Since it is still soon to predict the nominees as major films like Joy, Revenant, Hateful Eight and Carol haven't opnened in theatres, we are looking at the films with maximum chances at being nominated.
To predict the nominees this year, I have analysed predictions made by 10 different reports including Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Gold derby, Awards Circuit and Awards Daily. So without wasting time. let's get started with the Best picture.
1. BEST PICTURE
Last year it was Birdman vs Boyhood. The year before it was 12 Years a Slave all the way. A year before Black Swan vs The King's Speech.
This year we have no less than 13 contenders for the top spot. There are box office hits like Sicario, Mad Max and The Martian, while at the same time festival favs like Son of Saul, Youth and Spotlight contending for the Best Picture. Revenant hasn't released yet, but the few reviews it has got confirm it a spot on the nomination list.
Martian, Spotlight, Room, Brooklyn have fixed 4 spots. What about the next 4 or 5 spots? At this time it seems like Joy, Revenant, Bridge of Spies, Carol and Inside Out will make the cut. That makes it 8. If the Academy decides to have a 9th or 10th spot, it will be Hateful Eight according to me. If Hateful Eight turns out as good as Tarantino's last few movies, it might edge Steve Jobs out of the nominee list. It seems unlikely that Danish Girl or Mad Max will make the cut. But don't be surprised if a small film like Beasts of No Nation or Anomalisa make the cut.
Nominees will be-
The Martian
Brooklyn
Room
Spotlight
Joy
The Revenant
Bridge of Spies
Inside Out
Steve Jobs
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Final Fight- The Martian vs Spotlight
Who will win- Spotlight (Usually Academy doesnt award outright box office behemoths and its bias against sci-fi is well known , remember Gravity?
2. BEST ACTOR
A refreshing change at the Oscars will be that this year The best actor Race is one of the most boring awards race ever. Every Year there are so many great male performances that there are atleast 7-8 performances all worthy of winning. This year it was a tough job to even come up with 5 nominees.
Nominees
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant
Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl
Johnnie Depp- Black mass
Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
Matt Damon – The Martian
Final Fight- Leonardo Di Caprio vs Matt Damon
Who will Win- Not very clear though Leonardo Di Caprio seems to have an edge but we will know only after Revenant releases (Eddie Redmayne won't win consecutively, Steve Jobs is very unlikeable)
3. BEST ACTRESS
The Best Actor's race seems to have shifted to the Best Actress's race this year. There are atleast 7 performances which would have won if this was any other year. But it's not the case in 2015. Cate blanchett seemed to be leading until a few months ago but the academy took 19 years to give Meryl Streep her 3rd Oscar, Surely they will make Blanchett wait a bit longer than 2 years. Her co-star from carol, Rooney Mara won Best Actress at Cannes this year, but she is being promoted as Supporting Actress. Older women like Charlotte Ramping and Lily Tomlin have given the performance of their lifetime in 45 years and Grandma. Yet none of them seem to be winning this year. This year has seen 2 not so known actresses giving heart felt performances in Room and Brooklyn and are said to be leading contenders for the coveted prize.
Nominees this year-
Brie larson, Room
Cate Blacnhett, Carol
Jennifer lawrence, Joy
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Charlotte Ramping, 45 Years
Final Fight- Brie Larson vs Cate Blanchett
Who will win- Brie Larson (Room)
4. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Spotlight with a huge ensemble cast seems to be locked for 2 nominations in this category. The other person who is getting a lot of buzz is benicio De toro for Sicario. Tom Hardy may have a good chance of he is as good as they are saying he is in the Revenant.
The nominees will be
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Michael Keaton, Spotlight
Benicio del Toro, Sicario
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Final Fight- Michael Keaton vs Mark Ruffalo vs Tom Hardy
Who will Win- Unclear since Revenant hasn't released but Spotlight is leading
5. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees-
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Rooney Mara, Carol
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Jane Fonda, Youth
Jennifer Jason-Leight, The Hateful Eight
Final Fight- Rooney Mara vs Alicia Vikander
Who will win- Rooney Mara (Hands Down)
6. BEST DIRECTOR
Nominees-
Tom McCarthy, "Spotlight"
Alejandro González Iñárritu, "The Revenant"
Ridley Scott, "The Martian"
David O. Russell, "Joy"
Ryan Coogler, "Creed"
Final Fight- Tom McCarthy vs Ridley Scott
Who will win- Ridley Scott (Give him his first Oscar, come on)
7. BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Nominees-
Carol
Room
Brooklyn
Steve Jobs
Anomalisa
Final Fight- Carol vs Room
Who will Win- Carol
Let the Games Begin! Find the awards season schedule below-
9th Dec 2015- SAG Awards nominations announced
10th Dec 2015- Golden Globe nominations announced
10th Jan - Golden Globe Awards (Tina and Amy won't be returning)
14th Jan- Academy Award Nominations announced
30th Jan - SAG Awards
6th Feb - DGA Awards
14th Feb - BAFTA Awards
28th Feb - 88th Annual Academy Awards (Hosted by Chris Rock)
Watch out for next post regarding Golden Globes.
