ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
Tim's Guess: Chadwick Boseman
Lauren's Guess: Riz Ahmed
Olivia's Guess: Steven Yeun
Actual Winner: Anthony Hopkins
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom, Jr. , One Night in Miami...
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Tim's Guess: Daniel Kaluuya
Lauren's Guess: Daniel Kaluuya
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States v. Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Tim's Guess: Frances McDormand
Lauren's Guess: Frances McDormand
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Olivia Coleman, The Father
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Tim's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
Lauren's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
Olivia's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers
Tim's Guess: Soul
Lauren's Guess: Soul
Olivia's Guess: Wolfwalkers
Henry's Guess: Onward
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: Nomadland
Lauren's Guess: Nomadland
Actual Winner: Mank
COSTUME DESIGN
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio
Tim's Guess: Pinocchio
Lauren's Guess: Pinocchio
Olivia's Guess: Mulan
Henry's Guess: Pinocchio
Actual Winner: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
DIRECTING
Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg
Mank, David Fincher
Minari, Lee Isaac Chug
Nomadland, Chloe Zhao
Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell
Tim's Guess: Minari
Lauren's Guess: Mank
Olivia's Guess: Minari
Actual Winner: Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time
Tim's Guess: Time
Actual Winner: My Octopus Teacher
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
"Colette" -While an important topic, especially due the personality of the titular subject, Colette almost feels incomplete. Small in scale for such an important subject, we don't really understand what makes Colette the way she is, shy of dealing with a lifetime of trauma.
"A Concerto Is a Conversation" -More impressive for the way it is shot, this Op-Ed Piece is a very brief look at the realities of Black living, especially during the time of segregation. I wanted to really make the leap from the abstract idea of a father being the owner of a laundry to the progressive life of an artist being able to share himself through music, but I don't know if that connection is as strong as the documentary implies it is.
"Do Not Split" -This is one I have to think about. I've been passionate about protest rights, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter marches of the past year. One of my Chinese students questioned my interest in this documentary and I realized that I don't know enough about this to really take sides. It is visceral and powerful, regardless of political stance though.
"Hunger Ward" -I originally was showing my homeroom this movie, but it does definitely delve into the world of the uncomfortable...which it absolutely should. This is the short that really tore my heart open. It is painful and brutal and a reminder that war affects far more people than the intended targets.
"A Love Song for Latasha" -A very personal piece that connects to the ongoing conversation about racism. Because the story is told from the point of view of those who knew Latasha, we don't get a lot of information on who actually killed her. Instead, the movie is prodding society to question racial assumptions in a vague sense."
Tim's Guess: "Do Not Split"
Actual Winner: "Colette"
FILM EDITING
Yorgos Lamprinos, The Father
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Frederic Thoraval, Promising Young Woman
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, Sound of Metal
Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: The Father
Lauren's Guess: The Father
Actual Winner: Sound of Metal
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Another Round
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida?
Tim's Guess: Another Round
Lauren's Guess: Better Days
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio
Tim's Guess: Hillbilly Elegy
Lauren's Guess: Pinocchio
Olivia's Guess: Pinocchio
Actual Winner: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
ORIGINAL SCORE
Terence Blanchard, Da 5 Bloods
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Mank
Emile Mosseri, Minari
James Newton Howard, News of the World
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Soul
Tim's Guess: Soul
Lauren's Guess: Mank
Olivia's Guess: Soul
Henry's Guess: Soul
Penny's Guess: Soul
ORIGINAL SONG
"Fight for You" Judas and the Black Messiah
"Hear My Voice" The Trial of the Chicago 7
"Husavik" Eurovision Song Contest
"Io Si (Seen)" The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)
"Speak Now" One Night in Miami...
Tim's Guess: "Fight for You"
Lauren's Guess: "Husavik"
BEST PICTURE
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: Minari
Lauren's Guess: Minari
Olivia's Guess: Minari
Actual Winner: Nomadland
PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Father
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World
Tenet
Tim's Guess: Mank
Lauren's Guess: The Father
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"Burrow" -I really liked it. Yeah, it wasn't a tearjerker, which makes me a broken human being. But in terms of aesthetics and cuteness, it nails everything I love about great animated shorts. Sometimes it feels like shorts are made to win Academy Awards. This just feels like a fun passion project.
"Genius Loci" -This might be the most French thing that I've ever watched. There's something in there that really makes me want to love it. But good golly, Miss Molly. There's just this attempt to be next level that it forgot that there's something called heart. And there's some real genius in this movie. It's just so desperate to hide behind that genius that it loses any attempt to be really vulnerable.
"If Anything Happens I Love You" -Geez Louise, this is depressing. This really should have affected me more than it did. There is a moment where I was devastated, but I think the quality of the animation is so poor that it pulls me out of it. Yeah, the message should be out there, but it needs to have the quality to support it.
