“Another white guy reminiscing about his white guy childhood?
I’ve been on the phone with an Oscar-nominated actress for about two minutes.
I thought it was boring and it didn’t work for me.
Oscars voters reveal their picks for who will win at the 94th Academy Awards in EW’s Secret Ballot.Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images)
It had been done better with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal inBrokeback Mountain….
I voted forNightmare Alleybecause of the amount of work Guillermo [del Toro] did.
I absolutely didn’t like it at all.
Academy voters reveal who they voted for in EW’s 2022 Oscars Secret Ballot.Bettmann/Getty Images
It was just too much, overboard, overstuffed, it was so over-the-top.
Marketer:I’m passionately voting forCODA.
It’s feel-good, great writing, exceptional performances; it coalesced into something we need now.
‘The Power of the Dog’ is the top contender for Best Picture at the 2022 Oscars.KIRSTY GRIFFIN/NETFLIX
In these times, there’s a lot to be said for all of us connecting.CODAmade you feel.
Actor:I’m going withDon’t Look Up.
Producer:Power of the Dogwas my favorite movie of the year.
Jane Campion on set of ‘The Power of the Dog’.KIRSTY GRIFFIN/NETFLIX
It shows everything that moviemaking is supposed to do.
It looks incredible; I love a movie that starts as one thing and becomes another.
It keeps you on your feet, constantly shifting, it has character turns you could’t see coming.
Macall B. Polay/Netflix
It’s a masterpiece.
It’s not a movie I enjoyed; an experience I don’t want to have again.
Director:I’m pissed thatZolaisn’t here.
Penelope Cruz in ‘Parallel Mothers.'.El Deseo/Iglesias Más/Sony Pictures Classics
I had high hopes forDrive My Car, but I was disappointed when I saw it.
I have to sayDune, because it worked on every level.
Beautiful cinematography, acting, score, it’s a complete vision.
Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin in ‘CODA’.Apple TV+
I haven’t seenNightmare Alleyyet.
I tried to watchLicorice Pizzabut turned it off after five minutes.
Another white guy reminiscing about his white guy childhood?
‘West Side Story’ star Ariana DeBose is a top contender for Best Supporting Actress at the 2022 Academy Awards.Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios
It’s so boring to me.
I can’t do it.
WouldWest Side Storyhave been nominated if it wasn’t Steven Spielberg?
Renate Reinsve in ‘The Worst Person in the World’.Sundance Institute
I don’t care for Ansel [Elgort].
I didn’tlikethe film, but Iadmiredthe film.
Marketer:Voting with my heart:Steven Spielberg.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
There are those incredible sprinkles of Spielbergian magic through the film.
I think [Jane Campion’s Critics Choice controversy] was much ado about nothing.
It became a Twitter moment more than a real-life moment.
‘Flee’ documentary.NEON
Actor:Jane Campion, for the whole feeling she put out there.
She’s got balls, and she goes with her convictions.
I went for the ride.
Nina Simone in ‘Summer of Soul’.Searchlight Pictures
She was bold enough to just let it be.
It piqued my interest and my patience, and I liked the exercise that she put me through.
She apologized, but I don’t care about the hubbub it created.
Disney
I still think she deserves it for her work.
Producer: Jane Campion.Power of the Dogis my favorite movie of the year.
I wish there were more women on this list.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s name should be on this list.
Director:Oh my God, it’s the same nonsense.
I guess I’ll go withJane Campion.
I guess because I don’t like everyone else.
I thought the cinematography was stunning and the performances were stunning.
But the story, I don’t understand why halfway through, Benedict Cumberbatch became okay with everyone.
; Will Smith,King Richard; Denzel Washington,The Tragedy of Macbeth
Casting director:Andrew Garfield.
I was surprised by his performance.
My husband didn’t like the film because it was basically a play.
I thought he was so enthusiastic, he captured Jonathan Larson.
Actor:I’m going withBenedict Cumberbatch.
I loved him in this.
No doubt Will Smith is good, he could easily get it.
Producer: Benedict Cumberbatchin my favorite movie of the year.
His performance and Kodi’s complement each other.
It’s almost like mutual performance.
I thought his was the most mannered performance out of anybody here.
Director:It has to be Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz.
Like, what the f—?
Why are these guys nominated?
That was another movie I was just like, ugh.
I tried to watch it with my son, who was like, “This is cringe.”
I fast-forwarded through the whole thing.
I’ll probably never see it….
I loved watchingWill SmithasKing Richard, I thought he did a fantastic job.
He embodied the character, I loved his little lisp.
I enjoyed the performance.
Did anyone say Denzel?
I didn’t see it.
Did anyone see it?
I don’t know anyone that watched it.
As a mother, I understand how hard it is to be a mother.
My God, she was that part….
I didn’t like [Spencer], I didn’t finish it.
