In the interest of getting “hard” copies of my work under one roof, I plan to spend the next few weeks posting the entire archive of my film journalism here on ScullyVision. With due respect to the many publications I’ve written for, the internet remains quite temporary, and I’d hate to see any of my work disappear for digital reasons. As such, this gargantuan project must begin! I don’t want to do it. I hate doing it. But it needs to be done. Please note that my opinions, like everyone’s, have changed a LOT since I started, so many of these reviews will only represent a snapshot in time. Objectivity has absolutely no place in film criticism, at least not how I do it.
We are less than a week away from the 2017 Oscars, and that means it’s time for predictions and hopes. Perhaps my greatest hope is that Swiss Army Man somehow manages to exploit an unforeseen technicality and nabs late-stage nominations and subsequent wins in every category. Impossible, I know, but just a few short years ago, the idea that a movie would be made in which Harry Potter plays a farting corpse was one that, if posited, would have seemed impossible too. Inspiring! As for predictions, my only method was a simple gut feeling. Show me someone who claims to have the Academy’s methods figured out and I’ll show you someone who probably makes medical decisions based on astrology.
I’m just covering the major categories, mostly because I’m very tired, but partially because I still have no clue what the difference is between sound editing and sound mixing. Also, I’ve seen every movie in the below listed categories, which makes me awesome and my picks properly informed.
Best Original Screenplay
Hell or High Water (Taylor Sheridan) La La Land (Damien Chazelle) The Lobster (Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou) Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan) 20th Century Women (Mike Mills)
My pick: Hell or High Water (Taylor Sheridan) Will win: La La Land (Damien Chazelle)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Arrival (Eric Heisserer) Fences (August Wilson) Hidden Figures (Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi) Lion (Luke Davies) Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McRaney)
My pick: Arrival (Eric Heisserer) Will win: Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McRaney)
Best Cinematography
Arrival (Bradford Young) La La Land (Linus Sandgren) Lion (Grieg Fraser)Moonlight (James Laxton) Silence (Rodrigo Prieto)
My pick: Moonlight (James Laxton) Will win: Arrival (Bradford Young)
Best Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water) Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) Dev Patel (Lion) Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)
My pick: Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) Will win: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
I should note that Mahershala Ali is a very, very close second for me.
Best Supporting Actress
Viola Davis (Fences) Naomie Harris (Moonlight) Nicole Kidman (Lion) Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)
My pick: Naomie Harris (Moonlight) Will win: Viola Davis (Fences)
Best Actor
Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea) Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) Ryan Gosling (La La Land) Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) Denzel Washington (Fences)
My pick: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea) Will win: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)
Best Actress
Isabelle Huppert (Elle) Ruth Negga (Loving) Emma Stone (La La Land) Natalie Portman (Jackie) Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins)
My pick: Isabelle Huppert (Elle) Will win: Ruth Negga (Loving)
Best Director
Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge) Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By the Sea) Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)
My pick: Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Will win: Damien Chazelle (La La Land)
Best Picture
Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Hidden Figures La La Land Lion Manchester By the Sea Moonlight
My pick: Hell or High Water Will win: Moonlight
I should note that if Moonlight wins, I will dance happily in the streets just the same. It’s a masterpiece. I just enjoy movies like Hell or High Water more, generally speaking.
Check back in throughout the week for more predictions and hopes from all of us here at Cinedelphia!!
