March , 2022
With the Oscar Awards coming on March 28, 2022, Monday morning (Manila time), it is time for me now to make my fearless Oscar predictions. (My Oscar predictions of previous years were posted on these links: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013).
This year the Oscar Best Picture is a wide open game as there is no clear front-runner, until "Power of the Dog" won Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics Choice. But now the previously unheralded "CODA" won the SAG for Best Ensemble" and the PGA nod for Best Picture! Here is how I would rank this year's 10 nominees for Oscar Best Picture based on my own personal opinions when I first saw them (not based on probability that I think they will win):
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Nominations (10): Picture, Costume design, Sound, Original Score, Adapted screenplay, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Cinematography, Production Design and Visual Effects
It was the year 10191. The Emperor of the known universe had assigned Duke Leto of House Atreides of the planet Caladan to administer the important desert planet of Arrakis, in place of the House Harkonnen. Arrakis was the only source of the spice melange, which was very crucial for space travel. However, the native blue-eyed Fremen of Arrakis were beginning to assert their rights.
Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" had gorgeous-looking camera work and spectacular computer-generated effects. The pace of his storytelling was deliberately slow , but the momentum did not sag. The story was easy to follow and understand, despite the inherently complex plot with multiple planets and peoples. The acting was generally subdued, in consonance with the solemn mood of the film.
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Nominations (6): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Sound
It was August 15, 1969, 9-year old Buddy (Jude Hill) was playing on the streets of his neighborhood. Suddenly, a Protestant extremist mob caused a mass riot, specifically attacking the houses of Catholics, whom they want nothing to do with. The unstable peace and order in their hometown forced Buddy's Pa to entertain thoughts of bringing his family out of Belfast to live in London where he was working.
Kenneth Branagh wrote this screenplay based true-to-life events in his own life growing up in Belfast, and you can clearly see how little Buddy could be how Kenneth was as a child. He bookended his passion project with scenes of modern-day Belfast shot in full color, then shifted to black and white for the rest of the film while telling about the events of 1969. The charm and tension of those times were beautifully captured onscreen.
Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Nominations (4): Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, International Feature Film
Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) was invited to Hiroshima to direct a unique production of Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" with a very diverse cast. An impassive woman Misaki (Toko Miura) was assigned to chauffeur him to and from the house provided to him, which was an hour away from the theater. Eventually, Kafuku and Misaki would open up with each other and share the deepest secrets in their lives.
Aside from the prologue and scenes showing rehearsals and the final performance of the play, this film mostly consisted only of lengthy, sober conversations exchanged in the confines of Kafuku's old car. These had a mesmerizing quality that kept us riveted, even when Hamaguchi never resorted to showing flashbacks of the stories being told. Nishijima, Miura, and Masaki Okada (as the young actor playing Vanya Kōji Takatsuki) all gave affecting performances.
Director: Jane Campion
Nominations (12): Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor (2), Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design, Film Editing, Sound
Set in Montana in 1925, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemons) Burbank were a pair of wealthy brothers who ran a sprawling cattle ranch. While Phil was arrogant and insensitive, his brother George was refined and composed. George married the widow Mrs. Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst), who had a son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and brought them to live in their ranch house, but the toxic Phil tormented them.
Cumberbatch's character here, Phil Burbank, was hateful and loathesome. He was toxic (in personality and in odor) and he was proud of it.The bleak mountainous landscape (New Zealand standing in for Montana) was essential to the story as it was breathtaking to see. Campion's slowburn pace was rife with tension, building up that all that suggestive uncertainty all the way to a powerfully compelling ending.
Directed by: Adam McKay
Nominations (4): Picture, Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Original Score
Astronomy grad student Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) discovered an new comet hurtling towards Earth. Her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo di Caprio), calculated that it will hit the Pacific Ocean in six months and cause a catastrophe that would destroy the entire planet. However, when they tried to inform US President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep) to take preemptive action, they just got the runaround.
McKay was harsh here in his depiction of the ineptitude of the US government, the pervasive influence of big business and artificiality of mass media. The performance of Di Caprio, as a shy middle-aged scientist thrust into the national celebrity limelight, was the glue that held this piece together. His on-air breakdown scene and his dinner table scene brimmed with genuine emotion without the melodrama.
Directed by: Sian Heder
Nominations (3): Picture, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay
Frank (Troy Kotsur) and Jackie Rossi (Marlee Matlin) were born deaf and only communicated by sign language. They had two children: Leo (Daniel Durant) was also culturally deaf like them, and Ruby (Emilia Jones) who had normal hearing. Ruby had always taken on the role as the family's interpreter for their fishing business. However, in senior high, Ruby decided to join the choir to sing, a talent which may bring her to Berklee.
It was remarkable that all the deaf characters in the Rossi family were all portrayed by deaf actors. Their participation gave a sense of authenticity in this film's portrayal of the family and social life of culturally deaf people and the challenges they faced while dealing with their hearing neighbors. All three of them deserve to be cited for awards, especially Kotsur with his rawness of his performance with a healthy dose of humor.
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Nominations (4): Picture, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design
Stanton (Brandon Cooper) and Molly (Rooney Mara) left the circus to go to the big city. They develop a sophisticated version of the mind-reading act and performed it for wealthy audiences. In one of his shows, Stan met Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) who was a therapist for several millionaires who were carrying various forms of guilt. The two embark on a more elaborate and sinister con trade to fleece these vulnerable victims of their fortune.
Aside from the excellent acting ensemble, it was the technical aspects of its cinematography that really made this stand out among the other films of the year. The two disparate parts of Stan's life made this film a big challenge in production design, costumes and make-up, and these artists definitely delivered to transport us back in time both in the rough tumble at the carnival and the classy elegance of high society.
8. WEST SIDE STORY 7/10
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Nominations (7): Picture, Director, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Sound
It was the mid-1950s and two rival gangs ruled the streets ruled Manhattan's Upper West Side -- the white Jets led by Riff (Mike Faist) versus the Puerto Rican Sharks led by Bernardo (David Alvarez). Tony (Ansel Elgort), Jets co-founder just out on parole, met Bernardo's sister Maria (Rachel Zegler), and they both fell in love at first sight. Their respective gangs could not allow this union, which led to tragedy.
Aside from ethnic accuracy, it was great that the new actors all sing their own songs. The crudeness of language and depiction of violence were more disturbing in this new version. While watching this remake, the scenes, dances and singing of the original film were replaying themselves in my mind. While admittedly with some striking cinematographic choices and bold directorial decisions, this remake still could not match the original for me.
Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Nominations (5): Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Film Editing
Despite having to contend with the dangers in the violent streets of Compton, California, Richard Williams (Will Smith) always believed that he had two tennis champions in his daughters Venus (Saniyya Sydney) and Serena. He worked tirelessly and fearlessly to get the training they needed to get ahead in their game, and actually succeeded in getting them trained by high profile coaches Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn) and Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal).
The story was well-ironed out neatly to showcase the main subject Richard in a flattering light, Venus and Serena as well. Everyone was respectful and obedient, agreeing to watch "Cinderella" to learn a life lesson, cool well kept in the face of obvious gamesmanship (by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario no less!). This biopic by Reinaldo Marcus Green is very well-made in the old-fashioned sense, everything seemed too perfect to be true.
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Nominations (3): Picture, Director, Original Screenplay
Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) was a 15-year old child actor, self-assured and confident, mature for his age. Alana Kane (Alana Haim) was a 25-year old photographer's assistant, who saw herself working the same job in the next five years. It was picture day at Gary's high school and he saw pretty Alana working and was immediately smitten. The two strike it off very well and become friends, but Alana made it clear that she was not his girlfriend.
