Once again it's on ! Hollywood's biggest night is upon us. The 95th Academy Awards will be presented on March 12, 2023 from the Los Angles Dolby Theatre and air on ABC. Read on to find my pick in the all big categories.
BEST PICTURE
The Nominees: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Women Talking.
Will Win : “Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Could Win : “All Quiet on the Western Front"
Deserved A Nod : "The Woman King"
Honestly this is one of the easiest categories to call. A24 was on a mission the moment Everything Everywhere All at Once hit theaters last year. The enjoyable flick recently swept the guild awards. Throughout history only four other films have achieved this feat and tomorrow night, expect Everything Everywhere All at Once to do the same.
BEST DIRECTOR
The Nominees : Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”), Todd Field (“Tár”), Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”)
Will Win - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”),
Could Win - Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”),
Deserved A Nod - Gina Prince-Bythewood ("The Woman King")
Once again this is an easy category to call. The Daniels have been shining at every other awards ceremony and I expect no less tomorrow night. Hollywood does love a movie about itself though, so Spielberg could give us an upset. I take nothing away from gents nominated. However This is indicative of a larger trend in the film industry, where men are far more likely to be nominated for awards and rewarded for their work than women. This is especially concerning considering the number of talented female filmmakers who are creating outstanding work. The Woman King was one of 2022's best films and Gina deserved that nod.
BEST ACTOR
The Nominees: Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”), Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”), Bill Nighy (“Living”)
Will Win - Austin Butler (“Elvis”)
Could Win - Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”),
Deserved A Nomination - Tom Cruise ("Top Gun : Maverick")
I initially had this as battle between Farrell and Fraser but Austin Butler has gained some last minute momentum. With Austin recently winning the BAFTA I feel like it's his to lose now.
BEST ACTRESS
The Nominees :Cate Blanchett (“Tár”), Ana de Armas (“Blonde”), Andrea Riseborough (“To Leslie”), Michelle Williams (“The Fabelmans”), Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Will Win - Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Could Win - Cate Blanchett (“Tár”)
Deserved A Nod - Danielle Deadwyler ("Till")
I have to go with my gut and stat with the Everything Everywhere All at Once team. Michelle Yeoh put the work in to get here and deserves the win. That said Danielle Deadwyler ABSOULELTY broke my heart in Till and her performance is still with me months later. Not to take anything away from Ana de Armas or Andrea Riseborough (YES I SAW BOTH of their performances) but they were nowhere near as good as Danielle.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
The Nominees: Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”), Judd Hirsch (“The Fabelmans”), Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Will Win - Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”)
Could Win - No One. This Ke Huy Quan's moment
Deserved A NOD - Jalyn Hall (Till)
Hollywood loves a good comeback and Ke Huy Quan has been on a hell of a run. We all grew up watching him in The Goonies and Temple Of Doom. He left Hollywood on his own terms and came back full force. Not to mention the performance was DAMN GOOD.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
The Nominees: Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), Hong Chau (“The Whale”), Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Will Win - Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”)
Could Win - Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) or Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”),
Deserved A Nod - KeKe Palmer - ("Nope")
To my surprise this is one of the toughest categories to call. There are still plenty of people who are upset that Angela was not able to win for playing Tina Turner three decades ago. There isn't much I remember about Holly Hunter's performance (the winner that year for The Piano) in that year's awards ceremony. As Bassett has been overdue for a long time, I would put my money on Auntie Angela to be the winner when the votes are counted. In addition, if she were to win, she would also become the first Marvel actor to win an Oscar for a role in a Marvel movie. After winning the Golden Globe and the Critics' Choice Award, Mrs. Bassett was considered to be a front runner for the award.
Jamie Lee Curtis however, out here playing chess and picking up the SAG, showing us that she was still in the game. Combine that with the momentum of Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Curtis may win. Finally there is Kerry Condon who threw a wrench in everyone's plans when she won this year's BAFTA award. Since the voters won't award Condon's co-stars they could make up for it here.
Then of course we could have a two-way tie which has happened in acting category since 1969 . Either way I'm tuning in.
The 95th Oscar Ceremony Airs on Sun, Mar 12 • 8:00 PM EDT on ABC.
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