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93rd Annual Academy Awards Poster

93rd Annual Academy Awards - Oscar Picks by Reviews by Matthew

The 93rd Annual Academy Awards were originally scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2021. Now, they’re scheduled for Sunday April 25, 2021, right during my return flight from New Orleans. I’m not particularly dismayed by that but I’m terribly pressured by the fact that I’m leaving for vacation a full week ahead of time. Coupled with a 2020 that saw a grossly low percentage of films released, this race and write-up, are looking grimmer and grimmer.

Be that as it may, we’re here, I’ll be there, and these are the races and choices we’re facing. So, in an effort to provide some chicken salad for this season’s sustenance, here are my Oscar picks for the 93rd Annual Academy Awards.

Note: For those of you that are new to this write-up, there’s a section located on the very last page called, “Oscars At A Glance”. There you can find a quick list of the winners that I’ve chosen for every category. So, now the both of us can play without all the distracting words getting in the way of the bottom line.

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-m-'s: Oscars At A Glance: How many will I get correct ? Totals - 17 out of 24 picked
Category -m-'s Picks The Oscar goes to:
Best Picture – Nomadland Nomadland
Best Director – Nomadland–Chloe Zhao Nomadland–Chloe Zhao
Best Actor – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom - Chadwick Boseman Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Best Actress – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom -Viola Davis Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Best Supporting Actor – Judas and the Black Messiah–Daniel Kaluuya Judas and the Black Messiah–Daniel Kaluuya
Best Supporting Actress – Minari - Yuh-Jung Youn Minari - Yuh-Jung Youn
Best Animated Picture - Soul Soul
Best Screenplany (Original) – Promising Young Woman–Emerald Fennell Promising Young Woman–Emerald Fennell
Best Screenplay (Adapted) – The Father - Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller The Father - Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller
Best Cinematography – Nomadland Mank
Best Art Direction – Best Production Design Mank Mank
Best Costume Design – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Best Makeup – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Best Film Editing – The Trial of the Chicago 7 Sound of Metal
Best Original Score – Soul Soul
Best Original Song – One Night in Miami – Speak Now Fight For You, Judas and the Black Messiah
Best Sound – Sound of Metal Sound of Metal
Best Visual Effects – Tenet Tenet
Best International Feature - Another Round Another Round
Best Documentary (Feature) - My Octopus Teacher My Octopus Teacher
Best Documentary (Short Subject) – A Love Song for Latasha Colette
Best Short Film (Animation) – If Anything Happens I Love You If Anything Happens I Love You
Best Short Film (Live Action) – Two Distant Strangers Two Distant Strangers

PICTURE –
The Father” – Rooting through this list of nominees and potential winners, I was one click away from sending Florian Zeller’s six-time nominee home empty handed. But I feel like the film is picking up some very late season steam at just the right time; the right time for me at least. Read on to see where this film finds its Oscar gold.

Judas and the Black Messiah” – For all the strength of its statements and performances, it’s not a film that’s making enough buzz this award season to bet on it winning the Academy’s top honor.

Mank” – Old Hollywood on the big screen in all its original-feeling splendor. That splendor is provided by thrice nominated David Fincher (The Social Network), a director the Academy shows little respect for. So, to me, the outcome here appears unfortunately obvious.

Minari” – A small film with a big heart that’s clearly worth rooting for. Expect this one to go home with a little something before the night is over.

Nomadland” – The smallest and most boring film in this group. I’m unfortunately not a fan and can’t seem to bridge the gap of understanding that sees this film garner as much attention and award-winning probability as it has. Be that as it may, smart bets are made with the wallet, not the heart.

Promising Young Woman” – The gaze-flipping effectiveness of this revenge fantasy should be evidence enough that anyone’s story can be adapted into a commercial Hollywood-type film. I wouldn’t ever say that the flip is subversive, or what garner’s this film an award here, but in the race for the finish line, “Promising Young Woman” is a strong contender.

