All the drama for a trophy: The Academy Awards Predictions (And Drama Chat) 2025

 Ah it is that time of year again I see, where it is time to give some of my quick thoughts and opinions on the nominees for this years Academy Awards. I mean I was quite surprised with my predictions from last year as I was near perfect in accuracy with only one of my predictions turning out wrong which was one of the screenplay nominations, so I thought that while I am back to do it every year cause I like to give some quick predictions that some I would've seen beforehand and giving my own opinions to and some with a little bit of focus group opinion from other pundits online and see how this will turn out for this year. Now from what I have heard is that this year has a lot more of drama and controversy coming from the films that were nominated, but I am sure it can't be overly bad, surely? Let's just have a little look see here and see how bad it really i-

*One read and research of this years drama later*

...... oh, oh we have some truly drama centric discussions for this years ones for sure with some big snubs, opinions and a award circuit piece getting derailed more and more and new dramas popping up left right and center but we can get to them down the line and spill the goss on that later with some opinions on it, but for now let us give the attention back more to the realm of giving the focus to some of the predictions for this years Academy Awards and see who I feel may come out on top for each category.

Nominee Predictions:

Making CG Come alive: Best Visual Effects

We start off the categories with the first that focuses on bringing what seemed impossible in the live action form into the real world and that is the well established use of visual effects. It is a case that while there is plenty of films that use this form of CGI or Visuals, these 5 were seen as some of the best for this year and these nominations include:

Alien Romulus

Better Man

Dune: Part Two

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Wicked Part 1

Now all of these have their appeal and appreciation in the form of the visuals and could be a case of some tough competition in terms of who is the better visual wise. There is one film that I had hoped to make an appearance for its visuals and that was with a little bear that loves his marmalade but I guess cause the film only just came out in the US it does not count but hopefully it will in 2026. If I had to give a quick choice of where I see it come down to I feel its the next film in the Apes reboot series and the other being the giant Space epic of Dune is what I feel it may come down to in this as while the others have great use of visual and practical effects, I think it may be a battle of sandworms and humanoid apes as the real contest here but stranger things have happened before so I guess we will find out soon

Best Visual choices: Dune Part Two or Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Putting the Pieces Together: Best Film Editing

The next category is the section for any film that can help differentiate between a coherent film of focus and one that is so jumbled and all over the place and that is with the focus of the editing of the movies and these 5 titles have shown and proven themselves in many ways of unique cuts, focus and flair to make it distinct and standout while also providing a clear narrative to follow and these nominees include:

Anora

The Brutalist

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Wicked Part 1

Now we can say there is a bit of choice and variety in this area that may appeal in many ways from the editing of a classic broadway show, a film that may be all flashy but lacking in focused substance or something with a bit of a bigger then life expectation but may be affected by its massive runtime. If there is anything that I see as having the best focus chance is the realm of some conventional but still leaves a striking focus like the religious oligarchy of Conclave and the other case I feel has a sense of personality to their editing is Sean Baker film of Anora as having the most means to it all and seem like the fan favourites in this category . Some other means could make the other 3 appeal more but they seem like the 2 I see having the most competition and chance to it all

Editing choices: Conclave or Anora

Playing some very detailed fancy dress: Best Costume Design

The 3rd category for the night in focus is seeing the best ways to dress for the occasion as we are talking on the best choice in Costume design as we have many talented artists and Tailors that help to create some excellent pieces of clothing and the nominess in focus have shown that with some fine array of costumes displayed on the Big screen or streaming:

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Gladiator II

Nosferatu

Wicked part 1

Now all of these films have something unique in the way they have their outfits and attire of focus from the realm of ancient Rome, casual 60 or robes of the church all have some unqiue aesthetic, there is a sense in me that it will come down to some that have a big focus chance of appeal and that is either the Gothic Horror attire of Nosferatu or the variety of outfits and costumes from the land of OZ with Wicked as they feel like they jump straight from the pages of the novels or sets and worlds they are based upon and feel that they were the ones that were the most striking to it all in outfits and costumes. While the case if Wicked doesn't win it for the costume this year, they could still have a chance with next year as well with the 2nd half but I think it will be a close race between these 2.

