Academy Awards 2021: Predictions

I am publishing this edition to continue with the tradition of doing so. Otherwise, this is not a time for awards or predictions.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘Nomadland’

Who Should Win: ‘Nomadland’

Honourable Mention: ‘Minari’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Chadwick Boseman

Who Should Win: Anthony Hopkins

Honourable Mention: Riz Ahmed

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Frances McDormand

Who Should Win: Frances McDormand

Honourable Mention: Vanessa Kirby

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Daniel Kaluuya

Who Should Win: LaKeith Stanfield

Honourable Mention: Paul Raci

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Yuh-Jung Youn

Who Should Win: Yuh-Jung Youn

Honourable Mention: Olivia Colman and Maria Bakalova

Best Achievement in Directing

Who Will Win: Chloe Zhao for Nomadland

Who Should Win: Chloe Zhao

Honourable Mention: Lee Isaac Chung for ‘Minari’

Best Original Screenplay

Who Will Win: In a weak field ‘Promising Young Woman’

Who Should Win: ‘Trial of the Chicago 7’

Honourable Mention: ‘Minari’

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who Will Win: ‘Nomadland’

Who Should Win: ‘The Father’

Honourable Mention: ‘The White Tiger’

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who Will Win: Joshua James Richards (Nomadland)

Who Should Win: Joshua James Richards (Nomadland)

Honourable Mention: Erik Messerschmidt (Mank)

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Who Will Win: Alan Baumgarten (The Trial of the Chicago 7)

Who Should Win: Mikkel E.G. Nielsen (Sound of Metal)

Honourable Mention: Yorgos Lamprinos (The Father)

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who Will Win: Mank (Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale)

Who Should Win: Mank (Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale)

Honourable Mention: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Mark Ricker, Karen O’Hara, Diana Stoughton)

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who Will Win: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Ann Roth)

Who Should Win: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Ann Roth)

Honourable Mention: Emma (Alexandra Byrne)

Best Sound

Who Will Win: Sound of Metal (Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés Navarrete, Phillip Bladh)

Who Should Win: Sound of Metal (Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés Navarrete, Phillip Bladh)

Honourable Mention: News of the World (Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller, John Pritchett)

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Who Will Win: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal, Jamika Wilson)

Who Should Win: Hillbilly Elegy (Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew W. Mungle, Patricia Dehaney)

Honourable Mention: Pinocchio (Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli, Francesco Pegoretti)

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

Who Will Win: Soul (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste)

Who Should Win: Soul (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste)

Honourable Mention:  News of the World (James Newton Howard)

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Who Will Win: The Life Ahead

Who Should Win: One Night in Miami…

Honourable Mention: The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: Tenet (Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley, Scott R. Fisher)

Who Should Win: Tenet (Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley, Scott R. Fisher)

Honourable Mention: The Midnight Sky (Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, Max Solomon, David Watkins)

Best Documentary Feature

Who Will Win: A shootout between ‘Collective’ and ‘Crip Camp’

Who Should Win: Collective

Honourable Mention: My Octopus Teacher

Best Animated Feature Film

Who Will Win: Soul

Who Should Win: Soul

Honourable Mention: WolfWalkers

Best International Feature Film

Who Will Win: Another Round

Who Should Win: Quo vadis, Aida?

Honourable Mention: The Man Who Sold His Skin

Academy Awards 2020: Predictions

This year the leading winner of Oscars will be ‘1917’ and ‘Parasite’ will become the first Korean film to win an Oscar. Here are my predictions for the winners of 2020.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘1917’

Who Should Win: Parasite. ‘Parasite’ is a better movie than ‘1917’

Honourable Mention: ‘The Irishman’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix for ‘Joker’. Who else?

Who Should Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Honourable Mention: Adam Driver in ‘Marriage Story’

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Renee Zellweger for playing Judy Garland

Who Should Win: Renee Zellweger

Honourable Mention: Saoirse Ronan in ‘Little Women’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Brad Pitt

Who Should Win: Tom Hanks

Honourable Mention: Joe Pesci

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Laura Dern

Who Should Win: Laura Dern

Honourable Mention: Florence Pugh

Best Achievement in Directing

Who Will Win: Sam Mendes for ‘1917’

Who Should Win: Bong Joon Ho for ‘Parasite’. I won’t put my money on this but I won’t be surprised if Bong Joon Ho nicks it.

