Predictions...???!!!@@@##$$%

Oscar Predictions Part 1

 

Having been such a long time since my last post, I’ll try to be as drawn out and detailed and lengthy as possible to make up for lost time.  So, today let’s spend several minutes talking about films and songs that last only a handful of minutes.

Best Original Song:

Will and Should Win: “Glory” from Selma

This is pretty much a slam dunk.  It has everything going for it, great use in a movie that is already getting pity votes because this is its only nomination other than Best Picture.  Too bad we couldn’t nominate “Yellow Flicker Beat” to give it some competition. Not as embarrassing to admit than having just realized I subconsciously used a basketball analogy because black people are historically better at basketball (or at least that’s what this email from Spike Lee says).

Best Original Score

Will Win: Alexandre Desplat for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Should Win: Johan Johannsson for The Theory of Everything

This is a close race, The Theory of Everything having won a Golden Globe and BAFTA, while not being even close to as entertaining of a movie as Grand Budapest.  However, Desplat is up twice, so even if he wins, he loses.  That’s pretty sad. But if he wins, it will be the first time after having received 8 Oscar nominations in the last 9 years.  Johannsson has never composed for a film before, but was able to put together a very complex and engaging score, and could be one of the obstacles of a Grand Budapest mini-sweep.  Could be, but also, not.

Best Documentary Short

Will Win: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Should Win: The Reaper

This is a pretty easy one.  Crisis Hotline has a couple things going for it: 1) It’s about veterans and helping veterans, and everyone knows that we have to help veterans because it’s the American thing to …blah blah….. and 2) It’s in English, because let’s be honest, who in Hollywood reads anything anymore, let alone a movie!  If that was not a reality, than the Polish doc short, Joanna would have a shot.

Best Live Action Short

Will Win: Boogaloo and Graham

Should Win: Aya

Vegas has The Phone Call at a big favorite in this category.  I just have a hard time believing that they’ll give it to two short films about crisis hotlines.  I guess the only reason is because it’s one of the few in ENGLISH, however, Boogaloo and Graham is in English with English subtitles.  Also, Boogaloo and Graham was funny and sweet, and probably the right choice for Oscar voters.

Best Animated Short

Will and Should Win: The Bigger Picture

Again kind of going against the general concensus on this, but I think The Bigger Picture was so imaginative and perfect for Oscar voters just as a 5 minute work of art. Fetch? Not really that big of a favorite unless nobody took the time to watch them, and that would be ridiculous since it takes less than an hour to watch them all. Also, I don’t know Daisuke Tsitsumi, former Pixar art director’s ties with the Oscar crowd, but if it’s strong, don’t be surprised to see his film The Dam Keeper sneak in.