Posted by The 88th Academy Awards
Another year, another selection of fantastic films to choose from. Last year I was lucky to pick twenty right, out of the twenty-four categories I picked. This time it looks like I have some tough choices to make. Like previous years, I haven’t gotten a chance to see everything, so I’m relying on fellow critics and friends to guide my choices.
I think this year’s show stands a good chance at being better than the last. Instead of Neil Patrick Harris, we’re lucky enough to have Chris Rock to keep things funny. Here are the nominees, as well as my choices. I’ll try to give some insight into my picks for every category.
Best Picture
Brooklyn
Room
This was an incredibly difficult year to pick a winner for the big prize of the night. In the end I went with Spotlight since I felt that it had the biggest impact of everything I saw. The story is so riveting, and the acting handles the content wonderfully. This isn’t to say that the other movies weren’t great. There was just something more about Spotlight that I couldn’t ignore.
My Pick: Spotlight
My sentimental favorite: same
Nailed it! This movie deserved this win. Several other great films would’ve been deserving as well, but I’m so happy. 17/24
Actor in a Leading Role
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
For many reasons, this is the year that Leonardo DiCaprio should get the monkey off of his back, and an Oscar on his mantle. His performance in The Revenant is intense and powerful. He tapped into a level of emotion not often seen in films today. He also handled the physical demands of his role equally well.
My Pick: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
My sentimental favorite: same
Yes! I’m so glad to see a talent like DiCaprio receive such a big honor. 16/22
Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlottte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
I know, I know. How can I pick in a category with films that I haven’t yet seen? This is where I rely on the wisdom and knowledge of my friends and associates. That being said, I’m going to pick the performance that I have heard the most about. Not only did Room get a lot of notice, but Larson has stayed in the conversation from the start. I’d be surprised to see someone else take this one. the only name that seems to stand out as a possible upset is Cate Blanchett, mainly because she’s always so good.
My Pick: Brie Larson, Room
My sentimental favorite: Cate Blanchett, Carol (because she’s so good.)
Another good pick for me. Saw this one coming from a mile away. 15/21
Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Back to movies I’ve seen and can speak about. I’ve been fortunate to see all of the films in this category, and the competition is tough. When I began paring down the nominees I was left with two names: Tom Hardy and Sylvester Stallone. Hardy’s performance in The Revenant is incredible. He takes over sections of the film with his intensity, and his transformation is awesome. In the opposite corner is the Hollywood fixture, Sylvester Stallone. Creed is a film I’ve been able to see multiple times. Each viewing has given me a deeper appreciation for the acting ability Stallone has. I think that this might be his last chance at an acting award, and I don’t think the voters will forget that.
My Pick: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
My sentimental favorite: same
I can’t say that I’m disappointed because of the win by Rylance. I just really wanted this for Sly. 9/14
Actress in a Supporting Role
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
I actually had a tougher time with this category than I expected to. I haven’t seen all of the films, but I have done my homework. Seeing Spotlight late in the game also made this a bigger challenge. I also really loved the work that Jennifer Jason Leigh did in The Hateful Eight. My pick ultimately went to the woman who I felt might have been overlooked elsewhere. I chose Alicia Vikander because of her excellent work in multiple films this last year. I would’ve preferred to see her nominated for Ex Machina, but I expect her to win for The Danish Girl.
My Pick: Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
My sentimental pick: Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Another pick right! She’s such an incredible actress, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. 3/3
Animated Feature Film
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Shaun and the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There
Inside Out is one of the movies that I thought was Oscar bound from the moment I saw it during the past summer. The other films have all been well-received, but nothing looks to stand in the way of a win for this Disney-Pixar creation.
My Pick: Inside Out
My sentimental pick: same
I knew it, I picked it, I couldn’t be happier. 9/13
Cinematography
Ed Lachman, Carol
Robert Richardson, The Hateful Eight
John Seale, Mad Max: Fury Road
Emmanuel Lubezki, The Revenant
Roger Deakins, Sicario
Having seen four of the five nominated films, I have had my pick in this category for a long time. The Hateful Eight is a special movie from a cinematography standpoint. There’s something unique about the way every scene is staged and choreographed. On the other hand, Mad Max: Fury Road is an example of how to film high-intensity action right. This left me with a difficult choice, especially since it was hard to ignore the work done in The Revenant and Sicario.
My Pick: John Seale, Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: Robert Richardson, The Hateful Eight
I missed this on both tries. Still, not a bad looking film in the bunch. 5/7
Costume Design
Sandy Powell, Carol
Sandy Powell, Cinderella
Paco Delgado, The Danish Girl
Jenny Beavan, Mad Max: Fury Road
Jacqueline West, The Revenant
The academy is unfortunately predictable in categories like this one. The winners generally come from period-piece films. This ignores the world building costuming done in great science-fiction films and other great genres. I’m always hopeful that the chain will be broken, but I’m not sure that this is the year for it.