Honourable Mention: Todd Philips for ‘Joker’

Best Original Screenplay

Who Will Win: ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’

Who Should Win: It is because there are too many Tarantino fans that he may win but ‘Parasite’ and ‘Knives Out’ would be more deserving winners.

Honourable Mention: In hindsight, ‘Marriage Story’ is overrated.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who Will Win: My vote is for ‘Little Women’ but the awful ‘Jojo Rabbit’ seems to have many fans.

Who Should Win: ‘Little Women’

Honourable Mention: ‘The Irishman’

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who Will Win: Roger Deakins for ‘1917’. More than anything, ‘1917’ was about cinematography.

Who Should Win: Roger Deakins for ‘1917’.

Honourable Mention: Jarin Blaschke for ‘The Lighthouse’.

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Who Will Win: ‘Ford vs Ferrari’

Who Should Win: ‘Parasite’

Honourable Mention: ‘Joker’

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who Will Win: ‘1917’

Who Should Win: ‘Parasite’

Honourable Mention: ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who Will Win: ‘Little Women’

Who Should Win: ‘Little Women’

Honourable Mention: ‘Jojo Rabbit’

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Who Will Win: ‘Bombshell’

Who Should Win: ‘Bombshell’

Honourable Mention: ‘Joker’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

Who Will Win: The first solo female winner in this category Hilder Guonadottir for ‘Joker’

Who Should Win: Hilder Guonadottir for ‘Joker’

Honourable Mention: Thomas Newman for ‘1917’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Who Will Win: Elton John and Bernie Taupin for ‘The Rocketman’

Who Should Win: Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Honourable Mention: Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell for ‘Harriet’

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: ‘Avengers: Endgame’

Who Should Win: ‘Avengers: Endgame’

Honourable Mention: ‘1917’

Best Documentary Feature

Who Will Win: All the nominees are good but my vote is for ‘Honeyland’ which is better.

Who Should Win: ‘Honeyland’

Honourable Mention: ‘For Sama’

Best Animated Feature Film

Who Will Win: No clear favourites here. My vote is for ‘Missing Link’ but a win for ‘Toy Story 4’ or ‘Klaus’ would not be surprise.

Who Should Win: ‘Missing Link’

Honourable Mention: ‘Klaus’

Best International Feature Film

Who Will Win: ‘Parasite’

Who Should Win: ‘Parasite’

Honourable Mention: ‘Honeyland’

Academy Awards 2019: Predictions

In a year where the general quality of movies left much to be desired, the Oscars may not have any movie which wins more than 4 of the coveted gongs. Here are my predictions for the winners of 2019.

You can also have a look at my predictions in the years from 2014 to 2018 here: https://couldhavebeenacontender.wordpress.com/2018/03/

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘Roma’ but I would not be surprised if ‘Green Book’ steals it.

Who Should Win:’Roma’

Honourable Mention: ‘Green Book’. Why some movies like ‘Black Panther’, ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and ‘Vice’ have been nominated is beyond me.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Rami Malek

Who Should Win: Rami Malek

Honourable Mention: Viggo Mortensen deserves some acclaim for his acting in ‘Green Book’

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Glenn Close. Give that lady an Oscar please.

Who Should Win: Glenn Close

Honourable Mention: Olivia Coleman and Melissa McCarthy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Mahershala Ali for ‘Green Book’. You can bet your money on this.

Who Should Win: Mahershala Ali

Honourable Mention: Richard Grant for ‘Can you ever forgive me?’

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Regina King for ‘If Beale Street could Talk’

Who Should Win: Regina King for ‘If Beale Street could Talk’

Honourable Mention: Dames Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone for ‘The Favourite’. I have much sympathy for Amy Adams who is on course to be the next Glenn Close: lots of nominations but no wins.

Best Achievement in Directing

Who Will Win: Who else? Alfonso Cuaron for ‘Roma’

Who Should Win: Alfonso Cuaron

Honourable Mention: Pawel Pawlikowski for ‘Cold War’.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Who Will Win: ‘Green Book’

Who Should Win: ‘First Reformed’

Honourable Mention: Why was ‘Eighth Grade’ not nominated?

