List compiled by Jordan and Eddie on 24/02/2017
After the controversy of last years “Oscars So White” we now welcome in one of the most diverse Oscar races in some years.
Whilst dominated by world conquering musical La La Land, this weekend’s Oscar ceremony could still throw out a few unpredictable surprises.
It’s a great year in particular for Australian backed productions with Hacksaw Ridge and Lion well represented and while they’re both unlikely to walk away with too many golden statues, there 12 nominations combined is a fantastic effort.
It’s also nice to see seemingly small scale films like Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea and Fences garner so much attention. In an age where big budgeted events flood our cinema screens, these more intimate human experiences should be more treasured than ever.
As always with J and E’s predications there’s much to be gained (in a small but important way) for the winner of the largest portion of correct predications as it’s always a nice bonus to have something over your friend for the next 12 months at least.
Happy reading and happy (Oscar) watching!
Jordan’s Overview
Most Happy About:
It’s always pleasing seeing a science fiction film in contention for a major award, so I hope that Arrival’s presence among the nominees sparks further inclusion of films in a similar mold in coming years. Being Australian and having tracked the career progression of Teresa Palmer, I’m also pleased that WW2 powerhouse drama Hacksaw Ridge has received just recognition.
Most Unhappy About:
My mind has nigh frazzled trying to comprehend why Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name wasn’t nominated after being submitted for consideration. Largely regarded as one of the finest films of 2016 in any genre, it blends a splendid art style with deeply affecting storytelling and dominated the Japanese box office. A huge shame.
Biggest Surprise:
Hell or High Water is a tout, well-scripted thriller, but I didn’t see its significance being any greater than that of a Joe R. Lansdale novella or other Texan crime stories adapted to film. A good movie, but not a Best Picture contender.
Biggest Snub:
Everybody Wants Some!!, Richard Linklater’s thematic sequel to 90’s cult classic Dazed and Confused, was equal parts funny and masterful in capturing the essence of a time and place. Nostalgic and precise in its character idiosyncrasies, it really should be sitting on the Best Picture list.
Lucky to be There:
I think we need to rename this the Meryl Streep section.
Eddie’s Overview
Most Happy About:
It might not be the cool thing at the moment to say but I’m personally very happy to see La La Land get the amount of nominations it has. A wonderful and uplifting film, despite the naysayers it’s a deserving nomination hog.
Arrival’s well deserved 8 nominations are great, as is the love for seemingly simple Texan crime drama Hell or High Water.
Most Unhappy About:
No nominations for The Witch.
A stunning Olde-English horror with a fantastic script, if the Academy wished to reward something out of the ordinary, this was their perfect chance.
Biggest Surprise:
It’s not that it’s not deserved (as it is) but Mel Gibson getting a Best Director nod was a very pleasant surprise.
Many wondered if the outspoken star’s history would stop him from getting just rewards but Gibson’s nomination is a welcoming back for the once fallen filmmaker and for all of us that is indeed a very good thing.
Oh and 13 Hours (that Michael Bay no one remembers already) is officially an Oscar nominee!
Biggest Snub: Silence.
Who would’ve thought that a Martin Scorsese epic would end up with only a singular Oscar nomination.
Despite Silence’s cold reception many still thought that Academy may award Scorsese’s difficult work but at the end of the day, Silence will remain one of the great flops of Scorsese’s incredible career.
Lucky to be There:
It feels like the same thing every year but Meryl Streep. Please Academy can we just stop nominating her for anything she does!
Streep’s work in Florence Foster Jenkin’s stopped other worthy nominees like Amy Adams for Arrival a chance at some attention and that’s a crying shame.