I thought Kristen Stewart did a good job, but again, I felt like she wasplayingPrincess Diana.
I could see underneath, the levels and the acting.
It just didn’t seem genuine….
If it wasn’t Lady Gaga, we wouldn’t be talking about it.
Marketer:I’m voting forPenelope CruzinParallel Mothers.
The nuance, the pain, and the longing is so encapsulated in her performance.
As a voter I want to put my stamp on that and reward it.
I’ve never seen her this vulnerable before.
Her great re-pairing with Pedro Almodovar brought out a phenomenal performance and something that rises above the other nominees.
Missing here is Lady Gaga.
She gave a phenomenal performance for the ages.
I was challenged many times watching that film.
A strong performance, I don’t know if it coalesced perfectly with the film.
I think a lot of people were disappointed in that film, from what I’m hearing.
They found it slow.
The expectation was there for one thing and the film was in its own universe.
She is getting it from me.
I loved Jessica Chastain inTammy Faye, I saw that a long time ago.
Penelope’s deepness, there was something going on that was deep and real.
I loved every second she was on screen.
I’m not into that whole story.
She did a great job.
Lady Gaga was on my list, I voted for her.
What a reaction he conjured up!
I watched it like the great soap opera that it was.
Producer:I voted forPenelope Cruz.
It feels like Jessica Chastain’s to lose, but I thought Penelope was incredible inParallel Mothers.
She’s an incredible actress.
Nicole Kidman is an incredible actor, butBeing the Ricardoswas not a movie for me.
Kristen Stewart also did well in a movie I didn’t love, so did Jessica Chastain.
I would’ve been torn if Lady Gaga had been nominated.
I love that she went for it; I think it’s the opposite of Jared Leto.
She worked her ass off and I couldn’t stop watching her.
Director:I was not [shocked that Gaga didn’t get in].
That movie was insane, in aRocky Horror Picture Showkind of way.
It’s not a good movie, but watchable in a fun way.
That anybody thought that should be anywhere near nominated for anything is surprising to me.
That movie was like candy.
Nobody took that movie seriously.
It’s a campy joyride, like a Ryan Murphy show made into a movie.
They’re sending me FYC for this?
No, girl, no, you missed your category.
It’s fun, living room full of gay friends watchingHouse of Gucciin the background.
I have such a soft spot forPenelope Cruz.
She did phenomenal work inParallel Mothers.
She’s always underrated and doing really surprising, bold, beautiful choices.
I don’t see any falseness in her performance.
I heard the directing was bananas anyway.
I couldn’t get throughSpencer.
I love Kristen Stewart.
but then I fell asleep and didn’t see the rest of it.
Unforgivable pacing, that’s just not okay!
I just thought he was lovable, warm, and genuine.
His name needs to be out there.
He captured a loving father, and I adored seeing a new face.
Marketer:Troy Kotsur.
He was able to give nuance and brought humanity.
Looking into those soulful eyes, there’s a remarkable, moving performance.
One for the ages.
Actor:These are all great supporting roles.
I love Jesse and Kodi, but I have to go withTroy Kotsuron this.
Producer:Kodi Smit-McPhee.
He kept me guessing at every second in the movie.
I probably would’ve voted for Troy second.
[My least favorite] are J.K. Simmons and Ciaran Hinds.
They’re incredible actors playing cliched characters we’ve seen time and time again….
It felt like aMonty Pythonsketch.
Every time he walked on screen, you leaned in like, what’s happening there?
This kid pulled that kind of attention among these leads?
Is it the great art film everybody’s talking about it like?
I don’t think so.
The performances are fantastic.
I bought her as the protective mother.
I really enjoyed what she brought to it.
Marketer:Ariana DeBose, who was nothing but remarkable.
The ghost of our recollections of the original character linger in the back of our minds.
She created her own take.
She acted with her eyes and soul.
That stage craft translated well toWest Side Story.
Actor:I’m going withJudi Dench.
I love her, I respect her so much, and I thought she was memorable.
But it’s beautiful.
Producer:I choseJessie BuckleyfromThe Lost Daughterafter a stressful back and forth between her and Ariana DeBose.
Both performances are neck-and-neck, they’re incredibly powerful, unique, new actors.
Jessie’s stuck with me a bit more, because the movie stuck with me.
I likedWest Side Story, butLost Daughterresonated.
I also love Kirsten Dunst.
Director:Ariana DeBose inWest Side Storywas excellent, but Anita is also a scene-stealing role.
Kirsten Dunst was incredible inPower of the Dog, but she’s always incredible.
The person who surprised me was Aunjanue Ellis inKing Richard.
I was so surprised by how much she did.
I thought Kirsten did such a great job.
You know who I’m pissed isn’t on here?
Riley Keough, who transformed herself forZola.
I’d write in Riley Keough.
I think you’ve got the option to.
But, I’m going to have to go withKirsten Dunst.
