Once again, it is my favorite (and at times hated) time of the year for movies. Honoring all the best the movies of 2016 has to offer. For this year, I kind of like what we have, no controversies, no real snubs (only one, but I will get to that later), and a good set of movies that are good enough in my book. So let’s cut the mumbo jumbo, and get on with it, starting with the minor nominations until the bigger nominations. Also, feel free to comment and tell me your predictions as well.
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Let’s get started:
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
What I Think:
This set of nominations for Best Visual Effects id probably the Best we had in a while. You get great CGI effects with The Jungle Book and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. You have the best in 3D in a while with Doctor Strange. You get the best action without CGI in Deepwater Horizon. Lastly, you have the best stop motion animation ever in Kubo and the Two Strings.
My Pick to Win:
As much as I want Kubo and the Two Strings to win, the fact that it is technically an animated movie kind of disqualifies for Best Visual Effects. They should have a nomination category for Best Visual Animation. My pick will go to The Jungle Book. Their use of CGI is blended beautifully to make a cool piece of art on a classic story. I’m 75% sure of it.
Best Film Editing
Arrival
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Moonlight
What I Think:
It really comes down to three films for me. Moonlight was awesome, but it is nothing compared to the other two movies. Hacksaw Ridge was awesome making a war scene so crazy and authentic. However, one really takes the cake.
My Pick to Win:
I have to give it to La La Land. Those scenes where it was taken in one shot was not easy to do, and made this film flow very well. I’m 75% sure of it.
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Allied
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Florence Foster Jenkins Jackie La La Land What I Think:
All of them are pretty good in their own way, and it is very hard to pick one. You have authentic historical piece costumes and styles, and one of today which is La La Land which is the first to get cut.
My Pick to Win:
I have to go with Allied. To me it is the most authentic with it’s World War II period story. I could be wrong though. I’m 55% sure of it.
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A Man Called Ove
What I Think:
I haven’t seen A Man Called Ove, so it is really boiled down to the other two movies.
My Pick to Win:
I have to go with Suicide Squad because I believe the make up is what really made this movie, and gave some character to the character development of some of these characters. I’m 55% sure of it.
What I Think:
I haven’t seen Silence, but I’m pretty sure it is down to two films, and that is Moonlight and La La Land.
My Pick to Win:
I have to go with La La La. It looks like they took a page out of three time in a row cinematographer winner, Emmanuel Lubezky. It was very colorful, and creatively beautiful to watch, and made this musical tolerable for me. I’m 90% sure of it.
Hail, Caesar!
La La Land
What I Think:
I boiled it down to three films. I really enjoyed Hail, Caesar! and it’s old school Hollywood production design, but definitely not the most creative. As for La La Land, I loved how they brought out all the coolness of the city of Los Angeles, but I still think there is one more film that is even more creative.
My Pick to Win:
I’m going on a limb and picking Passengers. Not a big fan of the movie, but that production design really made it a cool sci-fi film to watch with all their futuristic technology and hat not. I’m like 50% sure of this.
What I Think:
Always the action movies get a lot of credit for their sound mixing, and that boils down to three movies. With that said only one surpasses all.
My Pick to Win:
This is where Hacksaw Ridge will get their Oscars. Their sound mixing really made their battle scenes very epic to watch and hear. It definitely gives a more realistic tone than hearing the usual laser blasts from Star Wars. I’m 80% sure of it.
What I Think:
For this category you have to give it the action movies once again, although this time it is a little close.
My Pick to Win:
With all that said, Hacksaw Ridge will edge out over Deepwater Horizon and Sully. As I said before, this will be the awards Hacksaw Ridge will get Oscars for, and well deservingly. I’m 70% sure of it.
“Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land – Music by Justin Hurwitz, Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from Trolls – Music and Lyric by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin, and Karl Johan Schuster (Shellback)
“City of Stars” from La La Land – Music by Justin Hurwitz, Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
“The Empty Chair” from Jim: The James Foley Story – Music and Lyric by J. Ralph and Sting
“How Far I’ll Go” from Moana – Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda
What I Think:
I’m just a little disappointed that Moana didn’t get more songs nominated. I loved the song “You’re Welcome,” sung by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. However, La La Land had some good songs for a musical as well, so I’m kind of conflicted. Also, I loved the Justin Timberlake song, but it has no shot.
My Pick to Win:
I may be a little bias, but I’m picking “How Far I’ll Go,” in Moana. I believe Moana has the best soundtrack since The Lion King, and really made this film fun to watch. “City of Star,” from La La Land may be believed to win it on paper. But if Lin-Manuel Miranda doesn’t get it this time, he will in the near future. I’m 50% sure of it.
Jackie – Mica Levi
La La Land – Justin Hurwitz
Lion – Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka
Moonlight – Nicholas Britell
What I Think: This is a tough one, because they all deserve it. With that said, I believe it goes down to Lion or Moonlight.
My Pick to Win:
The music in Moonlight really gave me the appropriate emotion to feel while watching this film. That’s why I believe it will win it. I’m 55% sure of it.
What I Think:
I have only seen one of these Animated Short Films, and the one I saw has a gret chance of winning it.
My Pick to Win:
Piper had some of the most realistic animation I’ve seen yet. The way they make the water so lifelike was stunning to watch. The story is cute, and fun to watch about overcoming fears. So I’m feeling good it will in it. I’m 60% sure of it.
What I Think:
We’re getting to the point where I haven’t seen any of these films, and I have to make a guess.
My Pick to Win:
Timecode looks interestingly enough. I’m 20% sure of it.
Extremis
4.1 Miles
Joe’s Violin
Watani: My Homeland
What I Think:
Once again, I haven’t seen any of them mainly because I’m not a fan of Documentaries. So I will take a guess.
My Pick to Win:
Extremis sounds like something from Iron Man, so that’s my pick. I’m 20% sure of it.
Fire at Sea
I Am Not Your Negro
Life, Animated
O.J.: Made in America
What I Think:
Once again, haven’t seen them, so I will guess.
My Pick to Win:
This has been the year of O.J. Simpson and the theatrics of his story and trials. Also, I always loved ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries even though I haven’t seen this particular one. I’m 25% sure of it.
What I Think:
Haven’t seen these films, and I am surprised that Elle wasn’t nominated. So I will guess once again.
My Pick to Win:
I have to go with A Man Called Ove since it is nominated for another Oscar. I’m 25% sure of it.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
The Red Turtle
What I Think:
I love Moana but it follows the same Disney formula in it’s story. So it comes down to two films.
My Pick to Win:
I loved Kubo and the Two Strings, and it is the best film this year in my book, but even I have to understand that not everyone will like it. So I pick the film with a great message on tolerance and intolerance, and that is Zootopia. Though I hope Kubo can pull off the upset. I’m 85% sure of it.
Arrival – Eric Heisserer from “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang
Fences – August Wilson from Fences by August Wilson
Hidden Figures – Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi from Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Lion – Luke Davies from A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley and Larry Buttrose
Moonlight – Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney from In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney
What I Think:
I really boiled it down to two films. I thought Fences had the best dialogue in the film this year, but I believe one film had a better writer.
My Pick to Win:
Moonlight was taken from a story, and still made it unique and emotional for people to watch. That story had powerful moments that gave you the chills, and why I believe it will win it. I’m 80% sure of it.
Hell or High Water – Taylor Sheridan
La La Land – Damien Chazelle
The Lobster – Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou
Manchester by the Sea – Kenneth Lonergan
What I Think:
La La Land may get it and deservingly so, but I’m going on a limb with my pick.
My Pick to Win:
No story painted a darker picture than Manchester by the Sea. I didn’t like the film because of how dark it’s story was, but it’s dark without being too graphic whatsoever which I thought it was genius. It brought out great character development, and deseves to win it. I’m 70% sure of it.
Viola Davis – Fences
Naomie Harris – Moonlight
Nicole Kidman – Lion
Octavia Spencer – Hidden Figures
What I Think:
Naomie Harris and Michelle Williams were spectacular in their roles, but one actress really stands out for me.
My Pick to Win:
Viola Davis really stood out in her acting alongside Denzel Washington which is not easy to do. She brought out some great emotion and really brought out the dialogue to make it clear on her stance in whatever issue the film brings. It is about time Viola Davis wins an Oscar, and this is it. I’m 80% sure of it.
Best Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight
Jeff Bridges – Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel – Lion
Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals
What I Think:
I’m surprised Michael Shannon got a nomination over Aaron Taylor-Johnson who I thought is more deserving. Jeff Bridges always plays the same cowboy character, and I’m pretty much over it. The rest of the nominees are deserving.
My Pick to Win:
I have to go with Mahershala Ali. In Moonlight he plays a drug dealer that means business, but he also shows heart in his relationship with the kid. It did create some powerful moments, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins it. I’m 75% sure of it.
What I Think:
Meryl Streep is back at it again, but this role was definitely the most annoying as a bad singer which she does nail in a ironic way. With that said, I boiled it down to two actresses.
My Pick to Win:
Isabelle Huppert did a tremendous job in Elle as a rape victim, but I have to go with Emma Stone in La La Land. Her voice was enchanting in this musical, and she brings out all the emotions we already come to love her in. This is her shot though, it will be tough to pull through. I’m 70% sure of it.
Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling – La La Land
Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic
What I Think:
All these guys here are deserving. They had to leave out Joel Edgerton in Loving who was great. The hype is on Ryan Gosling, but I honestly think his role is overrated because his singing voice was not good to me. It was a tough choice, but I believe he deserves it.
My Pick to Win:
Casey Affleck, yes he is a Boston guy playing a Boston role, but he actually packs some great emotion in his role. He is the big reason why this film is so awesomely dark. He sets the tone, and everybody followed around him to makes this film dark, but good. So I believe Casey Affleck will get it, and lead over his brother Ben Affleck in the acting category. I’m 70% sure of it.
Denis Villeneuve – Arrival
Mel Gibson – Hacksaw Ridge
Damien Chazelle – La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
What I Think:
Mel Gibson got his mojo back with Hacksaw Ridge and made it the best film since Saving Private Ryan. Barry Jenkins was very creative in his direction, but one person was even more creative.
My Pick to Win:
Damien Chazelle to a page out of Alejandro G. Inarritu creative filming playbook. The colorfulness of each scene, and how all the musical scenes were filmed in one shot was awesome, and made this film very enjoyable for me to watch. I’m not into musicals, but Chazelle made it tolerable for me to enjoy. Im 95% sure of it.
Best Picture (In order of my ratings from last to first.)
Arrival (3 Stars)
Fences (3.5 Stars)
Moonlight (4 Stars)
Hell or High Water (4 Stars)
La La Land (4 Stars)
Manchester by the Sea (4 Stars)
Hidden Figures (4 Stars)
Lion (4.5 Stars)
Hacksaw Ridge (4.5 Stars)
What I Think: As you can tell by my rankings. I thought Arrival was overrated, and I really loved Hacksaw Ridge. Though after hearing all the hype it really boils down to two movies that will win it.
My Pick to Win:
Moonlight is good, and any other year, it would’ve won it, but this year it will go to La La Land. It’s colorfulness and creativity rally made this musical cool to watch. The Oscars love artful movies, but this one is not something I hate. I actually believe it is deserving to win. I’m 80% sure of it.
Thank you all for reading. Feel free to comment your picks, and we’ll be watching this Sunday!!!
Real Movie Critic 