Every single year we await the moment the Academy will release the list of nominees, and every year we are surprised. That shock last from the day the nominees are released and last all the way until the morning after the ceremony. This year is no different, and here are my predictions of this year’s epic winners, snubs, and of course the surprises.
BEST SOUND EDITING
Bohemian Rhapsody
Black Panther
First Man
A Quiet Place
Roma
What should win: A Quite Place
What will win: Bohemian Rhapsody
This year’s nomination of John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place didn’t fair quite well when it to them grasping on the other categories. And to add salt to the wound, it did not come to fruition for the blockbuster thriller. But did manage to whisper away the Best Sound Editing nomination and is truly expected! The entire film surrounds of the characters not making noise, hence which makes sound that much more integral. But then again Bohemian Raphsody’s sound track brings back lots Queen Fans to their glory days, when Rami Malek would rock their stages. The music alone is honestly is ageless.
BEST SOUND MIXING
Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody
First Man
Roma
A Star Is Born
What should win: A Star Is Born
What will win: A Star is Born
One of the most impressive experiences I had watching and hearing in the theatre this year would without a doubt fall to A Star is Born. Fun fact A Star is Born was filmed in a crisp, clear Dolby theatre. Not all live performances are created alike, and if you’re wondering why some of those concert scenes hit you the way they did, this is why. Undeniably, they should win this category, I mean for Lady Gaga alone, they should dominate the category. Call me biased.
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Avengers: Infinity War
Christopher Robin
First Man
Ready Player One
Solo: A Star Wars Story
What should win: Ready Player One
What will win: Avengers: Infinity War
Those of you who watched Ready Player One, would know exactly why they should take home this category. Steven Spielberg delivered a computer animated movie given the amount of time that’s spent in the Oasis. Too truly understand why, all you have to do is watch that homage to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining in which the entire Overlook Hotel is brought back to life through video manipulation. It’s a jaw dropping moment for video manipulation and after effects, to think we have evolved so much, with technology of course. But then again with Infinity War trailing behind quite closely, might actually pose a threat with Superhero movies becoming trend over the years, especially the year 2018. And not to mention the passing of great legend Stan Lee, could there such politics, being played. We will just have to wait and see.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Border
Mary Queen of Scots
Vice
What should win: Vice
What will win: Vice
I mean should I go further, Shape shifter Christian Bale, acts in this movie and as usual, un recognizable. Impressive work all across the board from this movie. Stepping out from the stereotypical doing a costume drama full of lavish looks and getups as the winner in this category as they do every year. I think this the year the category should fall for none other than the work done on turning Christian Bale into Dick Cheney.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Shallow” ,A Star Is Born, written by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt
Performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
“All the Stars” ,Black Panther, written by Kendrick Lamar, Al Shux, Sounwave, SZA and Anthony Tiffith
Performed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“The Place Where Lost Things Go”, Mary Poppins Returns, written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Performed by Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
“I’ll Fight” ,RBG, written by Diane Warren
Performed by Jennifer Hudson
“When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings”, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, written by Gilian Welch and David Rawlings
Performed by Tim Blake Nelson
What should win: “Shallow”, A Star Is Born
What will win: “Shallow”, A Star Is Born
We are talking about Lady Gaga here, the mother monster absolutely shined with her skills. Here’s one way to put it while “All the Stars” was the best song of 2018, but it was the gradient effect of Black Panther relegated to the credits as if to say, “Grab this track now on iTunes.” But Shallow? It’s practically the whole song, the emotions and moments one would feel about the song, brings a flashback leading back to Bradley Cooper’s debut feature.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Incredibles 2
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Isle of Dogs
What should win: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
What will win: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The year 2018 had a handful of animated films, with Wreck It Ralph schooling us on the internet and the ever so long awaited movie Incredibles 2 (We were all a decade older after the release). But with their chart-topping appeal I don’t think it’s enough to push them off the threshold. So hence why I feel that this year’s nomination the Animated Feature Film Oscar belongs to Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Spider-Ham, and the rest of the Spider-Verse.
BEST ACTOR
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Christian Bale, Vice
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Who should win: Christian Bale, Vice
Who will win: Christian Bale, Vice
Besst Actor is Christian Bale, end of story. As much as I am a fan of Bardley Cooper and his work with directing the film, I personally feel that his chacter in A Satr is Born, did not show risk in itself. The voters love those transformational performances, and they love to talk the talk on politics, both of which Bale’s win allows them to do. But even beyond the red tape, Bale is just the strongest performer of this mix. He disappears into this role, more so than any of his past physical marvels, and that hasn’t been lost on most critics. At all.
BEST ACTRESS
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Who should win: Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Who will win: Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
When a star is Born came out in mid-October it seemed like a pretty sure thing that Lady Gaga was about to win an Academy Award. But a lot has happened and awards season cycle is long. I think, at the end of the day, that Gaga is going to win out yet. However I don’t think she should. Beofre you start ranting, look at as this a singer who has done exceptional job at it, and then begins acting. I don’t think that an award should be given to someone without much experience. Unless you’re Meryl Streep.
May the best Man/ Woman win!