Avengers, assemble. The year is 2020 and there have been zero movies released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That’s such a weird sentence to read considering the Marvel films have been a staple in pop culture since 2008.
Since we miss our superhero and making lists is the go-to activity during quarantine, Entertainment Weekly tweeted this out the other day.
I understand that these exercises are supposed to spawn thousands of different combinations, but I can only think of two combinations that make sense. Here’s mine.
$15 – Build Your Own Avengers
$5 Captain America – For me, selecting Captain America was a no-brainer. I mean he has the word “captain” in his title. Steve Rogers is the guy you want to be in a foxhole with when shit hits the fan. With Cap, giving up is not an option. Besides his leadership and positive attitude, Cap also happens to be the strongest “human” on this list. It takes a special type of person to lift Mjolnir and what Cap did in Endgame was beyond special. My team won’t lose with Captain America leading us into battle.
$5 Thor – Instead of dropping down a slot, I’m choosing to spend the five dollars in the first category again to select Thor. First of all, on Earth, Thor is a God. That’s a good start when building a team of Avengers. Superhuman strength, speed, injury resistance, and endurance would have been enough of a selling point for me, but thanks to Mjolnir, Thor can control thunder and lightning. He’s the God of Thunder who can fly. How are you going to stop him? You can’t. Welcome to the team, Thor.
https://youtu.be/Z68MRjRpwdo
$2 Scarlet Witch – With these next three picks, it’s like I’m stealing. Their value is insane. My first value pick is Scarlet Witch. In Infinity War, besides Thor, Scarlet Witch went toe-to-toe with Thanos and held her own. She walked away with minimal injuries, which is almost impossible. Scarlet Witch can generate force fields, fly, and manipulate energy. Plus, she can invade your thoughts and plant ideas in your mind. I want someone with the powers of telepathy and telekinesis on my side.
Marvel
$1 Vision – Vision should NOT be $1. He’s an android! That should bump him up to $3 at the very least. Vision has superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes to go along with his ability to compute large data quantities and equations. His love for Scarlet Witch may blur his motives, but if she’s in trouble, no one is going to fight harder than Vision.
Marvel
$1 Bucky – Everyone needs a friend to fight with and Captain America’s best friend is Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. However, Bucky is making the team not only for his friendship with Steve but for his skills as an assassin. Besides the superhuman strength and stamina, Bucky is a stone-cold killer with elite skills as a marksman and spy. Winter Soldier, welcome to the squad.
https://youtu.be/4JcSmCSgi24
Look at that, I didn’t even need the full $15. I did mention that there was only one other combination I was considering. If you wanted to sub in Dr. Strange for Thor or Captain America, I don’t hate it. However, my squad of Avengers will dominate. Good luck my squad.
What would be your picks for your team of Avengers? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
Portrait of a Lady onFire is one of the most powerful portrayals of forbidden love you will ever see. Winner of Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, the film begins with the titular portrait of a lady on fire. Marianne, played by Noémie Merlant, is visibly moved when her art students bring out the portrait unbeknownst to her. There’s significant meaning behind this vivid painting, and director Céline Sciamma expertly fills in the details, one stroke at a time
Portrait of a Ladyon Fire chronicles Marianne, an 18th-century French painter hired to paint the portrait of Héloïse, played by Adèle Haenel. Marianne travels to a remote island in Brittany at the orders of Héloïse’s mom, The Countess, played by Valeria Golino, to paint the portrait. Héloïse, who was abruptly removed from the convent, will soon be forced into a marriage with a nobleman from Milan. The Countess explains to Marianne how Héloïse refuses to sit for her portrait so she must paint in secret and go on daily walks with Héloïse in order to memorize her features. The finished portrait will be a gift to Héloïse’s future husband that she will marry soon enough.
Adèle Haenel in Portrait of a Lady on Fire / Neon
At first, Marianne and Héloïse struggle to bond as they both err on the side of caution. Héloïse feels trapped in a marriage she wants nothing to do with and Marianne wants to act on her desires but hesitates in her initial encounters. It’s a game of chicken as Marianne and Héloïse hesitate to make the first move. However, as the two women spend more time together, their chemistry is magnetic and the sexual tension is palpable. The “will they, won’t they” narrative builds whenever Marianne and Héloïse look into each other’s eyes. There’s a time constraint that lingers over the love story, but Sciamma meticulously crafts a slow burn that is in no rush to end.
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE: Powerful love story. Stunning imagery. My theater was silent for 5 minutes after it ended. Will be thinking about the last half of the film for a long time. #PortraitOfALadyOnFire
For a film that uses little music, the silence speaks volumes. It’s the quiet moments that Marianne and Héloïse spend together on the beach and in bed that the audience will cherish. On this island, these women express themselves in any way they please. Forbidden love can’t last, but the freedom to love is more important because it’s their choice. They are not bogged down by the restraints of society and the orders of powerful men. Marianne and Héloïse challenge each other intellectually just as much as they embrace romantically. Whether debating the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice with Sophie (Luàna Bajrami), a maid, or pondering their impending futures, Marianne and Héloïse create a world to themselves even if it’s only for a few days.
Thanks to stunning imagery and a brilliant script, Portrait of a Lady on Fire will move you in ways you didn’t think were possible. The final scene will leave you motionless and short of breath. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire is as beautiful as it gets.
4.5/5 Stars
Note: My goal is to see more foreign films in 2020. I absolutely loved Parasite, which was my favorite film in 2019. As Bong Joon-ho said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Neon produced Parasite as well as Portrait of a Lady on Fire so it’s clear the studio has good taste. I encourage everyone reading this to at least go into 2020 with an open mind when it comes to movies. See anything and everything, but at the end of the day, just see something.