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Who Will Win: ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’

Who Should Win: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

Honourable Mention: ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’

Who Should Win: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’

Honourable Mention: ‘Mirai’

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘Roma’

Who Should Win: ‘Cold War’

Honourable Mention: ‘Shoplifters’

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron for ‘Roma’

Who Should Win: Alfonso Cuaron for ‘Roma’

Honourable Mention: Lukasz Sal for ‘Cold War’

Best Achievement in Editing

Who Will Win: ‘Vice’ in a very open category

Who Should Win: No clear favourites in this category. ‘First Man’ was not even nominated.

Honourable Mention: ‘Green Book’

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who Will Win: ‘Black Panther’

Who Should Win: ‘The Favourite’

Honourable Mention: ‘First Man’

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who Will Win: ‘Black Panther’

Who Should Win: ‘The Favourite’

Honourable Mention: Mary Poppins Returns

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Who Will Win: ‘Vice’

Who Should Win: ‘The Favourite’

Honourable Mention: ‘Black Panther’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Who Will Win: I really have no clue here because ‘First Man’ and ‘A Star is Born’ are not nominated. If having a lot of music is the criteria, then ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ should win but the award may go to ‘Black Panther’

Who Should Win: None of the nominated movie have an Oscar worthy score.

Honourable Mention: ‘Black Panther’

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Who Will Win: ‘First Man’

Who Should Win: ‘First Man’

Honourable Mention: ‘Black Panther’

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Who Will Win: ‘A Quiet Place’

Who Should Win: ‘First Man’

Honourable Mention: ‘Black Panther’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Who Will Win: Lady Gaga for ‘A Star is Born’

Who Should Win: Lady Gaga for ‘A Star is Born’

Honourable Mention: Diane Warren for ‘RBG’

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

Who Should Win: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’

Honourable Mention: ‘First Man’

Best Documentary, Feature

Who Will Win: ‘Free Solo’

Who Should Win: ‘RBG’

Honourable Mention: ‘Hale County This Morning, This Evening’

Edition 92

The Non-English Movie of The Week

Roma (Mexico, 2018) [IMDB: 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 96%, My Rating: 8.5]

Trailer

Poles apart from his previous venture ‘Gravity’ in scope and temperament, Alfanso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ is a study of the unraveling of a family told through the eyes of the housemaid who herself is in the midst of a personal turmoil. Rumoured to be based on the director’s childhood, ‘Roma’ is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the director’s vision. It is a love letter to the housemaid and his childhood told with evocative images and a deep empathy for the characters at the centre of the story. The movie is also remarkable for its attention to detail. ‘Roma’ is a universal movie that would not be out of place in any time or geography. Must see.

Movies I Saw This Week 

Cold War (Poland, 2018) [IMDB: 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes: 93%, My Rating: 9.0]

Trailer

Deviating from the norm, I have included this Polish movie in this section of the blog because I loved this movie. I believe that it is one of the best movies of the year and would easily walk into the top three of the year. It is a searing love story set against the Cold War. With remarkable lead performances and memorable cinematography, ‘Cold War’ is an instant classic which is on a higher pedestal than the director’s previous work ‘Ida’. The political shenanigans and the intrigue of ‘Cold War’ are heightened by the drama and passion that the director brings into the movie. Two star crossed lovers go through hell as they cling on to the last shreds of hope when villains in the form of circumstances and people envelop them. For all my experience of watching thousands of movies, I never saw the ending coming. The climax of the movie is something that will etch this movie in your mind for a long time. Must see.

Green Book (2018) [IMDB: 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%, My Rating: 8.0]

Trailer

‘Green Book’ has been at the receiving end of a concerted campaign to discredit it ahead of the Oscars. Truth be told, this is the most topical film of the year with an excellent screenplay and commendable performances. Mahershala Ali is a shoo-in for the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ at the Oscars. ‘Green Book’ is a classic road movie which tells the true tale of an African American musician chauffeured by a Italian American in the racially volatile deep South during the 60s. ‘Green Book’ deals with important themes of racism, friendship and culture and emerges unscathed. The endearing movie is boosted by its charming sense of comedy. Overall, a very good movie which is worth your time.

Vice (2018) [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 66%, My Rating: 7.5]

Trailer

Adam Mckay holds back no punches is an all out assault on Dick Cheney in ‘Vice’. The director sticks to his signature style of film making which is a curious superimposition of the documentary style on a drama. Backed by first rate research, the movie reveals more about the events that catapulted Cheney into the driver’s seat in American politics and his links with the stakeholders. For the uninitiated, the movie also traces the depth of the relationship between the principal actors of the Bush-Cheney era. As a cinematic venture ‘Vice’ does fall flat on many occasions but it is a movie that needs appreciation for the mere fact that it was made.

