Critics Choice Ballots are being voted today and must be back Friday night. (I voted mine Thursday afternoon.) Oscar ballots for the Academy Awards nominations begin voting today. Lots of choices. What to do? Considering the Golden Globes winners and the SAG Nominees, there’s a lot to consider.
This is what I’m thinking right now.
BEST PICTURE
“Nomadland,” “Ma Rainey,” “Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Minari” are all in. “Promising Young Woman” has a lot of support. Soul should be in. I’m a big fan of One Night in Miami, and Judas the Black Messiah.” The Father” must be included. “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” would be my 10th choice.
BEST ACTRESS
Lots of upheaval here. Rosamund Pike won a Golden Globe. So did Andra Day. I think those two now join the top 3: Viola Davis, Frances McDormand, and Carey Mulligan. I’m going with Viola. It’s a staggering performance.
BEST ACTOR
Again, what to do? Chadwick Boseman can never be nominated again. His win is meaningful. Anthony Hopkins gives a masterful performance in “The Father.” I’m torn, but Sir Tony has an Oscar and many awards. He very well may be back again. Steven Yeun in “Minari” seems right. Tom Hanks in “News of the World” is underrated. Gary Oldman in “Mank” which has not caught on, could be in fifth place. Or Riz Ahmed, from “Sound of Metal.”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
So we have Sacha Baron Cohen as a foregone conclusion, what with “Chicago 7” and “Borat 2.” But Daniel Kaluuya won the Golden Globe, and he was sensation in “Judas.” I really think Mark Rylance deserves a nod for “Chicago 7.” Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke in “One Night in Miami” sings his way in, although any of those four actors could be included. My choice was Glynn Turman from “Ma Rainey.”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jodie Foster won the Golden Globe. Even she was shocked. I’m not sure she’ll make the Oscars. So who are the best supporting actresses? Olivia Colman in “The Father” just sails through the movie with aplomb. This puts her in direct competition again with Glenn Close, for “Hillbilly Elegy.” I would add Valerie Mahaffey from “French Exit,” Amanda Seyfried from “Mank,” and Ellen Burstyn from “Promising Young Woman.”
BEST DIRECTOR
Chloe Zhao, David Fincher, Regina King, Lee Isaac Chung, Aaron Sorkin. Zhao will win Critics Choice, at least. What a group!
A great crop of films this year. And let’s not forget the maligned “Hillbilly Elegy.” Amy Adams was GREAT. Ron Howard did a fine job. It’s too bad we lost this one to bad group buzz. I’ll bet 10 years from now we see “Hillbilly Elegy” on cable etc more often that a lot of these other films.
