The 2025 (but actually the 2024) Academy Awards

 

I know that there are many of you out there asking the question: "Hey, Grandstander, how come we haven't heard any of your thoughts on this years Oscar nomination, not to mention your always insightful Oscars predictions?"

Well.  We have not been able to see all of the nominated films this year, due to circumstances that have involved us being out of town at an Undisclosed Location for an extended period of time (more on that in a future post).  So allow me some scattershot comments.

Best Picture

Have seen five of the nominated movies.  Anora, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Nickel Boys, and Wicked.  Of these, I would be delighted if either A Complete Unknown or Conclave won.  Both good movies, both movies that I would willingly watch regularly (ie, at least once a year).  Anora has won Best Picture awards from some Critics Associations, and the Producers Guild.  Sorry, it was an entertaining movie, but not even close to being the Best Picture of the Year.

Of the other five nominees, the only one remaining that I have any interest in seeing is The Brutalist, which I understand to be a good movie, but it ain't gonna be a barrel of laughs.  Based on what I've heard, I have no interest in Dune: Part Two, Emilia Perez, I'm Still Here.   I understand that The Substance is just a hodge-podge of shit, but I might see it just to see Demi Moore's Oscar nominated (and probably winning) performance.

SAG-AFTRA gave its Best Ensemble award to Conclave. That is sometimes a precursor for the Oscars, and as I said above, I'd be fine with that.

Best Actor

I've seen Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave).  SAG-AFTRA gave its Best Actor award to Chalamet, so it wouldn't be surprising if he follows that up with an Oscar.  I'd have no problem if either Chalamet or Fiennes won, and Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) seemed to be a heavy favorite headed into awards season.  I believe he won a Golden Globe for this part.  So none of these guys would be a surprise if they won.

Best Actress

I've seen Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Mikey Madison (Anora).  Erivo was favored going into Awards Season, but both the Golden Globe and SAG Award went to Demi Moore, so it looks like she may take home the statuette this year.  Brat-Packers, rejoice!

Best Supporting Actor

Have seen three of the performances: Yuri Borisov (Anora), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), and Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown).  Culkin has won both the Golden Globe and the SAG Award, so no surprise if he wins on Sunday night.  In his acceptance speeches for those awards, he came across to me as real tool, so who wants to hear him talk again?  My vote, if I had one, would go to Norton.

Best Supporting Actress

Have seen Monica Barbara (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).  I'm gonna predict a win for Barbaro for this one, and that would make me happy.  Although, a part of me would like to see Rossellini win it simply because she is Ingrid Bergman's daughter.

And Some Out of My Butt Predictions

• Best Director - Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
• Best Adapted Screenplay - Peter Straughan, Conclave
• Best Original Screenplay - Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
• Also, each year, one movie comes to Oscars night with a shitload of nominations, and goes home getting shut out, or with some minor technical award.  This year, I predict that this dubious distinction will go to Wicked.

So there you have it:  The Grandstander's thoughts on this year's Academy Awards.  Like millions of others, I will be tuned in on Sunday night to watch how it all turns out.  Also, as I have done in the past, I will be giving Grandstander Awards for the Most Spectacular Gown and the Ugliest Gown of the evening.

Hoo-ray for Hollywood.