Sound of Metal” – A personal favorite, that’s small enough to get lost in the middle of the pack.

The Trial of the Chicago 7” – I do think this is the most recognizable Oscar-type film in the group. Not sure exactly what that counts for today, but it’s an easily awardable film. In the final standings here though, it probably places third at best.

DIRECTOR –
Another Round” –Thomas Vinterberg becomes the fourth international director to be nominated for this award over the last three years. And although he won’t win, his nomination should be noted by audiences as a continued statement concerning the quality and efficacy of foreign films. After the recent back-to-back wins of Alfonso Cuaron (Roma) and Bong-Joon Ho (Parasite) this should be self-evident, and I hope the trend continues.

Mank” – David Fincher’s name and reputation have arguably kept him from receiving this award in year’s past. I’d love to bet on a change to that narrative this year as Fincher has delivered a stunning companion piece to arguably the greatest film ever made, and he’s done so without making a scene. Unfortunately, this race was decided long ago.

Minari” – Korean/American writer and director Lee Isaac Chung is being honored this year more for his writing than for his directing.  I wish I had more hope for him but winning only one directing award this season kind of seals the deal.

Nomadland” – I’m not a fan of the film, but Chloe Zhao has forty+ Award Circuit wins for Best Director…First time nominee or not, you can’t bet against that.

Promising Young Woman” – I think this film is poised to surprise a lot of people; it’s certainly upset the early Oscar landscape with strong word-of-mouth and award season wins to back up the talk. First-time director Emerald Fennell (Season 2 showrunner for “Killing Eve”) delivers a film that places a shocking issue on the table of an unsuspecting audience and does so with a lithe and unexpected grace. I don’t expect an upset here, but Fennell’s easily a strong second.

ACTOR –
Sound of Metal” – I’m a Riz Ahmed fan and am really excited to see him nominated here, I think this is earned.

Ma Raineys Black Bottom” – Wakanda Forever, Yo!

The Father” – At 83 years old, Anthony Hopkins is now the oldest Best Actor nominee and, for all intents and purposes, should be the oldest Best Actor winner. This is a tour de force performance that is the only possible upset of the category.

Mank” – As the most recently awarded actor in the category, Gary Oldman is a long shot bet here. His drunken third act show-stopping performance solidifies the rightfulness of the nomination but can’t secure the win.

Minari” – Some might be very surprised by Steven Yeun’s nomination this year, but I swear he’s been a quiet and steadily brewing talent for some time. Maybe you should thank the lack of film releases in 2020 for landing his work back on your radar.

ACTRESS –
Ma Raineys Black Bottom” – Viola Davis’ SAG win shows that people are paying as equitable attention to her powerfully dignified and defiant performance as to that of Chadwick Boseman’s, and rightfully so. Having previously won a Supporting Actress award for Fences, awarding-up for Davis feels like the right bet to me. In a night that’s going to make Oscar history, Davis can become the first black actress with two Oscar wins.

The United States Vs. Billie Holiday” – Andra Day won the Golden Globe but then failed to be nominated at SAG or BAFTA. Couple that, with “Promising Young Woman’s” late season push and Viola Davis’ SAG win, and the odds of Day as the frontrunner fall right out of favor.

Pieces of a Woman” – This Vanessa Kirby nomination was a bit surprising but not unfathomable. I don’t think the character experiences or expresses enough change to produce a win, but I do expect this nomination to garner Kirby the kind of work and notice that will see her nominated again in the future.

Nomadland” – I’m not willing to give Frances McDormand the win here outright. Don’t get me wrong, as she’s fully invested and loses herself in her character, but as an history making third acting Oscar it feels too small, while Davis’ history making second Oscar feels just right. Don’t fret though, McDormand will win a producing Oscar when the film wins Best Picture.

Promising Young Woman” – Carey Mulligan delivers a strong and thorough performance without ever moving into overbearing territory. As the film garners a lot of late award season attention this would be a great and deserved win for the two-time Academy Award nominee. However, she’s up against Oscar history and winning only the Critic’s Choice award doesn’t bode well for her chances.

