Oscars predictions 2018

It’s that time of year again when Hollywood dusts off the tuxedos, puts on its lipstick, and hits the red carpet. On March 4th, the great and the good of the world of cinema (but mainly America) will be attending the 90th Academy Awards. Hundreds of millions of people will be paying attention to who cries, who falls over, and of course who walks away with the coveted gold statuettes. Jimmy Kimmel will be this year’s host, and the stage will be full of singing and dancing stars. Let’s just hope that whoever gets to announce best picture gets it right this year, unlike last year’s colossal balls-up.

There are some firsts in this year’s nominations. Netflix has managed to get a total of 8 noms for its various offerings, and the Academy has nominated a woman in the cinematography category for the first time. Of course there’s usually a bit of controversy surrounding some of the nominations, and this year it’s firmly centred on the allegations of sexual abuse that have shaken the film industry recently. Credit has been given from the lowest and highest ends of Twitter for the Academy seemingly bypassing actors and films tainted by allegations of sexual harassment, most notably including James Franco for his role in The Disaster Artist. There’s no official word on why he missed out, but for what was unarguably a stand-out performance, its absence is certainly the elephant in the theatre. However, there’s also disappointment over the perceived snub of Wonder Woman. Whilst unlikely to ever have scooped best actress or movie, certainly had some tasty effects, and let’s not forget that director Patty Jenkins is the highest grossing female director in Hollywood. Maybe the voters just didn’t rate it, or maybe they were afraid that she would bring the lasso of truth up onto the stage with her, either way let’s move on from who and what wasn’t nominated and look at who and what was.

The biggest scoopers of noms are as follows. Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water, a fantasy about a mute janitor who falls in love with an imprisoned sea creature, became this year’s most nominated movie, receiving 13 nominations, including best picture and directing. Next up is Dunkirk with 8 nominations, most of which are in technical categories but is also in the running for best picture and best director. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri comes in a close third with 7, with previous Oscar winner Frances McDormand hotly tipped to take best female in a lead role. Let’s take a look at the full nominations for the main categories.

Best Picture

Call Me By Your Name

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

Get Out

Lady Bird

Phantom Thread

The Post

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I’m happy to see self-aware comedy horror Get Out nominated, and whilst Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, a darkly comic drama of justice and revenge, is certainly worthy of the win, my money is on The Shape of Water. Del Toro’s fishy tale really hits its mark, and should mean that it nets the big prize.

Best Director

Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk

 Jordan Peele – Get Out

 Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird

 Paul Thomas Anderson – Phantom Threadbut

 Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water

Again, great to see Jordan Peele get the credit he so richly deserves, as it is to see Greta Gerwig in the running, but this is between Christopher Nolan and Guillermo Del Toro. It’s damn close, but I’m going with Nolan’s technical precision over Del Toro’s fantastically realised vision, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong on the night.

Best Actor

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me by Your Name

Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out