MTV Is Dead: The 2017 Oscar Nominations and Who John Thinks Should Win

Thursday, February 2, 2017

The 2017 Oscar Nominations and Who John Thinks Should Win

Well alright, sir, you know this is the time of year that I love - Oscar season! The Super Bowl of movies! First let me say that I agree it is a pleasure to see more, though not necessarily enough, diversity this year. So many good films and performances by people of all race and color. With that being said, below are my comments and picks for each category (check out who Ran thinks should win here):

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

Ok, having seen all of the films except 'Moonlight', which I plan on doing though by the Oscar awards show, I am going to go based on what I have seen. And while I was emotionally attached to both 'Fences' and 'Manchester by the Sea', I have to agree with Ran and say 'Hell or High Water' (read the review here) was THE film of the year. It won't win but should.

Best Documentary Feature

13th

Fire at Sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life, Animated

O.J.: Made in America

I am guilty of not seeing any of these films so cannot speak to any of them.

Best Director

Denis Villeneuve - Arrival

Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge

Damien Chazelle - La La Land (read the review here)

Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea

Barry Jenkins - Moonlight

This is a tough one as I really think Damien Chazelle should win but the Academy loves Kenneth Lonergan and he made a great movie. It is going to be between those two but I am going to go with Chazelle.

Best Actor

Image result for manchester by the sea poster

Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garlfield - Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling - La La Land

Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington - Fences

Also a tough one for me as I loved Denzel Washington in 'Fences' and Casey Affleck in 'Manchester by the Sea' (read the review here). Both gave amazing performances that stayed with me long after I left the theater. If I have to select though I think the winner is going to be Affleck as critics have raved over him all awards season.

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali - Moonlight

Jeff Bridges - Hell or High Water

Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea

Dev Patel - Lion (click here to read the review)

Michael Shannon - Nocturnal Animals

This has to go to Jeff Bridges... agree with Ran's pick.

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert - Elle

Ruth Negga - Loving

Natalie Portman - Jackie

Emma Stone - La La Land

Meryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins

Ok, first let me say that Meryl Streep should not even be nominated in this category. I read an article today in fact by a reviewer who said the Academy should not vote her in any more just because of who she is. The film was all but overlooked and she took up a nomination that others rightly deserved. Now as far as who is going to win, I have only seen Emma Stone's performance and it was great but I have read many, many raves about Natalie Portman and her portrayal of Jackie Kennedy and we know how the Academy loves to recognize actors who portray real life people. I am going to go with Portman.

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis - Fences

Naomie Harris - Moonlight

Nicole Kidman - Lion

Octavia Spencer - Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea

Hands down this HAS to go to Viola Davis. If the award goes to someone else in this category then I am done...

Best Animated Feature

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia

I love animated films but am ashamed to admit I have not seen anyone of these. I have heard nothing though but praise for Zootopia so am going with it for the win.

Best Original Song

"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" - La La Land

"Can't Stop The Feeling" - Trolls

"City Of Stars" - La La Land

"The Empty Chair" - Jim: The James Foley Story

"How Far I'll Go" - Moana

While I love the JT song and it is popular, I cannot imagine the Academy not awarding one of the songs from 'La La Land' so will go with one of those.

Best Cinematography

Arrival

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Silence

Agree with Ran's pick.

Best Costume Design

Allied

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

Agree with Ran.

Best Editing

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

La La Land

Moonlight

I have to go with 'La La Land' on this just because of all the scenes, action, dancing involved.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

A Man Called Ove

Star Trek Beyond

Suicide Squad

Agree with Ran.

Best Original Score

Jackie

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Passengers

Agree with Ran.

Best Production Design

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar!

La La Land

Passengers

Agree with Ran.

Best Sound Editing

Arrival

Deepwater Horizon

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Sully

Agree with Ran.

Best Sound Mixing

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

I have to go with 'La La Land' on this one as well.

Best Visual Effects

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

The Jungle Book

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Agree with Ran.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Arrival

Fences

Hidden Figures

Lion

Moonlight

Absolutely agree! If it goes to someone else I am done...

Best Original Screenplay

Hell or High Water

La La Land

The Lobster

Manchester by the Sea

20th Century Women

While I would love to see this go to 'Hell or High Water', critics have raved about 'The Lobster' and so I have a feeling the Academy will go with it.

Best Foreign Film