NOMINEES and PREDICTIONS
Best Picture
La La Land should be dancing all the way to the podium when the Best Picture is announced
Hidden Figures
Moonlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Hacksaw Ridge
Eddie – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Manchester by the Sea
Best Director
Welcomed back into the fold, its great seeing Mel Gibson get just rewards for Hacksaw Ridge
La La Land – Damien Chazelle
Hacksaw Ridge – Mel Gibson
Moonlight – Barry Jenkins
Manchester by the Sea – Kenneth Lonergan
Arrival – Denis Villeneuve
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Dark Horse: Denis Villeneuve (Arrival)
Eddie – Winner: Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Dark Horse: Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)
Best Actor
Casey Affleck delivers a powerful turn in Manchester by the Sea but is it enough to beat out Denzel Washington?
Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling – La La Land
Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington – Fences
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea) Dark Horse: Ryan Gosling (La La Land)
Eddie – Winner: Denzel Washington (Fences) Dark Horse: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)
Best Actress
Nathalie Portman was once a frontrunner for her turn in Jackie, can she cause an upset on Sunday night?
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Ruth Negga – Loving
Natalie Portman – Jackie
Emma Stone – La La Land
Meryl Streep – Florence Foster Jenkins
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Natalie Portman (Jackie) Dark Horse: Emma Stone (La La Land)
Eddie – Winner: Emma Stone (La La Land) Dark Horse: Natalie Portman (Jackie)
Best Supporting Actor
Despite limited screen time, Mahershala Ali should take out a well deserved Oscar for his turn in Moonlight
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight
Jeff Bridges – Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel – Lion
Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Dark Horse: Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea)
Eddie – Winner: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Dark Horse: Dev Patel (Lion)
Best Supporting Actress
There’s no chance this award isn’t Viola Davis’ after her turn in Fences
Viola Davis – Fences
Naomie Harris – Moonlight
Nicole Kidman – Lion
Octavia Spencer – Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams – Manchester by the Sea
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) (Unlikely but I really hope…) Dark Horse: Viola Davis (Fences)
Eddie – Winner: Viola Davis (Fences) Dark Horse: Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)
Best Original Screenplay
While it has little chance of winning, it’s nice seeing Hell or High Water compete here
20th Century Women – Mike Mills
Hell or High Water – Taylor Sheridan
La La Land – Damien Chazelle
The Lobster – Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou
Manchester by the Sea – Kenneth Lonergan
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Dark Horse: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)
Eddie – Winner: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) Dark Horse: Damien Chazelle (La La Land)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Arrival delivered a unique and moving Sci-Fi and deserves a spot on this list
Arrival – Eric Heisserer
Fences – August Wilson
Hidden Figures – Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi
Lion – Luke Davies
Moonlight – Barry Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) Dark Horse: Luke Davies (Lion)
Eddie – Winner: Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) Dark Horse: August Wilson (Fences)
Best Animated Feature
While not a huge commercial hit, many adored Kubo and the Two Strings, but is that enough to beat out big competition in this award?
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
The Red Turtle
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Your Name (oh, that’s right… It’ll probably end up being the weakest entrant then in Zootopia. I really don’t care at this point) Dark Horse: Kubo and the Two Strings
Eddie – Winner: Kubo and the Two Strings Dark Horse: Moana
Best Foreign Language Film
A Man Called Ove
Land of Mine
Tanna
The Salesman
Toni Erdmann
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Toni Erdmann Dark Horse: Tanna
Eddie – Winner: Toni Erdmann Dark Horse: The Salesman
Best Documentary Feature
13th
Fire at Sea
I Am Not Your Negro
Life, Animated
O.J.: Made in America
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: O.J: Made in America Dark Horse: Life, Animated
Eddie – Winner: O.J: Made in America Dark Horse: 13th
Best Cinematography
Arrival
La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Lion
Eddie – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Silence
Best Film Editing
Arrival
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Moonlight
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Moonlight
