Oscar Predictions - 2024

Just a biased & personal take on the 96th Academy Awards

My predictions on all 23 categories

Best Picture

Oppenheimer.

Feels like Titanic, LOTR-3, Ben-Hur - just a double digit haul waiting to happen.

Best director

The Nolan Juggernaut continues!

Best actor

This is a 3 way tie. Paul Giamatti , Bradley Cooper and Cillian Murphy, of course. But,  I also like Jeffrey Wright.

My old crib of Best Mimic continues (If someone imitates mannerisms well captured on video, are they an actor or a mimic?) - biopics are always a sure way of getting noticed and nominated.

There are only 3 others who have been nominated more than once for an acting award while also occupying the director's chair - Eastwood, Beatty and Olivier. Cooper had his 1st nomination with a Star is Born. WIll this be his 2nd?

The Holdovers is a lovely tale, but Paul Giamatti gnarls and does what Paul Giamatti does - in a very Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington way - you can see The Paul Giamattti usual in this performance. But, IMO, the academy will recognise this.

If you look at acting (as in theatrics), Only Maestro and Holdovers have it in spades.

Jeffrey Wright is cool in American Fiction - too cool for the Academy to take seriously? So far, not enough momentum and PR push from his studio (Orion/Amazon-MGM)

I unfortunately have to pick one - so, Cillian Murphy it is.

Best actress

I have been a longtime Variety reader - especially after the Oscar Longlist gets announced. There was an interesting ad from the Oneida Indian Nation congratulating Lily Gladstone.

Lily Gladstone will win what is possibly the only award for Killers of the Flower Moon!

Emma stone will give her a run for her money.

Best supporting actor

Robert Downey Jr. looks to be the logical choice. Critic's Choice and Golden Globe this year. 2 past Oscar nominations. 3rd time is the charm!

Best supporting actress

Da'Vine Joy Randolph rocks this category. After many years of screaming hoarse that "the Supporting actress category has always been a little weird and tough to call", I am clear that she needs to get the award. I only hope that the academy members spend their time watching this movie and her powerful performance.

Also, somebody please explain how Emily Blunt is the supporting actress in Oppenheimer? Was Florence Pugh the lead actress then?

There is a term for demoting the lead actor/actress to the supporting category - Category Fraud and it is as old as the Oscars (Think Usual Suspects and Kramer Vs Kramer).

Original screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall has a very original premise and gets my vote.

Adapted screenplay

American Fiction - one of the few categories where Oppenheimer would not win.

My Pafology FTW!!!

Animated Movie

Spidey Vs Miyazaki - Spidey wins.

International feature film

Zone of Interest.

Chilling and absolutely worthy of the Academy award.

Original Song

Barbie & Billie Eilish, of course

Musical Score

Oppenheimer - if all goes well, Ludwig Goransson should pick up his second Oscar (his 1st was for Black Panther)

Costume Design

Barbie Vs Poor Things

It is pretty neck to neck - I would go with Barbie

Production Design

Barbie Vs Poor Things

It is pretty neck to neck - I would go with Poor Things here

Makeup & Hair

Maestro Vs Poor Things

Maestro - good job done on getting Bradley Cooper to look like Leonard Bernstein, despite the backlash.

Film Editing

Oppenheimer again and again!

Cinematography

Oppenheimer - what else?

Sound

Oppenheimer FTW

VFX

Godzilla Minus One Vs The Creator - Godzilla triumphs! Obviously!

Best Documentary

20 Days in Mariupol based on subject matter

Docu Short

The ABCs of Book Banning Vs The Last Repair Shop

I want The Last Repair Shop to win. Wonderful & heart-warming tale.

Animated Short

WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko

The video is delightful -  you will find it on YouTube

Live Action Short

The Wes Anderson + Ralph Fiennes + Benedict Cumberbatch + Ben Kingsley + Richard Ayoade collab - The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar should win hands down