There’s a chill in the air and it’s definitely not from dropping temperatures. During this time of the year, Hollywood begins its merry-go-round of award shows to acknowledge notable works of entertainment. Both the Golden Globes and the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards have already handed out their statuettes, but all eyes now turn to the most well-known and arguably most significant awards — the Oscars.
On Jan. 22, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences announced nominations for their established categories. For Best Actress, established legends like Glenn Close and Olivia Colman could easily take the title, but some fierce newcomers undoubtedly threaten their chances. First-time nominees Yalitza Aparicio, Melissa McCarthy, and Lady Gaga all delivered powerhouse performances in their respective films. Thus, in this category, one hesitates to predict a decisive winner, considering how all of these actresses’ efforts have immensely enriched their characters.
The Best Actor category has more well-known nominees, but deciding a winner for this category is no less difficult. Hollywood has favored Bradley Cooper, Willem Dafoe, Christian Bale, and Viggo Mortensen for years. Any of them may have a good chance to snag the Oscar. However, Rami Malek’s stellar performance in
Bohemian Rhapsody
(2018) has already won him the Golden Globe and the SAG Award for Best Actor, which greatly increases his likelihood of winning the Oscar.
Thankfully, the Academy has made the Best Animation category a little easier to predict;
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
(2018) will definitely take home the Oscar. While
Mirai
(2018) and
Isle of Dogs
(2018) are bold in story and in enchanting animation styles, they do not hold a candle to
Into the Spiderverse
. Additionally, though the Oscars tend to give the award to Disney, this year’s Disney nominees —
The Incredibles 2
(2018) and
Ralph Breaks the Internet
(2018) — lack the rich narrative and innovative animation techniques that
Into the Spiderverse
possesses.
The Best Picture category, usually homogenous in story style, includes a variety of genres this year. Charged biopics like
BlacKkKlansman
(2018), directed by Spike Lee, and
Bohemian Rhapsody
, directed by Bryan Singer, respectively claimed nominations in multiple prestigious award shows, making them possible contenders of the award. However, the Academy does not stray too far from old habits; melodramas like
Roma
(2018), directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and
A Star Is Born
(2018), directed by Bradley Cooper, could easily scoop up the Best Picture award for themselves. The Academy tends to favor these types of films.
Those films that do not have a specific genre to typify them include the action-packed and philosophical
Black Panther
(2018), directed by Ryan Coogler, the political drama of
Vice
(2018), directed by Adam McKay, the unapologetic historical commentary in
Green Book
(2018), directed by Peter Farrelly, and the surreal historical comedy of
The Favourite
(2018), directed by Yorgos Logorithmios.
Previous award shows like the Golden Globes and the SAGs usually indicate which nominees to have a strong likelihood of winning. Considering its victories in both shows,
Bohemian Rhapsody
has the biggest chance to take home Best Picture. However, the Oscars can occasionally break this tradition; during the 2017 award season, Damien Chazelle’s
La La Land
(2016) swept up countless Golden Globes but merely claimed two Oscars.
When considering a Best Picture winner, the Academy tends to focus on the social relevance of a movie.
Bohemian Rhapsody
has a huge advantage in this area, since the film explores the lives of the legendary members in Queen — a band that continues to influence pop culture and music. The Academy also has a proclivity to favor movies that show the complexity of human lives.
Bohemian Rhapsody
certainly does this by making the audience empathize with the life of Freddie Mercury. From his tentative hopes for musical success to his serious thoughts about being queer,
Bohemian Rhapsody
definitely shows Mercury as a multilayered and complex individual.
However, Alfonso Cuaròn’s
Roma
also has potential to win Best Picture. Not only does it immediately grab the Academy’s attention as a melodrama, but it also tells the emotionally intimate story of a 1970s Mexican family, fitting the Academy’s love of movies which highlight the intricacies of the human character.
Roma
possesses immense social relevance. Cuarón does not hesitate to show how class struggles incites violence that severely endangers the fragile life of the family, a message that sadly applies to many innocent communities across the world.
With such a variety of nominees across each category, the Academy invites much intrigue and anticipation for the results — a perfect combination to increase watching numbers. Regardless of the winners, many will certainly tune in to support their favorite nominees and the Oscars will, ultimately, entertain their audience.
The 2019 Oscars will premiere at 8:00 PM on Feb. 24.