Ready for the 2020 Oscars? First, I gave you my picks. Now, I want to make you some money. Betting the Oscars is not a typical bet. It’s not like a sports bet where the result is determined live. Oscar bets are voted on by the Academy so essentially, we’re betting on how a group of people voted. It’s not easy, but there are some keys to look for while betting the 2020 Oscars.
Use Results From Other Award Shows As Guide – It’s very rare for an award winner to come out of nowhere. Usually, each category has one to three contenders. In most cases, these contenders won awards at major shows like the Golden Globes, SAGs, or BAFTAs. Furthermore, for technical awards, there are guild awards given out for crafts like writing, editing, and cinematography. The more awards won at the guilds, the better the chances of winning an Oscar.
Favorites Win A Lot – This doesn’t help when it comes to making money, but it does pay off to pick favorites if you are doing an Oscars pool where you have to pick winners without odds.
Look For Bets With The Best Value – The bets I’m suggesting to make are not “locks.” Most of them are underdogs and long shots. They may not win, but it’s your best chance of making money. Try to avoid categories where the favorite is significantly out of reach.
Bet At Your Own Risk – I’m not legally obligated to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Have fun, but be smart!
*Odds taken from Draftkings at 5:30 PM EST. Subject to change.
My picks do NOT reflect who I believe will win. They reflect the best bet you can make to win the most money.
Best Picture
Great value here for the top three spots. 1917is the favorite because of Best Picture wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and PGAs. Right on its tailis Parasite, which won the Best Ensemble Award at the SAGs and will win Best International Feature Film. My pick is 1917 because the PGA winner has won 8 of the last 10 Best Pictures at the Oscars. Plus, it has great odds for a frontrunner. I’d bet on both 1917 and Parasite. If you have extra money to blow, sprinkle a little cash on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The Academy loves Tarantino and they love movies about Hollywood. 10 to 1 odds make for a great payout.
Bets To Make: 1917 in Best Picture -125 and/or Parasite in Best Picture +150
Every Acting Category
Do you like lighting your money on fire? If so, then you’ll love betting on the acting categories. I’m trying to make a case for any actor not named Renée Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, and Laura Dern, but I can’t do it with a straight face. All four actors are heavy favorites and have few losses on their resumes this season. Even though I don’t believe this will happen, if I had to pick one upset, it would be Scarlett Johansson in Best Actress. I can’t advise anyone to place a bet on an underdog in any of these categories, but Scar Jo in Marriage Story would be my play.
Bet To Make: Scarlett Johansson in Best Actress +1000
Best Original Screenplay And Best Adapted Screenplay
Two categories, two underdogs that have legitimate shots at winning. Let’s start with original screenplay. Parasite is the favorite because of wins at the WGAs and BAFTAs. However, right on Director Bong’s heels is Mr. Quentin Tarantino. You can never count out Tarantino in the original screenplay category because of his two previous wins for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. I would never blame someone for betting on Tarantino. In adapted screenplay, Jojo Rabbit also picked up wins at the WGA and BAFTAs. However, Greta Gerwig wrote the best adaptation of Little Women to date. Do not count her out, butTaika Waititi and Jojo is the best bet to make.
Bets To Make: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in Best Orginal Screenplay +150 // Jojo Rabbit in Best Adapted Screenplay -177
Best Sound Editing And Best Sound Mixing
The 1917 domino starts in the technical categories. If it wins in both sound editing and sound mixing, then 1917 is due for a huge night. That’s a possibility that may end up happening. However, for betting, Ford v Ferrari as a slight underdog in both categories is juicy. Ford v Ferrari is a very loud and effective film. If I had to choose which category Ford v Ferrari will win, I’m going with sound mixing.
Bet To Make: Ford v Ferrari in Best Sound Mixing +125
What are your best bets for the 2020 Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
Oh, happy day! The 2020 Oscars are finally here. I love the Oscars. I always see people complaining about how it’s boring or too long on Twitter. I’m in the opposite camp. Make the ceremony 10 hours long and I’ll watch it from start to finish.
Will tonight be all chalk or will history be made? 1917 could clean up in all of the technical categories along with wins for Best Director and Best Picture. Parasite could become the first foreign film to win Best Picture. All of the acting categories include huge favorites, but the technical categories are up for grabs. Overall, I’m excited for tonight.
Without further ado, here are my picks.
BEST PICTURE
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
The biggest award of the night is a two-horse race. 1917 is the favorite thanks to Best Picture wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and PGAs. However, Parasite, my favorite movie of 2019, is making a late push thanks to its win at the SAGs. If Parasite wins Best Picture, it would be the first foreign film to ever accomplish this feat. However, 1917’s win at the PGA was significant since 10 of the last 12 PGA winners went on to take home Best Picture at the Oscars. My pick is 1917.
P.S. The wild card in this race is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino has a lot of support in the Academy. It’s a movie full of stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s right up the Academy’s alley. Plus, OUATIH has multiple acting nominations. The last film to win Best Picture without an acting nomination was Slumdog Millionaire in 2009. (1917 and Parasite both have zero acting nominations.) If Tarantino wins for original screenplay, look out for OUATIH.
P.S.S. Enough with the narrative that 1917 winning Best Picture is boring. It’s an achievement in filmmaking that people are going to remember for a while.
Who Should Win:Parasite Who Will Win: 1917
BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
Todd Phillips – Joker
Sam Mendes – 1917
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Bong Joon-ho – Parasite
Take my Best Picture argument and apply the same principles to Best Director. Mendes has won practically every directing award on the awards season circuit. However, people (including me) love Director Bong and Parasite. Tarantino is on the outside looking in. However, 1917 is in for a big night and Mendes will pick up his second win for Best Director.
Who Should Win: Bong Joon-ho – Parasite Who Will Win: Sam Mendes – 1917
BEST ACTOR
Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory as Salvador Mallo
Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Rick Dalton
Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker
Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio
I wish this category was more of a competition between Adam Driver and Joaquin Phoenix. I preferred Driver’s performance because of his ability to capture the emotional trauma and brutal truth of what happens during a divorce. However, Joaquin’s physical and mental transformation in Joker was undeniably good. I like Joaquin and I enjoyed Joker so I have no problem with him winning.
Who Should Win: Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber Who Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker
BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Erivo – Harriet as Harriet Tubman
Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story as Nicole Barber
Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March
Charlize Theron – Bombshell as Megyn Kelly
Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland
Confession: I never saw Judy. I had the opportunity to watch it on a plane, but I chose to watch The Peanut Butter Falcon instead. Renée Zellweger hasn’t lost in this category all season and I don’t expect that to change. However, I’d love for Saoirse Ronan to win. She’s probably the best actress of her generation and it sucks that she’s going to have to wait a little longer to win an Oscar.
Who Should Win: Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March Who Will Win: Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood as Fred Rogers
Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes as Pope Benedict XVI
Al Pacino – The Irishman as Jimmy Hoffa
Joe Pesci – The Irishman as Russell Bufalino
Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth
Brad Fucking Pitt. This is the speech I’m looking forward to the most.
Once Upon Time in Hollywood / Sony
Who Should Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth Who Will Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell as Barbara “Bobi” Jewell
Laura Dern – Marriage Story as Nora Fanshaw
Scarlett Johansson – Jojo Rabbit as Rosie Betzler
Florence Pugh – Little Women as Amy March
Margot Robbie – Bombshell as Kayla Pospisil
I love Florence Pugh and she’ll be a force for years to come, but it’s time for Laura Dern to collect some hardware. No arguments here.
Who Should Win: Florence Pugh – Little Women as Amy March Who Will Win: Laura Dern – Marriage Story as Nora Fanshaw
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Knives Out – Rian Johnson
Marriage Story – Noah Baumbach
1917 – Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Quentin Tarantino
Parasite – Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won
Toughest category to predict. All five of these scripts are stellar. However, this will come down to Tarantino and Bong. Tarantino has the experience thanks to his two previous wins in this category. That being said, Bong won at the Writers Guild Awards (Tarantino was not eligible) last week, but I still believed Tarantino would win at the Oscars. Fast forward to the BAFTAs and Bong beat Tarantino head-to-head in this category. Because of that, I’m going with Bong by the slimmest of margins.
Who Should Win:Parasite – Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won Who Will Win: Parasite – Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Irishman – Steven Zaillian based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt
Jojo Rabbit – Taika Waititi based on the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens
Joker – Todd Phillips and Scott Silver based on characters created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson
Little Women – Greta Gerwig based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
The Two Popes – Anthony McCarten based on his play The Pope
Once again, another early frontrunner came back to the pack. This should be Greta Gerwig’s first Oscar win because Little Women was brilliant. Unfortunately, I don’t think she wins here. Taika Waititi has all the momentum in the world thanks to two wins over Gerwig at the WGAs and the BAFTAs. Taika walks home a winner.
Who Should Win:Little Women – Greta Gerwig based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott Who Will Win: Jojo Rabbit – Taika Waititi based on the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World – Dean DeBlois, Bonnie Arnold, and Brad Lewis
I Lost My Body – Jérémy Clapin and Marc du Pontavice
Klaus – Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh, and Marisa Román
Missing Link – Chris Butler, Arianne Sutner, and Travis Knight
Toy Story 4 – Josh Cooley, Jonas Rivera, and Mark Nielsen
When in doubt, Pixar at the Oscars. When in even more doubt, Toy Story at the Oscars.
Who Should Win:Toy Story 4 – Josh Cooley, Jonas Rivera, and Mark Nielsen Who Will Win: Toy Story 4 – Josh Cooley, Jonas Rivera, and Mark Nielsen
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Corpus Christi (Poland) in Polish – Directed by Jan Komasa
Honeyland (North Macedonia) in Turkish and Macedonian[9] – Directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov
Les Misérables (France) in French – Directed by Ladj Ly
Pain and Glory (Spain) in Spanish – Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Parasite (South Korea) in Korean – Directed by Bong Joon-ho
Who Should Win:Parasite (South Korea) in Korean – Directed by Bong Joon-ho Who Will Win: Parasite (South Korea) in Korean – Directed by Bong Joon-ho
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
American Factory – Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, and Jeff Reichert
The Cave – Feras Fayyad, Kirstine Barfod, and Sigrid Dyekjær
The Edge of Democracy – Petra Costa, Joanna Natasegara, Shane Boris, and Tiago Pavan
For Sama – Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts
Honeyland – Ljubomir Stefanov, Tamara Kotevska, and Atanas Georgiev
Flip a coin between American Factory and Honeyland. I’ll back the Obama-produced American Factory.
Who Should Win:American Factory – Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, and Jeff Reichert Who Will Win: American Factory – Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, and Jeff Reichert
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Joker – Hildur Guðnadóttir
Little Women – Alexandre Desplat
Marriage Story – Randy Newman
1917 – Thomas Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – John Williams
Five really good scores. If any person in this category won, I’d be happy. It’s a win-win-win-win-win for me. One of my favorite scores of the year belongs to Randy Newman, who has never won in this category. However, Hildur Guðnadóttir’s haunting score was the co-MVP of Joker.
Who Should Win:Marriage Story – Randy Newman Who Will Win: Joker – Hildur Guðnadóttir
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4 – Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman – Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
“I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough – Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren
“Into the Unknown” from Frozen II – Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
“Stand Up” from Harriet – Music and Lyrics by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo
This should have happened at the Oscars. It’s a damn shame. Since it’s not happening, I’ll always root for Elton John.
Who Should Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman – Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Bernie Taupin Who Will Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman – Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Irishman – Rodrigo Prieto
Joker – Lawrence Sher
The Lighthouse – Jarin Blaschke
1917 – Roger Deakins
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Robert Richardson
Roger “The God” Deakins.
