OSCAR WATCH 2024

 It was a good show, some great moments and Conan was really good.

As expected, I didn't do great, only 13 correct (which means 10 wrong).

You can read about my predictions here.

I totally bummed on all the shorts, and utterly by fault, I usually spend a good couple of hours researching these, but I was in and out quick this year. I totally underestimated Anora, even though I thought it was the better film, so am pleased for those mistakes. I had no clue about the Animated Feature, lol, I never do. And I really thought Timothee would win. He did not...

The opening was great, long but great. The LA film homage was really good, rolling into Cynthia and Ariana who were superb with their Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked. Both amazing, but Cynthia is just a goddess, watch her sing those incredibly high and long notes, she nails them effortlessly. She is a natural, and a genius, her voice is like butter. Conan was great, funny, himself. I loved Adam Sandler helping out. 

The presenting was mostly good, sometimes great. I loved how they paid homage to the Cinematographers and Costume designers, they have done this with the acting noms in years past. It does take longer, but to do this to 'lesser' categories makes a lot of sense. Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn were lovely together, very cute. Ben Stiller, as always, hilarious. June Squibb and Scarlett Johansen were very funny, loved them. Mick Jagger was a true surprise, and very funny. Mark Hamill and Quentin Tarantino brought certain gravitas to the proceedings. It was lovely to see Billy back on the stage with Meg Ryan, 37 years since he first hosted The Oscars...oh vey!

Speeches are always a thing. There were some great speeches from some of the minor awards, Costume Design, Animated Feature etc. Kieran Culkin's was funny and spot on, as expected. Sean Baker hit the right note with each win, classy. Walter Salles' gave a lovely speech for International Feature. Adrien Brody needed a strong look from John Lithgow, what a pain. Mikey Madison was also great.

I don't get the wasted time on James Bond. Halle Berry looked amazing, the singers were ordinary, Adele must be rethinking her semi-retirement. 

I liked that Morgan Freeman spent some time talking about Gene Hackman at the beginning of the In Memoriam. We lost some greats this year, the time wasted on fluff like Bond should have been spent honouring David Lynch or James Earl Jones. Also there were, as usual, some key omissions! Shannon Doherty, Alain Delon (seriously!!!???), Bernard Hill, Michelle Trachtenberg and more. Do they even have researchers?

Even the Quincy Jones tribute seemed out of place, yes he scored for films and was nominated, but not for anything that great. I think it was just to get Oprah and Whoopi on the stage together. They are always great to see. But poor Queen Latifah singing Ease on Down the Road, Aye Karumba, she deserves better.

Back to the good, was thrilled to hear my main man, Nick Offerman doing the voice over work, perfection and funny.

Thrilled for all the Anora love, go in blind, I didn't know much about it and really loved it. Was superb and nice to see small indies winning. I did split my director/movie votes between The Brutalist and Anora. I missed most of the Anora wins, hence my low score, but happy to have them win over my choices.

I still think Timmy was robbed!!!

And I dream about the kind of speech Isabella Rossellini would have given. I love her date was Laura Dern, except that had me excited there would be a David Lynch tribute...oh well, never mind.

But in all, it was a solid 7 out of 10.

And now to what we all care the most about, the Farshun!!!!!

Let's start with those bringing the drama to the show. Amazing dramatic, large gowns, I love it. Especially Cynthia's emerald velvet, clever! And Halle Berry as a Glitter Ball, bloody love it!

   

And I love that the men are embracing fashion more and more. Bowen Yang (lurve Bowen) looked amazing! Colman showed his flair with red.

Then there is the sleek and classic styles. Love Scarlett, Amy, and Meg in Velvet.

OK Worst dressed

My top 5 best dressed in no order:

OSCAR WATCH 2024: the predictions

 Greetings and welcome to another year of Oscar Watch.

I have been trying to watch as many films as I can, and did well.
You can read about them here

This year has been difficult with an ever changing landscape of issues and drama. This made it more difficult to make decisions, but here we go!

Best Picture

I watched all the films bar one (I'm Still Here, couldn't get a hold of it). My faves were A Complete Unknown, Wicked, and Anora. I also enjoyed Conclave, Emilia Perez, Dune: part two, The Substance, and Nickel Boys. I was so so about The Brutalist.

I like to pick who will win, but not necessarily who I want to win, so I add both to my predictions.

Will win: The Brutalist

Should win: Anora

Director

Always difficult when 10 films are chosen, but only 5 for director. I am splitting the votes, and going Anora

Will win:  Sean Baker, Anora

Should win: Sean Baker, Anora

Actress in a Leading Role

Between Demi Moore and Mikey Madison. Demi has been the front winner all along, but there has been a slight turn for Mikey in this last week.

