On January 24th, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released their official nominations for the 95th annual Oscars ceremony. This year was more anticipated than usual since so many amazing, high-profile films were released in 2022. Overall, all nominees seem very promising and the awards could be anyone's, but today we are here to predict just who will take home the trophies for the most notable awards.
COSTUME DESIGN:
Babylon - Mary Zophres
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Ruth Carter
Elvis - Catherine Martin
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Shirley Kurata
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris - Jeanny Beavan
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ruth Carter utilizes the hyper-specific aesthetic of Afrofuturism to create something original and amazing onscreen. After all, what's a superhero movie without some eye-catching costumes? From the first Black Panther to the second, it's clear that Carter is one of the most original and exciting costume designers working in Hollywood.
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING:
All Quiet on the Western Front - Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová
The Batman - Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
Elvis - Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti
The Whale - Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley
Honestly, this category is fair game for any nominee, but Elvis is definitely one of the stronger candidates. It takes a certain level of talent to bring Elvis Presley back to life on screen and with the help of stylists: Coulier, Baird, and Signoretti, Austin Butler was able to do just that. Not to mention the dozens and dozens of period attire that's worn by minor characters and extras throughout the film.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE):
All Quiet on the Western Front - Volker Bertelmann
Babylon - Justin Hurwitz
The Banshees of Inisherin - Carter Burwell
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Son Lux
The Fabelmans - John Williams
Damien Chazelle's Babylon is probably the most divisive film on this year's roster of nominees. Whether you thought it was too long or too vulgar or just plain bad, everyone can agree that the music made the film just a tiny bit better. Ever since 2014's Whiplash, Hurwitz has been dazzling audiences with his dynamic, infectious jazz scores and Babylon is no different. However, this award could just as easily go to John Williams or Carter Burwell this year.
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG):
Tell It Like a Woman - "Applause" by Diane Warren
Top Gun: Maverick -"Hold My Hand" by Lady Gaga
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna
RRR - "Naatu Naatu" by M. M. Keeravaani & Chandrabose
Everything Everywhere All at Once - "This is A Life" by Son Lux, Mitski, & David Byrne
This year Lady Gaga could score her second Academy Award for her work in Top Gun: Maverick, a film that recieved more nominations than anyone expected. Competition for Best Original Song this year is not super contentious, but out of them all, Lady Gaga probably stands the best chance of winning due to the song's popularity.
FILM EDITING:
The Banshees of Inisherin - Mikkel E. G. Nielsen
Elvis - Matt Villa & Jonathan Redmond
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Paul Rogers
Tár - Monika Willi
Top Gun: Maverick - Eddie Hamilton
One of the most incredible aspects of Everything Everywhere All at Once is the heavy, futuristic, bombastic editing. From flawless matched-action shots to thrilling montages, Everything Everywhere is as amazing as it is because of the editing by Paul Rogers. It's the kind of editing style that's practically begging to be noticed and by the time you see in on screen, you don't be able to look away.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
All Quiet on the Western Front - James Friend
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths - Darius Khondji
Elvis - Mandy Walker
Empire of Light - Roger Deakins
Tár - Florian Hoffmeister
Edward Berger's All Quiet on the Western Front is an epic war film with cinematography reminiscent of Roger Deakins' work in 1917. It's clear just how much thought and planning went into how this film was shot. The footage can be either shaky and chaotic or still and deliberate, leaving you guessing how the next scene will look. James Friend's work in All Quiet on the Western Front is simply a prime example of how to shoot a film.
PRODUCTION DESIGN:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of the Water
Babylon
Elvis
The Fabelmans
The nominees for Best Production Design this year are stellar, and it will be interesting to see which of these amazing looking films takes home the prize but if I were you, I'd bet my money on Babylon. The production team did such an incredible job at curating a raucous, chaotic environment that paints the time period in a whole new light. I ca see Elvis or The Fabelmans winning as well.
VISUAL EFFECTS:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of the Water
The Batman
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Top Gun: Maverick
Avatar: The Way of the Water is one of the most expensive films ever made and it looks like it. When a movie takes over a decade to make, expectations are going to be set high, but Avatar 2 delivers in terms of visuals. It's such a visually stunning movie and there's no other nominee that comes close to its ambition.
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY):
The Banshees of Inisherin - Martin McDonagh
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
The Fabelmans - Stephen Spielberg & Tony Kushner
Tár - Todd Field
Triangle of Sadness - Ruben Östlund
I was surprised not to see more appearances from Triangle of Sadness in this year's nominees. The Dutch Palm d'Or winner has some of the most clever writing I've seen in years and the actors do a great job at bringing the story to life. I'm predicting that Ruben Östlund will be the one to take home the trophy this year.
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY):
All Quiet on the Western Front - Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - Rian Johnson
Living - Kazuo Ishiguro
Top Gun: Maverick - Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks
Women Talking - Sarah Polley
Glass Onion is one of the most compelling mystery films to come out in recent years, and a large part of that is due to the writing. It follows a formula but remains unpredictable, subverting every expectation, and leaving the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the entire runtime. It's about time this film got the critical praise it deserves.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
The Banshees of Inisherin - Brendan Gleeson
Causeway - Bryan Tyree Henry
The Fabelmans - Judd Hirsch
The Banshees of Inisherin - Barry Keoghan
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Ke Huy Quan
While there were plenty intense, dramatic performances this year, it takes a very specific and rare level of talent to pull off a compelling yet subtle performance, and that's exactly what Brendan Gleeson was able to accomplish in The Banshees of Inisherin. Gleeson is able to expertly blend comedy and drama by playing the complicated, stoic, and undeniably Irish: Colm Doherty. While I did significantly enjoy Ke Huy Quan and Barry Keoghan's performances, Gleeson takes the cake.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
Black Panther: Wakada Forever - Angela Bassett
The Whale - Hong Chau
The Banshees of Inisherin - Kerry Condon
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Jamie Lee Curtis
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Stephanie Hsu
Kerry Condon's performance as Siobhán is one of the biggest reasons why The Banshees of Inisherin is so spectacular. She simply makes the film. Her independent, pensive, empathetic intelligent, complicated portrayal of her character truly is something to behold. Siobhán Súilleabháin is a character that demands care and attention from the actor, and Condon really delivered here. I would recommend people see The Banshees of Inisherin just for her involvement alone.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:
Elvis - Austin Butler
The Banshees of Inisherin - Colin Farrell
The Whale - Brendan Fraser
Aftersun - Paul Mescal
Living - Bill Nighy
In any other year this award would've been between Austin Butler and Colin Farrell but in my opinion, there is no justice in the world if Brendan Fraser does not win. Fraser is able to bring so much personality, light, and empathy to a role that would otherwise be a bleak, miserable film. You can tell with every passing scene just how much effort and care was put into his performance. The Whale is a film that needs absolutely perfect casting or it shouldn't be made at all, and that's exactly what Brendan Fraser's performance is: perfect.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:
Tár - Cate Blanchett
Blonde - Ana de Armas
To Leslie - Andrea Riseborough
The Fabelmans - Michelle Williams
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Michelle Yeoh
There is no doubt in my mind that Cate Blanchett will take home the Oscar for Best Actress this year. If she does, it will be her third time winning. There would simply be no Tár without Cate Blanchett, her performance is the lifeblood of the film. She plays the titular character with such pose and intensity it's hard not to get intimidated through the screen. While this is a close call between Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh, I think Blanchett will be getting her third Oscar.
DIRECTING:
The Banshees of Inisherin - Martin McDonagh
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
The Fabelmans - Stephen Spielberg
Tár - Todd Field
Triangle of Sadness - Ruben Östlund
This is perhaps the most evenly matched list of nominees, any of them could easily win, but for me there is no better answer than Martin McDonagh for The Banshees of Inisherin. It's remarkable how clearly McDonagh's vision was transferred to screen. In addition to the production design, McDonagh also manages to get the best performances possible out of the entire cast. Truly an astounding feat from the Irish director.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
The Sea Beast
Turning Red
Something I never thought I'd say is that the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film is probably between Pinocchio and Puss In Boots but here we are. Guillermo del Toro's new twist on the classic folk tale is refreshing, inspiring, and just downright beautiful. Every frame is a marvel to look at and the score is fantastic. Normally it's a safe bet to say that Pixar will take home the prize but this year has some very stiff competition.
BEST PICTURE:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of the Water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick
Triangle of Sadness
Women Talking
2022 was an amazing year for film and this list reflects that. So many incredible films were nominated this year but when in comes to Best Picture, they all pale in comparison to Everything Everywhere All at Once. Not only is it one of the best films of 2022, but it could easily be considered one of the best of all time, that's how good it is. Its plot is nearly impossible to explain but it is one of the most rewarding watches I have ever had the pleasure of sitting through. In my opinion, Best Picture is the Daniels' to lose.
Which films do you think will take home the Oscars this year? Let us know by commenting! As always, support your local theaters and never stop watching! Happy Oscars season from everyone here at Cinemasters!