Costume Choice: Nosferatu or Wicked Part 1

Freshen up for the photo op: Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Now of course this next category goes hand in hand with the previous one of Costume as you can't have the costume without the appeal of Hair and Makeup and the choices in this can go beyond the likes of just a variety of hair and go deep into some prosthetics too and the 5 nominees of this category can show that as well with the nominees including:

A Different Man

Emilia Pérez

Nosferatu

The Substance

Wicked Part 1

Now there is a bit of a mixed appeal of variety with the Makeup teams of these films that go beyond a simple wig or choice of simple makeup and go to a level of detailing of making them really show the themes or aesthetics in their designs and craft and I will commend them all for it. While they are all a strong choice, I think if I had to say the highlight of all of them that resonates the most in the aesthetic of using this makeup approach is with The Substance as while I have yet to watch it (and I will with also dealing with the graphic visuals) I know from some images that I have seen online and told from some important people is that it has a deeper theme of talking about beauty standards and how things like that are judged and I feel it works out as the best and some of those makeup aesthetics they implement for it are excellent too. If to give a film as a runner up or another choice is with a similar one from costume with Nosferatu (Wicked I see as a top 3 choice for the aesthetic of the citizens of Oz and students of Shiz Academy) as I feel from the development focus of bringing the count to life in prosthetics and look is excellently done and I feel showing the elaborate form of makeup like that has the appeal approach to me as the standouts.

Makeup and Hair choice: The Substance or Nosferatu 

Getting that Oprah shot: Best Cinematography

The next category in focus is of course with every film that without this one you can't edit much together with decent substance and that comes in the realm of the cinematography as some can have some simple aesthetic look to it all and some can go all in and provide a visual treat for the eyes that may have some shots stay in your mind for many year and in the case of these 5 films, they have shown some of the years best and methods in ways that it will help appeal more over other movies with those nominees being:

The Brutalist

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Maria

Nosferatu

There is a few in here that offer something different from the somber simplistic to the level of experiencing a fever dream in its visual aesthetic of song and dance or even to giant desert planets and gladiatorial arenas, but I feel the film that may give that slight edge of appealing visual imagery and all in a classic film format may give The Brutalist that slight chance to it and also helps to offer some very striking and appealing imagery or scenes that standout in a film talking on new beginnings. I have seen a few have Emilia Perez as a top choice for the striking imagery in some of the "musical numbers" but I feel it is a little few and far between in that way and much prefer a focus of another film with striking gorgeous visuals and comes to the gothic period piece of Nosferatu as a strong contender as there is so many shots in Eggers films and longtime filmmaking collaborator that helps provide something profound, haunting and strikingly beautiful and if to say the best chance overall, I have it with the 2 period piece films as the best looking

Cinematography choice: The Brutalist or Nosferatu

If they build it they will come: Best Production Design

The next of the categories and most of the most big practical in technicalities is building the world the film will bring us into for the stretch period of time and that can be the appeal in the realm of the Production design and its through these 5 nominees that helped to make it be the most appealing to many audiences and may want to be part of this world over our own, with those nominees being:

The Brutalist

Conclave

Dune Part Two

Nosferatu

Wicked

SO initially I felt that at first it could be an easy win for Brutalist given it is all about the concept of design and function with the character of being an architect, however I felt a slight aspect that may have affected it just that little bit was with the learning they had used some element of AI for some scenes which I feel dampens it a little bit and felt it would appeal better if it was all done by a well established production team. While Dune has great aesthetic and production of the planet of Arrakis, I feel it already had the love for the win with Part One and there was not a massive amount of other elements that heightened it a little more. If there is any that I feel it may go down to is the land of OZ from Wicked and the Gothic 18th or 19th Century Europe of Nosferatu as the top choices here as it feels well established in both and feels like so much love and dedication to make it feel like we are there in those worlds. Sure there is a slight mixed appeal with me in Wicked with some of the colour grading to the world feeling a little washed out when it should be having a bit more appealing colour saturation, I think that looking past it, I will allow it but to me I feel it may come down to those 2 with a runner up of the architects new life

Production Design choice: Wicked Part 1 or Nosferatu

Runner Up: Brutalist

Feel the Vibrations: Best Sound 

Now we move to the technical nominees from the ones you do not see with your eyes but rather in the focus with the ones you observe with your ears as we move into the first of the 3 nominees about music and sounds with our first focus going to the environmental focus of the world with these 5 nominees going for the best sound category with as follows:

A Complete Unknown

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Perez

Wicked Part One

The Wild Robot

There is a fair few options of films in this years category that has plenty of variety and choice to come from these nominees from the sounds of the fantastical worlds of OZ and Arrakis, the sounds and sights of "Mexico", the sounds of the music scene of the 60 or the vast sounds and visuals of the evolving environments on a remote island that many see as a choice to go from in best displaying their sound. I know that Dune Part 1 won this category back when the first part was nominated and I can see there was a fair bit that was added to the already established first part but maybe I would see it as the runner up in a top 3 choice and if I had to give my own piece to the sounds, its a toss up of the life of Bob Dylan or a robot learning to change her coding in a new environment as some of the best use of sound for this year in focus. The only other one I thought on much was Wicked but with that one I had more see it appeal in the music side of things and be a stronger one there but I feel that is the area I am going to go with for that choice in variety.

Sound Choice: A Complete Unknown or The Wild Robot

Runner Up: Dune Part 2

Sung in front of a Live studio audience: Best Original Song

So this is the only category that has had a bit of an affect at this years awards as usually during these award shows they would have the best original songs performed throughout the night by the artists and performers but for this year they have cut it out to reduce the shows runtime (though I have an issue with them allowing for the leads of a film that I feel have already shown the entirety of the 2nd half of this full adaptation though the endless social media post are allowed to do a musical number at the event and just feels like special treatment imo and just let the host of Conan O'Brian do it himself) and probably cause most of the songs this year are not that great (plus will not live up to last years show stopper I'm Just Ken Performance) but let us decide what may win it overall:

El Mal (Emilia Perez)

The Journey (The Six Triple Eight)

Like a Bird (Sing Sing)

Mi Camino (Emilia Perez)

Never Too Late (Elton John Never Too Late)

I think the case that surprises me the most is that it seems like a very slim chance that Netflix will lose the original song award this year but the choices from EP are not too great besides one having Zoe Saldana acting her ass off in a performance in a so-so film or the only song that feels close to a song in that film by Selena Gomez and would most case choose that one of the 2 from that film. The others all have that appeal but if there is a case in my head I hope for any of the ones from the other films but something tells me that the most nominated of the night might get a win in this one with a song that nots really a song

Original Song Choice: any of the non Emilia Perez songs

likely win: El Mal

Music for the Soul: Best Original Score

The last of the sound categories for the night for the night we are giving a focus is instead of just one track with a bit of lyrics to the film, we instead talk on the tracks that make up the sweeping scores for these films and I know this one caused some drama as well as the score for Dune was not allowed this year on the basis that it sounded too close to the first parts score and I feel it deserved a nominee in that instance, but I guess we could hope with Messiah in the 2027 Oscars, but lets look at the nominees for best Score for a film:

The Brutalist

Conclave

Emilia Perez

Wicked

The Wild Robot

Now I already mentioned in the Sound category that I saw the case of Wicked having a better chance in this category due to its popularity and in the basis of its musical focus that it would have a much better outcome of a win here which in all fairness I would see as a high chance. If in the case of some I would choose as a personal choice for a possible win, I see the likes of another popular one going towards The Brutalist for it tone of loss, the past and new beginnings working in tandem well enough and then in the basis of a personal choice and cause I wanna give the love to the form of filmmaking, I would give it to Wild Robot as I love their score for the sweeping lands and environments and sounds of the world and nature interwoven into it and if for any at all I would have them as my choices for this one with most case Wicked probably being the one that may push it a little over the top

Best Score Choices: Likely: Wicked

Hopeful: The Brutalist or The Wild Robot

Telling stories in a quicker manner: Best Short Films (Live action and Animated)

So continuing the trend of how I approach this next section like last year, it is time we focus to the era of ones that work hand in hand in focus on similar elements but I have not much of an input to them and thought best to combine together and that is with the awards in the Short film categories with each of them being separated in the Live Action or animated side and we can list those nominees here:

Live action:

A Lien

Anuja

I'm Not a Robot

The Last Ranger

The Man Who could not remain silent

Animated:

Beautiful Men

In the Shadow of the Cypress

Magic Candies

Wander to Wonder

Yuck!

So starting with the live action ones is mainly a variety of some stories that has a more darker story through a mixed array of views in the short story films and going off of the most popular and probably the most of focus with the likeliness of winning for its close vibes to modern day is with Man who could not remain silent that tackled the 1990 genocide that occoured in Bosnia and Herzegovina or from  A Lien that is on the basis of immigrants dealing with ICE's even while they are registered citizens which is very topical currently in the US right now and in most case I do not have too much opinion on most or any of these shorts I will see it as one of these for the win

Live Action Short choice: The Man who could not remain silent or A Lien

Then in the case with the animated one, the most popular of the 5 is a close tie between Wander to Wonder about the puppet stars of an 80s kids show trying to survive and continue the show of their creator who had recently passed away and the other would be in the shadow of the cypress of a captain that is dealing with PTSD living with his daughter who comes out of isolation when a stranded whale appears before them and they both can provide something different with animation for all of them with these 2 in particular being a return to the forgotten art of 2D animation and some stop motion and it is with these ones that I would be more inclined to be the push for them. Now I feel my choices may not be the most cut and dry outcomes given I have not seen any of them but I will give it the focus chance with them and go off the instinct of opinion from online for these shorts

Animated Shorts choice: Wander to Wonder or In the Shadow of the Cypress 

Story with a more real focus: Best Documentary features (Feature Length and Short)

As for the 2nd of categories that I have combined together for this one is with the focus to the realm of documentaries in both the long and short form as similar to the shorts, I have not checked out much of these and would not have too much of an opinion (and felt there was 1 or 2 docs that deserved a nomination IMO) with these nominees being as such

Doc Film:

Black Box Diaries

No Other Land

Porcelain War

Soundtrack for a coup D'Etat

Sugarcane

Doc Short film:

Death by Numbers

I am Ready Warden

Incident

Instrument of a beating heart

the only girl in the orchestra 

Again similar to the last pair of nominees, this is another pair that I have not seen any of so its mainly going off the word online (it also was the case that I felt the 2 docs of Super/Man and Will and Harper probably deserved a nod but was probably a very tough contest year). Going off the likely winner is a toss up between the Porcelain war or the one of the coup d'état as both tackle the focus of films on more modern situations and conflicts around the world from the past and the present in unique forms and while some have a wider approach and some are limited in reach, I see either one of these as the choice.

Doc film choice: Porcelain war or soundtrack for a coup d'état 

Then on the likes of the short docs, each of them tackle an area of a different perspective with many focus on the concept or mortality as some tackle heavy themes like an inmate on death row who has seen a massive sign of reform and acknowledgement to his actions or films shown from the perspective of police boy cams or shooting survivors or more lighter tone of the perspective of bringing people together by the power of music, but it comes down to the ones that may stick the most to the audiences with the strongest going towards the focus of the Death Row inmate or the one about one of the survivors of the 2018 Parkland shooting as the best chance of a win, but who knows with these 2 awards as it could see a massive change in the process in appeal but we can see on the night

Doc short choices: I am Ready, Warden or Death by Numbers

Stories told from around the world: Best International Feature

now we are heading off to explore the world for this next category as we are delving into the world of international features and seeing what other parts of the world has to offer with their films and it seems after a tough contest, it has come down to these 5 films in the nominees for this year which include:

I'm Still Here (Brazil)

The Girl with the Needle (Denmark)

Emilia Perez (France)

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)

Flow (Latvia)

So as you can see from this year, most of the nominees in this category as coming from the Eurasia area with most being in central Europe and one off in South America regions to each bring something to the table. Now going off of the recent award shows seem to indicate that EP will be the winner of this category but I would not say its a total definite as I see 2 other films that have seen a bit of a chance as well with Brazils I'm Still here being a strong contender as well as the animated film of Flow from Latvia being 2 possible win chances and what I hope will win. If there was a case of adding a 6th one to all of this before hand I would've suggested the nomination of the acclaimed Irish film of Kneecap as that one really took off since its release back in August here and in a few other markets but maybe it missed out on some criteria (but then again was a big winner for some of the other award shows), but all the case I think those 2 are my hopeful winners to one I see most likely winning it

International film choices: I'm Still here or Flow

Likely Winner: Emilia Perez

My go to form of Cinema: Best Animated film

Now for the category that I always give a soft spot to is the one that I often complain does not get as much love in these award seasons and that is the Animated features and it is still case as Del Toro mentioned 2 years ago that Animation is cinema and the choices for this years awards could not be more of a tough contest and the 5 nominees in this category deserve all the love and choice:

Flow

Inside Out 2

Memoir of a Snail

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

So while I was writing the other, the main one I was trying to decide on was who do I pick as the best animated film for this year an in this instance I had a opinion for this one was too much of a difficult task as I see any of these winning the award and I can't just choose one to win as many of these films deserve the award itself and for the ones I have seen that have released are all beautiful and well made and have in one way or another gave me that warm fuzzy feeling or had me bawling my eyes out and its a case its too tough to put it down to any or pick one or the other, so in the one VETO vote I am adding my choice is for any of them to win but if I had to say which it will come down to I feel its going to be a close tie between Flow or the Wild Robot with Inside Out 2 as the 3rd place title but will still give the award choice to all 5 (will probably differ by year depending on those nominated but this year is the exception of too many good choices to choose just 1).

Animated film choice: Any and all of them

Likely contest: Flow or The Wild Robot

Telling a story from established Source Material: Best Adapted Screenplay

We move deeper into the main big awards of the night in the non technical side as we start into the discussion about taking an already established story and adapting it into a screenplay that will work for a motion picture and these 5 all take inspiration from true stories or books novelizations and these nominees include:

A complete Unknown

Conclave

Emilia Perez

Nickel Boys

Sing Sing

So each of these have some variety of telling the lives of famous musicians or of the lives of people in incarceration or lives in points of time or stories about religious connotations or peoples changing lives and while there is many for choice, I can definitely see the likes of the religious film of Conclave as the top choice going off of the wins at a few recent awards and to give as a close runner up would be the ones of Nickel Boys or Sing Sing as a close follow up but I see the vote for a new Pope having the strong win in this category

Adapted Screenplay choice: Conclave

There is still Originality out there: Best Original Screenplay

Right as for the other side of the screenwriting element, we are talking all about the focus of films with a deeper sense of originality as we will be given a deeper look into the films of the original screenplays that will vary in style and substance in their works and those nominees include for this one are:

Anora

The Brutalist

A Real Pain

September 5th

the Substance

All of them in their own ways tell a form of a unique story (even if the likes of the one for September 5th would be more based on true events) and each have a sense of culture and focus and provide something that appealed to many when possible. There is a case that I see that the big focal films that it may go down to was with the crazy love story of Anora or the focus of the beauty standards or body horror mix of the Substance seems like the ones that have the strongest attraction for its writing. Nothing against the case of Jesse Eisenberg for his film as I feel that one may appeal to more then the other 2 of something of a feel good with a bit of humour, but I feel the other 2 I mentioned may have that slight edge over it but I guess we'll see on the night.

Original Screenplay choice: Anora or the Substance

The ladies are there for support: Best Supporting Actress

Right we are heading into the final batch and it is the big ones and we start with the focus of the supporting roles that made a proper standout to it all and that is on the ladies side of things as these 5 have proven themselves that no matter the level of appeal, they provided a mass appeal from their performance and those 5 are:

Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)

Ariana Grande (Wicked)

Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)

Isabella Rossellini (conclave)

Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)

So each of these appear in a mix of variety of film choices and many have a fair chance of winning, even if some appear in films where it doesn't deserve that much of love or may have some conflicting opinions on. Now what I have seen in the case is that from some of the recent award shows, the award seems to be heading towards a win for Saldana and if I am honest, I am fine with her winning it as even if the film is not that great, I still feel Saldana has the most energy and gave it her all in that film. As for what I jave seen on the basis of the internet, the fan favourite is going toward Ariana cause either the case of the Ari stans or the likes of people just see her as the only name for a film that was heavily seen by people. To me personally, I have a conflicting opinion of Ari's character in Wicked that she does not feel much like the good witch (then again I never read the book or seen the broadway show but will do so at some point) but I feel if it doesn't work out this year, they still have part 2 to win it. The other big hopeful is Isabella that while she is not a big presence in her nominated film, it still has left a very lasting experience to filmgoers and this film has been a success story more with these nominations, but if I would say that case I would put the 2 of Ari and Isabella as runner up likelihood (Rossellini with the slight edge imo) but I feel it seems like Saldana's to win on the night

Supporting Actress choice: Zoe Saldana (EP)

Runner ups: Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Ariana Grande (Wicked) 

The men are on standby: Best Supporting Actor

Now we go to the side of the actors with the similar approach with the main area of these 5 actors have proven their performance prowess in the different genres and style and each give something worth being nominated for and those 5 consist of:

Yura Borisov (Anora)

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)

Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)

Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)

Similar in the likes of the Supporting Actress, there has been one name in this list that seems like the most surefire name to be the winner and that is for Kieran Culkin as he has been sweeping up award after award in every award show he is nominated in and I feel it would be a surprise if he doesn't. Though it is not to say it will be a surefire one as it was discussed that Borisov could be a close contender for the award after much more love has been presented since his appearance in Anora, but I feel at this rate its Culkin's unlikely chance of a loss here but we could see a massive surprise happen from the outcome but who knows.