SUPPORTING ACTOR –
The Trial of the Chicago 7” – Even with this worthy performance from Sacha Baron Cohen, and bolstered by the industry recognition of Borat, this win would be an upset.

Judas and the Black Messiah” – Powerful, mesmerizing, and unable to overcome the voting for Chadwick Boseman in the Best Actor category. Somebody’s seeing to the fact that Daniel Kaluuya’s performance is just as worthy of Oscar gold.

One Night in Miami” – Leslie Odom, Jr. is only one of four strong voices in the film. And as beautiful as that voice is, it’s completely overshadowed by Kaluuya’s raw power. Don’t fret though. The Grammy and Tony Award winner should be garnering the Best Song Oscar, so…Three Down, One to Go: #e.G.O.T

Sound of Metal” - This category’s dark horse, Paul Raci, delivers a non-nonsense performance of a no-nonsense character that strongly rounds out this collective, but won’t produce the win.

Judas and the Black Messiah” – I’m less excited about his performance in the film than I am for the opportunities that, “Oscar Nominee Lakeith Stanfield” will bring him, and by extension, the audience, going forward.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS –
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” – Maria Bakalova is, in my opinion, the hype-focused face of the category. Historically, the Supporting awards are more easily doled out to comedic performances, but I think there’s a quieter surprise in store this year.

Hillbilly Elegy” – Glenn Close is an eight-time Oscar nominee who remains a bridesmaid again this year. There just isn’t enough support for Hillbilly Elegy, or her performance, to imagine a win here.

The Father” – I didn’t get to see the film, but everything I’ve heard about it concerns Anthony Hopkins’ performance. Don’t get me wrong, this category could play out in any number of ways, but a win for Olivia Coleman here, as earned as it may be, would still surprise.

Mank” – Amanda Seyfried gives a solid supporting performance, but I don’t see it as Oscar worthy.

Minari” – The 73-year old Yuh-Jung Youn is an icon of Korean cinema. In Minari, she’s delivered a critically acclaimed and awarded performance (winning SAG and BAFTA) that I’m betting breaks through the limited veneer of the hype-focused Oscar landscape. #Surprise!

ANIMATED FEATURE
Onward” – Disney/Pixar has two films nominated in this category this year and “Onward” is easily the weaker of the two.

Over the Moon” – I just didn’t get to it this year, but kind of figured that I really didn’t need to.

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” – While I really enjoy the Shaun the Sheep movies, even I know better than to bet my biscuits that any one of them has a chance of usurping Pixar on the medal stage.

Soul” – Almost assuredly this year’s winner. With three total nominations and a shit-ton of accolades, it stands as stiff competition amongst this group.

Wolfwalkers” – The year’s most likely runner-up is actually a worthy winner, comparatively, but Disney/Pixar has always been one hell of an opponent.

SCREENPLAY ORIGINAL
Judas and the Black Messiah” – Will Berson & Shaka King deliver a strong script with some powerful things to say, but as award season moves on, this one slips to third at best.

Minari” – Korean/American writer and director Lee Isaac Chung has delivered a love-letter that’s bound to remain largely unread on the Oscar stage this year.

Promising Young Woman” – Emerald Fennell delivers this somewhat light-hearted but thoroughly stone-cold revenge fantasy with an entertainingly real verve. Fennell scored the WGA honors and Promising Young Woman is picking up award-winning steam from voters as its exposure and word-of-mouth grows. #Who’sAaronSorkin

Sound of Metal” – Darius & Abraham Marder delivered a real surprise last year with this film about deafness and Recovery. The attention the film has garnered is a testament to interest, and a statement for, both topics. The film is bound to upset a category or two, but with such stiff competition, I wouldn’t think it upsets here.

The Trial of the Chicago 7” – Aaron Sorkin looked strong for the first half of award season. Late in the game though, competition from under-represented voices making powerful statements, look to overtake him.

SCREENPLAY ADAPTED
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” – What the heck is this movie supposed to be adapted from? Wait, and it won an award from the Writer’s guild? Sheesh!

The Father” – Adapted from writer/director Florian Zeller’s own award-winning play, this would be my bet for a surprise win if one were fortunate enough to take place. Moving into the final week of award season, such a surprise feels likely.

Nomadland” – Chloe Zhao has been the odds-on favorite all award season, but moving into the final week of voting, I feel like Zhao can be passed over here in favor of securing all the Best Picture nominees at least one win.

One Night in Miami” – Kemp Powers does a great job of adapting his stage play for the screen, but with such little movement behind WGA-lauded frontrunners, Borat and Nomadland, a win here would be quite a surprise.

The White Tiger” – I’ve been itching to see this one since the trailer originally launched, but with all the other screenings to be done, no other nominations to speak of, and Nomadland to face here, I think I’ll wait till after award season ends to enjoy this one.

PRODUCTION DESIGN / ART DIRECTION
The Father” – I honestly think that there’s a chance here for The Father to score a win. The breathy but still claustrophobic confines of Hopkins’ flat are impressively ingrained.

Ma Raineys Black Bottom” – Limited in scope, the film uses its small spaces powerfully and metaphorically to help rank it highly amongst its competitors, but I ultimately don’t think that’s gonna get this one over the top.

Mank” – The admittedly too few street shots are still packed with classic vehicles, the interiors thrill throughout, and Hearst’s castle is an honorarium to Kane’s Xanadu. If the Academy can’t get behind that, they’re blinder than any of us thought.

News of the World” – I think the production design is one of the strongest elements of the film. Having said that, I still don’t think it’s strong enough to pull off a win.
 
Tenet” – Outside of the Sound awards, which this film is not nominated for, I don’t think anyone cares about “Tenet”.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah” – Think early, grittier, Scorsese. I’d think that’d be an exciting enough statement to get the Academy voter’s pens a-clicking, but “nomination reality” sets in and it doesn’t look good. Cinematographer Sean Bobbit has a grand total of three nominations for the film (Oscar, BAFTA, and Black Reel), and no wins to speak of.

Mank” – Erik Messerschmidt at least has some nominations behind his name this year, thirty-four of them to be exact. However, it’s that five-win total accompanying them that’s giving me pause.

News of the World” – I think the drone shots go a long way in helping Dariusz Wolski garner the nomination, but I didn’t see enough “other” to consider him a contender.

Nomadland” – It’s looking more and more like Joshua James Richards is the only bet to place here.

The Trial of the Chicago 7” – I’m a big fan of Phedon Papamichael’s work in this film but seeing a complete lack of nominations across the Award landscape, excepting ASC (American Society of Cinematographers), I think the writing on the wall is lensed rather clearly.

FILM EDITING
The Father” – With only three wins on the year, Chloe Zhao in the race, and no drums to rally the voters, Yorgos Lamprinos is a long shot.

Nomadland” – Chloe Zhao is clearly the most recognizable name of this award season, and I get a strong feeling that a win here would reflect more on that rather than on actual merit.

Promising Young Woman” – Being aware of this nomination prior to screening the film, I specifically watched and waited for something special to happen. When it was over, and nothing had, I figured I missed something. So, I’m scratching my head over this nomination, because I don’t see a single reason for it.

Sound of Metal” – Every so often a small and quiet film comes along that surprises a number of people with award wins; think “Whiplash” (2014). I don’t expect the same outcome here. I’m just saying, don’t be so surprised if it’s the same outcome here.

The Trial of the Chicago 7” – The film’s opening montage demonstrates Alan Baumgarten’s ability to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s characters, setup, and exposition with such captivating brevity and stunning thoroughness that it should rightfully win.

COSTUME
Emma” – Alexandra Byrne has a thrilling filmography that crosses genres from Hamlet to Marvel. That’s not gonna get it done this year but, Wow, that’s impressive.

Ma Raineys Black Bottom” – Five-time Oscar nominee, Ann Roth delivers a sharp set of era appropriate garb from the 1920s, but it’s those damn shoes that put her over the top.

Mank” – First-time nominee, Trish Summerville delivers for the era but, in black & white, there’s no significant “Wow” factor to warrant a win.

Mulan” – Lavish, stylish, colorful and plentiful these costumes from Bina Daigler (Only Lovers Left Alive) are my absolute favorite of the year. However, being “my favorite” has rarely been a big help.

Pinocchio” – With Massimo Cantini Parrini’s guild award loss to Bina Daigler’s work in Mulan I think this race is finished.

MAKEUP
Emma” – I wish I had something, anything, to say about Emma and its chances this year. I didn’t see the film, and so I’ve got legitimately nothing to go on. #JournalistFail

Hillbilly Elegy” – I think there’s no denying that Glenn Close was completely transformed physically for her role as Mamaw. More often than not that translates into Oscar Gold, but without the support for an acting win you can expect this scenario to play out swimmingly for Ma Rainey and Co instead.

Ma Raineys Black Bottom” – MUAH deals in five film awards: two Period, two Contemporary, and one Special Make-Up Effects. Ma Raineys Black Bottom scored both Period Piece awards. The contemporary wins went to Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. While Pinocchio scored the Special Make-Up Effects. This isn’t rocket science, just simple math: 2+0+1 = Oscar Gold.

Mank” – I know there’s more to the makeup here than just a young Orson Wells, but that’s the obvious standout. Amongst this group of standouts though, it’s not going to be enough.

Pinocchio” – If MUAH is the basis for my pick, I can’t discount the chance of the Special Make Up Effects winner, so I acknowledge its placement here and then vote Ma Rainey.

ORIGINAL SCORE
Da 5 Bloods” – Terence Blanchard’s score is about as tempered and militaristic as the film itself. It’s actually a bit more solid, to me, but does little to set itself apart or truly stand out.

Mank” – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have “nailed it” here with this lively and thoroughly animated score that should easily be considered award-winning. If it weren’t for the fact that Reznor and Ross are also nominated for Soul, I’d consider it a shoe-in.

Minari” – Emile Mosseri’s score is exactly the kind of music I buy on vinyl and then play to fill my home with gestating moods of variable identities. I’m finding it a bit of a statement from an up and coming composer doing work that should be as well regarded as scores from Thom Yorke (Phantom Thread) and Ludwig Goransson (Black Panther). Granted, it’s not really like either of those scores at all, but if these are the fruits of a new breed of composers, I’m all ears.

News of the World” – James Newton Howard is a nine-time Oscar nominee whose trip to the Oscar stage is still pending.

Soul” – When looking at Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ two Score nominations I find the deciding factor is the addition of John Batiste’s name. That’s the punch that puts Soul over the top.

ORIGINAL SONG
Judas and the Black Messiah”: Fight For You – A perfectly popular and respected talent, H.E.R.’s modern/retro inspired soul has an edge that just might push it over the finish line this year.

The Trial of the Chicago 7”: Hear My Voice – Performed by Celeste, this similarly modern/retro inspired soul adds a whole other depth of feeling, think Norah Jones, that rivals H.E.R. competently for this award.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”: Husavik – The most uplifting and emotional song of these nominees had me actually welling up in a “first-time I heard Let It Go (from Frozen)” kind of way. I can’t imagine a voting split amongst the bigger contenders allowing an upset here, so the best I foresee is awarding it a place on my iPod.

The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti A Se)”: Io Si (Seen) – A dark horse of a track from a well regard but otherwise un-nominated film. The crux here is song writer, and twelve-time Oscar nominee, Diane Warren. If the Academy splits on the three frontrunners, I’d expect Warren’s name to be an easier box check than Eurovision.

