My 2019 Oscar Picks

Longtime readers may have noticed that I didn't do my full Oscar project this year, and it was for a few reasons, honestly. First of all, it takes a LOT of time, and I decided I'd rather keep some of that time centered on my own writing. It's also really expensive - last year when I saw virtually everything, I had MoviePass, and that helped a lot. And I just didn't really want to give my money to a few of the big nominees this year, especially Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book.

So! I'm going to go through each category and tell you which of the nominees I saw, and my choice among the nominees. And if I thought something else should be nominated, I'll probably throw that in too. I'm not making predictions because a. this year is BONKERS and b. that leads to completely self-imposed stress with no real payoff. You can read the full list of nominees here.

Best Picture: I saw Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, Roma, and Vice. My pick is definitely The Favourite, though I would be okay with any of those winning except probably Vice. I would have definitely nominated If Beale Street Could Talk in this category - it can take Green Book's place - and while we're at it let's replace Bohemian Rhapsody with Colette.

Actor in a Leading Role: The only one I saw was Christian Bale in Vice, and while I didn't think the movie worked overall, he did a good job of completely losing himself inside the character, which the Academy tends to like. I can't really think of anyone I'd add to the nominees; apparently I can't muster much interest in lead actors this year.

Actor in a Supporting Role: I've seen Adam Driver in BlacKkKlansman and Sam Rockwell in Vice, and of them I'd definitely pick Driver. I might throw Ethan Hawke for Juliet, Naked into the mix.

Actress in a Leading Role: I've seen Yalitza Aparicio in Roma, Glenn Close in The Wife, and Olivia Colman in The Favourite. Colman should absolutely win no matter what, but I would have nominated KiKi Layne for If Beale Street Could Talk, Keira Knightley for Colette, and maybe Rose Byrne for Juliet, Naked.

Actress in a Supporting Role: Oh hey, I've seen all of these! They're Amy Adams for Vice, Marina de Tavira for Roma, Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk, and both Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz for The Favourite. Rachel Weisz should get it, and if she doesn't I'm pretty sure Twitter will burn down the world.

Animated Feature Film: Oops, I didn't make it to any of these, but I've heard so much amazing stuff about Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse that I really WNAT to see it even though I don't particularly care about Spider-Man.

Cinematography: I've seen The Favourite and Roma and I'd be fine with either of them winning. It is a CRIME that If Beale Street Could Talk was not nominated.

Costume Design: I've seen Black Panther, The Favourite, and Mary Poppins Returns and . . . they all deserve it! But WHITHER COLETTE?????

Directing: I've seen BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, Roma, and Vice, and I'd give it to The Favourite but I wouldn't be TOO upset about Spike Lee finally winning. I'd have nominated If Beale Street Could Talk here as well.

Documentary Feature: The only one I've managed to see so far is RBG and it was good! But I am BAFFLED that Won't You Be My Neighbor? was snubbed; it would be my pick.

Documentary Short Subject: I've seen them all, and this category can be hard to navigate because the nominees are so often tied to important current events and issues, and it can be hard to draw the distinction between important CAUSES and deserving FILMS. But I think I want A Night at the Garden to win just to freak out the right.

Film Editing: I've seen BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, and Vice. As with several categories, probably, I'd pick The Favourite but also nominate If Beale Street Could Talk.

Foreign Language Film: I've only seen Roma so far, but it's certainly deserving.

Makeup and Hairstyling: I've seen Vice, and sure, whatever, I guess. I'd nominate A Wrinkle in Time and probably Colette here.

Original Score: I've seen Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Mary Poppins Returns, and they were all good but I'd give it to If Beale Street Could Talk. And I'd nominate Colette! Sigh.

Original Song: I've seen Black Panther, RBG, and Mary Poppins Returns, and I don't really have strong feelings about any of these songs but I guess I'd go with Mary Poppins Returns. I'd nominate "Alfie's Song" from Love, Simon and maybe "Flower of the Universe" from A Wrinkle in Time, and I'd probably give it to one of the original songs from Juliet, Naked. Maybe "Sunday Never Comes."

Production Design: I've seen them all - Black Panther, The Favourite, First Man, Mary Poppins Returns, Roma - and I'd go with Black Panther here, I think. And I'd nominate If Beale Street Could Talk and Colette and actually maybe Love, Simon too.

Animated Short Film: I've seen them all and I'd give it to One Small Step, which was just a delight. Late Afternoon was also great.

Live Action Short Film: Ugh, this was the TERRIBLE THINGS HAPPENING TO CHILDREN category. I'd probably go with Mother - it took a very limited cast and set and I assume budget and made it into a really compelling thriller. (Marguerite also did a lot with very little and no children killed or were killed in that one!)

Sound Editing: I've seen Black Panther, First Man, and Roma, and I'll go with Black Panther.

Sound Mixing: I know these are different but my answer happens to be the same as above.

Visual Effects: I've seen First Man and Solo, and I'll go with Solo. But I'd probably give it to Black Panther.

Adapted Screenplay: I've seen BlacKkKlansman and If Beale Street Could Talk and will go with the latter, though I'd nominate Juliet, Naked here as well.

Original Screenplay: I've seen The Favourite, First Reformed, Roma, and Vice, and I'd go with The Favourite.