"Opera"
"Yes-People" -I mean, it's cute. I enjoyed it more than "Genius Loci." But "Yes-People" is a bit of a stretch of the imagination to hold up that level of concept all the way through. The Wire did the same thing with the f-word and it worked way better than this short did. Maybe it's a language barrier thing, but I don't know if the word "yes" has the same effect that the filmmakers wanted it to have.
Tim's Guess: "Burrow"
Actual Winner: If Anything Happens I Love You
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"Feeling Through" -This felt like a lot of the shorts nominated in the past. It really wants to be emotionally important, but it also doesn't really stand out as anything special. That being said, despite the fact that I haven't seen the other one's at the time of writing this, it might win because this is what the Academy always picks.
"The Letter Room" -How is it that I started with this so strongly and then fell off? It's really well acted and I think it has a story that can be justified in a short. But even for a short, it felt like a smidge too long. It also gets a little bit too gross for me at one point, considering Oscar Isaac's character is meant to be sympathetic throughout.
"The Present" -Now this is a short. It's a very tight half-an-hour. It gets to this deep and very human place, while making a political commentary that works. I suppose this might be a little obvious, but it does have a lot of the properties of a short. I know that shouldn't be held against the movie, but it is odd to think of what distances a movie from true excellence.
"Two Distant Strangers" -How can I absolutely love something and find it somewhat annoying? The Groundhog Day thing gets a little played out, especially post Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone. I was really concerned that this was going to be one of those "Just get to know a police officer" stories, but I'm glad that it took a different turn. It does kind of demonize law enforcement, but that's sometimes necessary.
"White Eye" -This might be the only one that feels like it transcends its format. I mean, I don't think it is going to win. I really think that it is going to come down to "Two Distant Strangers" or "The Letter Room". But this is a fine piece of cinema. It's tight and does the job without feeling overly preachy.
Tim's Guess: "The Letter Room"
Actual Winner: Two Distant Strangers
SOUND
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World
Soul
Sound of Metal
Tim's Guess: Sound of Metal
Lauren's Guess: Sound of Metal
VISUAL EFFECTS
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan
Tenet
Tim's Guess: Tenet
Lauren's Guess: Love and Monsters
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father
Nomadland
One Night in Miami...
The White Tiger
Tim's Guess: One Night in Miami...
Lauren's Guess: The White Tiger
Actual Winner: The Father
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: The Trial of the Chicago 7
Lauren's Guess: Sound of Metal
Actual Winner: Promising Young Woman
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
Tim's Guess: Chadwick Boseman
Lauren's Guess: Riz Ahmed
Olivia's Guess: Steven Yeun
Actual Winner: Anthony Hopkins
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom, Jr. , One Night in Miami...
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Tim's Guess: Daniel Kaluuya
Lauren's Guess: Daniel Kaluuya
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States v. Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Tim's Guess: Frances McDormand
Lauren's Guess: Frances McDormand
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Olivia Coleman, The Father
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Tim's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
Lauren's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
Olivia's Guess: Yuh-Jung Youn
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers
Tim's Guess: Soul
Lauren's Guess: Soul
Olivia's Guess: Wolfwalkers
Henry's Guess: Onward
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: Nomadland
Lauren's Guess: Nomadland
Actual Winner: Mank
COSTUME DESIGN
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio
Tim's Guess: Pinocchio
Lauren's Guess: Pinocchio
Olivia's Guess: Mulan
Henry's Guess: Pinocchio
Actual Winner: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
DIRECTING
Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg
Mank, David Fincher
Minari, Lee Isaac Chug
Nomadland, Chloe Zhao
Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell
Tim's Guess: Minari
Lauren's Guess: Mank
Olivia's Guess: Minari
Actual Winner: Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time
Tim's Guess: Time
Actual Winner: My Octopus Teacher
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
"Colette" -While an important topic, especially due the personality of the titular subject, Colette almost feels incomplete. Small in scale for such an important subject, we don't really understand what makes Colette the way she is, shy of dealing with a lifetime of trauma.
"A Concerto Is a Conversation" -More impressive for the way it is shot, this Op-Ed Piece is a very brief look at the realities of Black living, especially during the time of segregation. I wanted to really make the leap from the abstract idea of a father being the owner of a laundry to the progressive life of an artist being able to share himself through music, but I don't know if that connection is as strong as the documentary implies it is.
"Do Not Split" -This is one I have to think about. I've been passionate about protest rights, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter marches of the past year. One of my Chinese students questioned my interest in this documentary and I realized that I don't know enough about this to really take sides. It is visceral and powerful, regardless of political stance though.
"Hunger Ward" -I originally was showing my homeroom this movie, but it does definitely delve into the world of the uncomfortable...which it absolutely should. This is the short that really tore my heart open. It is painful and brutal and a reminder that war affects far more people than the intended targets.
"A Love Song for Latasha" -A very personal piece that connects to the ongoing conversation about racism. Because the story is told from the point of view of those who knew Latasha, we don't get a lot of information on who actually killed her. Instead, the movie is prodding society to question racial assumptions in a vague sense."
Tim's Guess: "Do Not Split"
Actual Winner: "Colette"
FILM EDITING
Yorgos Lamprinos, The Father
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Frederic Thoraval, Promising Young Woman
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, Sound of Metal
Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: The Father
Lauren's Guess: The Father
Actual Winner: Sound of Metal
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Another Round
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida?
Tim's Guess: Another Round
Lauren's Guess: Better Days
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio
Tim's Guess: Hillbilly Elegy
Lauren's Guess: Pinocchio
Olivia's Guess: Pinocchio
Actual Winner: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
ORIGINAL SCORE
Terence Blanchard, Da 5 Bloods
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Mank
Emile Mosseri, Minari
James Newton Howard, News of the World
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Soul
Tim's Guess: Soul
Lauren's Guess: Mank
Olivia's Guess: Soul
Henry's Guess: Soul
Penny's Guess: Soul
ORIGINAL SONG
"Fight for You" Judas and the Black Messiah
"Hear My Voice" The Trial of the Chicago 7
"Husavik" Eurovision Song Contest
"Io Si (Seen)" The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)
"Speak Now" One Night in Miami...
Tim's Guess: "Fight for You"
Lauren's Guess: "Husavik"
BEST PICTURE
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: Minari
Lauren's Guess: Minari
Olivia's Guess: Minari
Actual Winner: Nomadland
PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Father
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World
Tenet
Tim's Guess: Mank
Lauren's Guess: The Father
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"Burrow" -I really liked it. Yeah, it wasn't a tearjerker, which makes me a broken human being. But in terms of aesthetics and cuteness, it nails everything I love about great animated shorts. Sometimes it feels like shorts are made to win Academy Awards. This just feels like a fun passion project.
"Genius Loci" -This might be the most French thing that I've ever watched. There's something in there that really makes me want to love it. But good golly, Miss Molly. There's just this attempt to be next level that it forgot that there's something called heart. And there's some real genius in this movie. It's just so desperate to hide behind that genius that it loses any attempt to be really vulnerable.
"If Anything Happens I Love You" -Geez Louise, this is depressing. This really should have affected me more than it did. There is a moment where I was devastated, but I think the quality of the animation is so poor that it pulls me out of it. Yeah, the message should be out there, but it needs to have the quality to support it.
"Opera"
"Yes-People" -I mean, it's cute. I enjoyed it more than "Genius Loci." But "Yes-People" is a bit of a stretch of the imagination to hold up that level of concept all the way through. The Wire did the same thing with the f-word and it worked way better than this short did. Maybe it's a language barrier thing, but I don't know if the word "yes" has the same effect that the filmmakers wanted it to have.
Tim's Guess: "Burrow"
Actual Winner: If Anything Happens I Love You
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"Feeling Through" -This felt like a lot of the shorts nominated in the past. It really wants to be emotionally important, but it also doesn't really stand out as anything special. That being said, despite the fact that I haven't seen the other one's at the time of writing this, it might win because this is what the Academy always picks.
"The Letter Room" -How is it that I started with this so strongly and then fell off? It's really well acted and I think it has a story that can be justified in a short. But even for a short, it felt like a smidge too long. It also gets a little bit too gross for me at one point, considering Oscar Isaac's character is meant to be sympathetic throughout.
"The Present" -Now this is a short. It's a very tight half-an-hour. It gets to this deep and very human place, while making a political commentary that works. I suppose this might be a little obvious, but it does have a lot of the properties of a short. I know that shouldn't be held against the movie, but it is odd to think of what distances a movie from true excellence.
"Two Distant Strangers" -How can I absolutely love something and find it somewhat annoying? The Groundhog Day thing gets a little played out, especially post Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone. I was really concerned that this was going to be one of those "Just get to know a police officer" stories, but I'm glad that it took a different turn. It does kind of demonize law enforcement, but that's sometimes necessary.
"White Eye" -This might be the only one that feels like it transcends its format. I mean, I don't think it is going to win. I really think that it is going to come down to "Two Distant Strangers" or "The Letter Room". But this is a fine piece of cinema. It's tight and does the job without feeling overly preachy.
Tim's Guess: "The Letter Room"
Actual Winner: Two Distant Strangers
SOUND
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World
Soul
Sound of Metal
Tim's Guess: Sound of Metal
Lauren's Guess: Sound of Metal
VISUAL EFFECTS
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan
Tenet
Tim's Guess: Tenet
Lauren's Guess: Love and Monsters
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father
Nomadland
One Night in Miami...
The White Tiger
Tim's Guess: One Night in Miami...
Lauren's Guess: The White Tiger
Actual Winner: The Father
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tim's Guess: The Trial of the Chicago 7
Lauren's Guess: Sound of Metal
Actual Winner: Promising Young Woman