Who Should Win:1917 – Roger Deakins Who Will Win: 1917 – Roger Deakins
*Note: The difference between sound editing and sound mixing at the Oscars is confusing and I still don’t understand it. However, if you said 1917 wins all of the technical categories, I wouldn’t blame you. That being said, Ford v Ferrari might split with 1917. I’m honestly not sure and I’ll stop talking.
BEST SOUND EDITING
Ford v Ferrari – Donald Sylvester
Joker – Alan Robert Murray
1917 – Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Wylie Stateman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Matthew Wood and David Acord
Who Should Win:1917 – Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate Who Will Win: 1917 – Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate
BEST SOUND MIXING
Ad Astra – Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson and Mark Ulano
Ford v Ferrari – Paul Massey, David Giammarco, and Steven A. Morrow
Joker – Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic and Tod Maitland
1917 – Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Michael Minkler, Christian P. Minkler, and Mark Ulano
Who Should Win:Ford v Ferrari – Paul Massey, David Giammarco, and Steven A. Morrow Who Will Win: 1917 – Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Irishman – Production Design: Bob Shaw; Set Decoration: Regina Graves
Jojo Rabbit – Production Design: Ra Vincent; Set Decoration: Nora Sopková
1917 – Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Production Design: Barbara Ling; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
Parasite – Production Design: Lee Ha-jun; Set Decoration: Cho Won-woo
Who Should Win:Parasite – Production Design: Lee Ha-jun; Set Decoration: Cho Won-woo Who Will Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Production Design: Barbara Ling; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
Bombshell – Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan, and Vivian Baker
Joker – Nicki Ledermann and Kay Georgiou
Judy – Jeremy Woodhead
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – Paul Gooch, Arjen Tuiten, and David White
1917 – Naomi Donne, Tristan Versluis, and Rebecca Cole
Who Should Win:Bombshell – Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan, and Vivian Baker Who Will Win: Bombshell – Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan, and Vivian Baker
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Irishman – Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson
Jojo Rabbit – Mayes C. Rubeo
Joker – Mark Bridges
Little Women – Jacqueline Durran
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Arianne Phillips
Who Should Win:Little Women – Jacqueline Durran Who Will Win: Little Women – Jacqueline Durran
BEST FILM EDITING
Ford v Ferrari – Andrew Buckland and Michael McCusker
The Irishman – Thelma Schoonmaker
Jojo Rabbit – Tom Eagles
Joker – Jeff Groth
Parasite – Yang Jin-mo
Who Should Win:Parasite – Yang Jin-mo Who Will Win: Parasite – Yang Jin-mo
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Avengers: Endgame – Dan DeLeeuw, Matt Aitken, Russell Earl, and Dan Sudick
The Irishman – Pablo Helman, Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, and Nelson Sepulveda
The Lion King – Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones, and Elliot Newman
1917 – Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, and Dominic Tuohy
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Roger Guyett, Neal Scanlan, Patrick Tubach, and Dominic Tuohy
Who Should Win:Avengers: Endgame – Dan DeLeeuw, Matt Aitken, Russell Earl, and Dan Sudick Who Will Win: 1917 – Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, and Dominic Tuohy
Note: I’m a novice when it comes to shorts at the Oscars so these predictions are based on what I’ve read.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
In the Absence – Yi Seung-Jun and Gary Byung-Seok Kam
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) – Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva
Life Overtakes Me – John Haptas and Kristine Samuelson
St. Louis Superman – Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan
Walk Run Cha-Cha – Laura Nix and Colette Sandstedt
Who Should Win:Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) – Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva Who Will Win: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) – Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Brotherhood – Meryam Joobeur and Maria Gracia Turgeon
Nefta Football Club – Yves Piat and Damien Megherbi
The Neighbors’ Window – Marshall Curry
Saria – Bryan Buckley and Matt Lefebvre
A Sister – Delphine Girard
Who Should Win: Brotherhood – Meryam Joobeur and Maria Gracia Turgeon Who Will Win: Brotherhood – Meryam Joobeur and Maria Gracia Turgeon
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Dcera (Daughter) – Daria Kashcheeva
Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver
Kitbull – Rosana Sullivan and Kathryn Hendrickson
Memorable – Bruno Collet and Jean-François Le Corre
Sister – Siqi Song
Who Should Win:Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver Who Will Win: Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver
Do you agree with these predictions for the 2020 Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
Criticisms of Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
Not Enough Focus
At times, the docu-series felt extremely sporadic. Yes, it was still compelling as they “uncovered” the secrets in Hernandez’ life. Nonetheless, each episode lacked focus. It bounced around too often and didn’t allocate time well. If “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” stuck to its focal points better in each installment, the documentary would improve.
Too Much Speculation and Not Enough Facts
Even though the documentary spanned 200 minutes, many aspects of “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” were shallow. It left viewers wanting more. Again, this was most likely due to the editing and story-line choices. With a better episode-by-episode focus, his story would unfold.
Additionally, Netflix’ access to speakers on the subject were likely very limited. This story involved high school, collegiate and professional football suspicions. Those are accusations against the giants of sports. Because of football’s power, it’s probable that many remained silent. With an underrepresented sources, the story can’t be completely told. For that reason, the docu-series hurt.
Dennis Sansoucie “Star Quarterback”
Speaking of sources, Dennis Sansoucie earned heavy criticism. He’s been called a liar, fake, greedy or just another looking for the spotlight. Coming from Dennis Sansoucie himself, Aaron Hernandez and him were both friends and young lovers. At one point, Sansoucie delcared that he and Hernandez were the two best players on the field. Quarterback and tight end. That point received the most condemnation.