Will win: Demi Moore, The Substance

Should win: Mikey Madison, Anora

Actor in a Leading Role

This has been Adrian Brody all along but Timothee won the SAG, it is between them

Will win: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Should win: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Actress in a Supporting Role

Zoe Saldana has won everything, but this can often be a wildcard and so many in this category are deserving. I thought Monica Barbaro was perfection as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, and Felicity Jones really brought the heart to The Brutalist. But Isabella Rossellini brought so much to Conclave, without saying much at all, given her pedigree and her career, this could be a steal...I certainly hope so.

Will win: Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez

Should win: Isabella Rossellini, Conclave

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kieran Culkin is probably the only shoo-in, will and should win.

Having said that every other nominee is deserving and gave great performances.

Will win: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Should win: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Original Screenplay

I think this will go to A Real Pain.

Will win: A Real Pain

Should win: A Real Pain

Adapted Screenplay

All great adaptations, so hard to say

Will win: Conclave

Should win: Nickel Boys

International Feature

This is between Emilia Perez and I'm Still Here.

I have only watched Emilia Perez but think it will still win despite the drama.

Will win: Emilia Perez

Animated Feature

No idea, but my research says The Wild Robot

Will win: The Wild Robot

Documentary Feature

Again, I have seen none of them, but my research says it is between No Other Land and Porcelain War about Palestine and Israel and Ukraine. 

Will win: No Other Land

Original Score

The Brutalist is the only score I remember noting as I watched the nominated films and my research says it's the one.

Will win: The Brutalist

Original Song

Some great songs here, but El Mal seems to be the one. However, I love the Elton John and Brandi Carlisle collaboration

Will win: El Mal, Emilia Perez

Should win: Never Too Late, Elton John: never too late

Cinematography

Everyone says The Brutalist, and it was shot incredibly beautiful, so makes sense to me.

Will win: The Brutalist

Should win: The Brutalist

Costume Design

Wicked is the one that stands out for me, and my research. However, Conclave and A Complete Unknown really took you into the worlds of their films.

Will win: Wicked

Editing

Editing musicals usually can win, so you'd think Wicked and Emilia Perez but Conclave is leading it all.

Will win:  Conclave

Makeup and Hairstyling

The Substance must be the winner here, how can it not?

Will win: The Substance

Production Design

Another difficult one, every nominee created worlds that were synonymous with their subject matter. I thought The Brutalist looked amazing, and that is who I think should win, but I do think Wicked will win.

Will win: Wicked

Should win: The Brutalist

Sound

This can only be Dune: part two

Will win: Dune: part two

Visual Effects

Again, Dune

Will win: Dune: part two

Animated Short

I research all the shorts, but really is a crap shoot.

Will win:  Wander to Wonder

Live-Action Short

Will win: The Last Ranger

Documentary Short

Will win: Incident

OSCAR WATCH 2024: the movies

Anora 

I was keen to see this movie as Mikey Madison was the oldest daughter on one of my favourite shows, Better Things. What a remarkable performance. Mikey's character Anora or Annie is an exotic dancer/sex worker in a club. She is a joyous person and full of dreams. She meets a gorgeous young Russian, who invites her to his glamorous apartment, they fall in love, and head to Vegas on a whim to marry. Then the story really begins, no spoilers. 

This is a love story, a crime caper, dramatic, and comedic. A true indie film but it looks amazing, and Mikey absolutely steals the show. She is in with a chance for Best Actress, though she has to beat the favourite, Demi Moore.

The Apprentice

Ahhh, I watched this under duress, lol. It was actually a good film. Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn were great. This focuses on Trump's early years as he is trying to break free from his father (played by the great Martin Donovan!). And I will admit for the first 20 minutes or so I actually felt sorry for him. it didn't last long. These people are truly horrid. This film will not win anything, but the acting is fine.

The Brutalist

I really wanted to love this one, but I did not. Yes, it was long, and I appreciated the concept but there were times in the first section, it could have done with an edit and towards the end of the second section. It was a good story, an important story of the struggles of immigrants trying to settle post WWII. It also was about the pursuit of greatness, in architecture. Brutalist architecture, quite striking, worked well within the film, but I wanted more. 

Adrian Brody's performance was amazing, and initially was a front runner for the Best Actor, but with the knowledge of AI being used on accents, I feel the interest in waning, and that may do him and the film harm. The second act certainly was the better half, especially with the introduction of his wife, played by the brilliant Felicity Jones.

This may go on to win the accolades but it left me cold, too long, lacking the impact I was expecting, trying to do too many things. Having said that, there was a lot to appreciate about this film. One is the exceptional Guy Pearce, always deserving and If Kieran Culkin wasn't such a lock in, then Best Supporting Actor may well be his.

A Complete Unknown

This is my favourite film of the group. I was so unsure about it going in, as a Dylan fan, but I needn't have been. It was beautifully shot, capture the time and the essence of Bob at the time so very well. Timothee Chalamet was perfection at Dylan, by the halfway mark you forgot it was him, and believed it was Dylan. He sang and played all the songs, everyone did. I thought both Norton (as Pete Seeger) and Monica Barbaro (as Joan Baez) were outstanding. In a perfect world all three would win in their categories. Although Chalamet might just be in with a chance. If you haven't seen this and you are unsure, don't be, go and see it.

Conclave

This was really good, a story of thrills and intrigue (yes, really, remember it is taken from a Robert Harris novel) set against the backdrop of choosing a new pope. This is an intense film with twists and turns. The acting is superb, and all are deserving. But if Isabella Rossellini wins I will be thrilled, it is a possibility, but not looking likely.

Dune: part two

We had the good fortune to see this on the IMAX at Darling Harbour. It was just perfection. Great cast, huge and full of stars. Chalamet and Zendaya were amazing. Austin Butler and Christopher Walken were great new additions. The cinematography and effects were next level, especially on that big screen. I think it may win some of those types of Oscars.

Elton John: it's never too late

This was a great doco on Elton, showcasing his earlier (my favourite period) career, and the present. Great footage, great interviews with Elton and those surrounding him. The recent footage was personal, included his family and showed what he does since retiring from touring. Total joy this doco, but the featured song is nominated so quite possibly could win.

Emilia Perez

I really liked Emilia Perez, it was doing something very different and would be the frontrunner for many awards if the controversy had not happened. It is chaotic and melodramatic and a musical but it works. Especially when I found out it was based on an opera, it made perfect sense. It is a story of twists and turns, and the acting is phenomenal. I suspect Zoe Saldana will win Best Supporting Actress.

Nickel Boys

This is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead (I am such a fan, he is a two-time Pulitzer winner, only one of four to do so). When I heard the book was to be adapted to the screen I had my doubts, it was written in an almost unfilmable way, but they have really shone and lifted the story with the film. It is shot similar to Peep Show, from the protagonists' point of view. It moves between the time of the young men at Nickel Academy and more recent times when the Academy is being investigated, with its devastation. This probably will not win anything, but it should.

Nosferatu

I loved this, it was a great adaptation, one of the best I have seen. Shot beautifully and acted well, Lily Rose Depp was amazing, all the acting was. it was atmospheric, amusing, grotesque and beautiful. 

A Real Pain

This is my second favourite film of the season. A road trip of sorts when 2 cousins travel to Poland to visit where their grandparents lived and escaped the terror of WW2. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain is a triumph. Both Jesse and Kieran Culkin (the cousin) are superb, particularly Culkin. The film toggles that beautiful line between humour and drama. There are moments of unbearable despair, yet it never feels too heavy, the lighter moments work well. Culkin has never been better, and Eisenberg is the perfect foil. There are many layers that unravel in this film, twists if you will, subtly placed and delivered with impact but not shock. The biggest shock of the film was the older lady on the tour was Jennifer Grey. This film will undoubtedly get Culkin a Best Supporting Oscar and Eisenberg the Original Screenplay. At least I hope so!

The Substance

This is some kind of wonderful mixed with a fair amount of horror. I don't do horror, but this is a different type of horror, more horrifying. Demi Moore plays a fading actress hosting an aerobics style show (Jane Fonda in the 80s anyone?). Still looking stunning her number is up, she is to be replaced by a younger version. The head of the network, a large, slimy, foul man named Harvey (hmmm) delivers the news. She is devastated. She is delivered an odd parcel, that is almost like a treasure hunt she goes in search of something that may help her. This is the essence of The Substance and this is where the horror slowly emerges. To continue to explain would be significant spoilers and I watched the film without these spoilers and that increased it's impact I think. Demi Moore AND Margaret Qualley are remarkable in this. Demi feels like a shoe-in for best Actress, but Mikey Madison is giving her a run for the money! 

Wicked

I read this book (By Gregory Maguire) when it first came out and then I saw the Stage show when it first came to Sydney, some decades ago, and loved it. I was very keen on seeing the film. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz. Ariana Grande (Galinda/Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba or eventually The Wicked Witch) are just terrific, the supporting cast also perfection. The songs are a delight, and the set design exactly as I imagined. Unsure what this will win, probably minor award, like production etc.