After a rather jarring Golden Globes ceremony this past weekend, it’s back to business as usual with tomorrow morning’s announcement of the 88th Annual Academy Award nominees. 2015 was packed with so many incredible films that it’s hard to say who will walk away with Oscar gold at this year’s ceremony. But we can damn well do our best to try and predict who will be nominated.
The nominations announcement will air live via the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ YouTube Channel on Thursday, January 14th, 2016 at 5:30am PST. This year, directors Guillermo del Toro and Ang Lee will present 12 of the 2016 Academy Award nominees, followed by actor John Krasinski and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announcing the other 12.
But before the true nominees are revealed, I have to put in my predictions just so I can feel some sort of validation and pat myself on the back if I get these right.
Let’s do this:
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
- The Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
- Jurassic World
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Potential Contenders:
- The Revenant
- The Walk
- Ant-Man
THE BREAKDOWN: I’m pretty confident in Age of Ultron, The Force Awakens, and Mad Max: Fury Road, but the two remaining slots I’m not completely confident in. The Indominus Rex and the rest of the dino pack looked great in Jurassic World, and building Mars for The Martian looked very convincing, but the lengths The Revenant went through to make the harsh conditions a reality along with the recreation of Philippe Petit’s incredible walk in The Walk were breathtaking. I think fake dinos and a fake planet stand a chance to come out on top though.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTLYING
- Black Mass
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Revenant
Potential Contenders:
- Mr. Holmes
- Legend
- Cinderella
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
THE BREAKDOWN: All of the age makeup and weird prosthetics worn by the actors in Black Mass looked silly to me, but put Johnny Depp in the forefront and you’ve snagged yourself a nom. Mad Mad: Fury Road is a given. And The Revenant has a good shot based on the crazy hairstyles and the disgusting makeup for the beaten down characters.
BEST COSTUME
- Cinderella
- Carol
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Brooklyn
Potential Contenders:
- The Danish Girl
- Crimson Peak
- The Hateful Eight
THE BREAKDOWN: Period pieces are most likely to be nominated, which is why me thinks Brooklyn and Carol will grab a spot. Developing those costumes for Mad Max and Star Wars were key to envisioning those worlds, so I think they have a good chance. And of course, Disney really captured the essence of Cinderella, so it’s in.
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Crimson peak
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- The Martian
- Carol
Potential Contenders:
- The Danish Girl
- Cinderella
- Bridge of Spies
- The Hateful Eight
THE BREAKDOWN: The level of work that was put into making Mad Max is beyond fathomable and in my mind it should win. However, The Force Awakens returning to the franchise to practical effects and environments brought the magic of Star Wars back into the conversation. Carol did a truly wonderful job at recreating its time period, especially in that department store. The Martian makes Mars feel believable. And the haunting, intricate details in the mansion in Crimson Peak is a production designer’s wet dream.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Revenant
- The Hateful Eight
- Carol
- Sicario
Potential Contenders:
- Bridge of Spies
- The Assassin
- Creed
- Beasts of No Nation
THE BREAKDOWN: While The Revenant is not an amazing film, it is perceived that way thanks to the artful camera work. Watching Sicario, the tension is built very well thanks to its cinematography. Mad Max is simply gorgeous. And everyone seems to be championing Carol, so I included it. And because Tarantino makes such a hubbub for his love of film, and the fact that the 70mm print does bring a unique experience, this should be a sure bet to make it as a nominee. The contenders are all visually striking, and if any of them could get in it could be Bridge of Spies swapped out for either Carol or Sicario.
BEST FILM EDITING
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Revenant
- The Big Short
- Spotlight
- The Martian
Potential Contenders:
- Carol
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Bridge of Spies
THE BREAKDOWN: All are sure things except for The Martian and Mad Max. I want to give the upper hand to Fury Road because it has such great pacing and every scene feels meaningful. It could be possible that Star Wars sneaks in there because it’s Star Wars and it has an incredible amount of wipes.
BEST SCORE
- Carter Burwell (Carol)
- Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)
- Thomas Newman (Bridge Of Spies)
- Howard Shore (Spotlight)
- Michael Giacchino (Inside Out)
Potential Contenders:
- John Williams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
- Alexandre Desplat (The Danish Girl)
- Johann Johannsson (Sicario)
THE BREAKDOWN: I’m 100% positive Ennio Morricone will make the cut, but these are always hard to put my finger on them.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
- Amy
- Cartel Land
- The Look of Silence
- Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
- He Named Me Malala
Potential Contenders:
- What Happened, Miss Simone?
