If I Picked The Winners: The 93rd Academy Awards

The upcoming 93rd Academy Awards have a diverse group of nominees and have displayed incredible filmmaking.

As the 93rd Academy Awards approaches, I have decided to resurrect an old tradition of critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert where, before every Oscars ceremony, they would let it be known which films they thought should win the coveted golden statue. In a similar fashion, I’m here to offer my thoughts on who should win this year. 

Now, keep in mind that this is who I think should win the awards, not who necessarily will win. I also will offer my thoughts on films that should have received more recognition from the Academy this year. So here’s what would win if I picked the winners.

Best Picture: “Nomadland,” “Minari” or “Promising Young Woman”

Out of all the categories, this was the most challenging because of how good all eight of the nominees were. But “Promising Young Woman” was such an amazing psychological thriller that combined hard truths about sexual assault with a dark sense of humor and 2000s pop music. 

“Minari” was one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time and, as someone who grew up in a family that worked in agriculture, I related to this Korean-American family trying to pursue the American dream. “Nomadland” is probably going to win it all, having won both an equivalent Golden Globe and BAFTA, and deservedly so. It was such a fantastic look into a unique subclass of Americans as they live unconventionally in defiance of the status quo.

Director Chloé Zhao’s work on “Nomadland” deserves Oscars for both Best Director and Best Picture.

Best Director: Chloé Zhao for “Nomadland”

Chloé Zhao’s direction of “Nomadland’ was fantastic as she has much of the film shot like a documentary which adds to the realism of the film. Her uncompromising vision shines throughout and a win for her would not only be deserved, but would also make her the second woman to win after Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker.” Zhao’s work should be looked at whenever a director wants to completely drench an audience in reality

Best Actor: Chadwick Boseman for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

One of the greatest tragedies of 2020 was the loss of Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at the age of 43. His work as an actor was remarkable and his final live-action role was no different. Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of Levee Green is complex as he hides his pain through humor. 

Boseman’s two monologues are haunting and his entire performance was a whirlwind of emotion. While it’s impossible to say that Boseman’s death didn’t play a role in my choice, his work speaks for itself and this performance will be remembered as one of his best.

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan for “Promising Young Woman”

In “Promising Young Woman,” Mulligan portrays one of the best anti-heroes I’ve ever seen. Mulligan’s character Cassie goes on a path of vengeance that is as entertaining as it is enthralling. While a role like this requires some bursts of emotion, Mulligan excels in showcasing the character’s subtleties. Her performance is the stuff that accolades are made of.

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya for “Judas and the Black Messiah”

Kaluuya’s portrayal of real-life Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton is very moving as Hampton tries to empower oppressed people in Chicago before being murdered by the police after being branded an enemy of the state by the FBI and the repulsive J. Edgar Hoover. Kaluuya disappears into this role, not through dramatic weight loss or make-up, but through an understanding of what Hampton stood for and what made him a great leader. 

Best Supporting Actress: Youn Yuh-jung for “Minari”

Youn Yuh-jung portrays the grandmother of the Yi family and provides a lot of great humor in the film, especially through her interactions with her grandson, played by Alan Kim. “Minari” was one of the most uplifting films of the year and this performance is one of the many factors that make it so wonderful.

Best Original Screenplay: Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman”

Fennell’s screenplay, which she also directed, is one of the most surprising scripts for a film in the past year. Just when it seems that the plot is going in one direction, Fennell does what the audience isn’t expecting and it makes for an interesting thriller. 

Best Adapted Screenplay: Kemp Powers for “One Night in Miami”

Based on his play, Kemp Powers’ script details a night where four of the most iconic black figures met and discussed what they’re doing for the causes of Civil Rights and Social Justice. Mainly set in a hotel room, Powers knows that just having good dialogue from Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali is enough. Despite being set in the 1960s, this story is just as relevant today and Powers understands this.

The Pixar animated film “Soul” is well in the running for Best Animated Feature and Best Score.

Best Animated Feature: “Soul”

An uplifting tale of purpose and living life to the fullest, “Soul” is an unbelievably beautiful film and clearly has the love of every critic and filmgoer who’s seen it. 

Best International Film: “Another Round”

From Denmark, Another Round takes a difficult subject like alcohol use and approaches it from a different, uplifting angle while still acknowledging the dark side of the substance. Mads Mikkelsen delivers an incredible leading performance and Thomas Vinterberg’s direction makes for a one-of-a-kind experience at the movies.

Best Documentary: “My Octopus Teacher”

This film, detailing the relationship between the documentarian and an octopus which he studies, has a lot of interesting underwater shots and shows off the complex relationship between man and nature.

Best Short (Live Action): “The Letter Room”

Oscar Issac delivers a funny and serious performance in this short film that shows how a prison guard can actually show humanity towards an inmate.

Best Short (Animated): “Burrow”

This animated Disney short is a cute story about finding a place to live and it’s told with the beautiful simplicity of animation.

Best Short (Documentary): “A Concerto Is A Conversation”

Showing the relationship between film composer Kris Bowers and his grandfather, this film details the relationship between the generations as well as how people can take their pain and turn it into something wonderful.

Best Score: “Soul”

Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and John Batiste create a score influenced from jazz but with an otherworldly feel to it as well. The music of the film creates an inviting atmosphere and makes New York City so vibrant and lovely.

Best Original Song: Hear My Voice from “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

This song serves as an uplifting anthem in the fight for freedom of speech and of protest that appears throughout the film.

Best Sound: “Sound of Metal”

The sound design of this film is unbelievable as the filmmakers are able to make you feel like you’re going deaf. The way the sound goes from full blast to quiet is incredible.

Best Production Design: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

Set in 1920s Chicago, the film is dripping with atmosphere as the sweaty, stuffy recording studio comes to life. 

Best Cinematography: “Mank”

The film’s beautiful black-and-white photography is drenched in the filmmaking style of old Hollywood with deep focus, cigarette burns which fully envelopes the viewer into the world of the old studio system.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

The makeup effects that turn Viola Davis into the Mother of the Blues make this film deserve an Oscar.

Best Costume Design: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

Period pieces have always dominated this category and films like “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom'' are the reason why. Not only do the costumes create a new level of atmosphere, but also reveal a lot about our characters and their values.

Best Editing: “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

The way the film cuts from the 1968 Democratic Convention and the trial that serves as the main story is incredible as it creates a perfect parallel. The cutting is much more flashy than others but it ultimately serves the film.

Best Visual Effects: “Tenet”

Christopher Nolan’s films have a habit of winning this award and “Tenet” also deserves the statue for creating mind-being effects that deal with objects moving backwards through time. The practicality of the effects is what makes them all the more impressive.

Among the films that were robbed of recognition from the Academy was Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods.”

Overlooked Films:

While I felt that the nominations were fair, there were quite a few films that I felt deserved some recognition. So, here are some films that were either not nominated or are up for very few awards that I feel deserved more credit from the Academy.

Da 5 Bloods: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing,

Tenet: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Elizabeth Debicki, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Score

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Best Picture, Best Actor for Sacha Baron Cohen

On the Rocks: Best Actress for Rashida Jones, Best Supporting Actor for Bill Murray

The Invisible Man: Best Actress for Elizabeth Moss, Best Visual Effects 

The Gentlemen: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Hugh Grant, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing