TL;DR – This is a list of not what we think will actually win in today’s 2020 Academy Awards, but who we would give the awards to if we could

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It is Oscars time again, and for the first time in a long time I can’t watch the ceremony live, but that does not mean I can’t enjoy the vicariously through the form of an article. So here we will be going through all the nominees and picking which ones we would have picked if we were a voting member of the academy.

Now, I should preface this with the notice that we have not seen every film nominated, so we will only be picking form those we have seen. To be fair, we will only be covering the categories where we have seen at least three of the nominees.  Also, if you would like to see our reviews for said films you can clink on the links to be taken to them. So with out any further prattling on here are the nominees.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Nominees:

1917
Knives Out
Marriage Story
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
Parasite

I actually quite liked all the nominees in this category, even the films that didn’t quite grab me like Once in Hollywood and Marriage Story you could tell was still well written. However, I think one did just make it out on top and that has to be Bong Joon-ho & Han Jin-won exploration of class and wealth in modern South Korea.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Nominees:

Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
The Irishman
The Two Popes

Without a doubt the stand out in this category for me has to be Little Women, it took what was already a great work of literature and then reframed it in a way that made the emotions hit that much harder. It was a wonderful film and amazing work by Greta Gerwig.

Visual Effects

Nominees:

1917
Avengers: Endgame
The Irishman
The Lion King
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Look, I will be the first to admit that Rise of the Skywalker has issues in and around its narrative. However, one area where it really shines is its visual effects and this is where I have to give them all the praise they deserve.

Production Design

Nominees:

The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
1917
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
Parasite

Another difficult category, with a couple of really good entries that all deserve the award. I think for me, the one that just edges it out of the others is 1917. It’s design is one of those things that took my breath away during the film, it is also one of the few films this year that I am compelled to discover just where the practical sets stopped and the digital extensions started because it was all so good.  

Music (Original Score)

Nominees:

Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

In what is a crowded field this year, we have Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score for the Joker, which might be the best part of that film, the beautiful harmonies of Alexandre Desplat in Little Women, and the heart pulsing work of Thomas Newman in 1917.   However, how can I not give it to John Williams’ swan song Star Wars score.

Film Editing

Nominees:

Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
Parasite

In a film where tension is a key component of the experience, editing becomes more important than ever, and I have to give made respect to Yang Jinmo for helping to bring that to life with Parasite.

Directing

Nominees:

The Irishman
Joker
1917
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
Parasite

This was a tough call between 1917 and Parasite, but in the end I think for me personally, Sam Mendes a world to life that really impacted me as I watched in the cinemas.

Costume Design

Nominees:

The Irishman
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood

This is one category where I knew the winner instantly and that is because Little Women is impeccable costumed. From start to finish, each outfit tells you something about who the character is, where they are in the world, and where they want to be. Fantastic work Jacqueline Durran.

Cinematography

Nominees:

The Irishman
Joker
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
1917
The Lighthouse

Going into this awards ceremony, I knew this was one of the few entries where I had a clear winner, and then I watched The Lighthouse and it all got a bit more complicated. After a lot of thought, I still have to give it to 1917, because when Roger Deakins is at his best it is amazing to watch.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell
Laura Dern – Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson – Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh – Little Women
Margot Robbie – Bombshell

This was a close category, with Laura Dern almost edge Florence out here, but there is one scene in Little Women where Florence stands up and puts everyone on notice. What an astounding performance.

Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Cynthia Erivo – Harriet
Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan – Little Women
Charlize Theron – Bombshell
Renée Zellweger – Judy

Another difficult category, but how can I not give it to Saoirse. The energy she brings to Little Women is electric, every scene she is in is better for her being there. An amazing film and an amazing performance. 

Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio – Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
Adam Driver – Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes

This was one category where I had to think hard about, not because there were a lot of standout performances, but because none of these performances really captured me. Of these roles, I think the one that does just stand out above the rest is Antonio’s exploration of someone confronting the demons of his past.  

Animated Feature Film

Nominees:

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Missing Link
Klaus
Toy Story 4

Okay, this is one category where I have not seen the three, but I simply adore How To Train Your Dragon, and I don’t think anything could supplant that.

Best Picture

Nominees:

Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
Once upon a Time … in Hollywood
Marriage Story
1917
Parasite

Now after every entry on the list, this is the one category that I could not separate as much as I tried. This is because 1917 and Parasite are very different films and excel in very different ways. However, both were powerful examples of cinema, both moved me, and frankly if either of them wins I will be happy.

So that was my selection for this year’s Oscars. Which films would you have picked, let me know in the comments below.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your picks?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day.

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