Academy Awards '017 Thoughts and Feelings

Oscars are back so I'm going to write about them again this year. I tried to watch most of what I wanted to see that was nominated, which was most of what was nominated for most categories. So it's based on seeing most of the things.

I'm going to go in reverse order of the way my spreadsheet is listed because then the fun best picture/acting/etc is saved for last. Not that the first one is unexciting (I actually am a big fan of the writing categories).

And as always, I'm not trying to give the Oscars more relevance by posting this (not that I have any influence). This should not be where it begins and ends with discussion of the movies of 2016 and certainly some of the best movies weren't even nominated for anything (or were for very little), and they deserve discussion as well. I'll try to be better at writing about movies as they come out (as I see them, which isn's as often as I'd like) going forward. But we'll see if that works out.

okay, let's go. I'll post my hopes, ranked in some way (so there will be multiple for some categories, my top is the first one listed. Get it?)


Best Original Screenplay
Hope: I would be so happy if The Lobster won. It was such a unique type of movie that doesn't usually get any attention at the Oscars. I missed 20th Century Women but I really hope to see that shortly and It's my second choice anyway based on what I've heard about it. Hell or High Water would be a solid choice as well. A good classic morality tale...kind of.
Predict: Manchester By The Sea

Best Adapted Screenplay
Hope: Moonlight was just so great a portrait of a man growing into himself in confusing times. Arrival was brilliant.
Predict: Hidden Figures

Best Visual Effects
Hope: I'm pretty indifferent on this one but I'll put Kubo and the Two Strings on this one because it is some cool animation
Predict: Jungle Book

Sound Mixing
Hope: Arrival had such good sound, making me feel all the isolation of that pod.
Predict: Hacksaw Ridge

Sound Editing
Hope: Arrival again just because
Predict: Hacksaw Ridge (I didn't see this one but if the war scenes are as good as I've heard, it just might deserve this award)

Shorts
Didn't see any, nothing to say here.

Original Song (I reserve the right to change my votes upon hearing the performances since I still haven't heard some of these. Yes, I know YouTube exists)
Hope: "Audition" from La La Land, it was one of my favorite scenes in the movie.
Predict: "City of Stars" from La La Land because it is all over the place now.

Score
Hope: Mica Levi for Jackie
Predict: La La Land

Makeup & Hairstyling
Hope: Star Trek I suppose.  I wanted to pick A Man Called Ove but it wasn't all that impressive...
Predict: Star Trek

Foreign Language Film
Hope: (I only saw A Man Called Ove which was good but I imagine others were better.) Officially I put Toni Erdmann based on what I've read about it but that's just to fill out the column.
Predict: It would be pretty sweet to see The Salesman win based on the political implications.

Film Editing
Hope: Arrival used editing masterfully. The movie would not have been what it was without its near-perfect editing.
Predict: Moonlight

Documentary Feature
Hope: 13TH which is sadly the only one I've seen so far.
Predict: O.J.: Made in America

Directing
Hope: Barry Jenkins for Moonlight. I'd be happy with Damien Chezelle or Denis Villeneuve too though.
Predict: Damien Chezelle for La La Land (just realizing I'm not predicting this for nearly enough categories!)

Costume Design
Hope: Jackie
Predict: La La Land

Production Design
Hope: Hail, Caesar! They production designed the hell out of that movie!
Predict: La La Land

Cinematography
Hope: First year without Roger Deakins in a while! Silence deserves it for sure. I'd be very pleased if Moonlight wins though with its use of blues.
Predict: La La Land (okay, I am putting lots of La La Land in here after all)

Animated Feature
Hope: I didn't see any of these but they all look quite good for different reasons. I'm just glad there's not a default Pixar movie in here. I'll put The Red Turtle as my pick even though those never win.
Predict: Zootopia

Supporting Actress (I should re-order my spreadsheet, I'm annoyed that the actors come before actresses every year)
Hope: Viola Davis was the best part of Fences. Michelle Williams made so much out of her few scenes in Manchester By The Sea and they were truly heartbreaking. I did love all five performances though so I think I'll be good.
Predict: Viola Davis

Supporting Actor
Hope: Mahershala Ali is blowing up. So great in Moonlight. Michael Shannon really elevated Nocturnal Animals.
Predict: Mahershala Ali

Lead Actress
Hope: Ruth Negga played a full range of acting from subtle to heartbreaking in Loving. I didn't get a chance to see Elle but from what I heard, Isabelle Huppert deserves a win for that performance. Natalie Portman delivered a studied performance in Jackie that somehow allowed me to forget it was Natalie Portman.
Predict: Natalie Portman

Lead Actor
Hope: Denzel.
Predict: Denzel.

Best Picture
Hope: Arrival was my favorite of a very strong group. Moonlight was fantastic as well. I have a lot to say, don't I?? Hell or High Water would be a super pleasant surprise. La La Land would be fine.
Predict: La La Land

Anyone want to compare notes?