What will win at the Oscars 2018? Here’s TSOTA’s predictions

In 2017 we sat through travesties such as The Emoji Movie and Justice League, but it’s not as if anyone was expecting the next Citizen Kane from these blockbusters. Towering above these embarrassing blockbusters are many of the films nominated for the 90th Academy Awards, so many of which are equally deserving to win… with strong-felt exception to The Boss Baby.

Here are my personal predictions for the main category winners of the March 4th Oscars: 

Cinematography:

Strong contenders include Dan Lausten (The Shape of Water), and Rachel Morrison (Mudbound), who is the first female nominee in this category in Academy Award history. Whilst the political implications of a win for Mudbound are undeniable, I would rather see Roger Deakins win. He has received his fourteenth nomination for Blade Runner 2049, a film which has been largely snubbed by the Academy. It is certainly the most beautiful film of the year, with shots that both hark back to the original 1982 picture and maintain a unique, modern sleekness.

Prediction: Roger Deakins for Blade Runner 2049

Music (Original Score):

Surprisingly, legendary composer Hans Zimmer has also never won an Oscar. His tenth nomination is for Dunkirk, which relies heavily on his tense and abstract score. Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood’s beautiful piano score for Phantom Thread and Alexandre Desplat’s charming score for The Shape of Water are strong, classical competitors, which Academy voters may find more relatable.

Prediction: Hans Zimmer for Dunkirk

Music (Original Song):

Sufjan Stevens’ ‘The Mystery of Love’ is a subtle but extremely poignant song that expertly captures the themes of Call Me By Your Name. But, this is the only award crowd favourite The Greatest Showman is nominated for, with ‘This is Me’.

Prediction: ‘This is Me’ in The Greatest Showman

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

Call Me By Your Name deserves what may be its only award for writing, although a win for The Disaster Artist would give Tommy Wiseau another chance to speak on stage after James Franco stopped him at the Golden Globes. Special mention to Logan for being the first superhero film nominated for its writing. 

Prediction: James Ivory for Call Me By Your Name

Writing (Original Screenplay):

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a blast because of its screenplay, with Martin McDonagh the expected win. However, the competition is strong, and it may come down to a question of fairness – if Best Picture and Original Screenplay are split between two films, The Shape of Water and Lady Bird may steal the awards.

Prediction: Martin McDonagh Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Actress in a Supporting Role:

Allison Janney (I, Tonya) and Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird) are the frontrunners, with their wildly different portrayals of mothers in conflict with their children. Allison Janney’s character is sickening to watch and she owns every scene she is in.

Prediction: Allison Janney in I, Tonya

Actor in a Supporting Role:

Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell give fantastic performances in Three Billboards, for which Rockwell has already won the BAFTA and Golden Globe. Willem Dafoe’s amazing performance in The Florida Project is Rockwell’s closest competition. It is The Florida Project’s only nomination.

Prediction: Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Actress in a Leading Role:

Frances McDormand deserves the award for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Although, last year we saw Casey Affleck’s subtle performance win over Denzel Washington’s explosive performance in Fences. This year could follow suit, with Sally Hawkins winning for The Shape of Water.

Prediction: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Actor in a Leading Role:

There is no competition here. Despite great performances by Timothée Chalamet and Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman seems guaranteed to win the award for his performance in The Darkest Hour, which may be the only award the movie receives.

Prediction: Gary Oldman in The Darkest Hour

Directing:

Christopher Nolan, who has never received an Oscar, is nominated for Dunkirk. Whilst it isn’t his best film, he has a good chance of taking home the award. More likely is Guillermo Del Toro. Though he too has never won an Oscar, he received the Golden Globe and BAFTA for his masterful work in The Shape of Water.

Prediction: Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water

Best Picture:

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri won the Golden Globe and BAFTA, and has its path paved to win the Oscar. Dark humour, gruesome violence, and meaningful human exploration are portrayed with near perfection, creating a movie that any audience can respond to. The most highly nominated (13 nominations) film of the year, The Shape of Water, could still sweep the carpet away from under Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’s feet though. Lady Bird is a possibility, winning Best Comedy Motion picture at the Globes, but its wholly incredible reviews may set academy voters up for disappointment. Special mention to Get Out, the type of film often ignored by the Academy.

Prediction: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri