Remember when my predictions started and I said Best Animated Feature was the closest major race? If that’s true, then Best Actress is a close second. There are two woman who each have an excellent chance of winning. Best Actor is a little (well, a lot) easier to pick.
Let’s get leading!
BEST ACTRESS
THE NOMINEES:
Annette Benning, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers Of The Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy Of A Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
WHO WILL WIN?: By the slimmest of margins, Lily Gladstone will be taking home the trophy for her role in Killers In The Flower Moon. It’s an amazing performance allowing her to showcase a massive range all while holding her own with talents like Di Caprio and De Niro. It’s not my number one choice, but I think the Academy will give Gladstone the only prize Killers will get all night.
WHO SHOULD WIN (AND WHO ELSE HAS A CHANCE)?: If Emma Stone wins this, it will be no surprise and wouldn’t even really be considered an upset. She has been running an even race with Gladstone the whole awards season, and she is so amazing and perfect in Poor Things in a role where you have to watch her, literally, grow up before your eyes.
WHO GOT SNUBBED?: There is an obvious answer here and it is Margot Robbie. Like, where the fuck is she? There is no way Annette Benning should be on this list and it’s really gross not to see Robbie here.
BEST ACTOR
THE NOMINEES:
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Domingo Colman, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
WHO SHOULD (AND WHO WILL) WIN?: Much like Best Supporting Actor, there was a hot minute when this felt like a three-man race. But then Cillian Murphy just kept winning everything and it’s foolish to think he’s not winning an Oscar. This was the kind of transformative performance where Murphy will now start being called “Oppenheimer” in some circles.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A CHANCE?: I think a surprise here is possible, though seeming more and more slim every day. But if it happens, it’s gonna be either Paul Giamatti or Jeffrey Wright. All of these nominees are really amazing which is why…
WHO GOT SNUBBED?: No one. Di Caprio could have taken Colman’s place, but I like the nomination and the movie. All of the acting categories were truly a wealth of riches this year.
Fancy Boys Club 