I see all the Oscar prognosticators are drawing up their lists for 2019. It’s only mid October, and there are several things no one has seen. But here’s my take, for better or worse.
BEST PICTURE
A Star is Born–it’s the one to beat right now. Big stars, big box office, great reviews. Bradley Cooper for best director, actor, screenplay. Lady Gaga for Best Actress. In supporting, Sam Elliott is spot on.
First Man— Damien Chazelle’s epic had a rough opening weekend. But I stand behind it. Direction, writing, acting– Gosling and Foy are wonderful. There are lots of American flags, the movie is very patriotic.
Green Book— Best Picture, Director, Actor, Viggo Mortensen (Likely winner). Mahershala Ali, Supporting Actor. If this goes wrong, I don’t know what to do.
Blackkklansman— Spike Lee major return, directing, writing, John David Washington and Adam Driver will get noms. This is a majorly important film, and so entertaining.
A Quiet Place— Bradley Cooper got so much attention for directing himself in A Star is Born. But hey– John Krasinski did a phenomenal job with this movie. Emily Blunt should be in the Best Actress race. A gem of a film.
Roma, Never Look Away, and Capernaum— are all three incredible films, albeit in foreign languages. They all deserve to be Best Picture noms, but that’s why there’s Best Foreign Film. This a trio no one should miss as they’re released to theaters. Roma already has its accolades. The other two are just as remarkable.
The Hate U Give — I thought there’d be more brouhaha about this film. It’s so good, and so timely. Where is the larger discussion? In the long run, I just hope that Russell Hornsby is nominated for Best Supporting Actor. It would be a crime if he were overlooked.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?– Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant are their own best ensemble, they each deserve nods– he’s in supporting–and had better get them.
The Favourite— So many weird things here. I thought it would be Emma Stone in lead, Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz in supporting. But now I hear that Colman and Stone are switched to lead and supporting. All three are sensational. The movie just nuts, but in the best way possible.
Glenn Close— in The Wife. Best Actress, nomination at least. I wish a groundswell would develop. Unforgettable.
Black Panther— Will it get a Best Picture nod? I’m not so sure. If Wonder Woman didn’t, then why this one? Such a well made, fun film. Is it an Oscar movie? And isn’t $700 million the reward for Ryan Coogler’s good work? Below the line, lots of nods. But above? Unclear until we see how other things play out.
Miscellaneous: Viola Davis in Widows; Robert Forster in What We Had; Nicole Kidman and Sam Rockwell in “Destroyer”; Nicole again in “Boy Erased”; “Isle of Dogs” must not be forgotten.
So hold on– we’ll be back. Just some info to chew on for the moment…