The Favourite (2018) [IMDB: 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%, My Rating: 8.0]

Trailer

In a movie where all three female protagonists are evidently relishing the experience of acting to a fine script, ‘The Favourite’ tells the scheming that defined the reign of Queen Anne. Severely weighed down by her infirmities and declining health, Queen Anne is no more than a figurehead controlled by people with a plan. Her feeble attempts to assert herself only reveal the extent of her helplessness. Into the scene walks in another devious character played by Emma Stone and then all hell breaks loose. The director who rightfully receives an Oscar nomination does not paint the times in the class and elegance movies have tried to portray the times. There are frequent encounters with ‘other sections’ of the society. Ultimately, ‘The Favourite’ is a universal story of a seemingly powerful person in decline who is controlled by more nefarious elements. Realization comes late to the monarch and by then all possibilities of a course correction are exhausted. Highly recommended.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 98%, My Rating: 7.5]

Trailer

Based on a true story and a bestselling book, this movie is a subversive take on the market for memorabilia. A down on her luck author, played memorably by Melissa McCarthy, conjures up a scheme to make some easy money. The movie is more of a social commentary on characters at the fringe of the society. Their small joys and a life which lurches from one crisis to another is shown with care in the movie. Watch it for Melissa McCarthy.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) [IMDB: 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 88%, My Rating: 7.5]

Trailer

Bohemian Rhapsody ticks all the boxes of a biopic but what elevates the movie are the sensational soundtrack and an award winning performance from Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. Malek becomes Mercury and carries the movie on his shoulders from the first frame till the last one. The movie does not have any great surprises but is easy to watch and engaging. Recommended.

Widows (2018) [IMDB: 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 91%, My Rating: 7.0]

Trailer

‘Widows’ from director Steve McQeen is a heist movie with several undertones. Four women find themselves at life’s crossroads when their partners are killed in a botched up heist. Some of them team up to finish the mission which took their partners’ lives without realizing that they are only foot soldiers in a larger plot. Deftly weaving politics, corruption and other criminal elements, ‘Widows’ proceeds with a rapidly mounting body count culminating in a implausible yet satisfying finale. A special mention for the performance of Viola Davis is warranted.

The Front Runner (2018) [IMDB: 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 59%, My Rating: 6.5]

Trailer

Hugh Jackman plays a front-runner for the Democratic party’s ticket to challenge Ronald Reagan. The movie is based on the true story of Gary Hart who was consigned to the dustbin of history after the scandal that engulfed his campaign saw the wheels come off his juggernaut. The movie tries to play up the events in the story as a turning point in American politics but that argument does not hold up to scrutiny. The major problem with the movie is that Gary Hart is shown as a smooth talking politician with a vacuous personality lacking in any courage of conviction. His duplicity does not help the case of the movie.

Documentary of the Week

The Panama Papers (2018) [IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%, My Rating: 7.0]

Trailer

The inside story of the courageous journalism that drove the leak of the Panama papers. Could have been better but still worth a watch.

Eagerly waiting for: The Oscars

Did you know: The Golden Globes are decided by the 93 voting members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association whereas the Academy Awards have more than 6,000 voters.

Academy Awards 2017: Predictions

The coveted Oscars will be handed out tomorrow. My attempt to see the future this year. You can also have a look at my predictions in the previous years here: 2016 , 2015 and 2014.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Who Will Win: ‘La La Land’

Who Should Win:’Manchester by the Sea’

Honourable Mention: ‘Moonlight’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: A toss up between Denzel Washington and Casey Affleck. I would love to see Casey Affleck win.

Who Should Win: Casey Affleck

Honourable Mention: Denzel Washington could spring a surprise. I also liked Ryan Gosling’s performance.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Emma Stone because Hollywood loves its princesses and Emma carried the biggest film of the year on her shoulders.

Who Should Win: Isabelle Huppert because her performance in Elle is nuanced and perfect.

