List compiled by Jordan and Eddie on 26/02/2016
Well, another year has come and gone and with that we have the 2016 Academy Awards!
One of the hardest years to predict in some time, there seems to be a raft of films that could walk away with a swag of awards and while it’s likely that the fantastically fun Mad Max: Fury Road walks away with a large collection of technical gongs the award’s major categories such as Best Picture and Best Director are still very much up for grabs.
Despite the controversy surrounding the lack of diversity once more in the nominations, this year’s nominees are all pretty spot on and represent a field of choices that showcase 2015 as a year of equally good films, but no so much of incredible stand outs.
Casting an eye on the film industry’s night of nights, both Jordan and Eddie predict who will walk away with what statues and provide an overview of their thoughts as well as competing against each other to see who can get closest to predicting the right winners.
As always happy reading and happy watching and may the best man win.
Jordan’s Overview
Most Happy About:
Mad Max: Fury Road. No other nominated film impressed me as much as George Miller’s unrelenting action juggernaut, and considering its the belated 3rd sequel to an post-apocalyptic Ozploitation classic it’s to the Academy’s credit that they’ve given it the recognition it deserves. I really hope it now gets the Oscars it deserves.
Its also pleasing how even the competition is this year, with no one film standing out as an awards sweeper. Needless to say, I’m not too confident with my below picks.
Most Unhappy About:
With scope for more entries to be added, I’m a little disappointed that Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight couldn’t squeeze itself into the running for Best Picture. The more I think about it, the more the snowbound, patient opening half of his tension-clad western impresses me, but I can understand people having a disliking for its denouement.
Biggest Surprise:
Charlie Hunnam not being nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his accomplished turn in Crimson Peak.
Kidding.
Not too many surprises this year, aside from Tom Hardy being nominated for mumbling his way through The Revenant.
Biggest Snub:
It was an underwhelming movie, littered with plot holes and a lack of Sam Neill, but it is surprising that Jurassic World couldn’t get a nomination for best visual effects. Also, while I’m glad it subsequently doesn’t have a chance of winning, given its mass exposure one would’ve thought Jessie J’s Flashlight from Pitch Perfect 2 would be part of an otherwise solid list for Best Original Song.
These snubs obviously show I mainly think the Academy has got it right this year. Now we just need When Marnie Was There to beat Inside Out for Best Animated Feature and it will have been a success.
Lucky to be There:
Rachel McAdams for Spotlight. It’s a solid film, but not a best picture winner (I’ll probably regret saying that), and its successes stem from its tight scripting and workmanlike direction which allows the viewer to focus on what’s really important. As with the rest of the ensemble cast, McAdams’ performance is justifiably not a standout.
Eddie’s Overview
Most Happy About:
Meryl Streep. In a sign the universe of movies is alive and well, no Meryl Streep at this year’s ceremony will be a great sight to behold! Her increasingly annoying habit of being nominated every year has finally come to an end even though she baited awards voters once more with a showy turn in Ricki and the Flash and an award hungry cameo in Suffragette.
Mad Max: The love for this action blockbuster is well deserved and well earnt.
Most Unhappy About:
Charlize Theron – This year’s nominations have done a very decent job of rewarding most that deserve to be rewarded but Charlize Theron surely deserved some love for her turn in Mad Max: Fury Road. She in many ways took lead in the film and did a great job at creating a heroine for the ages.
Star Wars – While I understand its many faults and yada yada yada, after seeing the Force Awakens three times in the cinema I can safely say it’s one of the most enjoyable and memorable big screen blockbusters in some time and wouldn’t of looked out of place in the field of Best Picture nominees.
Biggest Surprise:
Best Picture field – I must admit to be surprised by there being only 8 Best Picture nominees when there can be as many as 10. Seemingly assured films like Carol and Inside Out missed the boat while some bemoaned the lack of Creed. I feel a tinge of sadness Ex_Machina didn’t make the cut.
Adam McKay – The man who bought us Step Brothers! getting a Best Director nod over Ridley Scott came as a huge shock, especially with the hype the Martian has been leveraging off.
Biggest Snub:
Beasts of No Nation – Netflix’s much touted feature film failed to score a single nom despite two terrific acting turns and some great direction. Perhaps the Academy doesn’t want to yet reward Netflix which it possibly sees as a major threat to cinema as we know it.
Alicia Vikander – Despite getting an acting nom for her turn in The Danish Girl it’s quite sad to see Alicia Vikander’s stunning work in Ex_Machina go unrewarded.
Lucky to be There:
The Martian – Just bear with me for a second here. The Martian is a fun and hugely enjoyable film but I’ve been gob smacked at the amount of awards attention the film has been getting. To be competing with such quality fair, The Martian should be counting its lucky stars as in a few years’ time its doubtful many will even remember the easy to like journey on Mars.
