Well it's that time again. Man, seems like we just did this, hard to believe the Oscars are already upon us again. This is the eleventh time Mr. Drinan and I go head-to-head in predicting the ceremony. Let's get to it!
There are some fine films on the docket to win some gold, a few of them pretty important ones given the current state of affairs in this dump. The world, particularly America, needs movies that make a statement perhaps more than it ever has. So it's good to see some of these films get the recognition they deserve. Oh, and to everyone whining about the winners making political statements in their acceptance speech? Waaaaah. The only reason you're crying about this is because they aren't making statements you agree with, and you know it. Art is quite often political and it has the power to change the world. Either come along for the ride or don't, but don't bitch about it.
Sinners has made Oscar history with a staggering SIXTEEN nominations, breaking All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land's shared record of fourteen. Quite an historic feat, particularly for a horror film. The last horror movie the Academy took such notice of was The Exorcist.
Sinners has made Oscar history with a staggering SIXTEEN nominations, breaking All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land's shared record of fourteen. Quite an historic feat, particularly for a horror film. The last horror movie the Academy took such notice of was The Exorcist.
I cannot thank the Academy enough for passing over Avatar: Fire and Ash so I don't have to watch it. Jeezus H. Christ, those movies are fucking boring.
We also have a brand new category this year in Best Casting. Good to see those folks finally acknowledged. Years ago I had friends tell me I should've been a casting director when I predicted Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. Apparently I have a gift for casting characters named Bruce.
We also have a brand new category this year in Best Casting. Good to see those folks finally acknowledged. Years ago I had friends tell me I should've been a casting director when I predicted Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. Apparently I have a gift for casting characters named Bruce.
Anyway, let's get to the picks.....
Best Picture
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
The Secret Agent
Justin: I'm in pretty good shape going into this, having seen seven of the ten. Hamnet is now on Peacock so I'm hoping to catch that before Sunday. Marty Supreme will be on HBO Max but not until May it looks like, and I have no idea when The Secret Agent will be free to stream. Anyway this looks to be another case of the Academy actually agreeing with me on what the best film of the year is, as all signs point to Paul Thomas Anderson's fourth (by my count) masterwork, One Battle After Another taking home the big one. This film is fantastic and a much needed kick in the ass to our current status quo. It's on HBO Max so go watch it if you haven't.
Pick: One Battle After Another
Mike: THE DRAMA STARTS EARLY FOLKS! One Battle After Another has certainly been the popular pick for this award ever since it was released, and for good reason. It’s a great film; dramatic yet hilarious, tense and ridiculous, emotional yet politically sharp. The movie has steamrolled all the pre-cursor award shows and is set up with one of the most historically impressive award winning resumes going into the Academy Awards. HOWEVER! Sinners possesses a small data point that makes this award intriguing. It won the SAG Ensemble award, ACE Award, and is probably going to win the WGA Original Screenplay. No film has had those three awards and lost the Best Picture category, with the lone exception being CODA. I loved both movies, but I felt as if I had seen films like One Battle After Another before. Sinners? I felt as if I had never seen that kind of movie before. It’s splitting hairs at this point but I have to follow my heart on this one.
Pick: Sinners











