Honourable Mention: Natalie Portman for ‘Jackie’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Mahershala Ali for Moonlight

Who Should Win: Jeff Bridges for ‘Hell or High Water’

Honourable Mention: Michael Shannon for ‘Nocturnal Animals’

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Viola Davis for ‘Fences’

Who Should Win: Viola Davis for ‘Fences’

Honourable Mention: Michelle Williams for ‘ Manchester by the Sea’

Best Achievement in Directing

Who Will Win: Damian Chazelle for ‘La La Land’

Who Should Win: Damian Chazelle

Honourable Mention: Kenneth Lonergan for ‘Manchester by the Sea’

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Who Will Win: Manchester by the Sea

Who Should Win: Manchester by the Sea

Honourable Mention: La La Land

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Who Will Win: Moonlight

Who Should Win: Fences

Honourable Mention: Arrival

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Who Will Win: Zootopia will win. I would not be surprised if ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ wins. Kubo is the better movie but Zootopia is a love letter to diversity and tolerance (and this is 2017).

Who Should Win: Kubo and the Two Strings’

Honourable Mention: Moana

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Who Will Win: Close call between ‘Toni Erdmann’ and ‘The Salesman’. For a politically charged season the likely winner is ‘The Salesman’ from Iran.

Who Should Win: A Man Called Ove

Honourable Mention: Land of Mine

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who Will Win: Linus Sandgren for ‘La La Land’

Who Should Win: Linus Sandgren

Honourable Mention: Greig Fraser for ‘Lion’ and Rodrigo Prieto for ‘Silence’

Best Achievement in Editing

Who Will Win: Mad Max: La La Land

Who Should Win: La  la Land

Honourable Mention: Hacksaw Ridge

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who Will Win: La La Land

Who Should Win: La La Land

Honourable Mention: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who Will Win: Jackie

Who Should Win: Jackie

Honourable Mention: La La Land

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Who Will Win: Star Trek Beyond

Who Should Win: Star Trek Beyond

Honourable Mention: A Man Called Ove

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Who Will Win: La La Land

Who Should Win: La La Land

Honourable Mention: Moonlight

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Who Will Win: La La Land

Who Should Win: La La Land

Honourable Mention: None

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: The Jungle Book

Who Should Win: Star Wars: The Jungle Book

Honourable Mention: Kuboe and the Two Strings

Best Documentary, Feature

Who Will Win: OJ: Made in America

Who Should Win: OJ: Made in America

Honourable Mention: 13th

Academy Awards 2016: Predictions

It is that time of the year when Hollywood hands out its most coveted gongs. At the risk of sounding naive after three days, here are my predictions for this year’s Oscar winners.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Who Will Win: This is a very tricky category. For a long time ‘Spotlight’ was the front-runner but ‘The Revenant’ seems to have gathered the steam in the final laps of the race. I will put my vote on ‘Spotlight’ and it is more than likely that I will be wrong.

Who Should Win:’Spotlight’

Honourable Mention: ‘The Big Short’

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio. No questions asked.

Who Should Win: Leonardo DiCaprio

Honourable Mention: I liked Bryan Cranston in ‘Trumbo’ a lot but this is Leo’s year.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who Will Win: Brie Larson. In a strong field she has that little extra that makes her performance stand out.

Who Should Win: Brie Larson

Honourable Mention: Saoirse Ronan in ‘Brooklyn’ gives a well calibrated performance. So do Charlotte Rampling and Cate Blanchett.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Sylvester Stallone. Let us give an Oscar to Rambo.

Who Should Win: Mark Rylance in ‘Bridge of Spies’

Honourable Mention: Mark Ruffalo

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who Will Win: Alicia Vikander for ‘The Danish Girl’. She puts in another solid performance in ‘Ex-Machina’.

Who Should Win: Rachel McAdams

Honourable Mention: Kate Winslet

Best Achievement in Directing

Who Will Win: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will create history by winning back to back Oscars

Who Should Win: George Miller for ‘Mad Max’, a work of sheer genius

Honourable Mention: Tom McCarthy

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Who Will Win: Spotlight

Who Should Win: Spotlight

Honourable Mention: Inside Out

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Who Will Win: The Big Short

Who Should Win: The Big Short

Honourable Mention: Room

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Who Will Win: Inside Out. Sealed and delivered.

Who Should Win: Inside Out

Honourable Mention: Anomalisa

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Who Will Win: Son of Saul. First win for Hungary.

Who Should Win: Son of Saul

Honourable Mention: Mustang

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who Will Win: Emmanuel Lubezki for ‘The Revenant’

Who Should Win: Emmanuel Lubezki

Honourable Mention: Roger Deakins for ‘Sicario’

Best Achievement in Editing

Who Will Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Who Should Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Honourable Mention: Spotlight

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who Will Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Who Should Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Honourable Mention: The Martian

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who Will Win: Carol

Who Should Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Honourable Mention: Cinderella

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Who Will Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Who Should Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Honourable Mention: The Revenant

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Who Will Win: Ennio Morricone for ‘The Hateful Eight’. A long overdue competitive Oscar for a legend.

