Well, it's that day! My 'Christmas'! and this year, I was able to see all 9 of the Best Pic nominations as well as The Whale. I'm ready for tonight! (I have yet to write my reviews for the films, but that doesn't stop me from making my predictions.)
So, without anything further, here are my thoughts and predictions. I do have to say that there is great fun in this for me, because it gives me a chance to see how accurately I can get into the mind and psyche of those who vote for the best of, not to mention my own analysis and thoughts on who I'd pick and why. I've been finding a lot of people pick their choices, not on something to do with the art form, but on personal responses (I cried more in this one, I liked that one better ... but with no other support than that.)
So ... my thoughts and predictions are as follows:
For Best Supporting Actress: *Angela Bassett for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever * Kerry Condon for The Banshees of Inisherin * Jamie Lee Curtis for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once * Stephanie Hsu for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once * Hong Chau for The Whale *
Strangely, this was probably the hardest for me. I think Angela Bassett will win for Black Panther, but I think Kerry Condon should win for Banshees. I don't think Condon will win, and it was only Bassett that I actually didn't see. Of the other three, I did think Condon was the best supporting actress. She was so grounded and I loved her character arc! I think Bassett will win because she's black, because this is the only chance to give a prominent black actress an award. Not because she's the best, but because she's black.
For Best Supporting Actor - * Brendon Gleeson for The Banshees of Inisherin * Brian Tyree Henry for Causeway * Judd Hursch for The Fabelmans * Barry Keoghan for The Banshees of Inisherin * Ke Huy Qauan for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once *
This is a relative no-brainer. Ke Huy Quan will win for his work in Everything and he should win. I did not see Brian Tyree Henry in Causeway, but of the others, Quan was the best, I thought.
For Best Actress - * Ana de Armas for Blonde * Cate Blanchett for Tar * Andrea Riseborough for To Leslie * Michelle Williams for The Fablemans * Michelle Yeoh for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once *
Such a struggle between two! I'm going to go with who I think will win it and I also think this person did an exceptional job of acting in her role. Cate Blanchett for the win in Tar. Michelle Yeoh was good, but I don't think her acting was as good as Blanchett's, but I don't think she hit the subtleties and nuances in the character arc like Blanchett did. I couldn't take my eyes off Blanchett's hands!! They were a story unto themselves!
For Best Actor: * Austin Butler for Elvis * Colin Farrell for The Banshees of Inisherin * Brendan Fraser for The Whale * Paul Mescal for Aftersun * Bill Nighy for Living *
Another struggle! I'm going to go with, again, who I think will win and also who I think should win. Austin Butler. Mindblowing acting. yes, I have had such a personal joy in examining his work in this film, listening to endless interviews and explanations of the work he did for this role, and the phenomenal dedication that young man gave to the role ... he completely carried that movie, in perfect execution of the real man, over the 25+ years. I believe you truly saw Presley and not Butler. This wasn't a mimic presentation, this was becoming the person, this was acting as if you were him. Brendan Fraser was good, without a doubt, and beautifully done, but I don't think as good as Butler. Fraser has incredible prostethics to assist him, Butler had only himself. He didn't 'become Elvis' when he put the suit on, he was Elvis throughout the two years of filming. Fraser also had an excellent supporting cast for the character's week of depiction and just didn't have the depth and breadth that Butler had, in my opinion. I will say that if Fraser wins, I won't be upset and I will cheer for him. Quite the come-back story! (I'd love to write a comparison essay on this!)
For Best Director: * Todd Field for Tar * Daniel Kwan & Daniel Sheinert for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once * Martin McDonagh for The Banshees of Inisherin * Stephen Spielberg for The Fabelmans *
I think the Daniels are going to take it for Everything Everywhere. I will say I'm not as taken as it seems everyone else is with this movie. I have my reasons, all based on the film and not how much I liked it or how it moved me. As I have thought, it would make an excellent final exam for any Psych or Philosophy 101 course! I could talk ad nauseam on all the bits and bobs that were thrown into that film! However, I think, from the list, Spielberg did a beautiful job with The Fabelmans, but I don't think he'll win. (Why isn't the director for All Quiet on this list??)
And for Best Picture - * All Quiet on the Western Front * Avatar: The Way of Water * The Banshees of Inisherin * Elvis * Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, The Fabelmans * Tar* Top Gun: Maverick * Triangle of Sadness * Women Talking *
I do think Everything Everywhere All At Once will take it but I do not think, out of the list it was the best movie. It is enjoyable, the story is quirky and unique, there are points where you laugh, where your heartstrings are tugged, where you're even a bit disgusted, but I don't think it was the best movie. So many people will be happy with its win; I, however, think the cinematography was better with another, I think the juxtapositioning and the attention to detail throughout this other film, the script, the power in message far surpassed Everything and how that was communicated visually, auditorily, symbolically, script, the acting, it was the closest to perfection in the list created. I was profoundly affected, hands down, and I wept for uncommon reasons - I think All Quiet on the Western Front is the best movie of the year. (I really need to write a comparison essay on these two, also!)
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Note: I will say that I'm almost certain All Quiet will take best cinematography. It truly is beyond anything I've ever seen. A German move in German about the German loss in WW1. For those who have not seen it, it is frighteningly accurate for what they went through: it's viceral, it slices through you you. You can almost feel the mud oozing into your boots, the unending rain down your neck, the grit in your mouth, the brain spatter of your friend who just lost his life beside you. Your stomach will lurch. To think young men LIVED that ... and lost the war. With what we complain about today, we have nothing compare to them. There is a quote in the film - about how forced peace is not peace, and when one is forced to something, the outcome is not what we want. To think Germany was forced into the signing of the armistice on Nov 11th, and to know that it was soon followed by Hitler's relatiation, that was not true peace. That was humiliated defeat, and no one likes to be humiliated into defeat. "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." (Einstein)
I will update this after the ceremony is done.
Curious to see if my radar was on or off today!