My Pick: Paco Delgado, The Danish Girl
My sentimental pick: Jenny Beavan, Mad Max: Fury Road
Missed the pick, but got the sentimental pick a win. Hard to be unhappy with that. 3/4
Directing
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
So many great films were made this year. It almost seems like this category should be expanded to account for the work of people like Ryan Coogler (Creed). Given the five nominees, I think that this is one of the three hardest categories to pick. I’m not sure that we’ll see a repeat winner, mainly due to the high level of work from everyone nominated. That left me with Miller, McKay, McCarthy, and Abrahamson. Including Iñárritu, I wouldn’t be unhappy to see any of them win. My pick reflects the perfect touch Tom McCarthy used in crafting a story around very sensitive material.
My Pick: Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
My sentimental pick: George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
I didn’t think that The Revenant was as good as his film that won last year. Surprising choice by the voters. 14/21
Documentary (Feature)
Amy
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom
I’ve actually seen several of these documentaries, and reviews will be coming soon. Each of the films I’ve seen tells a disturbing story, each within a different world. Films like these can illuminate people who are more myth than facts, or highlight the world outside my own country. I chose Cartel Land because the narrative is fresh, and the story is follows is fascinating. I’m actually hoping that any documentary except Amy takes this one. I’d much rather see a world where the focus on the many is appreciated more than a singular focus on a flawed, talented, and addicted celebrity.
My Pick: Cartel Land
My sentimental pick: Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
Amy wasn’t my favorite of these. I guess the voters can’t help but honor a fellow artist. 10/16
Documentary (Short Subject)
Body Team 12
Chau, beyond the Lines
Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Last Day of Freedom
Without having seen these short documentaries I’m shooting in the dark. Based on the people I’ve spoken to, and a number of great reviews, I’m going with A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.
My Pick: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
My sentimental pick: none
Picked this one right. I guess my friends and fellow cinema geeks were right. 10/15
Film Editing
Hank Corwin, The Big Short
Margaret Sixel, Mad Max: Fury Road
Stephen Mirrione, The Revenant
Tom McArdle, Spotlight
Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I initially thought that Mad Max: Fury Road was a clear favorite in this category. With a little thought I was able to make this a harder decision. Each of these movies is very well-edited. Each of them would be a deserving winner. I chose Mad Max: Fury Road in the end, mainly due to the excellent pacing of the film. Every shot feels right, and every beat cut perfectly into the story.
My Pick: Margaret Sixel, Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: Tom McArdle, Spotlight
Fourth win of the night for Mad Max. A great film and a wonderful honor. 6/8
Foreign Language Film
Embrace of the Serpent
Mustang
Son of Saul
Theeb
A War
Another category I’m ashamed to say I’ve seen nothing from. Once again I’ll be basing my pick on the expert opinions that I trust and rely on.
My Pick: Son of Saul
My sentimental pick: none
Not hard to see this coming if you’ve read anything about this category in the last month. 12/18
Makeup and Hairstyling
Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin, Mad Max: Fury Road
Love Larson and Eva von Bahr, The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini, The Revenant
I consider this category a race between Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant. Both of these movies do incredible work with hair and makeup that transform characters wonderfully. I chose Mad Max: Fury Road because the hair and makeup work didn’t just transform actors, it also created entirely unique and new characters.
My Pick: Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin, Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: same
This win was not unexpected. The night just keeps getting bigger for Mad Max. 5/6
Music (Original Score)
Thomas Newman, Bridge of Spies
Carter Burwell, Carol
Ennio Morricone, The Hateful Eight
Jóhann Jóhannsson, Sicario
John Williams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I love film music. I’ve taken college classes on the subject, and I own far too many original scores. This is a category that I studied and examined every way I could. How do you choose between Morricone and Williams? That’s not to say that the other three nominees don’t also deserve to be in the argument. I eventually went with Morricone, mainly out of personal preference. I love Williams work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, so this wasn’t an easy decision. The rest of the nominees also can’t be ignored.
My Pick: Ennio Morricone, The Hateful Eight
My sentimental pick: same
I picked this one right. I love this win. He’s one of the legends of film, and I love his work. 13/19
Music (Original Song)
“Earned It”, Fifty Shades of Grey
“Manta Ray”, Racing Extinction
“Simple Song #3”, Youth
“Til It Happens To You”, The Hunting Ground
“Writing’s On The Wall”, Spectre
I have to admit, this category just disappointed me this year. I’m a lover of all things music, but there isn’t a really great song in this category. (In my opinion none of these songs could touch Skyfall.) I think the popular opinion might give the award to Spectre, which features “Writing’s On The Wall”. I just happen to think that it’s one of the worst Bond songs ever made. I guess I’ll have to make my pick and suck it up for now.
My Pick: “Writing’s On The Wall”, Spectre
My sentimental pick: Anything but “Writing’s On The Wall”, Spectre
I knew it. I knew it and I hate it. It never hurt so much to be right… 14/19
Production Design
Adam Stockhausen, Bridge of Spies
Eve Stewart, The Danish Girl
Colin Gibson, Mad Max: Fury Road
Arthur Max, The Martian
Jack Fisk, The Revenant
This is yet another tough category to pick. The movies nominated all do such great work building the world of their stories. The real standouts in this category, in my opinion, were The Martian, The Revenant, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Like many of the categories, I don’t think I’d disagree with any choice the voters make.