- Listen to Me Marlan
- Best of Enemies
- Meru
THE BREAKDOWN: I’m basing this list solely on what I’ve researched and what others have been saying. I believe Amy is a sure fire pick, but the others I’m about 60-80% confident in.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
- The Good Dinosaur
- Inside Out
- Shaun the Sheep
- The Peanuts Movie
- Anomalisa
Potential Contenders:
- Minions
- Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet
- When Marnie Was There
THE BREAKDOWN: All of these are definitely in like sin except I’m iffy about The Peanuts Movie. Some believe it could go to Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, but I’d like to think Academy voters are prone to pick animated properties they’re more familiar with.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
- Mustang (France)
- Son of Saul (Hungary)
- Labyrinth of Lies (Germany)
- Theeb (Jordan)
- A War (Denmark)
Potential Contenders:
- The Brand New Testament (Belgium)
- The Fencer (Finland)
- Embrace of the Serpent (Colombia)
- Goodnight Mommy (Germany)
THE BREAKDOWN: Like the Best Documentary category, I’m basing my predictions off of hearsay. I’ve got a good feeling about Mustang and Son of Saul, but the rest I’m not too sure about.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
- The Big Short
- Carol
- Room
- Steve Jobs
- Brooklyn
Potential Contenders:
- Trumbo
- The Martian
- The Revenant
THE BREAKDOWN: The only ones I’m on the fence about here are Room and Brooklyn. These were all fairly strong screenplays. I’d like to think The Revenant won’t sneak in, but because of its momentum it could stand a chance to edge out a movie more deserving.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- Bridge Of Spies
- The Hateful Eight
- Joy
- Inside Out
- Spotlight
Potential Contenders:
- Sicario
- Ex Machina
- Straight Outta Compton
- Trainwreck
THE BREAKDOWN: There were a lot of fantastic, original movies this year too. Tarantino’s dialogue will always gain attention, while Inside Out’s truly emotional ride tugs at the heartstrings. Spotlight will most likely be the front runner based on how tight and passionate the movie is.
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Sylvester Stallone (Creed)
- Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation)
- Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
- Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)
- Christian Bale (The Big Short)
Potential Contenders:
- Jacob Tremblay (Room)
- Michael Shannon (99 Homes)
- Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina)
- Paul Dano (Love & Mercy)
THE BREAKDOWN: I have a feeling my picks here are a sure thing. If anything, Paul Dano sneaks in over Christan Bale, but I doubt it. This was a very strong year for supporting roles.
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
- Rooney Mara (Carol)
- Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight)
- Helen Mirren (Trumbo)
- Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)
Potential Contenders:
- Elizabeth Banks (Love & Mercy)
- Kristen Stewart (Clouds of Sils Maria)
- Jane Fonda (Youth)
- Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina)
THE BREAKDOWN: And speaking of strong supporting roles, this category is stacked. I think I have this one pretty much locked in, but Jane Fonda could come through and replace Kate Winslet based on the buzz I’ve heard about her performance.
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
- Cate Blanchett (Carol)
- Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)
- Brie Larson (Room)
- Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
- Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
Potential Contenders:
- Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
- Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road)
- Lily Tomlin (Grandma)
- Sarah Silverman (I Smile Back)
THE BREAKDOWN: 2015 was the year for strong, female characters and the actresses portraying them crushed it. I think Jennifer Lawrence may be on her way out. She is great, but the Academy always has picks one actress who is more experienced than the bunch. From what I heard, Charlotte Rampling has a good shot at being nominated.
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
- Matt Damon (The Martian)
- Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
- Bryan Cranston (Trumbo)
- Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)
Potential Contenders:
- Will Smith (Concussion)
- Ian McKellen (Mr. Holmes)
- Michael Caine (Youth)
- Johnny Depp (Black Mass)
THE BREAKDOWN: Unfortunately, I think this is Leo’s year. 2015 was a pretty blah year for leading male roles. All of the men in this category perform well, but none of them really stand out from the rest. And with how much the folks behind The Revenant keep complaining about the shooting conditions and the outcry of support for Leo, he may finally get his first Oscar. Matt Damon might be swapped out with Michael Caine, but I think Damon’s charisma in The Martian will charm the pants off Academy voters.
BEST DIRECTOR
- George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
- Adam McKay (The Big Short)
- Ridley Scott (The Martian)
- Todd McCarthy (Spotlight)
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant)
Potential Contenders:
- Todd Haynes (Carol)
- Steven Spielberg (Bridge of Spies)
- Alex Garland (Ex Machina)
THE BREAKDOWN: Though I liked many of the films last year, I can’t really say the direction of any of them stood out beyond Mad Max and Spotlight. I think Adam McKay did a stellar job turning sh*t into gold with how brutally boring The Big Short‘s subject matter is. And again, The Revenant team cannot stop assuring us they had a miserable time shooting, so the fact that they got the film done will probably lead voters to believe it was directed well based on the final product.
BEST PICTURE
- Spotlight
- The Big Short
- Bridge of Spies
- The Martian
- The Revenant
- Carol
- Room
- Brooklyn
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Inside Out
Potential Contenders:
- Straight Outta Compton
- Ex Machina
- Sicario
- Joy
- The Hateful Eight
- Steve Jobs
- Trumbo
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- The Danish Girl
THE BREAKDOWN: Like I said, it was a very strong year and to guess which top 10 films the Academy would include, if they even allow 10 noms this year, was difficult to choose in order. This is the only category where I ranked my nominees in the order I believe they are likely to be included.
And that’s all I have to say about all of these categories.
The 88th Annual Academy Awards are on Sunday, February 28, 2016. They will be hosted by Eddie Murphy at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST.
Turn The Right Corner 