The 96th annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 10, at 6:00 p.m. CDT. The show will be broadcast in the US on ABC. Over the last few months I’ve been busy watching films, including all of the nominated ones in this post. Here are my thoughts on the movies along with who I predict will win and who I’m rooting for.
BEST PICTURE Unlike the rest of the categories where Academy members vote for one winner, the Best Picture category is determined by a preferential ballot where members rank each nominated film 1-10. Here is my personal ranking of each of the nominated films this year, along with a brief review. 1. Barbie This movie was risky to make and the politics associated with both the Barbie doll and the film industry could’ve derailed it quickly. But, in the hands of Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, and an incredibly talented cast, it’s a masterpiece. My favorite movies are the ones that entertain while making us laugh, cry, and think deeply about life. This film does all of those things superbly. There’s poignant commentary without it being overly preachy or harsh. It’s what I would pick as the best and my favorite movie of 2023. 2. Past Lives This movie made me feel the same way and it did so in such an understated way. Celine Song’s direction and script in the capable hands of Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro create magic. This is a film that stuck with me for a long time and one I will watch over and over so that I can appreciate all the nuances of the writing and performances. It’s a beautiful movie. 3. Poor Things Yorgos Lanthimos is an interesting filmmaker. This movie could have been too weird, and maybe for some folks it is, but I loved it. Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe are exceptional, and once again we have a thought provoking film that is incredibly entertaining. My top 3 films this year are all neck and neck. 4. The Holdovers I thought this movie was cute, driven by an interesting and well-written story, plus great performances by the main cast. It was touching and well made. 5. The Zone of Interest This is another film that has stuck with me and I can’t stop thinking about it. It evokes the phrase, “the banality of evil” and encompasses that spirit so well. Much could be said about this movie and how it so accurately depicts the comfort of many while others experience torment and tragedy, but I will say this is a film I highly recommend. 6. Oppenheimer I think at this point the film length discourse is tired, but this definitely could have been cut some. I think it’s a well made movie and I’m a big fan of Christopher Nolan. For me personally, he’s made better films and there were better films put out this year. 7. Anatomy of a Fall I liked this movie, even though it was a bit slow for me at first. Once the trial begins around the midway mark of the film, it gets more interesting. Once again I think there are some great performances (especially Sandra Hüller) and I think it’s a well-written script. 8. Maestro I would’ve enjoyed this film more if it hadn’t been a biopic – and I’ll explain that. I think if one is going to make a biopic, then it should be fairly accurate. Otherwise, just write something from your own mind. Bradley Cooper is great here and Carey Mulligan is as well. 9. Killers of the Flower Moon As I mentioned with Oppenheimer, film length discourse is tired, but this one could also use some cuts. It’s a good movie – it just wasn’t my favorite of the year. 10. American Fiction I’ll start by saying this year is one of the best batches of movies I’ve seen collectively since Heather and I started doing Operation Oscar. I didn’t dislike this movie – it’s just that something had to be last on the list and for me, this was the weakest movie of the 10. I think parts of this movie are strong and much of the commentary is spot on, but there are places where it just doesn’t work completely. I also think much of the family storyline was superfluous – it just didn’t add to the movie for me. Prediction: Oppenheimer I think this is sewn up. I can’t see anything beating it at this point. BEST DIRECTOR My Pick: Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Prediction: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer I think this race is a lock, too. I’m happy Nolan will finally get his Oscar. He’s a great filmmaker! Greta Gerwig (Barbie) absolutely belongs in this field. It would’ve put her in over Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon). BEST ACTOR My Pick: Bradley Cooper, Maestro Prediction: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer I think Murphy is a safe bet, but don’t totally count out Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers. BEST ACTRESS My Pick: Emma Stone, Poor Things Prediction: Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon This race is neck and neck between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone – definitely the most suspenseful race in the top categories. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR My Pick: Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer Prediction: Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer Of the four acting categories, this is the weakest field. Downey, Jr. and Ryan Gosling (Barbie) both gave good performances. I would’ve nominated Willem Dafoe over Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS My Pick: America Ferrera, Barbie Prediction: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Randolph has pretty much swept this category this award season and I expect her to continue her streak. She’s wonderful. Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple) and Ferrera were also remarkable. BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY My Pick: Barbie, Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach Prediction: American Fiction, Cord Jefferson This race seems to be between Jefferson and Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer). I think the Academy will split and award Jefferson this award and Nolan for Directing. Also, my take is that Barbie should’ve been in the Original Screenplay category. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY My Pick: Past Lives, Celine Song Prediction: Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Truet & Arthur Harari I’m pretty confident that Anatomy of a Fall will win, but I’m not counting out The Holdovers (David Hemingson). Click Here to see my prediction in all 23 categories, or use the following link: https://www.goldderby.com/my-predictions/jordan_pittman/oscars-winners-2024-predictions/ MISSING Of the many movies I saw from 2023, All of Us Strangers definitely deserved some love, especially Andrew Scott. I also really enjoyed Saltburn and You Hurt My Feelings plus Ben Wishaw's performance in Passages.
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