Global And Diverse: Who We'd Like To Win At The 91st Academy Awards
Finally, after the long wait, the 2019 Oscars nominations were finally announced Tuesday night here in Manila, and it’s a list with enough surprises and glaring omissions. As far as the acting categories went, there were no truly major surprises; but when the Best Director and Best Picture categories were announced, a very diverse and global aspect to this year’s Academy Awards was achieved.
READ: A List Of Must-See Movies From 2018—How Many Have You Seen Here So Far?
"Oscars So White" will be something critics can no longer complain about; with African-Americans and even ethnically diverse nominees leading the charge. Unfortunately though, it seems the door for women directors and cinematographers remains closed for this year.
Here’s a rundown of some of the major categories, who we'd like to see win, and who we think will take the prize. The Academy Awards will air live on February 24 (Monday morning, February 25, here in Manila).
Best Picture
Congratulations to the Best Picture nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/KF8m9vaM5h
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Green Book, Roma, A Star Is Born, and Vice
While allowed to nominate up to 10 films, we see only eight, and they’re led by the more popular films such as Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star Is Born. We're happy that BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, Roma, Green Book and Vice made the list.
Who we'd like to win: "I'd love to see The Favourite or Vice make it; but we're equally happy to predict Roma!" - Philip Cu-Unjieng, contributing writer
"Roma is making history in the Academy, so it will most likely bag the most precious award of the night but Bohemian Rhapsody is also up to the game." - Judy Arias, Metro.Style managing editor
"Roma may be in a monochromatic format, but the subtlety in the use of shadows and light was well-thought of and deliberate that it still was able to capture the vibrance and grit of Mexico. Touching and witty, Cuarón's film is definitely one strong contender." - Joan Ko, Metro.Style video producer
Lead Actor
Congratulations to the Leading Actor nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/PEd8EiKTs0
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Christian Bale for Vice, Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born, Willem Dafoe for At Eternity’s Gate,
Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody, and Viggo Mortensen for Green Book
Who we think will win: "I’d love to see Christian Bale take this, and he’s my prediction as well." - PCU
"Rami Malek or Christian Bale! Those transformations, no doubt, deserve to win!" - JA
"Even if he was snubbed for his performance in The Big Short, Bale was really convincing and good in Vice, pouring both heart and 'heartlessness' as Dick Cheney that I really did hate him—which only proves how much he deserves this win." - JK
Lead Actress
Congratulations to the Leading Actress nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/Xt48ySqzE2
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Yalitza Aparicio for Roma, Glenn Close for The Wife, Olivia Colman for The Favourite, Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born, and Melissa McCarthy for Can You Ever Forgive Me?
With Yalitza Aparicio of Roma making the list, Emily Blunt was effectively boxed out.
Who we'd like to win: "I like Olivia Colman for sheer acting, but can see Glenn Close swooping in for a sentimental win. My prediction though is Olivia Colman, as it’s the more fiery performance that Academy voters love, this year’s Frances McDomand." - PCU
"Glenn Close for me, but I would also love to see Yalitza Aparicio receive the award." - JA
"Glenn Close will not be pushed aside as The Wife, and frankly, she really has exceeded all my expectations in her quiet but deafening performance." - JK
Supporting Actor
Congrats to the Supporting Actor nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/OdNe2e29qh
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Mahershala Ali for Green Book, Adam Driver for BlacKkKlansman, Sam Elliott for A Star Is Born, Richard E. Grant for Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and Sam Rockwell for Vice
Who we'd like to win: "Definitely Mahershala Ali for me, and this, if ever, would be his second Academy Award!" - Geolette Esguerra, Metro.Style Editor-in-Chief
Supporting Actress
Congrats to the Supporting Actress nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/lBIyku8hqh
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Amy Adams for Vice, Marina de Tavira for Roma, Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk, Emma Stone for The Favourite, and Rachel Weisz for The Favourite
Again, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone in The Favourite cancel each other out, and the surprise here is Marina de Tavira, the mother in Roma, being included.