When I heard about the Aaron Hernandez and Dennis SanSoucie little love story I went to max preps and searched up Bristol central hs and selected the 2006 roster and Dennis SanSoucie didn’t play QB (#11) like he said saying they had a special relationship from it. I smell cap. pic.twitter.com/cYGbY0GD9J
In his four years of high school, Sansoucie only managed four starts at quarterback. But, each of those starts came at the start of the 2005 season. He was their starting quarterback for four games. In those, he threw 11 touchdowns, nine of which went to Aaron Hernandez. On his short resume, Sansoucie also posted one start with nearly 300 yards (297) and five touchdowns.
Sep. 16, 2005
New Britain Golden Hurricanes
L 23-53
Sansoucie Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
Hernandez Receptions
Receiving Yards
Touchdowns
8-22
170
2-0
3
105
2
Sep. 23, 2005
Bloomfield Warhawks
W 28-7
Sansoucie Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
Hernandez Receptions
Receiving Yards
Touchdowns
7-17
101
2-1
4
89
2
Sep. 30, 2005
South Windor Bobcats
W 9-12
Sansoucie Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
Hernandez Receptions
Receiving Yards
Touchdowns
13-18
297
5-1
7
164
3
Oct. 7th, 2005
Hartford Public Owls
L 13-39
Sansoucie Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
Hernandez Receptions
Receiving Yards
Touchdowns
10-25
205
2-0
6
166
2
Oct. 16th, 2005
Maloney Spartans
W 40-13
Sansoucie Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
Hernandez Receptions
Receiving Yards
Touchdowns
N/A
N/A
N/A
9
258
3
Matt Coyne Completions
Passing Yards
TD-INT
14-24
375
5-0
Moreover, additional speculation came out surrounding Sansoucie’s junior season.
You dont remember freshman year when aaron and dennis got caught "smoking weed" in the lockerroom and dennis got kicked off the team and aaron didnt? Sansoucie was the QB and coyne took over when he wss kicked off
This would explain why Dennis Sansoucie felt that he was a star of the team, yet lacked a full season as quarterback. Whether or not this story is true, it gives light into Sansoucie’s reasoning. There are certainly many adults that look back into their high school days with glory. If Sansoucie lost his starting job because of an off-field issue, he would still think of himself as the star.
Strengths of Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
After its January 15th release, “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” immediately gained popularity and intrigue. The three-part Netflix true crime documentary explores court cases and circumstances that could lead to those.
Overall, it was well received. “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” boasts:
On first watch, “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” is highly entertaining. It’s certainly binge-worthy and captures your attention immediately. We all want to know the whole story. Aaron Hernandez’ psyche is a an enthralling reason. There’s no watching just one episode. Instead, it compels every viewer to watch all three episodes in a row. For that, the Netflix documentary succeeds.
Access to Prison Phone Calls
Without a doubt, the highlight of “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” is hearing the phone calls from prison. Those phone calls give us a greater insight into Hernandez’ character. They’re personal, private, unfiltered. Viewers hear him talk to his fiance, daughter, mother, agent. It added a layer of realism to the story.
Most Importantly, Aaron Hernandez’ Story Raises Questions and Concerns
Homophobia in Football Culture
In the series, Dennis Sansoucie and Ryan O’Callaghan both discussed the plight of growing up as closeted gay men. Sansoucie talked about his and Hernandez’ fathers as men that would beat the gay out of a kid. And although the documentary speculated that Aaron Hernandez was “gay” instead of acknowledging other sexual orientations like bi-sexuality, it was still an important subject. Mental health is a massive issue in our society. Denying your own identity out of fear would derail anyone.
CTE
It’s the NFL’s biggest Boogie Man: CTE. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The disease continues to appear in professional football. In a 2017 study published in the medical journal JAMA, the results were shocking. Of the 111 post-mortem brains of former NFL players, 110 had CTE. CTE plagues the well beings of current and former players. It’s symptoms include:
Memory Loss
Confusion
Impaired Judgment
Impulse Control Problems
Aggression
Depression
Parkisonism
Progressive Dementia
Suicidality
Do any of those symptoms sound like Aaron Hernandez? Completely. Does CTE excuse his actions? Of course not. However, would he be a murder if he didn’t have CTE? That is the million-dollar question. And that’s important not only for the lives of football players, but to the victims of criminal acts by those players.
Yes, the NFL says it’s doing its best to get ahead of this issue. But, as pointed out in this documentary, it starts long before the NFL. Additionally, how often has the league ignored player health and safety?
College and NFL Teams Make Injured Players Play
“My body is so fucked up… They banned that shit from the league saying you can only get that if you have a serious injury,” he said. “Guess who they gave that shit to every fucking game? Me.”
Aaron Hernandez, prison call with his fiance
Fill them up with pills or injections and put them out on the field. It’s a part of the game. Organizations want wins. Players want money. No player wants to be labeled as injury prone or soft. Adding to that, the next man up could always be the replacement. Injured players need to heal. Instead, due to a lack of integrity by teams, they are pushed onto the field to play sports most brutal game.
Football wrecks bodies. It’s a gladiator’s sport. Understanding it’s brutality, coaches and team medical staff need to support players. Player health and safety should be a top concern. But, wins secure jobs for coaches and staff. As a result, players need to play. Irregardless of injury. Why else would teams constantly refer to injuries as a “pain-tolerance” issue?
It becomes an especially-jarring concern when Aaron Hernandez stated that the Patriots gave him Toradol every single game. Again, the case of Aaron Hernandez showed why NFL players deserve better advocates. Whether it is mentoring mental, emotional or physical health, these athletes need help. They shouldn’t have to ask. And they certainly should have to commit suicide before football anwers.
The year in film for 2019 is about to close after the Oscars on February 9. Once that happens, we’re officially onto 2020 (Read that with a Bill Belichick voice). 2020 is going to be an interesting year. There are no Star Wars films and Disney is only releasing one live-action remake (Mulan). Most likely, the box office is going to be down, but that doesn’t mean the quality of films will diminish. Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, and Denis Villeneuve will all release films. Plus, Black Widow and Wonder Woman return to the center of pop culture. Here are the 10 most anticipated movies of 2020.