Who Should Win: Ennio Morricone

Honourable Mention: Thomas Newman for ‘Bridge of Spies’

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Who Will Win: The Revenant

Who Should Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Honourable Mention: Bridge of Spies

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Who Should Win: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Honourable Mention: The Revenant

Best Documentary, Feature

Who Will Win: Amy

Who Should Win: The Look of Silence

Honourable Mention: Cartel Land

Oscar Predictions 2015

Oscars 2015: Predictions

This is one of the toughest years in Oscar history where many of the major categories are too close to call. Still, I will put my reputation at stake.

Here is my list of bets for 2015 Oscars.

Best Motion Picture  of the Year

Who will win: ‘Boyhood’ because it is a feel good movie even when it feels like a long television series. ‘Birdman’ is touted as the closest competition but it is too unconventional for mainstream audiences. If I had a vote, it would have been cast for ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.

Who deserves to win: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.

Darkhorse: ‘Birdman’.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Who will win: Eddie Redmayne

Who deserves to win: Eddie Redmayne.

Darkhorse: Michael Keaton. Though the challenge by the thespian is said to be more than formidable, his only hope of victory is by gaining some sentimental votes.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Who will win: Julianne Moore all the way.

Who deserves to win: Julianne Moore even though a special mention must be made of Marion Cotillard.

Darkhorse: Absolutely no competition.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Who will win: J K Simmons. Sealed and delivered.

Who deserves to win: J K Simmons

Darkhorse: An honorable mention for Mark Ruffalo.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Who will win: Patricia Arquette for her heartwarming performance. An Oscar is long overdue.

Who deserves to win: Patricia Arquette.

Darkhorse: Other nominees including Meryl Streep are just filling in the nomination slots.

Best Achievement in Directing

Who will win: The toughest category to predict this year. Should Richard Linklater be awarded for his commitment and passion for ‘Boyhood’ or is it Alexandro Innaritu who deserves acclaim for the unconventional ‘Birdman’? My vote is for Richard Linklater but I won’t be surprised if Innaritu pulls off a surprise.

Who deserves to win: Richard Linklater

Darkhorse: Wes Anderson.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Who will win: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.

Who deserves to win: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Darkhorse: ‘Boyhood’.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Who will win: ‘The Imitation Game’. A close contender is ‘Whiplash’.

Who deserves to win: ‘The Imitation Game’

Darkhorse: ‘American Sniper’.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Who will win: ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’

Who deserves to win:’ The Lego Movie’ but it is not even nominated.

Darkhorse: ‘Princess Kaguya’

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Who will win: I want ‘Leviathan’ to win and my vote is for it but it seems ‘Ida’ may walk away with the prize. Going by the nature of voting in the Academy ‘Ida’ will be the winner.

Who deserves to win:’Leviathan’

Darkhorse: ‘Wild Tales’

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Who will win: Emmanual Lubezki for ‘Birdman’

Who deserves to win: Dick Pope for Mr. Turner

Darkhorse: Lukasz Zal, Ryszard Lenczewski for ‘Ida’

Best Achievement in Editing

Who will win: ‘Boyhood’

Who deserves to win: ‘Boyhood’ and ‘Whiplash’ are equally good.

Darkhorse: ‘Whiplash’

Best Achievement in Production Design

Who will win: ‘‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Who deserves to win:’The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Dark horse: ‘Interstellar’

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Who will win: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Who deserves to win: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Darkhorse: ‘Into the Woods’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Who will win: ‘Alexandre Desplat’

Who deserves to win: ‘Alexandre Desplat’

Dark horse: ‘Johann Johannsson’

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Who will win:‘Glory’ (Selma)

Who deserves to win: ‘Glory’ (Selma)

Dark horse: ‘Everything is Awesome’ (The Lego Movie)

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Who will win:Whiplash

Who deserves to win: Whiplash

Dark horse: American Sniper

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Who will win: ‘American Sniper’

Who deserves to win: ‘American Sniper’

Dark horse: ‘Birdman’

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who will win:‘Interstellar’

Who deserves to win: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

Dark horse: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Best Documentary, Feature

Who will win: ‘Citizenfour’

Who deserves to win: Citizenfour

Dark horse: Finding Vivian Maier

Week 30

Movies: Non-English

My Life as a Dog (Sweden, 1985) [ IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxzO8Qx96O4

This Swedish flick is about a dysfunctional family with the youngest child as the protagonist. A sick mother, an absentee father and a quarrelsome elder brother make life difficult for 12 year old Ingemar. There are beautiful distractions in the form of girls and Ingemar himself has a philosophical take everything, especially on the plight of the dog Laika sent to space. This bittersweet tale was a box office success in its transatlantic crossover in the US. Worth a watch.

Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (India, 2003) [IMDB: 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes: 91%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7U30ESYWk

This is a film close to my heart as I have met versions of the characters portrayed in the movie. It is set in the Emergency era Delhi. The lives of three college friends are intertwined by love, ambition and politics. It is a poignant story and the life of each character is worth an analysis as the movie progresses. The performances are exceptional, with Shiney Ahuja stealing the show. How sad that such a huge talent was wasted. Moving on, the movie is the most authentic representation of life in the 70s in India. The political churning is in stark contrast to the opulence of the Delhi upper crest. The music and songs are befitting for the movie; the track ‘Baanwara man dekhne chala ek sapna’ being one of my personal favourites. In my opinion, one of the best movies to have come out of India in the last decade.

English Retrospective

American Beauty (1999) [ IMDB: 8.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 90%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q3ltyPJJMQ

This is Sam Mendes’ feature debut as a director and he won an Oscar for it. This one is also on a dysfunctional family, the head of which is played by Kevin Spacey. He is a man of many secrets and is facing a mid life crisis. He develops a liking for the friend of his daughter and from there on it is all downhill. The film is remarkable for its engaging screenplay and the rock solid story it wants to tell. The climax will take you by surprise. Recommended.

The Cider House Rules (1999) [IMDB; 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 75%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4D2Hog1tEA

Charlize Theron and Tobey Maguire light up the screen in this slow burning story set in an orphanage and among apple orchards. Though I believe that the 7 Oscar nominations the movie received were too many, the two wins it had for Screenplay and Supporting Actor were well deserved. Michael Caine deservedly won the Oscar for this one but it is a movie which tests your patience. Recommended only for the discerning viewer.

Donnie Darko (2001) [ IMDB: 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 85%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyBaFYFySk

An underrated and not widely viewed cult classic horror movie. The lead character sees a rabbit which makes him commit crimes. It is one of those movies which you have to view with rapt attention if you do not want to miss the finer points. Jake Gyllenhaal shows early promise in this film. This film is more spooky than scary but then utilizing grey cells is always better than having an adrenaline spike.

Movies I Saw This Week

Despicable Me 2 (2013) [IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 85%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbnGSMJQbQ

Maybe it is just me but I feel that all protagonists in animation movies are similar. The happy go lucky guy who is good at wisecracking. ‘Despicable Me 2’ is just another animation film which does nothing to set it apart from the few top notch animation movies released every year. The plot involves a villain who needs to be fought. If it wasn’t an animation movie, I would have have avoided it like the plague. Giving it the benefit of doubt, I would rate it above average.

The River Why (2010) [ IMDB: 5.7, Rotten Tomatoes: 31%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV5o7L4_DYU

I guess the ‘Why’ in the title was added by studio executives who could not figure out why they funded this film. The story has a man choose solitude and fly-fishing over everything else. In the process he also gets a girlfriend (Amber Heard). The best thing about the movie is the tintinnabulation the river makes. Enjoy the landscape. Don’t pay attention to the people on screen.

Norman (2010) [ IMDB: 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 64%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJFs4WIE9yw

A  troubled teen with suicidal tendencies meets a new girl in school. He also has a father awaiting death. The movie is let down by the heavy handed direction and sloppy background score. The script and dialogues are good but then it falters as it moves forward. The finale is as good as throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Documentary Pick of the Week

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) [ IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 96%]

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzGfuFFSxA

The drug problem in American sports told through the eyes of a very level headed competitor. This was before Lance Armstrong revealed that he had lied strong. Must watch. Live strong, play fair.

Eagerly Waiting for: ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ because it took so long to make, it better be good.

Did you know: Louis Lumiere, one of the pioneers of cinema, is credited with directing 101 movies between the period 1892-1900.