It doesn’t have quite the viewership of the Super Bowl – or the eye-catching commercials, or the halftime show – but the annual presentation of the Academy Awards is a better game in itself, thanks to the numbers.
Seriously, what’s so exciting about two great teams playing each other? The “Hunger Games” nature of the Oscars pits David against Goliath, the mom-and-pop store against Walmart, Forrest Gump against Stephen Hawking. At the 90th Oscars, 24 categories are up for grabs, and the top category has nine contenders!
The big show starts at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC (WATE locally), and Oscar parties will take place all over town. Odds-makers have named their picks. And now I’m weighing in with the films and filmmakers I believe ought to be honored with Academy Awards in the top categories.
Best Actor: Male
Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”; Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread”; Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”; Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”; Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esquire.”
Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences went with a couple of usual suspects (Day-Lewis, Washington), a couple of newbies (Chalamet, Kaluuya) and a once-indie darling (Oldman) who has become a cinema stalwart. (Day-Lewis started out as an indie darling, but he’s been mainstream – sort of – for years.)
Oldman has been the favorite throughout the awards season, possibly because he’s never won an Oscar before, and people think he’s overdue. I believe he’s an Oscar-worthy actor, but I wasn’t bowled over by his Winston Churchill (especially in comparison with John Lithgow’s in TV’s “The Crown”). The mumbling and other affectations grew tiresome.
I would far rather see Kaluuya win. I completely bought into his character in “Get Out,” and the movie engaged me much more than “Darkest Hour” did.
Best Actor: Female
Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”; Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”; Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”; Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”; Meryl Streep, “The Post.”
In general, I would pick Streep any time she’s nominated, and that is true this year. Her performance as a society queen who transforms into a First Amendment maven is marvelous. But Streep is so good that her work gets taken for granted sometimes, and I’m afraid that’s the case now.
The probable winner is McDormand, whose steely drive as a grieving mother is impressive. McDormand also gets nominated at the drop of a hat. Hawkins has been a quirky standout in British films for years, and it’s nice to see her get recognition; she’s very moving in her role. However, my choice would be Margot Robbie. Her performance as no-class, world-class ice skater Tonya Harding is astounding.
Best Supporting Actor: Male
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”; Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”; Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”; Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”; Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
The only mainstream nominee in this group is Plummer, and he’s even an outsider now because of his age. So this boils down to which quirky performer has wandered in the wilderness the longest. Rockwell seems to be the chosen one. The likable actor has worked long and hard, and he keeps a door open so his reprehensible character can be understood and ultimately embraced. Plus, he has a Knoxville connection, having shot “Box of Moonlight” here!
Best Supporting Actor: Female
Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”; Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”; Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread”; Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”; Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water.”
I’m surprised at the overall lack of love for “Mudbound” in the Oscars. It was a favorite among critics, and it’s definitely one of the top five movies of the year. Blige was wonderful in it, and she deserves the nomination. I’m afraid she doesn’t have a chance, mainly because two of Hollywood’s favorite character actors are in her way.
Janney and Metcalf have balanced stage and screen throughout their careers, and somehow they both ended up in standout roles on the big screen this year. Metcalf is an ace, but to me she didn’t break any new ground in “Lady Bird.” Janney, however, outdid herself as the chain-smoking, self-absorbed mother of Tonya Harding. I’m pulling for her to win.
Best Original Screenplay
“The Big Sick,” “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “The Shape of Water,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
I could make arguments in favor of each of these, but the obvious choice is “Get Out.” I don’t think there’s a weak moment in Jordan Peele’s script. He’s my new hero. But I’d also love to give props to “The Big Sick.” If you didn’t see it, make it a priority to do so.
Best Adapted Screenplay
“Call Me by Your Name,” “The Disaster Artist,” “Logan,” “Molly’s Game,” “Mudbound.”
This is an interesting and varied group, so a favorite definitely depends on personal taste. I was impressed with all of them, but I’m going with “Mudbound.” It gave me the richest film experience of the lineup.
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”; Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”; Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”; Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”; Jordan Peele, “Get Out.”
Like many others, I’m aggravated that, in the so-called “Year of the Woman,” only one female director was nominated. It’s not that there weren’t women who deserved nominations – far from it.
Dee Rees for “Mudbound,” Angelina Jolie for “First They Killed My Father” and Kathryn Bigelow for “Detroit” should all be in there with Gerwig. And I can’t help but think that if they were men, some of them would have been.
For me, it’s between del Toro and Peele. Both are up for three awards: director, screenplay and picture. Both crafted films that were part horror, part quirky humor. “The Shape of Water” feels bigger, but “Get Out” goes deep. I think the Academy will go for del Toro, who’s a proven commodity. I would choose Peele, who gave me my best time at the movies last year.
Best Picture
“Call Me by Your Name,” “Darkest Hour,” “Dunkirk,” “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “Phantom Thread,” “The Post,” “The Shape of Water,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
Back in the day, “The Post” would have been the obvious winner. It’s topical and timely. It was directed by Steven Spielberg. It stars Streep and Tom Hanks. But Spielberg and Hanks aren’t even nominated (blasphemy!). Streep’s a long shot. Wow.
“The Post” was my personal favorite of the year, and most of my journalist buddies are with me. Audiences love it. But I don’t think it has a prayer. The three frontrunners are “Get Out,” “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards.”
Director Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards” struck a chord with critics and Academy voters. I think it will be between it and del Toro’s fantasy. But each of those films has a sadistic streak that detracted from its effectiveness, to me.
I’m sticking with “Get Out.” It reminds me of “The Silence of the Lambs” in that it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s much more than a popcorn movie. It elevates its genre and celebrates the art of filmmaking as it takes you on a great ride.