After being shrouded in controversy by #OscarsSoWhite for the past two years, it seems the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has started to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to diversity. This year, seven actors of color were nominated, making it the first year which black actors were nominated in every acting category.
But after what some are calling one of the best years for movies, there is only one question left: who will take home gold during the Academy Awards? Here are my picks for who should win and who will win on Hollywood’s biggest night.
La La Land, Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Manchester by the Sea, Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, Fences, Hell or High Water
What a tough question to ask.
I’ve seen a majority of the Best Picture nominees and truth be told, if they were solely voting on the work (and not being swayed by buzz), it could go any way. But you have to ask yourself, who is more worthy? The new age movie musical La La Land that pays homage to Hollywood’s golden days, or the riveting coming-of-age drama Moonlight?
I’ll go with La La Land, because in every aspect possible, it’s a beautiful film.
La La Land has the movie industry captivated, and has an impressive 14 nominations (tying the record previously set by Titanic and before that All About Eve). Not only is the film riding a massive wave of good buzz, but winning the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Producers Guild equivalence of Best Picture doesn’t hurt its case either.
Expect for the “city of stars” to take home the night’s biggest prize.
Denzel Washington (Fences), Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea), Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)
After starring in a movie that was never meant for him (Matt Damon was originally set to star and then backed out for various reasons), Casey Affleck has won an impressive 23 major awards for his role as Lee Chandler in Manchester by the Sea and that alone looks like it could be lock for Affleck…
…until Denzel Washington surprised everyone by winning the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award a few weeks back putting him at the front of a tight race.
Why was Washington’s win a surprise and a wrench in the system? Who votes for the SAG Awards? Actors. Who votes for Oscars? Those same actors, meaning the SAG Awards could be the ultimate foreshadowing of what’s to come Oscar night.
Not only did Denzel Washington beat his own record for the most nominations by a black male actor, if he were to win he’d have a total of three Academy Awards, making him the most awarded black male actor or actress in history.
The Oscars love a good story and this seems to be one in the making.
Emma Stone (La La Land), Natalie Portman (Jackie), Isabelle Huppert (Elle), Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins), Ruth Negga (Loving)
I can recall seeing the first trailer for Jackie and telling friends Natalie Portman should clear a space for another Oscar.
It seemed after numerous portrayals of one of the nation’s most idolized First Ladies that Portman had finally mastered it. Critics agreed, but when the film didn’t soar at the box office and critics weren’t completely impressed with the film as a whole, it softened her chances.
Though she should win, it doesn’t look to be in her favor.
While not always a front runner, the growing buzz and never-ending hype of La La Land could make this Emma Stone’s big night. While she’s no stranger to being nominated – she was previously nominated for Birdman – she would be a first time winner.
Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Dev Patel (Lion), Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea)
While all the performances this category are top of their game, there is a clear standout among them: Mahershala Ali in his role as Juan, the crack dealer turned father figure in Moonlight.
Again, it bodes well that Mahershala Ali took home the SAG Award. Critics loved the movie and declared Ali a stand out of the season.
Don’t be surprised if and when he takes home the gold.
Naomie Harris (Moonlight), Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea), Viola Davis (Fences), Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures), Nicole Kidman (Lion)
The climax of Fences is worth the price of admission alone. From start to finish Viola Davis has you captivated, but when it all reaches a boiling point is the moment you know that Davis is about to have her name engraved onto an Academy Award.
Her performance as Rose is heart-breaking, powerful, and enraging all in one. But most of all, it’s pure brilliance.
Having become the first black woman with three Academy Awards nominations to her name, this is the year Viola Davis finally gets the opportunity to have her official title changed to “Oscar winner Viola Davis”.
Oh, and it doesn’t hurt she’s already got a TONY for playing the same role on Broadway.
So who will win on the movie industry’s biggest night? Tune into the Academy Awards with host Jimmy Kimmel, live on ABC, February 26th at 8pm.
Tune in to First Coast News’ The Chat next Tuesday to catch Joey on “The Entertainment Exchange with Joey O’Hern”, sponsored by The Coastal.
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