I tried to mix it up and include a variety of movies from different genres. I could have easily put both Marvel films, the new Fast and Furious (this is my personal favorite), and every awards season contender on the list. However, I tried to include one movie every couple of weeks so movie nerds like myself have something to look forward to every month.
The Invisible Man – February 28
Blumhouse has significantly changed the horror industry with how films are made and released. Low budgets and huge returns are the Blumhouse special. Since 2017, Blumhouse has produced four films that have grossed over $240 million: Split, Get Out, Halloween, and Glass. The next potential hit could be February’s The Invisible Man. Directed by Leigh Whannell (Saw writer), The Invisible Man stars Elisabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass, an abused ex who leaves her partner. However, when Cecilia’s ex commits suicide and leaves his fortune to her, Cecilia believes her ex is still alive as an invisible man, wreaking havoc in her life. Do not be surprised if The Invisible Man quickly grosses $100 million.
A Quiet Place Part II – March 20
A Quiet Place was phenomenal. Can A Quiet Place Part II live up to the hype? To be honest, I have no idea what to expect. The sequel revolves around the Abott family, led by Emily Blunt, and their fight for survival in the outside world. John Krasinski wrote and directed the sequel so he’s earned our trust. Don’t forget to pack a Xanax.
No Time To Die – April 10
Goodbye to my favorite Bond, Daniel Craig. Sign me the hell up for Craig’s final James Bond film. There’s no need to hype up a film that doesn’t need my help drumming up interest. I need another long tracking shot from Cary Joji Fukunaga more than I need air.
Wonder Woman 1984 – June 5
It took some time to find its footing, but DC found its first critical and financial hit with Wonder Woman in 2017. The 80s are hot right now so I support the decision to set the Wonder Woman sequel in 1984. 2020 and 2021 are going to make or break the future of the DCEU. In succession, the DCEU will release Bird of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, The Batman, The Suicide Squad, and Black Adam over the next two years. Your move, Marvel.
Tenet – July 17
Christopher Nolan, espionage, and time travel. Do I need to say anything more? Christopher Nolan movies are the only original movies in Hollywood that can be advertised as events. Prepare to be mind blown.
The French Dispatch – July 24
As I tweeted out earlier, “Cast. Stacked.” The French Dispatch is Wes Anderson’s first live-action film since 2014’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. Not much is known about Anderson’s latest film, but it’s described as a “love letter to journalism.” That cast is enough for me to buy a ticket.
Last Night In Soho – September 25
Edgar Wright’s follow up to Baby Driver will be Last Night In Soho. This is all I have on the film and it’s from Empire: In 1960s London, Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), who may or may not live in the decade, starts an unusual friendship with Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy). It’s described as a psychological horror, but look for Wright to add his typical comedic spin like he’s done in the past films like Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver.
Do you remember the 2015 Twitter thread about the tale of a stripper and her crazy friend? It is WILD. Turns out, Twitter threads make good movies. Zola, which is based on the thread, premiered to positive reviews at Sundance. I don’t want to spoil anything for you. Whether you read the thread or go in blind, Zola will be insane.
Mank – TBD
David Fincher's first movie in six years (#Mank) and Charlie Kaufman's first film in five years are both coming to Netflix in 2020.
David Fincher has not directed a film since 2014’s Gone Girl. During the 6-year absence, he essentially became the godfather of Netflix thanks to his work on House of Cards, Mindhunter, and Love, Death & Robots. Fincher will still be working with Netflix, but this time, it’s for a film called Mank, which centers around Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), and his battles with Orson Welles over the screenplay credit for Citizen Kane. I don’t see a world where Mank is not a huge part of next year’s awards season.
This is the big one. This will determine if Denis Villeneuve, who I believe had the best decade for a director in the 2010s, can join Christopher Nolan and create films that become events. The movie is Dune, which revolves around the son (Timothée Chalamet) of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. It’s based on the 1965 novel of the same name. It’s noteworthy that David Lynch also adapted the novel into a feature film in 1984. I’m most curious about its release date and box office performance. This will be the first time since 2014 where December will not have either a Star Wars or superhero movie on its release schedule. Can Dune fill this void and become a giant blockbuster?
What is your most anticipated movie of 2020? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
Awards season is in full swing. With just over two months before Oscar nominations, most of the potential nominees have been released in theaters, premiered at festivals, or at the very least, been screened by critics. However, there’s still one film on the horizon that hasn’t been seen by most. It’s this year’s “ace-in-the-hole” and it should be on everyone’s watchlist. That film is 1917.
1917 tells the story of two young British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) who are given a seemingly impossible task during the height of World War I during Spring 1917 in northern France. The soldiers must deliver a message in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, including one of the soldier’s brothers, from walking into a deadly trap.
1917 is no ordinary war epic. Director Sam Mendes imagined and eventually directed the film as one continuous shot, meaning that the film will feel like a few long takes with choreographed moving camera shots. The idea behind the one-shot technique heightens the race against time as well as immerse the audience with the two young soldiers throughout the entire film. Cinematographer Roger Deakins, who worked on the film, worried that the one-shot approach was a “gimmick” at first, but he later said, “It’s a way to get sucked into the story.”
1917 is full of speculation in the film community because hardly anyone has seen it. The majority of critics have not seen this film and most likely won’t see it until the end of November. The film will have its world premiere on December 4 at a UK Royal Charity event. However, back in September, there were reports about a test screening with enthusiastic and positive reactions, with one source comparing it to Saving Private Ryan.
If the test screening reactions are a sign of what’s to come, 1917 could end up being the film that shakes up the 2020 Oscars. Right now, most critics have Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, and Marriage Story as the leaders of the pack this awards season. However, with strong reviews and a successful run at the box office, 1917 could catapult to the top of the Best Picture hopefuls.
