The 97th Academy Awards are just around the corner, set to take place this Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As the culmination of a season filled with anticipation and speculation, this event promises to be a celebration of cinematic excellence. With a diverse range of categories and a stellar lineup of nominees, the ceremony is expected to honor both critically acclaimed films and outstanding individual achievements. Below, we delve into the main categories, predicting likely winners while also sharing personal preferences, to give a comprehensive overview of what to expect.
Major Categories: Best Picture and Director
The race for Best Picture is intense, with Anora emerging as the strong contender following its victory at the Producers Guild of America Awards. Sean Baker’s film is favored to win, supported by its success in guild awards. However, a personal preference leans towards The Brutalist, praised for its robust narrative and cinematic prowess, even if its lengthy runtime may have deterred some voters. In the Best Director category, Sean Baker is predicted to win, aligning with the typical correlation between Best Picture and Director. Yet, admiration for Brady Corbet’s work on The Brutalist highlights his skillful handling of a large-scale production, making him a deserving contender.
Acting Categories: Lead and Supporting Roles
Demi Moore is tipped for Best Actress for her role in The Substance, lauded for her transformative performance. However, Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here is a heartfelt choice, offering a poignant portrayal in a film resonating with historical relevance. For Best Actor, Timothée Chalamet is favored due to his SAG win, but Adrien Brody’s complex performance in The Brutalist stands out, showcasing depth and nuance. In Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña is expected to win for Emilia Pérez, though Monica Barbaro’s role in A Complete Unknown is personally noteworthy. Kieran Culkin leads the Supporting Actor category for his dynamic portrayal, a preference shared by both prediction and personal choice.
Technical and Craft Categories: From Screenplay to Visual Effects
The screenplay categories see Anora favored for Original Screenplay, while Conclave is tipped for Adapted. Personal preference aligns with the momentum for Anora. In cinematography, The Brutalist is predicted to win, praised for its visual grandeur. Dune: Part Two is favored for Visual Effects, though admiration leans towards the practical effects in Alien: Romulus. Production Design and Costume Design see Wicked as likely winners, yet personal preference highlights the meticulous craft in The Brutalist and Nosferatu.
Documentaries and Shorts: Stories That Resonate
In the Documentary Feature category, Porcelain War is favored due to its timely subject matter, yet No Other Land is a powerful choice for its urgent narrative. Among Short Films, Anuja is expected to win, while A Lien is personally compelling for its relevance to contemporary issues. The Only Girl in the Orchestra leads the Documentary Short category, though Incident is impactful for its factual presentation.
In summary, this year’s Oscars promise a celebration of storytelling, with Anora and The Brutalist leading major categories, while personal preferences highlight underappreciated gems. The ceremony will undoubtedly recognize technical excellence and compelling narratives, making it a memorable event in Hollywood’s calendar.