If anybody said that [in] my house, I’d kick them out.
That one small thing bothered me.
It also bothered me that the love story was between a 25-year-old woman and a child.
Marketer:The Worst Person in the World.
Loved it, I was so ecstatic that it got nominated.
I hope it doesn’t get remade…..
I was lukewarm onLicorice Pizza, but those two scenes [with the Asian character] made me uncomfortable.
It didn’t help define that character.
I found it offensive.
Actor:King Richardwas so good, and so wasBelfast.
At the end of the day, it’sBelfast.
It really strikes me and makes this film a lot more poignant.
I wanted to likeLicorice Pizzaso badly, but it was odd.
I enjoyed it, but as a screenplay it was all over the place.
Producer:This was easy:The Worst Person in the World.
I’ve seen many movies like this in the past.
Director:The Worst Person in the World, hands-down.
I forgot that it was subtitled.
It was so simple, yet I went on the journey.
I enjoyedCODAandDune; I didn’t enjoyLost Daughterand I did not likePower of the Dog.
It was just long.Drive My Carwas three hours with subtitles, and I didn’t even notice that….
Marketer:The screenplay categories are the most difficult.
My vote is forCODA.
What could’ve been one-note was brought alive by a lot of nuances.
I was not a fan ofThe Lost Daughter.
I hadn’t read the source material, and couldn’t connect to the characters.
Even the different timelines back and forth, to me it didn’t coalesce in a strong way.
I’m an admirer ofDrive My Car,but felt it was too long.
I was surprised to see it in Adapted Screenplay.
Actor:ThePower of the Dog.I love the story and characters.
I did not [read the novel].
It seemed a little old-fashioned and archaic in a way, from another period.
Producer:The Lost Daughter.
I find adaptations of other movies to be on a different level than adaptations of books.
BetweenDune,Power of the Dog, andLost Daughter, you have complicated adaptations….CODAstands out to me.
I know it just won at WGA, but it’s the easiest adaptation of all the movies.
Director:Because I want Jane to get directing, it’s got to go toDune.
I was impressed with that Marlon Brando creature and how much weight Timothee Chalamet lost to play this part.
Dude, for all the marketing, you’d think Zendaya was a lead in it.
But I did this whole movie and I got three seconds of Zendaya!
Marketer:I’m gobsmacked byFlee, one of the most important movies I’ve seen.
It’s getting my vote in this category.
I’m concerned that because it’s nominated in three categories, so much will be split.
Actor:This is a hard one.
I likedLunana: A Yak in the Classroom.I’d have to sayFlee.
I watched it twice, and it reaffirmed what I felt.
It didn’t strike me, I wasn’t getting it.
Producer:I’m not voting forFleeagain.
I voted forThe Worst Person in the World, one of my favorite movies of the year.
I assumeDrive My Carwill win; it has momentum, so people will probably check it off.
Director:I was torn betweenFleeandWorst Person in the World.
I thinkFleebecause it’s so original and interesting.
I never thought about a documentary done with such beautiful animation and interviews.
It pulled my heartstrings; I was there the entire time.
There were so many elements that I identify with.
The lead was so charming and inspiring.
Marketer:I’m voting forSummer of Soul.
The music is incredible.
Timely and timeless at the same time.
Questlove did an incredible job nuancing the performances and making it come alive from back then to now.
Which is no easy accomplishment.
I’ve watched it three times.
Actor:Summer of Soulis my favorite.
I love all that music.
I thought it was a fantastic piece of history that everybody should know about.
For me it’s more of the subject matter.
Director:Fleewas great, but I loveSummer of Soulso much.
I had no idea that that whole thing even happened, and it’s unfair.
Those performances, those scenes it’s insane.
They’ve been doing small screenings to get people to help them.
So, I’ll go with the underdog and sayWriting With Fire.
I watched some of it.
I [voted] more for the film than the song, I’m not going to lie.
Marketer:“No Time to Die"byBillie Eilishand Finneas O’Connell.
It’s in totality for the connection between the legacy of James Bond and Hollywood.
It’s an incredibly strong song.
I’m not a strong Billie Eilish fan, to be honest, but the song worked for me.
Actor:I’m going withEncanto.
I really liked “No Time to Die,” butEncantobecause of the originality of the lyrics.
Producer:As usual, the Best Original Song category is pretty underwhelming.
I’m voting for theEncantosong.
This year it’s [the song from]Four Good Days.
She’s usually nominated for a song in a movie that nobody has seen.
Director:Give the Oscar toDiane Warrenfor God’s sake.
I’ve never even heard ofFour Good Days, but give her the damn Oscar.
She keeps getting nominated.
She’s like the Susan Lucci of the Oscars.
I mean, Jesus Christ.
If she doesn’t get it this year, she gets an Honorary Oscar.
These interviews have been edited and condensed for space and clarity.