First of all, the Academy loves war movies. Giant set pieces, elaborate battle sequences, and elegant costumes are right up the Academy’s alley. Out of 91 ceremonies, 16 films set against the backdrop of war have won Best Picture at the Oscars. Casablanca, Patton, Platoon, Braveheart, and The Hurt Locker are some of the war films that have won Best Picture. That list doesn’t include previously nominated war movies that didn’t win like Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, and Dunkirk.
There is only one way this war ends. Last man standing. From Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, watch the new 1917 trailer now. In theaters December. #1917Moviepic.twitter.com/kWndUkiuwG
The Academy also loves familiarity and rewarding previously nominated filmmakers and actors. Mendes directed American Beauty, which won five Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture. Deakins is a living legend and one of the most heralded cinematographers ever. Deakins has received fourteen nominations (!) for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, winning once for Blade Runner 2049. Plus, the cast includes Golden Globe and Oscar nominees and winners such as Richard Madden, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
1917 has all the ingredients of an Oscar-nominated film. I don’t see a world where 1917 isn’t nominated for Best Picture. 1917 should be nominated (and win) for Best Cinematography. Plus, it should clean up in all of the technical categories (film editing, sound editing, etc.) and there’s a chance that Mendes could pick up a nomination for Best Director.
Let the 1917 Oscar campaign begin.
Will 1917 be a force at the 2020 Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us immad@unafraidshow.com.
In the trailer for Uncut Gems, there’s a clip where Howard Ratner, played by Adam Sandler, barricades Arno (Eric Bogosian), a loan shark who happens to be his brother-in-law, and Arno’s henchmen in the glass-enclosed security entrance at Howard’s store. As the trio angrily sits on the floor, one of the henchmen asks Howard if he’s having a good time. Even with his back up against the wall and knowing that things can only get worse, a desperate Howard sadistically smiles and says, “Yes.”
That sense of sheer desperation lingers throughout Uncut Gems, the latest thriller from brothers Josh and Benny Safdie. It’s the Spring of 2012 and Howard is a jewelry store dealer in the famous Diamond District of New York City. Howard is a Jewish family man with a severe gambling addiction who loves to risk-it-all at any chance he gets. As Josh Safdie said, Howard is not a loser, but a “winner who doesn’t win.”
There are four things Howard loves: money, gambling, his mistress, Julia (Julia Fox), and the opal. The Ethiopian stone, which Howard values at over a million dollars, is set to be Howard’s “Get out of jail free” card with his debts to Arno and his bookie. However, that all changes when Demany (LaKeith Stanfield), Howard’s friend, shows up with Boston Celtics’ star Kevin Garnett. As soon as Garnett sees the gem, he’s hooked, believing it will bring him good luck in the NBA Playoffs. Once Howard agrees to lend Garnett the stone for the game, Howard’s life is turned upside-down and tailspins out of control, culminating with a massive wager on Garnett and the Celtics.
The Safdie Brothers emphatically raise heart rates and amplify suspense brilliantly in their films as evidenced in Good Time and now Uncut Gems. Every cut and song choice further adds fuel to Howard’s desperation, making each decision more important than life or death. It’s a thrilling script from start to finish that rarely has any moments for the audience to catch their breath. Sandler is spectacular (more on this later), and the supporting cast keeps up with the legendary actor in every scene. Garnett is so magnetic and natural in his first movie role that the soon-to-be Hall of Famer has a future on the big screen. Stanfield continues to impress in every role as his star power steadily increases. Fox, also in her first role, is a revelation and her scene with The Weeknd and Sandler showcases her true potential. Even Mike Francesa, the Sports Pope himself, plays Howard’s bookie to perfection.
Adam Sandler / A24
With all that being said, Uncut Gems is Adam Sandler’s magnum opus. Sandler’s long and successful career has been building towards this performance. Howard Ratner is the perfect character for Sandler because it allows him to showcase his dramatic range while still keeping his comedic charm that audiences have loved since Saturday Night Live. From the accent and glasses to his desperation and risk-it-all attitude, Sandler is in complete control from start to finish. This is the Sandler performance the world has been waiting for and it’s a damn shame if Sandler doesn’t get recognized at the Oscars.
Uncut Gems is a basketball movie, a gambling movie, an addiction movie, and a thriller all wrapped into one. It’s the kind of movie that should be on most year-end lists. The Safdies and Sandler are a match made in heaven. Don’t walk to the theater. Run to it and enjoy the beautiful chaos of Uncut Gems.
9.0/10
What are your thoughts on Uncut Gems? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet me, @danny_giro.
The chaos of awards season has only just begun. This past week, both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards released its nominations, which means it’s one step closer to the Oscars in February. The Irishman, Marriage Story, andOnce Upon a Time In Hollywood all took giant steps towards Oscar glory while Little Women, Uncut Gems, and The Farewell have a lot of campaigning left to do. Here are the biggest Oscar takeaways from these nominations.
Four (Maybe Five) Movies Can Best Picture
Parasite / Madman Films
While the field of Best Picture nominees slowly narrows, the frontrunners are clear. As of 12/13, there are four films that can win Best Picture: The Irishman, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Parasite. These four films are towards the top of every expert’s ranking on GoldDerby. The only film that could make it a five-way race is 1917, which hits theaters on Christmas Day. The Golden Globes will announce their Best Picture winners in early January, but the most important show for films looking to win Best Picture at the Oscars is the Producers Guild Awards (PGA). 21 of the 31 winners for Best Theatrical Motion Picture at the PGA Awards have gone on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Win at the PGA Awards and you become the frontrunner.