Supporting Actor choice: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Runner up: Yura Borisov (Anora)

The Leading Ladies: Best Lead Actress

Now lets turn the attention to the leading stars of the films and we will start again with the women first as they have all done a form of showing their talents, but also could have affected them over the course of some possible recent events, but we can delve into that a little later as we have to talk on and choose as to who the 5 nominees have a chance for:

Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)

Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez)

Mikey Madison (Anora)

Demi Moore (The Substance)

Fernanda Torres (I'm Still here)

So we will talk more on this in the brief opinion on all of the film drama of this year but it is likely case that Gascon has pretty much blown their chances with all of there previous tweets and statements overall, which is a shame given they were the first Trans actress to be nominated in a lead actress role ever so it lost it's chances from everything that came out that she had said over the years. But moving on from that and talk on it later, I feel through all of this it is going to come down to 2 for the high prize award and it is between Demi Moore and Mikey Madison as both had seen a few award wins for their performances and each had been the buzz of a few film festivals and it is anyone's game to win it. Now the likes comes down to it being decided by the Sag awards and going from what I saw is that Moore took the prize so she might have the slight edge but it is still going to be a tough close call in the end between these 2.

Best Actress choice: Demi Moore (The Substance) or Mikey Madison (Anora)

The Men are here: Best Lead Actor

And now the last of the acting nominees is with the leading men of the best actor category and while it may seem like a more surefire ones with those other categories, this one has more of a variety of choice that could make or break the decision in who will take the statuete, and those nominees for this category are as such:

Adrian Brody (The Brutalist)

Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)

Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)

Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)

Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Now it is not to say that there is not a clear frontrunner rivalry in this as there seems to be a clash of likeliness between Brody and Chalamet to take the win as both have seen a few wins at different award shows and would be a question if people want someone with such talent over the course of the last 2 decades since his first Oscar win or a star that has become a staple of movies over the last near decade that a win would be a great honour or could be a new form of Leo Dicaprio or being nominated but just missing out. The other options all have something that appeals to many but may be against in some way from Domingo in a film that is overlooked by a lot of people, Stan being nominated for a figure that is very controversial right now (and many hoped it would be for the other film he was in that was also nominated in a different category) and Fiennes on having a strong focus but lacking the push of the marketing campaign so I feel in all of this its between a man coming to find a new way of life or a musician that changed music

Actor Choice: Adrian Brody (The Brutalist) or Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) 

The leading vision to these films: Best Director

The 2nd last category for the night is the focus of the one that leads the charge in making these films and that comes in the affect of a movies director as the way they can go about this cause determines if a films succeeds or fails and the 5 for this category have proven something unique and appealing in that regards:

Sean Baker (Anora)

Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)

James Mangold (A complete Unknown)

Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez)

Coralie Fargeat (The Substance( 

These 5 have shown the strongest of talent in their respected fields of making a completely appealing and successful films of last year and many have a shot of winning in different ways but it seems like one I would go against is Perez as it feels like the concept was not really giving much detail and attention overall and is seeing a major affect to it and may have lost its chance in that regard. in my eyes and conferring about it online, it seems to be a 3 way battle between Brutalist, substance and Anora for the top spot and that was where I was leaning towards, especially if its another contest in the actress side of things which I see either of those having the edge overall but its all to play for in this award season contest.

Best director choice: Anora, The Substance or The Brutalist 

The Big one of masterworks: Best Picture

And finally, we have arrived at the big one, the final award of the night and that is of course in the way of the big film winner of the year with the 10 films present here being the best of the best, the most popular, the ones that came out of nowhere and vary in their box office success and it all comes down to see who will be the best Picture winner of these 10 nominees:

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune Part Two

Emilia Perez

I'm Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance

Wicked

 All of them have proved themselves to make it this far and into this category but in all sense there is only one winner from these 10 that can do so. Now while not have seen all of these 10 films I do have a focus of a 3 way decision breaker and I feel the win will come down to Anora, Conclave or The Brutalist, with the runner up to the 3 going to Substance to me personally. I feel with these films that despite one or 2 of them having a sense of some drama or controversy (even if one is just mustered up by the Telegraph that I will get to) I see one of these having the strongest chances of the win overall from its appeal, presentation, buzz from the film festivals and award shows and just giving the chance to have something unique take the top prize home overall. But in the case it could still be anyone's to win but I guess it will all come down to the decision on the night.