Anderson really captured that vibrant 70s vibe in his images as he followed Gary though all his business ideas. His script had so many witty exchanges, between Gary and Alana for sure, but Bradley Cooper stole the show in his lengthy cameo as a foolish lothario. It was charming and feel-good, true. Yet underlying all of that was the uncomfortable romance blossoming between a 25-year old woman and a 15 year-old boy. I just cannot condone it.
***** My bets to win for each of each categories:
Best Picture: CODA
Nominees: Belfast, Don't Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story
Best Directing: Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
Nominees: Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Steven Spielberg (West Side Story), Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith (King Richard)
Nominees: Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!), Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Nominees: Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter), Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers), Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos), Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
Actor in a Supporting Role: Troy Kotsur (CODA)
Nominees: Ciarán Hinds (Belfast), Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog), J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)
Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
Nominees: Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Judi Dench (Belfast), Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Drive My Car (Ryûsuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe)
Nominees: CODA (Sian Heder), Dune (Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve), The Lost Daughter (Maggie Gyllenhaal), The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion)
Writing (Original Screenplay): Belfast (Kenneth Branagh)
Nominees: Don't Look Up (Adam McKay and David Sirota), Licorice Pizza (Paul Thomas Anderson), King Richard (Zach Baylin), The Worst Person in the World (Joachim Trier)
Animated Feature Film: Encanto
Nominees: Flee, Luca, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Raya and the Last Dragon
Animated Short Film: Robin Robin
Nominees: Affairs of the Art, Bestia, Boxballet, The Windshield Wiper
Costume Design: Cruella (Jenny Beavan)
Nominees: Cyrano (Massimo Cantini Parrini), Dune (Jacqueline West), Nightmare Alley (Luis Sequeira), West Side Story (Paul Tazewell)
Live Action Short Film: The Long Goodbye
Nominees: Ala Kachuu - Take and Run, The Dress, On My Mind, Please Hold
Music (Original Score): Dune (Hans Zimmer)
Nominees: Don't Look Up (Nicholas Britell), Encanto (Germaine Franco), Parallel Mothers (Alberto Iglesias), The Power of the Dog (Jonny Greenwood)
Sound: Dune
Nominees: Belfast, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story
Cinematography: Dune (Greig Fraser)
Nominees: Nightmare Alley (Dan Lausten), The Tragedy of Macbeth (Bruno Delbonnel), West Side Story (Janusz Kaminski),The Power of the Dog (Ari Wegner)
Documentary Feature: Summer of Soul
Nominees: Ascension, Attica, Flee, Writing With Fire
Documentary Short Subject: Audible
Nominees: Lead Me Home, The Queen of Basketball, Three Songs for Benazir, When We Were Bullies
Film Editing: Dune (Joe Walker)
Nominees: Don't Look Up (Hank Corwin), King Richard (Pamela Martin), The Power of the Dog (Peter Sciberras), Tick, Tick... Boom! (Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum)
International Feature Film: Drive My Car (Japan)
Nominees: Flee (Denmark), The Hand of God (Italy), Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan), The Worst Person in the World (Norway)
Makeup and Hairstyling: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Nominees: House of Gucci, Coming 2 America, Cruella, Dune
Music (Original Song): No Time to Die -- Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell (No Time to Die)
Be Alive -- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Darius Scott (King Richard)
Dos Oruguitas -- Lin-Manuel Miranda (Encanto)
Down to Joy -- Van Morrison (Belfast)
Somehow You Do -- Diane Warren (Four Good Days)
Production Design: Dune (Zsuzsanna Sipos and Patrice Vermette)
Nominees: Nightmare Alley (Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau), The Power of the Dog (Grant Major and Amber Richards), The Tragedy of Macbeth (Stefan Dechant and Nancy Haigh), West Side Story (Rena DeAngelo and Adam Stockhausen)
Visual Effects: Dune
Nominees: Free Guy, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, No Time to Die, Spider-Man: No Way Home
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