I know I already did this post, but I think I got a bit ahead of myself. And now Ive at last seen all of the big Oscar films (with a few exceptions, which will be detailed below).
And now, your daily update on my health, because I love sharing. I worked too hard yesterday and I’m feeling it today. My throat is worse and I’ve pain in my sinuses. It never ends. I probably won’t be able to make it to Senior Masquerade tomorrow, which is a great sadness, because I have a beautiful mask that I rarely get to wear. Few occasions to wear beautiful masks, unfortunately. And I won’t get to see Lily wearing the mask I bought her in Venice, which is another Great Sadness.
Le sigh. I know I’m not a big one for going out and partying these days, but I would appreciate the choice, you know? And an evening inside is not nearly so nice when you’re sick.
Anyway, onto movies. I watched Shyamalan’s Split last night. Despite the positive reviews I thought it was pretty much poop. I’ve seen all of the big Oscar films now except Fences (I had to read the play in high school with a not very pleasant teacher and I don’t want to re-experience it) and Silence (because I can’t find it anywhere).
So in pink I’m putting the film I think will win, and in purple, the film(s) I want to win.
Best Picture:
ARRIVAL
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
HIDDEN FIGURES
LA LA LAND
LION
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
Just so long as it’s not Arrival or Manchester by the Sea, I’ll be at peace. Although La La Land will annoy me, I think it’s kind of inevitable. My runners up are Hacksaw Ridge and then Lion.
Lead Actor:
CASEY AFFLECK, Manchester by the Sea
ANDREW GARFIELD, Hacksaw Ridge
RYAN GOSLING, La La Land
VIGGO MORTENSEN, Captain Fantastic
DENZEL WASHINGTON, Fences
Someone described Manchester by the Sea so aptly and I felt so relieved to have someone’s opinion backing mine. It’s “white sadness porn,” no? I think Garfield’s turn in Hacksaw Ridge was amazing. He plays an interesting man who evolves throughout the movie. Affleck plays an asshole who becomes… an asshole? But somewhat more tortured?
Lead Actress:
ISABELLE HUPPERT, Elle
RUTH NEGGA, Loving
NATALIE PORTMAN, Jackie
EMMA STONE, La La Land
MERYL STREEP, Florence Foster Jenkins
I cry, but I think Emma Stone is going to get this one. Which is a travesty, considering how much I loved Jackie and how thoughtful and disturbing Elle is. It’s like they’re not consulting my preferences at all. Ruth and Meryl deserve to be nominated but I don’t think either performance deserves a win.
Supporting Actor:
MAHERSHALA ALI, Moonlight
JEFF BRIDGES, Hell or High Water
LUCAS HEDGES, Manchester by the Sea
DEV PATEL, Lion
MICHAEL SHANNON, Nocturnal Animals
My top choice is Mahershala and I believe that he will actually get the Oscar. But Jeff Bridges does a beautiful job in Hell or High Water and Michael Shannon’s role in Nocturnal Animals is cool, pivotal, and well done. There’s some irritation about Dev Patel, who plays a lead role in Lion being nominated as a supporting actor, but he only plays that character for a short period of time. On the other hand, I would love to have seen the young Sunny Pawar be nominated as a lead actor. His performances was astoundingly good.
Supporting Actress:
VIOLA DAVIS, Fences
NAOMIE HARRIS, Moonlight
NICOLE KIDMAN, Lion
OCTAVIA SPENCER, Hidden Figures
MICHELLE WILLIAMS, Manchester by the Sea
This is a toss up. I could see Viola, Octavia, or Michelle winning, but I think ultimately it will go to Viola. None of these was a standout to me, but if I have to pick someone I’ll side with Octavia.
Cinematography:
ARRIVAL
LA LA LAND
LION
MOONLIGHT
SILENCE
As I said before, La La Land may actually deserve to win for its bright and magical visuals. On the other hand, Moonlight was also shot beautifully. But I think the award will likely go to La La Land, because life’s not fair.
Costume:
ALLIED
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS
JACKIE
LA LA LAND
They remade the Chanel suit so well that the Chanel brand asked to have it for their archives. They have to win. If La La Land wins I’m going to throw a tantrum. Wouldn’t be upset by a FFJ upset, although the vast majority of the interesting looks were FFJ’s performance ensembles. I wasn’t very impressed with Fantastic Beasts.
Directing:
ARRIVAL
HACKSAW RIDGE
LA LA LAND
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
Damian Chazelle is getting so much hoopla for La La Land, even if I think his directing is sloppy I don’t think the Academy agrees with me. And I don’t think they’re ready to give an award to Mel Gibson. It would be delightful to see a Barry Jenkins win though.
List Mimsy 