Best Picture Choices: Anora or Conclave or Brutalist or Substance.

Strap in: We have some issues and a bit of drama to talk

So now with all of the categories chosen and out of the way, I could just leave it there but in this instance is where I would normally give my issues from the award show, but in this case it is minimal in some award nominees (mainly a few in some but I mentioned them in those sections already) with probably the most I can say is probably the usual affair of Oscar so whatever which I feel is a little of race of being mainly white nominees with a few diverse cast in there as well but there is not too much on an equal level but we can come back to that and happens most years and hope they will continue each year to improve move diverse nominees and more animated films getting nominees in other categories. But we are more here for one thing and that is to talk about how this years show is seen as the most drama filled of them all where nearly every film in this years categories have had some drama or controversy from the minimal to a near catastrophe and while I am not going to go too deep into them all I will give a few quick points as to what those dramas are for the specific films in particular.

I'm Still Here: This one is not to do with the film itself but rather an unfortunate incident that happened for best actress nominee Fernanda Torres as it seems to be a focus of a common occourance for some actors back in the early days that at one point or another will have seen an incident of doing a racial stereotype and this one was seen of doing blackface on a comedy show back in the 90s or 2000s. This one is a surprise that its on the more minimal side of things of drama this year but its a case that we have seen a fair amount of times over the years that a lot of famous faces may have done something in this form of offense and yeah it is a bad thing and they should take accountability for doing so. Now I believe she has too accountability for it and realized it was in poor taste and has apologized for it which is a good step and seems like they have done more to resolve issues compared to the other dramas for this year.

The Brutalist: This one comes down to 2 issues and similar to the previous drama, this also saw a main star with Adrian Brody being called out for an SNL sketch back in 2003 for wearing Dreadlocks and also doing blackface and from what I have heard is that their has been no apology on that end as of yet for it, but the one that has been more of a focus in its discussion is with the film being discovered to have used AI to created a scene or use of artwork in the film and it was also used to tweak and improve the Hungarian accents of both Brody and Felicity Jones which is one I am more annoyed by because I see the likes of AI usage as feeling like its half assed it and affect a career for people that could've had a chance to work in that industry but these machines are not always perfect and are a long ways away for perfecting it and it has from this piece of drama implemented a new rule for next years award show where every film nominated in the awards must acknowledge in advance if it used AI to better implement their film productions which is a good move to avoid laziness and hope it will not be neglected and works for its benefit

Anora: This one has had a small issue that had popped up with some issues about the film mainly not having a intimacy coordinator for the film as the film is a major focus about sex workers and the main lead is playing a Stripper and there being a lot of sex in the movie it can be a concern that nothing bad or concerning could happen with them involved but I have not seen much of a complaint or issue that has come from the lack of one. But this is not the only drama that has now supposedly popped up as according to the Telegraph, the film is a propaganda vessel for Russia as 2 of the leads or supporting leads is a Russian Actor that have seen some acclaim and success and one has even been nominated for Supporting actor in this as I mentioned already. Now do I see this as a massive Russian Propaganda film, no, I think it's overthinking it (a bit of a common issue with the Telegraph with some of their film takes) but who is to say that their was, I think it is overblown in thinking it is that and just worked for the story and does not have any concern or connection to ongoing conflicts so it is best to just not overtime it and let the discussion come along in the future of it is true or just people trying to have the film lose a chance or be seen as problematic.

