Oscars Nomination Predictions 2020

It feels like a lifetime ago when I apparently posted my nominations in 2012, albeit a shortlist. So I think this is the first year I've made a thorough, educated list, having seen the vast majority of the likely noms, minus a few including the shorts. Thank God I'm back on the East Coast this time around and don't have to be up at 5:30am (honestly Hollywood, that needs to change), but rest assured my eyes will be peeled Clockwork Orange-style at 8:18am waiting for Issa Rae and John Cho to announce the 24 Oscar nominated categories in two days! Here's my list of predictions and feel free to scrutinize: I didn't spend the last three months rewatching buzz features for nothing! Also, shorts, I love you and I'll go see you in theatres, but I'm not even going to attempt to guess which 15 of you will be nominated. So without further ado, let's do this!

8:18 announcement (not in order):

Actor in a Supporting Role

Hanks
Kang-Ho Song (LET HIM IN!)
Pacino
Pesci
Pitt

Alt:
Hopkins (it is quite a delight to watch him, as Pope, devour a slice of pizza)

Actress in a Supporting Role

Dern
Lopez
Pugh
Robbie (OUATIH, not Bombshell: it matters)
Shuzhen

Just please, not Bates...

Costume Design

Downton Abbey
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
OUATIH
Rocketman

Film Editing

1917
Irishman
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite

Alt:
Uncut Gems
Ford V Ferrari

Original Score

1917
The Farewell
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story

Alt:
Jojo Rabbit

Animated Short Film

I'm just sad Coaster didn't make it to the shortlist.

Live Action Short Film
Sound Editing (again, two categories that are usually very similar and unguessable to me)

1917
FvF?
Irishman
OUATIH
Star Wars

Sound Mixing

1917
Avengers
FvF
Rocketman
Uncut Gems

Alt:

Star Wars


8:30 announcement (not in order):

Actor in a Leading Role

Banderas
DiCaprio
Driver
Phoenix
Sandler

Alt:
Egerton (*loud sigh at Globes win likely pushing Sandler out*)

Actress in a Leading Role

Awkwafina
Johannson
Nyong'o (a likely upset like Collette for Hereditary but here's to hoping!)
Theron
Zellweger

Alt:
Ronan

Animated Feature Film

Frozen II
HTTYD: THW
I Lost My Body
Missing Link
Toy Story 4

Alt:

Klaus

Weathering With You

Cinematography

1917
Irishman
Joker
Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (SO DESERVED but since it wasn't submitted by France for International Film, is it even eligble here?)

Documentary Feature

American Factory
Apollo 11
For Sama
Honeyland (double nominated here and for International Feature, it'll show up in one of them)
The Cave

Midnight Family

Biggest Little Farm

Documentary Short Subject
International Feature Film

Atlantics
Beanpole
Les Miserables
Pain & Glory
Parasite

Makeup and Hairstyling

1917
Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Rocketman

Production Design

1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
OUATIH
Parasite

Visual Effects

1917
Avengers: Endgame
Irishman
Lion King
Star Wars

Alt:
Cats

Adapted Screenplay

ABDITN
Irishman
Jojo
Little Women
The Two Popes

Original Screenplay

Knives Out
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell

Original Song

Glasgow (Wild Rose)
I'm Gonna Love Me Again (Rocketman)
Into The Unknown (Frozen II)
Spirit (Lion King)
Stand Up (Harriet)

A Glass of Soju (Parasite)

Directing

Bong
Mendes
Scorsese
Tarantino
Wang

Alt:

Baumbach
Gerwig
Phillips

Best Picture

1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell
Uncut Gems (PLEASE)

Top Nominations
1917                 10
Irishman           10
OUATIH          10
Parasite             8
Marriage Story  7
The Farewell     6
Joker                  5
Little Women    5
Rocketman        4
Jojo Rabbit        3
Uncut Gems      3

How do we feel? Do you agree? Will you be up with me on Monday, January 13th at 8:18am ET? I hope so!

2015 Oscar Predictions

Here is your best bet at winning your Oscar poll tomorrow. Don't hate me if a few upsets happen...I'm rooting for a few! Also, I've included my colorfully coded ballot below.

Best Picture: Birdman
Best Director: Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Best Actress: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
    Should win: Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Best Original Screenplay: Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Adapted Screenplay: Graham Moore, The Imitation Game
    Should win: Damien Chazelle, Whiplash
Best Film Editing: Sandra Adair, Boyhood
    Should win:  Tom Cross, Whiplash
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman
    I hope this year's cinematography race reveals the many choices a DP makes and how much a film relies on the framing of shots. Lubiezki's fluid, seemingly single take shows that the camera's movement is just as important as what is being shot by the camera, as in Dick Pope's just as worthy and breathtaking Mr. Turner.
Best Foreign Language Film: Ida
    Still rooting for Xavier Dolan's Mommy to be a write-in. This deep, witty, and well-constructed film cements Dolan in my Top 5 directors of all time and should be viewed by all.
Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2
    Should win: Big Hero 6
Best Documentary: Citizenfour
Best Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Makeup & Hairstyling: The Grand Budapest Hotel
   The race is determined by: Tilda Swinton's transformation, Steve Carrell's nose, or Zoe Saldana's green skin.
Best Costume Design: Milena Canonero, The Grand Budapest Hotel
    Should win: Colleen Atwood, Into the Woods
Best Visual Effects: Interstellar
Best Sound Mixing: American Sniper
Best Sound Editing: Birdman
Best Original Score: Johann Johannson, The Theory of Everything
    Should win: Hans Zimmer, Interstellar OR The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alexandre Desplat
Best Original Song: "Glory," Selma (but only for John Legend. Common's rap verses are comparable to Pitbull's in "Timber.")
    Runner Up: "Everything Is Awesome," The Lego Movie (because it deserves a win somewhere and this song is infectious)
Best Live-Action Short: The Phone Call
Best Animated Short: Feast
Best Documentary Short: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Next up: Ranking all the 2015 feature film Oscar nominations (except 3)