By Christian DiMartino
The end is near…
I start making my Oscar predictions fairly early, and I have to say: This year is a tough one to crack. Why? Simple: There were too many good movies. Things that once seemed like sure things (Steve Jobs) are out.
And alas, it has come to the final day. The Oscar nominations will be unveiled tomorrow morning, and truth be told, I’m terrified. I’m terrified by the fact that too much competition might ruin the chances of movies that deserve recognition. Or that they snub someone drastic (cough cough Jake Gyllenhaal from last year).
So, I’ve taken at stab at what the major categories might look like. I’m not expecting to get everything right, and in fact, on some of them, I hope I’m wrong. But nevertheless, the show must go on.
Here we go:
Best Picture
The Big Short Mad Max: Fury Road
Bridge of Spies The Martian
Brooklyn The Revenant
Carol Room
Inside Out Spotlight
Could Break In: Star Wars: The Force Awakens- You never know. It’s now the highest grossing movie ever and the critics love it. Could slip in.
Should be Considered: Love & Mercy– This is such a tremendous film, perfectly acted and filled with uplift, and also extremely well told. It’s a shame it’s slipped out of the conversation.
Best Director
Todd Haynes- Carol
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu- The Revenant
Tom McCarthy- Spotlight
George Miller- Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott- The Martian
Could (and should) break in: Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies- Never count Stevie out. He’s an academy favorite, and there’s enough love for this film, so you never know.
Should be Considered: Danny Boyle, Steve Jobs- Boyle is also an academy favorite, and since I doubt it will score a Best Picture nomination, I feel like the man deserves credit in at least one field.
Best Actor
Matt Damon- The Martian
Johnny Depp- Black Mass
Leonardo DiCaprio- The Revenant
Michael Fassbender- Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne- The Danish Girl
Could (and probably will) break in: Bryan Cranston, Trumbo- There’s been a lot of love for this performance, so it will more than likely get in. I just can’t see how they’d snub Depp. Or who knows, they might kick out Damon.
Should be Considered: Samuel L. Jackson, The Hateful Eight- Quentin Tarantino always seems to bring out the best in Jackson, and yet he does so once again. Jackson chews up the scenery so much in this film you almost expect him to spit it back out at us. It’s a hell of a performance.
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett- Carol
Brie Larson- Room
Jennifer Lawrence- Joy
Saoirse Ronan- Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander- The Danish Girl
Could break in: Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years- Lawrence is the real question mark here. Her performance has admiration, but the movie doesn’t. So Rampling could always sneak in. Or maybe Maggie Smith for The Lady in the Van. Or Vikander will be thrown in supporting, and Rooney Mara thrown in lead. We shall see.
Should be Considered: Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road- It may be called “Mad Max,” but it’s really Furiosa’s film, and Theron’s performance is pure awesomeness. I don’t get why she hasn’t been in the conversation from the beginning.
Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale- The Big Short
Paul Dano- Love & Mercy
Mark Ruffalo- Spotlight
Mark Rylance- Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone- Creed
Could break in: Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation– The only lock here, strangely, is Rylance. This category is all over the place, but I noticed Elba’s name mentioned a few times over the past few months, so he could slip in there.
Should be Considered: Benicio Del Toro, Sicario- Well, a lot of people should be considered. But Del Toro’s performance is a terrific, chilling, unforgettable piece of work. Also, Tom Hardy’s brilliant performance in The Revenant. Damn you, 2015!
Best Supporting Actress
Jane Fonda- Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh- The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara- Carol
Alicia Vikander- Ex Machina
Kate Winslet- Steve Jobs
Could break in: Who the hell knows, Who the hell knows- Seriously, who?
Should be Considered: (Read Above)
Best Original Screenplay
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Spotlight
Could (and should) break in: Sicario- Not enough love for this film for some reason. I thought it was two hours of pure awesomeness. But yet I feel like they can find a place for it somewhere deep down.
Should be Considered: Love & Mercy: Same as Sicario, not enough love. Brilliant film, what can I say? Great screenplay.
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
Room
Steve Jobs
Could break in: The Martian- Lots of love for this film, and it features some witty dialogue. Always a good sign.
Should be Considered: Creed- I feel like I’m one of the only ones who actually believes this film is Oscar worthy, and truth be told, I think it’s terrific. It’s got funny moments and a huge heart, and it’s a loving homage to the original film. It has my vote.
Well, there you have it. I predicted the major categories too but it’s too time consuming. I’m afraid of the nominations, and may the odds be forever in their favor.
christiandimartino 
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