Emilia Perez: Well.... where to begin with this one cause out of all of the films nominated for this year, this one seems to have a new bit of drama and controversy every day or every week and cause I don't wanna overdo it, I will try and summarise the entire amount of drama the best I can so bear with me. Of the main issues of drama that came from this film was from the director and it title character of Karla Sofia Gascon as it was seen the likes with the director it was down to the basis of him not caring about the research for either the country or the focus about Transgender means and didn't give much care of representing them properly and it is clearly shown as the likes of any hardship for Emilia transitioning from a man to a woman feels very miniscule or inaccurate and I also believed I learned that he had used AI in this film as well, what it was for I have no idea (probably the songs). Then as for Gascon, we have the whole ordeal about her past and her social media posting, a common thing that needs to be seen that some faces or people do not realize to delete bad tweets or once its on the internet it is there forever and it was seen for some quite abhorrent tweets that consisted of Racism, Homophobia, xenophobia and a whole lot more and even to the case of hateful tweets to her soon to be co-star of Selena Gomez. Now there was a sense of an "apology" made, but it didn't really fully help and then without the knowledge of Netflix, the director or anyone on the film, she set up an interview to try and fix the mistakes and the whole issues of the tweets but what came down to it was her being less of a focus in the marketing, Netflix trying to distance themselves from them and then the likes of being at the Oscars I have no idea. It just seems like a mess that a film with good intentions was bogged down as a full mess and question how it got this many award nominations in particular. I may delve more into my thought into it at another time but that is what I can give for the moment.

The Academy Voters Drama: This last Drama for this year is one that actually came up in the last week as of writing this piece in particular and it comes in the basis of questioning the validity or choice of the academy voters as there has been a bit of a discussion about voters who haven't seen all of the films and projects in the award categories as there has been a bit of discourse online and some complaints about some voters leaving films out of a ranking ballot to the level of incomplete with stuff about people not watching Dune as it was near 3 hours or cause they didn't like the first part or something to it (but maybe could also be a group that will be fine watching a longer film like The Brutalist) and then the case of saying some actors don't deserve a win cause they thought they already won an Oscar or an award already and it just seems like a weird thing, but I feel it is just a thing to bring up as it was discussed this week and also the case to bring this whole ordeal to an end.

time to close the show with a roundup

So as we bring it all to an end, we have seen another 12 months of talking about all things in the realm of entertainment that has seen some films that have defined so much weight and focus from reception, box office and all the challenges to where we are left with the choices that have been presented to us and will be similar in tone next year. Sure there can be films that to some were snubbed or deserved more or ones that maybe should've been considered or altered if there was a chance but at the end of the day we can all appreciate the focus of bringing people together to feel the love of cinema from big screen to streaming, dramas, musicals and animation and its a place that I love to experience all the time when I can do so. But just to wrap it up let me put all the choices I had for this award show here for you:

Best Visuals: Dune Part Two or Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Best Editing: Conclave or Anora

Best Costume: Nosferatu or Wicked Part 1

Best Makeup and Hair: The Substance or Nosferatu 

Best Cinematography: The Brutalist or Nosferatu

Best Production Design: Wicked Part 1 or Nosferatu Runner Up: Brutalist

Best Sound:  A Complete Unknown or The Wild Robot Runner Up: Dune Part 2

Best Original Song: any of the non Emilia Perez songs likely win: El Mal

Best Original Score: Likely: Wicked Hopeful: The Brutalist or The Wild Robot

Best Live action Short: The Man who could not remain silent or A Lien

Best Animated Short: Wander to Wonder or In the Shadow of the Cypress 

Best Doc Film: Porcelain war or soundtrack for a coup d'état

Best Doc Short: I am Ready, Warden or Death by Numbers

Best International film: I'm Still here or Flow Likely Winner: Emilia Perez

Best Animated film:  Any and all of them Likely contest: Flow or The Wild Robot

Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave

Best Original Screenplay: Anora or the Substance

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (EP) Runner ups: Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Ariana Grande (Wicked)

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) Runner up: Yura Borisov (Anora)

Best Actress: Demi Moore (The Substance) or Mikey Madison (Anora)

Best Actor: Adrian Brody (The Brutalist) or Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)

Best Director: Anora, The Substance or The Brutalist 

Best Picture: Anora or Conclave or Brutalist or Substance.

So that is with all of the films that I see as the big chance of winning and I will be surprised if the choices I did this year will be on point as they were last year as I was only off by 1 so maybe another close one or a full house but we will see when the fine Irish presenter of Conan O'Brian brings a lot of pizzass to the award show on March 2nd this year.

I would like to know your thoughts as to what films will win the nominees and award on the night and what movies do you feel should've been nominated in the categories? Let me know on the thoughts to it all down below in the comments below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday and I shall see you all in the next long form or award show predictions :)

Take care, keep being you, signing off 

Sam H :)