Eddie – Winner: Hacksaw Ridge Dark Horse: La La Land
Best Production Design
Arrival
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
La La Land
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Arrival
Eddie – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Arrival
Best Costume Design
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Florence Foster Jenkins
Jackie
La La Land
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Florence Foster Jenkins Dark Horse: La La Land
Eddie – Winner: Jackie Dark Horse: La La Land
Best Original Score
Jackie
La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
Passengers
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Moonlight
Eddie – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Lion
Best Original Song
Audition (The Fools Who Dream) – La La Land
Can’t Stop the Feeling – Trolls
City of Stars – La La Land
The Empty Chair – Jim: The James Foley Story
How Far I’ll Go – Moana
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: City of Stars (La La Land) Dark Horse: How Far I’ll Go (Moana)
Eddie – Winner: Audition (La La Land) Dark Horse: City of Stars (La La Land)
Best Visual Effects
Kubo and the Two Strings
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: The Jungle Book Dark Horse: Kubo and the Two Strings
Eddie – Winner: The Jungle Book Dark Horse: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
A Man Called Ove
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Star Trek: Beyond Dark Horse: A Man Called Ove (I can’t acknowledge Suicide Squad as an Academy Award nominee)
Eddie – Winner: Star Trek: Beyond Dark Horse: Suicide Squad
Best Sound Mixing
Arrival
Hacksaw Ridge
La La Land
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Dark Horse: La La Land
Eddie – Winner: Hacksaw Ridge Dark Horse: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Best Sound Editing
Arrival
Deepwater Horizon
Hacksaw Ridge
La La Land
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: La La Land Dark Horse: Hacksaw Ridge
Eddie – Winner: Hacksaw Ridge Dark Horse: Deepwater Horizon
Best Documentary Short
4.1 Miles
Extremis
Joe’s Violin
Watani: My Homeland
The White Helmets
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: 4.1 Miles Dark Horse: The White Helmets
Eddie – Winner: Joe’s Violin Dark Horse: 4.1 Miles
Best Live Action Short Film
Ennemis Interieurs
La Femme et le TGV
Silent Nights
Sing
Timecode
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Sing Dark Horse: Timecode
Eddie – Winner: Silent Nights Dark Horse: Sing
Best Animated Short Film
Blind Vaysha
Borrowed Time
Pear Cider and Cigarettes
Pearl
Piper
Predictions
Jordan – Winner: Pearl Dark Horse: Borrowed Time
Eddie – Winner: Piper Dark Horse: Borrowed Time
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Reblogged this on LIFE OUTSIDE : [ The Politically Correct (Tyranny of The Mind) ].
I was shocked too when ‘The Witch” was not there, and ‘Your Name’.
But I have to disagree with your view of ‘Hell or High Water’. I loved it and wanted it so bad to be nominated. Although, I don’t think it’s getting any win.
I second the Hell or High Water love.
E
I have disagree with both of you guys. I think that Dr. Strange had the best visual effects hands down.
I would be happy for that to take it home mate, those mind-bending scenes were something else. I still feel however there will be some Disney love for Jungle Book amongst the voters.
E
Yes I fully agree with your thoughts on Your Name, and I havent even seen it yet. I too have no hatred of La La Land being up for that many awards
Everybody wants some was such a feel good movie. It should have been nominated.
I have to say that it is good to see Mel back in the mix again. He is a terrific director. I really enjoyed Apocalypto. I totally agree with the both of you. Meryl Streep cannot be nominated every year. It is getting ridiculous. I felt that way about Tom Hanks when he was constantly getting accolades.
It’s becoming one big running joke thats for sure.
E
As it should be! 😉
I haven’t watched Moonlight yet, but I hope it will get a lot of Oscars. It looks really beautiful. And I am sure that La La Land will get a lot. It’s such an Oscary movie :’D
Yeh La La is certainly a very Oscar friendly film. But a deserving winner.
E
Great picks and well written! Mind dropping a follow to http://www.tvandcity.com ? We’re a new site trying to gain some traction.
I agree that Hell or High Water is a surprise nominee for Best Picture. I watched it last weekend and thought it was an okay crime film that was essentially a modern western. But if the standard for Oscar nomination is people staring at sunsets and “deep and meaningful” silences in scenes, then Conan should have won all the awards back in the day.
If Suicide Squad can win an Oscar then surely Conan could’ve to!
E
If Suicide Squad can win an Oscar, then Conan should have won all the Oscars. Ever.
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