Every year, in celebration of the breakneck pace of the film awards season, I do my best to beat the clock and review the leading contenders for the Academy Awards. The goal is to unpack what makes a film worthy of Oscar recognition, and how it stakes against its competitors that season.
This page is home to my predictions for the top categories at the Oscars (updated regularly), based on the films I have seen and reviewed for When Things Go Pop, as well as general insight from industry experts.
94th Academy Awards
Chasing Oscar Reviews:
Belfast
Dune
King Richard
Passing
Spencer
The Harder They Fall
Tick, Tick… Boom!
House of Gucci
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
Nightmare Alley
Swan Song
Being the Ricardos
Don’t Look Up
C’mon C’mon
Licorice Pizza
The Lost Daughter
Predictions:
Best Picture
Belfast
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Spencer
The Power of the Dog
Tick, Tick…Boom!
West Side Story
Best Director
Denis Villeneuve, Dune
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Pablo Larraín, Spencer
Steven Spielberg, West Side Story
Best Actor
Will Smith, King Richard
Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick…Boom!
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Joaquin Phoenix, C’mon C’mon
Best Actress
Kristen Stewart, Spencer
Lady Gaga, House of Gucci
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Best Supporting Actor
Jamie Dornan, Belfast
Ciaran Hinds, Belfast
Jared Leto, House of Gucci
Jon Bernthal, King Richard
Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog
Best Supporting Actress
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard
Catriona Balfe, Belfast
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Ruth Negga, Passing