Award season is upon us and 2015 has been another amazing year in film. Despite the recent controversy with the #oscarssowhite, the ceremony promises to be another classic event. So if you’re unsure as to who to place you’re bet on, don’t worry HerCampus has got you!
Best Picture:
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight
Who will win: The Revenant
It was a close one this year, but it’s going to have to be the Revenant who takes home the Oscar this year. A beautifully shot film that left me feeling absolutely frozen and paranoid about bears in woods. Iñárritu has blended punishing physical filmmaking with still shots of the harsh but tranquil landscape. A tough watch but well worth it.
Best Director:
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Who will win: Alejandro González Iñárritu
See above for reasons! Despite, George Miller’s crazily high speed filming making Mad Max one of the most exciting films of the year, the Academy will most likely reward Iñárritu for a second year running.
Best Actor:
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne
Who will win: Leonardo DiCaprio
Come on, we’ve been waiting for this one since Titanic. Not only is it one of Leo’s best performances but he deserves the award just for sheer consistency, and the fact that there was enough space for him to fit onto that floating door. (Looking at you Winslet)
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Who will win: Brie Larson
Despite another powerhouse performance from Cate Blanchett and another nomination for Academy Award sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence, Brie Larson is the favourite after her wins at the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards. Beautifully portraying a balance between a terrified, captured girl and a strong mother who is trying to create a fairy tale, safe world for her son. It’s safe to say that Larson’s first nomination will also be her first win.
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Who will win: Alicia Vikander
Vikander’s role in The Danish Girl could have followed the usual line of bland supportive wife, but Vikander’s take on the character steals the spotlight away from Redmayne’s Lili. The film may not be one of the year’s best but Vikander certainly deserves the award for her performance.
Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Who will win: Mark Rylance
This one may be more of a who should win than who will win. Simply because of this actor’s sheer brilliance both on stage and on screen. Anyone who has seen Spielberg’s Cold War thriller will note the subtle, yet powerful performance by Rylance which will leave you rooting for the Russian spy.
Best Animated Feature Film:
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There
Who will win: Inside Out
Pixar has done it again! In my opinion, Inside Out should have been nominated for Best Picture, let alone Best Animated Feature Film. Despite the fact that we’re going through a renaissance in terms of animation and the fact that Anomalisa is perhaps one of the most interesting animations of all time, this tear-jerking fest proves yet again that Pixar films are not for kids!
Tune in to the Academy Awards on Sunday 28th February (or more likely watch it online on Monday!) Here’s hoping Leo!