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Sadly, it seems that the upcoming Oscars will be dominated by male-focused and serious films, with little mention of the once-talked about Barbie movie. Despite its success and buzz last summer, Barbie has now been overshadowed and the controversy of its snubs has become irrelevant. It appears that the Academy is more interested in rewarding themes of masculinity and nuclear warfare, rather than female-driven comedies like Barbie. The film’s director, Greta Gerwig, received praise for her feminist portrayal of the iconic doll, with many debating whether its lead actress, Margot Robbie, was a feminist hero or villain. And while the movie was a box office hit, it only delayed the ongoing financial struggles of the film industry.
But, right or wrong, the Academy has pretty much turned its nose up at the zany DayGlo surreality of Barbie. Perhaps the horror of the daily news has soured everyone’s appetite for comedy. Oppenheimer, with its massive, complex, tragic story of J Robert Oppenheimer, is all set to capture the zeitgeist.
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Could it be true? According to Scott Feinberg, a columnist for Hollywood Reporter, and a sneaky anonymous survey called the Brutally Honest Oscar Ballot, Jonathan Glazer’s impactful movie about the Holocaust, The Zone of Interest, may surprisingly win the award for best picture. This would be a major accomplishment for the talented filmmaker, and it’s remarkable to see two exceptional British directors, Glazer and Christopher Nolan, be recognized at the height of Hollywood. Aside from its evident qualities, The Zone of Interest may be generating buzz due to its (arguably) relevant commentary on the Middle East and the reactions of western liberals. While these comparisons have the potential to be insensitive and offensive, producer James Wilson has expressed thoughtful and nuanced perspectives on the matter, which he may have the opportunity to share once again on Sunday night.
In other places, the comedy film “The Holdovers” by Alexander Payne has been gaining attention and positive reviews for its relatable and compassionate exploration of loneliness. Actors Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Giamatti, and newcomer Dominic Sessa deliver excellent performances. This film has also caught the attention of Oscar voters and is highly approachable. However, another film with a strong chance of success is Yorgos Lanthimos’s dark and biting “Poor Things”, featuring an outstanding and surprising performance by Emma Stone as a Victorian woman brought back to life in a Frankenstein-like experiment. Despite this, there may be opportunities for lesser-known individuals to achieve success. Bradley Cooper’s dedicated portrayal of Leonard Bernstein and Annette Bening’s uplifting performance as endurance swimmer Diana Nyad could also make an impact. It is possible, but I believe the evening will belong to Christopher Nolan.
Best picture
Will win: Oppenheimer
Possible outcomes:
Deserving of victory: Unfortunate Individuals
Potential results:
Could have been a rival: The Eight Peaks
Best director
The potential winner is Christopher Nolan for his work on “Oppenheimer”.
Deserving of victory: Jonathan Glazer for The Zone of Interest
Shoulda been a contender: Robin Campillo, Red Island
Best actor
Possible rewording: The winner is predicted to be Cillian Murphy for his role as Oppenheimer.
The most deserving winner would be Paul Giamatti for his role in The Holdovers.
Joaquin Phoenix should have been a top choice for the role of Napoleon.
Best actress
The recipient of the award will be Emma Stone for her performance in the movie Poor Things.
I think Emma Stone should win for her performance in Poor Things.
TV
Sydney Sweeney could have been a strong contender for Reality TV.
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Best supporting actor
Possible rewording: The winner is expected to be Robert Downey Jr for his portrayal of Oppenheimer.
My pick for the Barbie role: Ryan Gosling.
Could have been a competitor: John Magaro nominated for Past Lives
Best supporting actress
Da’vine Joy Randolph is the expected winner for The Holdovers.
My top pick: Da’vine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.
Sandra Hüller should have been a potential nominee for her role in The Zone of Interest.
Best animated feature
The victor will be announced for “The Boy and the Heron.”
Should win: The Boy and the Heron
Could have been a top contender: Orion and the Dark.
Best adapted screenplay
The recipient of the award is expected to be Jonathan Glazer for his work on The Zone of Interest.
My vote for the winner should go to Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest”
Should have been a strong competitor: Tina Satter for the show Reality.
Best original screenplay
The recipient is Justine Triet for the film Anatomy of a Fall.
Ideal winner: Celine Song for Past Lives.
Rework
Could have been a strong contender: Robin Campillo, Gilles Marchand, and Jean-Luc Raharimanana for their work on Red Island Remix.
Best documentary
The winner is Mstyslav Chernov for a 20-day period in Mariupol.
The deserving winner should be Mstyslav Chernov for his 20-day coverage in Mariupol.
Steve McQueen, who portrayed the main character in the film “Occupied City”, should have been considered for an award.
The top global film for a specific category
The winner will be determined by The Zone of Interest.
The potential winner is “The Zone of Interest.”
Could have been a challenger: The Inner World of the Golden Cocoon.
Best production design
Design
The winners are Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer for their Barbie designs.
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My pick for the winner: Shona Heath and James Price’s work on Poor Things.
Chris Oddy should have been considered for The Zone of Interest.
Best cinematography
Hoyte van Hoytema is the projected winner for his work on Oppenheimer.
Potential winner:
Suggested recipient: Robbie Ryan for his work in Poor Things
If it should have been considered a strong competitor, it would be Łukasz Żal for The Zone of Interest.
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Top picks for makeup and hairstyling
Top choices for makeup and hairstyling
Possible winners: Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, and Lori McCoy-Bell for Maestro
Possible rewording: Potential winners include Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston for their work on Poor Things.
It should have been Ivana Primorac as a potential candidate for Barbie.
Best costume design
“Jacqueline Durran is predicted to win the Barbie prize.”
Possible rewording: My choice for the winner is Holly Waddington for her work, “Poor Things.”
Reworded: Lindy Hemming should have been a contender for the role of Wonka.
Best editing
Jennifer Lame will be the winner for Oppenheimer.
Potential winner: Thelma Schoonmaker for her work on Killers of the Flower Moon.
“Deserving of recognition: Paul Watts nominated for The Zone of Interest”
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The Academy Awards ceremony will occur on Sunday, March 10th.
Source: theguardian.com
