My 2015-2016 Oscar Predictions – Part 4: The Majors

Now I finish my predictions with the “big 6”: the acting categories, director and of course Best Picture.

BEST PICTURE:
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Bridge of Spies
Spotlight
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road

So it seems to be coming down to Spotlight vs. The Big Short.  From my limited research, The Big Short won the producer’s guild award, which has proven to be a good indicator of what the Oscars will do, so that’s what we’re going with! And I personally like that movie a lot, so I’m good with it.

Prediction: The Big Short

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DIRECTING:
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, The Revenant
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Lenny Abrahamson, Room

Hmm, could Inarritu win two years in a row? Probably not.  If Big Short wins best pic, MacKay will probably win this one.  And then people will make a big deal about the Anchorman director winning an Oscar.

Personally though I would love to see them give it to George Miller.

Prediction: The Big Short

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ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Okay, this is certainly going to be Leo’s year.  Everyone is predicting it, and he doesn’t have a ton of competition.  Matt Damon of course was good in “comedy of the year” The Martian, but I don’t think its going to get him the gold.  Fassbender was apparently brilliant as Steve Jobs, but no one saw it (including myself, but I do really want to!).  Besides, The Revenant provided one of those tour de force roles that they love to celebrate.

Prediction: The Revenant

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ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Is Jennifer Lawrence becoming the Oscar’s younger version of Meryl Streep, just getting nominated for whatever?  Anyways, she’s not gonna win.  Most of the buzz is around Brie Larson in Room.

Prediction: Room

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ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

Oh, some good choices here.  I really liked Bale in Big Short, but I dont think its his year.  I haven’t seen Spotlight or Bridge of Spies yet, but would like to.  The person who I think deserves it is Tom Hardy who was excellent as the villain role in Revenant.  Buuuuuut, I’m pretty sure they’re giving it to Stallone as an aging Rocky.  I mean, its The Oscars.  They love Rocky.

Prediction: Creed

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ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Alicia Vikander is the “it girl” right now.  At least among cinephiles, I don’t think general audiences have a clue who she is.  But she’ll probably win.

Prediction: The Danish Girl