Robert De Niro And Adam Sandler Are In Trouble
Best Actor is one of the most crowded races of the season. There are 10-15 performances that have legitimate cases for a Best Acting nomination. Two of the most notable names that are on the outside looking in are Robert De Niro for The Irishman and Adam Sandler for Uncut Gems. Both De Niro and Sandler failed to receive a best acting nomination at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. This is less than ideal for their Oscar chances. De Niro has a better chance to crack into the field because of his previous Oscar wins, but Sandler is in serious trouble despite winning Best Actor from the National Board of Review. That being said, not all hope is lost. Bradley Cooper received a best acting nomination for American Sniper despite being shut out from the Globes and SAGs. The precedent is there, but the difficulty remains.
Can Anyone Beat Renée Zellweger or Laura Dern?
By the time the Oscars air on February 9, Renée Zellweger and Laura Dern will be experts at acceptance speeches. Both Zellweger and Dern are huge frontrunners for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively. The Academy loves transformations and honoring “Old Hollywood” so Zellweger portraying Judy Garland is like using L + Down, R + C-Right, R + C-Up, L + Right, L + C-Down, R + C-Up, L + Right, R + Down, L + Left, L + R + C-Right for invincibility in N64’s Goldeneye. Barring an unexpected nomination, Dern’s only competition is Jennifer Lopez, who was fantastic in Hustlers. In any other year, Lopez would be the favorite, but Dern’s on fire with an Emmy win and Golden Globe win since 2017. It’s her time to win the Oscar.
No Love For Little Women
This is my biggest surprise of awards season. Little Womenhas all the components for an awards season movie: Established filmmaker (Greta Gerwig), star-studded cast (Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, and MERYL STREEP), and a favorable release date (Christmas Day). Little Women checks all of the boxes and yet the film received two Golden Globes nominations and zero SAG nominations. It makes no sense. After nine Critics’ Choice Award nominations, Little Women has the ability to make a late-push for the Oscars, which is what I believe will happen. Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score are all possibilities.
Check back in January for Oscar nomination predictions. In the meantime, go see Parasite.
Awards season is about to kick into high gear this Monday morning when the nominations for the 77th Golden Globes are announced. The Globes are the most enjoyable and entertaining awards show because the biggest film and television stars are under one roof and drink like there’s no tomorrow. It’s my dream to attend a Globes afterparty (hit me up if you have an in).
That being said, it’s been a strong year in television thanks to hits like Fleabag, Succession, Barry, When They See Us, and Chernobyl. The year in film started off slowly but after the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it’s really taken off with critically acclaimed films like Parasite, The Irishman, and Joker. With the Oscars in February, the Globes are a critical event for many actors and films that have Academy Award aspirations.
When predicting nominations, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves to spotlight new shows and talent.
The HFPA LOVE stars. If there’s an A-list star in a movie or television show, whether it’s good or bad, there’s a solid chance they’re getting a nomination in order to guarantee their attendance.
The Golden Globes don’t predict Oscar winners, but it’s a good barometer. For example, Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Mahershala Ali, Regina King, Alfonso Cuaron, and Green Book all won Golden Globes before going on to win the Oscars in the same categories.
Here are my Golden Globes nomination predictions.
Scarlett Johansson, Azhy Robertson, and Adam Driver in Marriage Story / Netflix
FILM
BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA
The Irishman Marriage Story Little Women Joker 1917
BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Jojo Rabbit Rocketman Knives Out Cats
BEST ACTOR – DRAMA
Adam Driver, Marriage Story Joaquin Phoenix, Joker Robert De Niro, The Irishman Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems Paul Walter Hauser, Richard Jewell
BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA
Renee Zellweger, Judy Saoirse Ronan, Little Women Charlize Theron, Bombshell Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story Lupita Nyong’o, Us
BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL
Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Taron Egerton, Rocketman Daniel Craig, Knives Out Himesh Patel, Yesterday
BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL
Awkwafina, The Farewell Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart Kaitlyn Dever, Booksmart Constance Wu, Hustlers Ana de Armas, Knives Out
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Al Pacino, The Irishman Joe Pesci, The Irishman Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Laura Dern, Marriage Story Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers Margot Robbie, Bombshell Florence Pugh, Little Women Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell
BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese, The Irishman Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Bong Joon Ho, Parasite Sam Mendes, 1917 Greta Gerwig, Little Women
BEST SCREENPLAY
Marriage Story The Irishman Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Little Women Parasite
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Spirit,” Beyoncé, The Lion King “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Elton John, Rocketman “Beautiful Ghosts,” Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats “Glasgow,” Mary Steenburgen, Wild Rose “Into the Unknown,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Frozen II
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, Little Women Hildur Guðnadóttir, Joker Randy Newman, “Marriage Story” Thomas Newman, 1917 John Williams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Parasite Portrait of a Lady on Fire Atlantics Les Misérables Pain and Glory
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Toy Story 4 Frozen II How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Abominable Weathering with You
Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag / Amazon
TELEVISION
BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA
Succession The Crown The Morning Show Game of Thrones Big Little Lies
BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY
Fleabag The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Barry Russian Doll Schitt’s Creek
BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE
When They See Us Chernobyl Unbelievable El Camino Fosse/Verdon
LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Billy Porter, Pose Jeremy Strong, Succession Brian Cox, Succession Tobias Menzies, The Crown Kit Harington, Game of Thrones
LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies Olivia Colman, The Crown Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
Bill Hader, Barry Ben Platt, The Politician Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method Paul Rudd, Living with Yourself Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Hailee Steinfeld, Dickinson Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida
LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM
Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us Jared Harris, Chernobyl Aaron Paul, El Camino Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon Mahershala Ali, True Detective
LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM
Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon Merritt Wever, Unbelievable Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great Joey King, The Act Kathryn Hahn, Mrs. Fletcher
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM
Andrew Scott, Fleabag Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl Kieran Culkin, Succession Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM
Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies Toni Collette, Unbelievable Patricia Arquette, The Act Laura Dern, Big Little Lies Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
Check back for predictions in January and follow me on Twitter for more analysis