Who we'd like to win: "I’d love Amy Adams in Vice to take this, but predict Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk." - PCU
Director
Congratulations to the Directing nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/Fyn1KJWbmX
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Spike Lee for BlacKkKlansman, Pawel Pawlikowski for Cold War, Yorgos Lanthimos for The Favourite, Alfonso Cuarón for Roma, and Adam McKay for Vice
The most interesting category, as we have Spike Lee, a previously omitted African-American for BlacKkKlansman, Pawel Pawlikowski from Poland for Cold War, Greek Yorgos Lanthimos for The Favourite, Mexican Alfonso Cuarón for Roma, and American Adam McKay for Vice. And no Bradley Cooper. We loved this category as they rewarded both effective storytelling and technical prowess.
Who we'd like to win: "Can we say Bradley Cooper? Unfortunately, this is one big Oscars snub that we still can't get over." - GE
"Great global diversity here, and I see Cuarón taking the statuette home." - PCU
Animated Feature
Congratulations to the Animated Feature nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/0ph3HGwlln
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Mirai, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Rich Moore, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Who we'd like to win: "Loved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and don’t see its streak ending here. Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs is the only one with an outside hope of playing spoiler." - PCU
"Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse! I'm a fan, that's it. But Isle of Dogs is one of my bets too, another Wes Anderson masterpiece!" - JA
Adapted Screenplay
Congratulations to the Adapted Screenplay nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/eFhRsANumc
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, BlacKkKlansman, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, If Beale Street Could Talk, and A Star Is Born
Who we'd like to win: "I love that the Coen Brothers slipped into this category for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; but would tip Barry Jenkins for If Beale Street Could Talk as my prediction." - PCU
Original Screenplay
Congratulations to the Original Screenplay nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/BqgtMShE9q
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: The Favourite, First Reformed, Green Book, Roma, and Vice
Strong list of nominees here as Vice, Green Book, The Favourite, and Roma are all represented.
Who we'd like to win: "I tip Roma and Cuarón." - PCU
Cinematography
Congratulations to the Cinematography nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/RJp1M3Zgu2
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Cold War, The Favourite, Never Look Away, Roma, and A Star Is Born
Who we'd like to win: "Look to this to be a toss up between Cuarón for Roma and Lukasz Zal for Cold War." - PCU
"I'm sure Roma will win but I'm placing my bet for A Star Is Born simply because it's a proud moment knowing a fellow Pinoy is nominated in the most prestigous awards night in Hollywood! Congrats Matthew Libatique!" - JA
Best Foreign Language Film
Congratulations to the Foreign Language Film nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/TybhhyJKic
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Capernaum (Lebanon), Cold War (Poland), Never Look Away (Germany) Roma (Mexico), and Shoplifters (Japan)
In a perfect world, Cold War could take the prize here, and Roma takes Best Picture.
Who we'd like to win: "If my reading of the trend is right, I see this as another category for the multiple wins Roma will gain on the night." - PCU
Original Song
Congratulations to the Original Song nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/8Fn5evqrYt
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: “All The Stars” from Black Panther, “I’ll Fight” from RBG, "The Place Where Lost Things Go” from Mary Poppins Returns, "Shallow” from A Star Is Born, and “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Who we'd like to win: "This may be the one chance Lady Gaga will have for getting to the podium along with Mark Ronson et al. for 'Shallow.' Although my favorite song nominee is the hilarious 'When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings' from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." - PCU
Best Documentary Feature
Congratulations to the Documentary Feature nominees #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/BKvqQ9BKJK
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Nominees: Free Solo, Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Minding the Gap, Of Fathers and Sons, and RBG
Who we'd like to win: "RBG for the win, and I hope Supreme Court Justice Ruth Badger Ginsburg will be attending with the producers. Betsy West and Julie Cohen. The one opportunity to celebrate substantive Women Empowerment at this year’s Oscars." - PCU
If anything, these nominations show that The Academy is making the effort to be more relevant, recognizing social commentary and strong messaging via film. While concessions to popular meant such films as A Star Is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody got nods, we think they won't be taking home a lot of hardware come Oscars night.
That Roma and The Favourite romped away with 10 nominations each, and McKay for Vice (and no Farrelly for Green Book, or Cooper) made it to the Best Director circle, should be a signal for the voting mindset of the year.
Let’s see how these predictions pan out come February 24th.
And the nominees for the 91st #Oscars are.... https://t.co/UAgGz0dGj6 pic.twitter.com/nT8M13BQGP
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 22, 2019
Check out the full list of nominees here
Photos from @theacademy