It’s the most exciting race for Best Picture in years.
(Bolded names of actors and films represent our final predictions.)
THE BEST PICTURE QUESTION
DAVID CANFIELD:We’ve finally reached the big night, Joey.
After months of predictions andJ.
So to start, let’s just get right into it.
Who do you think is winning this year, and why?
Still, the usual foretellers (BAFTA, DGA, PGA) have swung one way (1917).
So, I’m officially switching my vote to that.
It’s not about stats, it’s about feeling.
Are you on the same page?
DAVID:Yes, my heart is ultimately withParasite.
was so ecstatic, you could sense how much the industry has gotten behind this movie.
Who’s to sayParasitecan’t pull off aMoonlighthere, anyway?
And those branches are going to vote for the movie that best represents their craft.
So, it could squeeze out a victory.
At the very least,Sam Mendesis cruising to his second Best Director win, right?
But, don’t be surprised ifParasitedirector Bong Joon Ho marches to a victory here as well.
DAVID:Agreed all around regarding1917, its appeal across the board is pretty undeniable.
times this week alone.
WILL ANYONE ELSE SURPRISE?
My very distant No.
There’s some intrigue in the screenplay categories, if only because I feel like both are so stacked.
Can Quentin or Greta make a comeback there?
JOEY:I know I sound cynical, but I certainly hope voters don’t bow to Twitter pressure.
I’d be perfectly fine withLittle Womenbeing shut out.
It wasn’t showing up much of anywhere.
ISJOJO RABBITSURGING?
It’s winning key awards late in the game, and pulled off a Costume Designers Guild shocker.
The industry, to your point, really loves this movie.
Is it our Best Picture sleeper?
JOEY:I was stunned by its upset at the Costume Designers Guild awards.
It’s a movie that plays, and I think it’s measurably beloved enough to stand at No.
I’m not betting on aJojo Rabbitvictory, but I won’t be surprised if it happens.
No other film stands that chance, right?
BELOW-THE-LINE LOOKS
DAVID:To that point!
We’ve gone through most of the major categories, which feel a little bit like a bore.
Gives us a chance to look at a few below the line categories before we wrap this chat up.
Can Thelma Schoonmaker win editing?
It’s such a craft film, it feels weird for it not to winanything.
JOEY:Madame Thelma, what an absolute icon!
Especially for Costume Design…The Irishman?
There’s not much there.
I actually think we could seeJokertake some surprise tech wins (editing, maybe?
), but the most interesting BTL race, to me, is Best Original Song.
DAVID:I feel the same way about Thomas Newman for1917!
(I also generally agree thatJokerseems primed to win a few surprise below-the-line prizes.)
At least we have some hopes and uncertainty in those tech categories!
Alas, at least we’ve got the big Best Picture question.
We’re predicting with our hearts.
Will the Academy vote the same way?
