List compiled by Eddie on 10/01/2020
There’s no doubt about it, the 2020 Academy Awards will be one of the most unpredictable and open ended in many a moon.
There’s no such thing in this years Oscars as a sure thing, with it likely being that mob epic The Irishman, foreign smash hit Parasite, the divisive but utterly original Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood war-set thriller 1917 the films likely to compete in the majority of the nights awards speeches.
It makes for fascinating viewing and anticipation over the coming 5 – 6 weeks.
Below is my stab at predicting the films looking to compete when nominations are announced early next week Australian time.
May the best film win!
Happy reading and happy watching.
Best Film
Parasite sees the rare chance for a foreign film to win Best Picture
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
Little Women
The Irishman
Marriage Story
1917
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
Ford v Ferrari
The Farewell
Best Director
Quentin Tarantino’s work on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood could see him win Best Director for the first time
Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Greta Gerwig – Little Women
Sam Mendes – 1917
Bong Joon-ho – Parasite
Best Actor
This year’s Actor race is between Joaquin Phoenix and Adam Driver
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
Adam Driver – Marriage Story
Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems
Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory
Best Actress
Many hope that Lupita Nyong’o’s work in Us gets some recognition
Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan – Little Women
Lupita Nyong’o – Us
Renee Zellweger – Judy
Awkwafina – The Farewell
Best Supporting Actor
Joe Pesci’s return to the big screen in The Irishman was well worth the wait
Joe Pesci – The Irishman
Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Kang-ho Song – Parasite
Willem Dafoe – The Lighthouse
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Lopez was the best thing about the overrated Hustlers
Florence Pugh – Little Women
Margot Robbie – Bombshell
Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell
Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers
Laura Dern – Marriage Story
Best Original Screenplay
Noah Baumbach’s heartfelt work writing Marriage Story was outstanding
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Bong Joon Ho – Parasite
Lulu Wang – The Farewell
Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story
Emily Helpern, Sarah Haskins, Suanna Fogel, Katie Silberman – Booksmart
Best Adapted Screenplay
Jojo Rabbit has been another audience favorite thanks to the work of Taika Waititi
Greta Gerwig – Little Women
Steven Zaillian – The Irishman
Taika Waititi – Jojo Rabbit
Anthony McCarten – The Two Popes
Todd Phillips and Scott Silver – Joker
Best Animated Film
Can Pixar do it again with Toy Story 4?
Toy Story 4
Frozen 2
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link
Technical Categories
Best Original Score
Joker
1917
Little Women
Marriage Story
Motherless Brooklyn
Best Cinematography
Joker
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The Irishman
Parasite
Best Foreign Film
Parasite
Pain and Glory
Honeyland
Atlantic’s
Truth and Justice
Best Sound Editing
Ad Astra
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Ford v Ferrari
Avengers: Endgame
Best Sound Mixing
Ad Astra
Ford v Ferrari
Avengers: Endgame
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
1917
Best Visual Effects
The Irishman
Ford v Ferrari
Avengers: Endgame
Alita: Battle Angel
The Lion King
Best Editing
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The Irishman
Joker
Ford v Ferrari
Best Production Design
The Two Popes
The Irishman
1917
Little Women
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Documentary
Apollo 11
One Child Nation
American Factory
Honeyland
For Sama
Best Costume Design
Little Women
Cats
The Two Popes
Rocketman
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Little Women
Bombshell
Judy
Dolemite is My Name
Joker
Best Orignal Song
Into the Unknown – Frozen 2
Stand Up – Harriet
Spirit – The Lion King
Speechless – Aladdin
(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again – Rocketman
Nomination Totals
9 – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
6 – Parasite
8 – 1917
8 – The Irishman
9 – Little Women
6 – Marriage Story
7 – Joker
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Yes…totally unpredictable on many counts, but France’s “Les Miserables”, which has nothing to do with the musical, is a lock for an International nom.
I’ve yet to see that one mate. Keen to check it out. It’s been hard down here in Aus getting a feel for the international films as many haven’t been here yet.
E
I was really surprised that at the Golden Globes, The Irishman was shout out by Hollywood. I wonder if they will sneak in Astrid. I think that Joaquin Phoenix is a shoe-in.
I hope Phoenix wins. Driver is a chance though I think, and deserving if he won. I actually can’t see the Irishman winning to many awards even if it will get bulk nominations.
E
Phoenix is probably the surest bet for Best Actor. Agree on Joe Pesci for Best Supporting Actor but not sure how the Oscars will treat streaming (not so good at Golden Globes). I really, really like Renee Zellweger for Best Actress for JUDY (she sang and acted, amazing performance but subpar script). Have seen all the Best Film nominations except for 1917 and hoping to see that tonight or tomorrow for the first time, so curious to see how good that one is.
Oh mate 1917 is just amazing. Caught it yesterday. A very strong chance for Director and Best Film.
I actually have a feeling Pitt is one of surest bets of night for his role in Hollywood.
E
Not a big fan of Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood or Brad Pitt’s performance (although he was better there than in Ad Astra), so have to agree to disagree there. He was just a faux-cowboy type character with not much range. Adam Driver way more range in Marriage Story. Joaquin Phoenix had the best performance by a male actor that I saw this year, though, in a movie that I liked but didn’t love.
Pitt was fantastic in Ad Astra. Shame it will be shunned on the night.
E
Just watched 1917. Totally agree on that film being amazing. Very immersive and unique viewing experience.
So glad you enjoyed it Todd. I’ve been hearing glowing reports of many people I know who’ve seen it..I think itll be a very big commercial hit.
E
Depressingly the only one of these films I have seen is Toy Story 4…
At least you picked a gooden 🙂 I think you’d really enjoy Marriage Story and 1917 when you get the time.
E