97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards are history with a huge sweep of awards for Anora including newbie Mikey Madison over heavily favored Demi Moore as Best Actress. Director Sean Baker collected four Oscars for Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Editing, a first for anyone! Other films could only take token awards the primary one being The Brutalist which saw Adrien Brody triumph over surging Timothee Chalamet whose A Complete Unknown got shut out. Most technical awards went as expected. Flow won Best Animated over popular The Wild Robot. 

Host Conan O'Brien kept things moving and did a solid job. The opening duet with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande was outstanding although the subsequent musical numbers seemed average and unnecessary.  There were nice tributes and a couple of political statements. In the end, the drama centered on the best lead categories of acting.
Am so glad Anora with its heart of gold ruled the day. And now, time to see a new movie.

2025 Oscar Predictions for 2024 Films

 

It is safe to say that most Oscar awards seem to be predestined this season with a couple of suspenseful matches.  What started out as a strong candidate, The Brutalist, seems to have fizzled in light of the heart and soul of a small film, Anora, which could be a multiple Oscar winner. In fact it is doubtful any film will win more than 3 or 4 Oscars.  I have tried to see as many of the Oscar candidates especially Best Picture. There are many great films and some, like Sing Sing could have easily been a Best Picture nominee.  So I will give my best guesses and a couple bold picks based on my gut.  There are always surprises among the winners. I hope you enjoy the show Sunday evening because it celebrates movies!

Picture- Always go with my heart, Anora

Director- Sean Baker for Anora

Actress- In my heart Mikey Madison for Anora and though one who truly deserves it is Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here, Demi Moore for The Substance seems destined for her first Oscar.

Actor- Got to go with my gut and Timothée Chalamet who excelled as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown over Adrien Brody’s powerful performance in The Brutalist.

Supporting Actress- Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez.

Supporting Actor- Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain, right film at the right time.

Adapted Screenplay- Conclave

Original Screenplay- Anora seems to have it over The Brutalist.

Cinematography- The Brutalist

Costume Design- Wicked

Film Editing- Conclave

Makeup and Hairstyling- The Substance

Production Design- Wicked

Score- The Brutalist

Song- “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez

Sound- Dune: Part Two

Visual Effects-Dune: Part Two

Animated Feature- The Wild Robot

Documentary Feature- No Other Land

International Film- I’m Still Here

Animated Short- Beautiful Men

Documentary Short- I Am Ready, Warden

Live Action Short- The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent