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