ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadiwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
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
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States v. Billie Holliday (REVIEW PENDING)
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman (REVIEW PENDING)
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy (REVIEW PENDING)
Olivia Coleman, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7
COSTUME DESIGN
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio
DIRECTING
Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg
Mank, David Fincher
Minari, Lee Isaac Chug
Nomadland, Chloe Zhao
Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time
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."
FILM EDITING
Yorgos Lamprinos, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Frederic Thoraval, Promising Young Woman
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, Sound of Metal
Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Another Round
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida?
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy (REVIEW PENDING)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio
ORIGINAL SCORE
Terence Blanchard, Da 5 Bloods
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Mank
Emile Mosseri, Minari
James Newton Howard, News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, 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...
BEST PICTURE
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Tenet
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.
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"
"White Eye"
SOUND
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Soul
Sound of Metal
VISUAL EFFECTS
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan (REVIEW PENDING)
Tenet
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Nomadland
One Night in Miami...
The White Tiger (REVIEW PENDING)
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadiwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari
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
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States v. Billie Holliday (REVIEW PENDING)
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman (REVIEW PENDING)
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy (REVIEW PENDING)
Olivia Coleman, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7
COSTUME DESIGN
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio
DIRECTING
Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg
Mank, David Fincher
Minari, Lee Isaac Chug
Nomadland, Chloe Zhao
Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time
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."
FILM EDITING
Yorgos Lamprinos, The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Frederic Thoraval, Promising Young Woman
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, Sound of Metal
Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Another Round
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida?
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy (REVIEW PENDING)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio
ORIGINAL SCORE
Terence Blanchard, Da 5 Bloods
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Mank
Emile Mosseri, Minari
James Newton Howard, News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, 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...
BEST PICTURE
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Tenet
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.
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"
"White Eye"
SOUND
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World (REVIEW PENDING)
Soul
Sound of Metal
VISUAL EFFECTS
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan (REVIEW PENDING)
Tenet
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father (REVIEW PENDING)
Nomadland
One Night in Miami...
The White Tiger (REVIEW PENDING)
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