One Night in Miami: Speak Now – Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. has the most beautiful voice in this category, and he absolutely crushes as Sam Cooke. So, while this may not be the strongest track in the group, considering his Best Supporting Actor loss, I’m betting here on a win.

SOUND (Combined Sound Editing and Sound Mixing Categories)
Greyhound” – The biggest “Boom!” for sure, but I think this year’s gonna see a quieter and more appreciated film win.

Mank” – So much for a cinephile to love but so little Oscar gold to go around.

News of the World” – There’s actually a healthy amount of material here to vote for, I just don’t think anyone’s going to.

Soul” – Not since, The Incredibles (2004) has an animated film taken home a sound award, and with two wins already, I think the Academy will let this one go.

Sound of Metal” – I’m gonna venture out on a limb here and vote the Sound award for the film about deafness. #YouHeardMeRight

VISUAL EFFECTS
Love and Monsters” – While the effects are arguably better than other films in this category, I don’t know of anybody who even watched the movie or would bother to; especially after seeing the other nominees.

The Midnight Sky” – Winning the Visual Effects Guild’s highest honor doesn’t always translate into Oscar gold. Last year’s Oscar winner, 1917, wasn’t even considered by the guild and I have an equally hard time considering The Midnight Sky here.

Mulan” – The birds, wire work, and background effects are not particularly special or overtly impressive enough to garner Disney’s live-action remake a win here. Those costumes though…
 
The One and Only Ivan” – Quality animal effects have become largely unnoticeable. The One and Only Ivan is a great example of CGI being taken for the real thing. Is it enough to garner Oscar gold? I’m on the fence here, and that makes a bet a bad idea.

Tenet” – This won’t be the first time a bad film garnered Oscar gold in this category. Anyone remember The Wolfman from 2010?

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Another Round” (Denmark) - When your film’s director also gets a nomination… #OscarWin

Better Days” (Hong Kong) – A bullied high school girl finds her bodyguard amidst the pressures of Final Exams. It’s the only film of the category that I’m bummed I didn’t have time to screen.

Collective” (Romania) – Nominated in the Best Documentary category also, this film has the highest critical rating amongst the other nominees. Trouble here is that I don’t think it can overcome Thomas Vinterberg’s director nomination.

The Man Who Sold His Skin” (Tunisia) – A man sells his back to an artist who tattoos a work there that’s worth millions of dollars. A seriously interesting concept in the lowest rated film of the category.

Quo Vadis, Adia” (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – A Bosnian interpreter struggles to save her family when the UN camp she’s working at is invaded. Having no way to catch the category leaders, this horse ends the race in third.

BEST DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
Collective” – Being nominated for International Feature doesn’t help the film this year as the competition here is too darn stiff. Wait…why is everyone discounting this film’s chances?

Crip Camp” – A welcome and historical statement detailing society’s and the government’s slow acceptance of the disabled in the United States. This remarkably connective documentary proves to be an entertaining and educational watch. Is it enough to outpace that octopus though? #ObamaProducedDoco wants to know.

The Mole Agent” – The warm and gently stirring story of Sergio’s three-month investigative stay at a nursing home in San Francisco is the kind of stuff good dreams are made of. Unfortunately, this is the categories dark horse entrant.

My Octopus Teacher” – Besieged by the discomforting vote splitting of the politically positive Crip Camp and the moral depth of Time, I find myself happier trying to talk to the fish.

Time” – Sybil Richardson, who along with her husband robbed a credit union in 1997, attempts to free her husband from his extended incarceration. A thoroughly moving portrait of a family affected by the decisions of both parents and system, Time absolutely succeeds at making a powerful statement that 60yrs in prison is indeed a lifetime. I think the film is a powerful conversation starter about moral dilemmas and perseverance but I’m really unsure about its chances at collecting enough votes to help it across the Oscar finish line.

BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
Colette” – A young museum docent accompanies Collette, a ninety-year old French woman and former resistance member, on a journey to the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp, in Nordhausen, Germany, where her brother died during World War II. This powerful and affecting document delivers the right amount of power and reminder without having to club its audience over the head. I don’t expect it to win, and that’s too bad, because this is wonderfully recommended viewing.

A Concerto is a Conversation” – A concerto is a conversation between a soloist and an ensemble in a musical piece. In the sly and uplifting film’s case, that conversation occurs between a grandson and his grandfather. The conversation relates to Green Book composer Kris Bowers’ family history and the personal questioning of his place on the national stage. Along with Colette, this is a feel better film with a hopeful and inspiring message. Will that outshine the darker truth of A Love Song for Latasha? That remains to be seen.

Do Not Split” – The guerilla filming of the 2019/2020 Hong Kong protests deliver an unflinching look at the violence experienced on the street. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide any form of cohesive narrative as it showcases examples of the violence used against the protesters. Although powerful in some respects, it pales compared to the narratively stronger films of this category.

Hunger Ward” – A unflinching look at the human-caused famine in Yemen. I wasn’t able to locate a screener for this one, but after seeing the other films in the category, I can’t imagine it breaking into the easily viewed top three.

A Love Song for Latasha” – Tragedy and heartbreak come vividly to life in this uniquely edited and delivered short. There’s a moment in the film where the abstract visuals do the work of delivering a dagger to the heart of audiences. The visibility a NETFLIX production provides certainly makes this considerably stiff competition.

BEST SHORT FILM (ANIMATION)
Burrow” – Six+ minutes of sweet, this alternatively animated Pixar film is actually a likely loser because it’s almost unrecognizable as a Pixar short. Moving away from the traditional computer animated style, Pixar sets up for a loss here.

Genius Loci” – The French film is awash in thrilling watercolor, but I didn’t get to screen it and I don’t think it matters.
 
If Anything Happens I Love You” – This poignant and silently powerful short, delivered by Netflix, is an almost assured winner. Tackling its topic with a level of respect and distance that I wasn’t prepared for.

Opera” – The single biggest miss of my year. I haven’t seen a single second of this film but hear that it’s an artistic marvel. Yet, even the director says that the unconventional film is failing on some levels from not having a big-screen showcase and has relied on limited alternative screenings. Which makes me wonder how many voters haven’t seen the film either?

Yes-People” – This eight-and-a-half-minute film serves up a small host of characters whose vocabulary consists of varying degrees of the word, “Yes”. Genius in many respects while lacking in enough others that’re likely to keep the Academy’s vocabulary decidedly more diverse.

BEST SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Feeling Through” – Doug Roland’s eighteen-minute film concerning the late-night meeting of a hearing youth and a blind, deaf, and mute older man is almost a complete joy to watch. That “almost” is the killer here.

The Letter Room” – Oscar Isaac stars in this short that concerns a prison guard working in the prison’s letter room who becomes intimately involved with inmate correspondence. Isaac’s presence alone makes this a strong contender, but I don’t think it guarantees a win.

The Present” – A father and his daughter go shopping in Jerusalem for a wedding gift for his wife. Sounds innocuous, but drama at a militarized border ensues. I think its chances are slim.

Two Distant Strangers” – Having not seen the film, I headed over to the official YouTube page where I found three lengthy discussion videos with the likes of Cary Fukunaga, Rashida Jones, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jon Stewart, Sean Combs, and Jesse Williams all praising the film. With panels like that talking up your movie, is there any doubt about the Oscar at the end of the rainbow?

White Eye” – A man looks to recover his stolen bicycle while remaining human in the process. I couldn’t locate a copy to screen before I felt like this category was wrapped up, so…

 

And there you have it. Considering the shortened writing time, I feel really good about these picks and the write up in general. Surprisingly, cutting out a week early doesn’t feel disastrous at all, but should the bow break against my favor…well then, Hakuna Mafuckit!

-m-

Turn Down The Lights, Turn Up The Sound. Matthew Gilbert © 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved.

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