My Pick: Colin Gibson, Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: Arthur Max, The Martian
This movie deserved a win. All good films, but this one did some special things. 4/5
Short Film (Animated)
Bear Story
Prologue
Sanjay’s Super Team
We Can’t Live without Cosmos
World of Tomorrow
It’s yet another place for me to apologize for not seeing the films in the category. Like the others, I’ll be relying on the friends and fellow critics to fill in my knowledge void.
My Pick: Sanjay’s Super Team
My sentimental pick: none
I guessed, I missed. Oh, well. 8/12
Short Film (Live Action)
Ave Maria
Day One
Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)
Shok
Stutterer
Don’t worry, this is the last place for excuses on my pick list this year. I’ll be blaming/thanking the people I relied on later.
My Pick: Stutterer
My sentimental pick: none
I got it right. Thanks to the people who educated me! 11/17
Sound Editing
I wish I understood the ins and outs of sound editing better than I currently do. Maybe I’d be more confident in my picks. This time around I think the voters have some great options. The sound work in each of these movies adds a lot to the experience.
My Pick: Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: The Martian
I thought Mad Max might have a big night. Looks like I was right. 7/9
Sound Mixing
I should just copy and paste my comments in the sound editing category into this one. The films all have great sound work in them, and I don’t know that I could pick a clear winner here. I’ll be trying anyways.
My Pick: Mad Max: Fury Road
My sentimental pick: The Revenant
Another win for an exciting movie. Nice to see the Oscars think outside the norm. 8/10
Visual Effects
In the modern era of making movies, visual effects can do almost anything. The trick is making sure that it’s honest within the world of the film. Each of these films finds a way to seamlessly blend the effects into the story. With so many good options, my picks really shouldn’t be seen as criticism of the other films nominated.
My Pick: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
My sentimental pick: The Martian
I loved Ex Machina, but I didn’t think the voters would recognize the work among the films nominated. Good win.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, The Big Short
Nick Hornby, Brooklyn
Phyllis Nagy, Carol
Drew Goddard, The Martian
Emma Donoghue, Room
I’m a writer at heart. It’s what I studied in college, and how I’d like to make a living. That makes the Adapted Screenplay and Original Screenplay categories two of my favorites. I look for one thing when it comes to screenwriting, good stories. I pick based on the film’s ability to suck me in. I want to get lost in a film and feel satisfied by the choices made that lead to the conclusion. Each of these movies is well written, and my pick didn’t come easily.
My Pick: Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, The Big Short
My sentimental pick: The Martian
Nailed it. Another important story to be told, and the Academy voted as I expected. 2/2
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Matt Charman and Ethan & Joel Coen, Bridge of Spies
Alex Garland, Ex Machina
Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, & Ronnie del Carmen, Inside Out
Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff, S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus, Straight Outta Compton
I don’t want to repeat myself, so I’ll refer you to the comments I made in the Adapted Screenplay category.
My Pick: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
My sentimental pick: same
I got this one right. I’m glad to see such an important film win this award. 1/1
Fun Facts
Here are the nomination totals for the films competing this year:
The Revenant – 12 Nominations
Mad Max – 10 Nominations
The Martian – 7 Nominations
Spotlight – 6 Nominations
Carol – 6 Nominations
Bridge of Spies – 6 Nominations
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 5 Nominations
The Big Short – 5 Nominations
The Danish Girl – 4 Nominations
Room – 4 Nominations
The Hateful Eight – 3 Nominations
Sicario – 3 Nominations
Brooklyn – 3 Nominations
Steve Jobs – 2 Nominations
Ex Machina – 2 Nominations
Inside Out – 2 Nominations
Trumbo – 1 Nomination
Joy – 1 Nomination
45 Years – 1 Nomination
Creed – 1 Nomination
Cinderella – 1 Nomination
The 100 Year-Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared – 1 Nomination
Straight Outta Compton – 1 Nomination
Here are some stats based on the assumption that I’ve picked everything right:
My Picks
The Big Winners
Mad Max: Fury Road – 6 Wins from 10 Nominations
Spotlight – 3 Wins from 6 Nominations
The Danish Girl – 2 Wins from 4 Nominations
The Big Losers
The Revenant: 1 Win from 12 Nominations
The Martian – 0 Wins from 7 Nominations
Bridge of Spies – 0 Wins from 6 Nominations
My Sentimental Picks
The Big Winners
The Martian – 4 Wins from 7 Nominations
Spotlight – 3 Wins from 6 Nominations
The Hateful Eight – 3 Wins from 3 Nominations
The Big Losers
The Revenant – 2 Wins from 12 Nominations
Bridge of Spies – 0 Wins from 6 Nominations
The Big Short – 0 Wins from 5 Nominations
In Conclusion
Until the awards are presented I’d love to see your picks. You could also chime in to tell me just how wrong I really am. Either way, I welcome your opinions or thoughts. If I happen to see any of the remaining films I’ll update my picks accordingly.
I think I did pretty well considering the large number of excellent films nominated this year. I’m also hopeful that the next time we do this there will be just as many great movies to celebrate.
Did You See That One? 
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