Folks, we made! Tonight’s the Oscars and you know what that means.

Just kidding. The Oscars is fine – it can even be fun if you’ve seen some of the movies, are you in an Oscars pool, and avoid the internet.

Now, I’m not here to give my full ballot just some of the major categories. Also, I’m severely strapped for time. Let’s get started.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Favorite: 1917

My Pick: 1917

Other Nominees: Joker, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, The Lighthouse, The Irishman

This is a no brainer. Roger Deakins – collect your gold, sir.

 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Favorite: Jojo Rabbit

My Pick: Little Women

Other Nominees: The Irishman, Joker, The Two Popes

I’m so torn with this one! I decided to go with Little Women because I think it’s Taika’s acting and direction that propelled Jojo whereas Greta Gerwig took a huge risk altering a classic story.

 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Favorite: Parasite

My Pick: Parasite

Other Nominees: Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, Marriage Story, 1917, Knives Out

It was a great year for original stories! This was a tough call because I wouldn’t complain if it went to Tarintino for Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood or Rian Johnson for Knives Out, although the latter will definitely not happen. Ultimately, I went with Parasite. As I said in my rankings, it’s a well thought out story that somewhat combines several genres into one and every detail feels like it was carefully chosen.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Favorite: Laura Dern, Marriage Story

My Pick: Florence Pugh, Little Women

Other Nominees: Margot Robbie (Bombshell), Scarlett Johansson (Jojo Rabbit), Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell)

It’s not like the Academy to award an actor or actress who was essentially a no-name just a year ago and, because of that, Florence Pugh certainly isn’t a strong pick to win. Regardless, I think she brought a ton of life and dimension to a character that, as I understand it, traditionally doesn’t have much.

Laura Dern did an excellent job portraying a divorce lawyer in Marriage Story but, given the script, it was a mostly two-dimensional character. I’m not sure why the Academy loved her performance so much but, regardless, she is considered a near lock to win.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Favorite: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood

My Pick: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood

Other Nominees: Joe Pesci (The Irishman), Al Pacino (The Irishman), Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes)

I’d consider Joe Pesci here too but Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth should go down as one of the best characters of his career.

 

BEST ACTOR

Favorite: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

My Pick: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Other Nominees: Leonardo DiCaprio (OUATIH), Adam Driver (Marriage Story), Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes)

I would love if Leonardo DiCaprio won but I just don’t see it happening. Credit to Joaquin Phoenix who also turned in an all-time performance.

 

BEST ACTRESS

Favorite: Renee Zellweger, Judy

My Pick: Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Other Nominees: Charlize Theron (Bombshell), Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women)

This is a tough category for me since I didn’t see Judy. Renee Zellweger has been on an absolute tear and is considered a lock to win.

I’d love to see ScarJo get recognized especially after the year she had. She turned in a fantastic performance in Marriage Story. And, while it doesn’t necessarily factor into this award, she also just had a massive year overall starring in Avengers Endgame, Jojo Rabbit, and Marriage Story. 

 

BEST DIRECTOR

Favorite: Sam Mendes, 1917

My Pick: Sam Mendes, 1917

Other Nominees: Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Quentin Tarintino (OUATIH), Martin Scorcsese (The Irishman), Todd Phillips (Joker)

To me, this has always been a three horse race between Sam Mendes, Bong Joon Ho, and Quentin Tarintino and I will be pumped to see any of those three win.

 

BEST PICTURE

Favorite: 1917

My Pick: Parasite

Other Nominees: Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, The Irishman, Marriage Story, Little Women, Ford v Ferrari

Just as I said for Best Director, I wouldn’t hate seeing Parasite, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, or 1917 take home the gold here and the odds of one of those winning are very good so I think I’ll be happy at the end of the night. Still, I had to make a choice and I couldn’t steer away from my number 1.