Movie Feature | Oscar 2016 Predictions (Lights, Camera, Action!) Page 1

Movie Feature | Oscar 2016 Predictions (Lights, Camera, Action!)

It's that time of year, when all roads lead to Hollywood. The Dolby Theatre (once the Kodak Theatre) on Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, to be precise, and, while other awards like the Golden Globes, and the BAFTAs have grown in prestige in recent years, they are still seen as forerunners and possible predictors for the American Academy's trophies, because the Oscars are the ones that matter.

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In recent years, the Oscars have lacked a certain something: surprise. While following the form book makes predicting winners a whole lot easier, there hasn't been a shock winner since Brokeback Mountain was inexplicably pipped to the post by Crash back in 2006. A shock win - preferably a worthy one as there's no way that Crash was better than Brokeback - would liven up the whole proceedings… so, Spotlight for Best Picture anybody? Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs for Best Actor? Okay, the second one is a long shot, but the first one is still in with a shout.

Sadly, though, it looks like this year's Oscars come complete with a large helping of déjà vu…

Best Picture

After its triple whammy at the BAFTAs, this category has almost become a one horse race. The Revenant is the hot favourite, and it will win.

Best Director

Last year's winner, Alejandro Inarritu, will be this year's, as well, making him the first person since the early 1950s to win the Best Director trophy two years in a row, and, as only the third to do the double in Oscar history, he will be in illustrious company. The legendary John Ford and Joseph L. Mankiewicz were the others. This will be Oscar number two for The Revenant.
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Best Actor

The general consensus is that it's Di Caprio's year and, in all honesty, it would take an even more vicious bear attack to stop him getting his hands on the Oscar. The other contenders, Michael Fassbender and Bryan Cranston, especially, more than deserved their nominations, but there's no stopping the juggernaut called Leonardo Di Caprio for, of course, The Revenant.

Best Actress

There isn't a leading role for a woman in The Revenant. The American Academy sprang something of a surprise in this category by giving a nomination to Charlotte Rampling (45 Years). She is, however, the outsider. Just as Di Caprio has been sweeping all before him for the Best Actor trophy, Brie Larson in Room has been doing the same for this one, and she will be adding an Oscar to her collection.

Best Supporting Actor

The American Academy has always had a sentimental side and this year it will be able to let it show by giving the Oscar to Sylvester Stallone for Creed. It's a highly competitive category this year, including Brits Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) and Tom Hardy (The Revenant), but Stallone's been the front runner ever since he won the Golden Globe.
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Best Supporting Actress

This is much tougher to call, because there's little to choose between the two favourites. Alicia Vikander's nomination opens up the age old "What is a supporting role?" debate. In The Danish Girl she's actually the female lead, but clearly the studio felt her chances of winning were higher for this award than for Best Actress. Standing in her way, though, is Kate Winslet in Steve Jobs, a favourite with the Academy on both sides of the pond, and the winner.

It will be another big night for the all-conquering The Revenant and another disappointing one for Spotlight, Carol and, indeed, Mad Max: Fury Road, the unexpected Best Picture nominee. Not that British film fans will be able to watch the ceremony live, as it won't be shown on TV here, so check back here on Cubed3 on Monday to find out who were the big winners - and the big losers. Until then, the full list of nominees can be found here.