has been such a good year for movies. I’ve seen each of the best picture nominees and I would be happy if any one of them received the award. I’ve watched as many others as I could (including shorts), but I stayed away from hearing other predictions. And here we go…

BEST PICTURE   Who I want to win: Parasite   Who I predict will win: 1917

Just a little explanation regarding why I say Parasite. Again, I liked all of these, and the ones I enjoyed most were Joker, Jo Jo Rabbit, 1917, The Irishman, Little Women and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. I think The Irishman could easily win, but it’s a Netflix movie and I question whether Hollywood is ready to award a streaming movie yet (which would also put Marriage Story in doubt). I think Joker is very deserving, but not sure they’re ready to give the award to a movie connected with comics just yet. I don’t believe Parasite has a great chance because of it being a foreign film, but I want them to be ready for that. It’s a good year to allow for that, especially considering that movie makers rave about the masterpiece this movie is.

The way they do the voting for this category is “preferential,” which means instead of voters picking one to win, they list them all in order of preference. Then the lists are aggregated, which often brings surprises like we’ve seen in recent years. So really, this could be anyone’s game, especially considering how good they all are. Who knows, you just might see Jojo Rabbit or Little Women take the award!

BEST ACTOR   Who I want to win: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker   Who I predict will win: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

But watch out for Adam Driver!

BEST ACTRESS   Who I want to win: Renee Zellweger, Judy

   Who I predict will win: Renee Zellweger

, Judy

Ever since I saw Judy last October I’ve wanted Zellweger to win, but I saw Bombshell a couple of weeks ago, and wow Charlize Theron really deserves it too!I came this close to putting her in the “want to win” spot for me.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR   Who I want to win: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood   Who I predict will win: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

He is one of my favourite actors, and definitely my favourite in these options, though Joe Pesci is a super close 2nd for me, and very capable of taking the prize himself.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS   Who I want to win: Florence Pugh, Little Women   Who I predict will win: Laura Dern, Marriage Story

A lot of people are talking about Pugh, so who knows?

BEST DIRECTOR   Who I want to win: Sam Mendes, 1917   Who I predict will win: Sam Mendes, 1917

I would LOVE to see Scorsese get another Oscar, and I believe Bong Joon Ho is more than deserving. But I do think Mendes knocked it out of the park with 1917.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY   Who I want to win:    Who I predict will win: The Irishman

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY   Who I want to win: Knives Out   Who I predict will win: Parasite

Marriage Story is my back-up.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

   Who I want to win: I Lost My Body   Who I predict will win: Toy Story 4

I would really like to see a lower budget, plainly animated movie win one year. So far Disney/Pixar has dominated the last two decades. I watched ILMB on Netflix recently and really thought it was really cool.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY   Who I want to win: 1917   Who I predict will win: 1917

BEST COSTUME DESIGN   Who I want to win: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood   Who I predict will win: Little Women

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE   Who I want to win: American Factory   Who I predict will win: American Factory

I’ve only seen two and this one I liked most.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT   Who I want to win: Walk Run Cha-Cha   Who I predict will win: In the Absence

I only saw one, Walk Run Cha-Cha. So, just a guess here.

BEST FILM EDITING   Who I want to win: Ford v Ferrari   Who I predict will win:

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM   Who I want to win: Parasite

Who I predict will win: Parasite

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING   Who I want to win: 1917   Who I predict will win: Bombshell

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE   Who I want to win: Joker   Who I predict will win: Joker

BEST ORIGINAL SONG   Who I want to win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman   Who I predict will win: “Into the Unknown” from Frozen II

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGNWho I want to win: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood   Who I predict will win: 1917

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM   Who I want to win: Memorable   Who I predict will win: Hair Love

I was lucky enough to watch most of the nominees in this category. Try looking them up. They’re a lot of fun.

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT FILM   Who I want to win:    Who I predict will win: Brotherhood

I list them this way, but I really liked these two shorts A LOT! I almost had to flip a coin here.

BEST SOUND EDITING

   Who I want to win: Ford v Ferrari   Who I predict will win: Ford v Ferrari

BEST SOUND MIXING   Who I want to win: Ford v Ferrari   Who I predict will win: Ad Astra

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS   Who I want to win: 1917   Who I predict will win: Avengers: Endgame

So my pick is 1917, though the votes tended to lean another way…

Congratulations Joker. This is your week. Good luck on Sunday.

Best Quotes:

We already have picks above for best actress and best actor, so here are some of the greatest quotes from the best picture nominees:

“The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.” — Joker

“You always charge aa guy with a gun! With a knife, you run away.” — The Irishman

“Now, get your things together, kids. It’s time to burn some books!” — Jojo Rabbit

“Criminal lawyers see bad people at their best. Divorce lawyers see good people at their worst.” — Marriage Story

“There’s only one way this war ends: last man standing.” — 1917

“Don’t cry in front of the Mexicans.” — Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

“I hear you paint houses.” — The Irishman

“If the main character is a girl, make sure she is married by the end.” — Little Women

Joker