NOMINEES and PREDICTIONS
Best Picture
Spotlight may not dominate the night but its a likely contender for Best Picture
The Big Short
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Big Short Dark Horse: Mad Max: Fury Road
Eddie – Winner: Spotlight Dark Horse: The Revenant
Best Director
Wouldn’t it be nice? George Miller could pull off the ultimate career comeback by winning Best Director for Mad Max: Fury Road
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: Adam McKay, The Big Short
Eddie – Winner: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant Dark Horse: George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio looks likely to shot away all competition with the night’s most sure-fire bet
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant Dark Horse: Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie – Winner: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant Dark Horse: Matt Damon, The Martian
Best Actress
Brie Larson and co-star Jacob Tremblay made Room a truly moving experience
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Brie Larson, Room Dark Horse: Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Eddie – Winner: Brie Larson, Room Dark Horse: Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Best Supporting Actor
The night’s sentimental votes look likely to head towards Sylvester Stallone for his supporting turn in Creed
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight Dark Horse: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Eddie – Winner: Sylvester Stallone, Creed Dark Horse: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Best Supporting Actress
In a film filled with boys, Kate Winslet shines in Steve Jobs and has a chance of adding to her Oscar collection
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight Dark Horse: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Eddie – Winner: Rooney Mara, Carol Dark Horse: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Best Original Screenplay
Ex_Machina was a standout in many ways, including its impressive original screenplay
Bridge of Spies
Spotlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Straight Outta Compton Dark Horse: Inside Out
Eddie – Winner: Spotlight Dark Horse: Inside Out
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short should ride a wave of positive buzz to it’s one and only Oscar in this category
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
The Martian
Room
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Big Short Dark Horse: The Martian
Eddie – Winner: The Big Short Dark Horse: Room
Best Animated Feature
When it comes to this category, there really is no match to Pixar’s Inside Out
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Inside Out (sigh) Dark Horse: When Marnie Was There
Eddie – Winner: Inside Out Dark Horse: Anomalisa
Best Foreign Language Film
Embrace of the Serpent
Mustang
Son of Saul
Theeb
A War
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Son Of Saul Dark Horse: Embrace of the Serpent
Eddie – Winner: Son of Saul Dark Horse: Mustang
Best Documentary Feature
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Amy Dark Horse: Cartel Land
Eddie – Winner: Amy Dark Horse: The Look of Silence
Best Cinematography
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Sicario
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Revenent Dark Horse: Mad Max: Fury Road
Eddie – Winner: The Revenant Dark Horse: Sicario
Best Film Editing
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Spotlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: Spotlight
Eddie – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: The Big Short
Best Production Design
Bridge of Spies
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Revenant Dark Horse: Bridge of Spies
Eddie – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: The Revenant
Best Costume Design
Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: Carol
Eddie – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: The Revenant
Best Original Score
Bridge of Spies
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Sicario
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Hateful Eight Dark Horse: Bridge of Spies
Eddie – Winner: The Hateful Eight Dark Horse: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Original Song
“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey
“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction
“Simple Song #3,” Youth
“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground
“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Til It Happens to You, The Hunting Ground Dark Horse: Simple Song #3, Youth
Eddie – Winner: Til It Happens to You, The Hunting Ground Dark Horse: Writings on the Wall, Spectre
Best Visual Effects
Ex Machina
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Dark Horse: Ex Machina
Eddie – Winner: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Dark Horse: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
Mad Max: Fury Road
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared
The Revenant
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Revenant Dark Horse: Mad Max: Fury Road
Eddie – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: The Revenant
Best Sound Mixing
Bridge of Spies
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Eddie – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Sound Editing
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mad Max: Fury Road Dark Horse: The Revenant
Eddie – Winner: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Dark Horse: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Documentary Short
Body Team 12
Chau Behind the Lines
Claude Lanzman
A Girl in the River
Last Day of Freedom
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: A Girl in the River Dark Horse: Last Day of Freedom
Eddie – Winner: Body Team 12 Dark Horse: A Girl in the River
Best Live Action Short Film
Ave Maria
Day One
Everything Will Be Okay
Shok
Stutterer
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Day One Dark Horse: Everything Will Be Okay
Eddie – Winner: Day One Dark Horse: Stutterer
Best Animated Short Film
Bear Story
Prologue
Sanjay’s Super Team
We Can’t Live Without Cosmos
World of Tomorrow
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: World of Tomorrow Dark Horse: Prologue
Eddie – Winner: World of Tomorrow Dark Horse: Bear Story
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
And now I shall add you two to the list of reasons why I’m going to be debating my picks up until Sunday night. It’s still interesting to read all your reasons and thoughts, and of course picks! I think we’re about half and half, but I don’t have mine committed to memory. I guess I’ll be busy checking after Sunday night. Good luck to both of you!
You to good sir, have a great time and we look forward to discussing the night with you.
E
I think The Revenant is going to sweep the board with Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor. Brie Larson will take best Actress, Kate Winslet and Sly best supporting.
I do get that feeling about the Revenant mate, we shall wait and see.
E
yeah, its a great film, but there are so many. I loved The Big Short and I think Carell should have been nominated. I wasn’t the biggest fan of spotlight and I don’t think it will win anything. I’m not sure the Oscars are always about who or what film is the best though!
Your absolutely spot on there dude!
E
I just haven’t seen enough of this year’s nominees to weigh in.
You’ve got some good catching up to do then.
E
Solid Discussion and Predictions on the Oscars, we pretty much have the same predictions on some categories.
https://kpreviews.wordpress.com/2016/01/16/oscar-thoughts-and-predictions-2016/
Ah totally agree about Charlize Theron!! How was she ignored. Jennifer Lawrence is a great actress but come on nominated again for a pretty bad movie. Madness!!
She’s the new Meryl Streep!
E
If Mad Max does not come away with a handful of Oscars, I am rioting.
Nice picks!
Cheers Matt.
E
Jordan I am with you regarding best animation I want Marnie to win too.
It seems a long shot when up against pixar, but let’s hope the Academy shares our view! Glad you’re with me.
Jordan
I think it’s probably gonna be a Revenant Picture/Director double, though I’m with you guys and would love to see Mad Max: Fury Road and Miller win.
Having seen most of the candidates this year I think ed and I just really don’t see how revenant quite deserves it, so lets hope we’re all surprised.
Jordan