90th Academy Award Nominations Predictions
Tomorrow, at 8:22 a.m. Eastern Time — too-damn-early Pacific Time — the 90th Academy Award nominations are going to be announced. Insha and I have decided to throw out our predictions for what those nominees will be, based on buzz, momentum, award season winners and pure intuition.
We’ve also included an “In a Perfect World” section where we can throw out the movies we think deserve some recognition but probably won’t get it.
We’re leaving out the short categories because, sadly, neither of us are too well-versed in the contenders.
Best Picture
Predictions
Michael:
- Call Me By Your Name
- Darkest Hour
- Dunkirk
- The Florida Project
- Lady Bird
- The Post
- The Shape of Water
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Academy rules allow for a maximum of 10 Best Picture nominees, but that number hasn’t been reached since the rule change for the 84th Academy Awards. Because of this, I’m sticking with eight, but a ninth nominee could easily sneak in there. Darkest Hour, The Post or The Florida Project are likeliest to get bumped, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Get Out or I, Tonya make the cut.
Insha:
- The Shape of Water
- Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Dunkirk
- I, Tonya
- Get Out
- Call Me By Your Name
- Lady Bird
I have a shorter amount on my list cause honestly, didn’t bother to see Lady Bird or The Florida Project this year. However, I’ll sneak Lady Bird in there for a nominee because it’s gonna get something.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
There are so many low-key brilliant movies that came out this year that won’t get nominations at the Oscars, and that’s wrong. I’d add Ingrid Goes West, Colossal, Logan (honor superhero movies, you f*cking cowards), Good Time and, sneaking one more film; It Comes At Night. (Also, Logan Lucky because I just love that films so much).
Michael:
It’s a solid list of contenders this year, so I’d want to keep Dunkirk, The Shape of Water, Three Billboards and Call Me By Your Name. I’d add a full 10 of Get Out — which might make the cut anyway — A Ghost Story, i don’t feel at home in this world anymore., Brawl in Cell Block 99, War for the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Covenant.
Best Director
Predictions
Michael:
- Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
- Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name
- Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
- Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Jordan Peele for Get Out and Sean Baker for The Florida Project are the ones knocking on the door the make the five, but it’s hard to totally count out the likes of Steven Spielberg for The Post or Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread.
Insha:
- Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
- Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
- Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Jordan Peele, Get Out
- Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
So, let’s be real, I know Jordan Peele isn’t going to get, but a girl can dream.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
This is a hard one. I adored what these directors put into their work. However, if I were to choose, I would take out Martin McDonagh and Paul Thomas Anderson. I love their work, but eh… it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Time to get some new blood in the Best Director category. I’d replace them with Marc Meyers (My Friend Dahmer) and Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya).
Michael:
I’d keep Nolan and del Toro, but it seems like a crime not to nominate Denis Villeneuve in a year in which he put out a movie, so I’d throw him on there for Blade Runner 2049. Hopefully, Jordan Peele nabs a nom because he’d make my list. The last spot I’d give to a relative newcomer like Macon Blair for i don’t feel at home in the world anymore. or S. Craig Zahler for Brawl in Cell Block 99.
Best Actress
Predictions
Michael:
- Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
- Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
- Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
- Meryl Streep, The Post
This category seems like it’s locked up and I’d be pretty surprised if anybody else squeezed in. Which usually means someone will squeeze in here and surprise me.
Insha:
- Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
- Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I honestly just want Margot Robbie or Sally Hawkins to win because they did such a fantastic job in both their roles. However, Dafne Keen (Logan), give that girl all the awards. Katherine Waterston in Alien: Covenant deserves some awards for saving that movie. Jessica Chastain in The Zookeeper’s Wife aka the movie everyone slept on.
Michael:
I’d stick with McDormand, Robbie, and Hawkins because they were fantastic. I also co-sign Dafne Keen, but for my remaining two spots I’ll throw out Melanie Lynskey for i don’t feel at home in this world anymore. and Aubrey Plaza for Ingrid Goes West.
Best Actor
Predictions
Michael:
- Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
- James Franco, The Disaster Artist
- Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
- Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Daniel Kaluuya is the only one I’m a little iffy on, and someone like Tom Hanks for The Post could easily scoop his spot.
Insha:
- Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
- Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
- Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
- Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
I very much agree with Michael. Daniel Kaluuya is a bit iffy. He should totally get it, but iffy cause the Academy doesn’t let us have nice things. I want so badly for Fionn Whitehead or Harry Styles to get Best Actor for Dunkirk.
Also, if I had to personally go to the Oscars and give the Best Actor award to anyone, it would be Hugh Jackman for Logan. Don’t invite me to the Oscars.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Shit, this is a hard one. Best Actor is always so difficult cause there are SO many dudes throughout the movies, so it’s hard to narrow those down. It’s the opposite for Best Actress cause you have to remember where they were in the films. I’d honestly just switch out Daniel Day-Lewis or Gary Oldman and put in Ross Lynch. I know you guys are probably like “what the f*ck is with her and this movie?” Guys, a Disney star as a serial killer is probably the best thing I saw all year.
Oh! I almost forgot. Danny McBride for Alien: Covenant. Another person who saved that film.
Michael:
Like Insha said, there’s rarely a weak year for the lead or supporting actor category, because Hollywood gives out meaty roles for men like they’re candy. I’d keep Kaluuya and Chalamet and add Vince Vaughn for Brawl in Cell Block 99, Robert Pattinson in Good Time and James McAvoy in Split.
Best Supporting Actress
Predictions
Michael:
- Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
- Holly Hunter, The Big Sick
- Allison Janney, I, Tonya
- Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
- Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Hong Chau has gotten a lot of love for her role in Downsizing, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she takes a slot here. Ultimately it’s a showdown between Metcalf and Janney for the top prize anyway, so everyone else will just be happy to show up.
Insha:
- Allison Janney, I, Tonya
- Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
- Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
To be completely honest, I stopped caring about Best Supporting Actress long ago, but… this year Allison Janney and Octavia Spencer really stood out.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Elizabeth Olsen in Ingrid Goes West. Riley Keough in It Comes At Night and Logan Lucky. Brie Larson in Kong: Skull Island. Eiza González in Baby Driver.
Michael:
Insha’s choices are all dope as hell. I’m keeping Metcalf, Hunter, and Janney. I’d also include Michelle Pfeiffer for mother! and Tilda Swinton for Okja.
Best Supporting Actor
Predictions
Michael:
- Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
- Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
- Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name
Michael Stuhlbarg may fall out of this category, but I had to give him a shot with his solid work in both The Shape of Water and Call Me By Your Name. Ultimately I think Stuhlbarg and Armie Hammer will split the supporting actor love for Call Me By Your Name and someone else will slide in there.
Insha:
- Michael Stuhlbarg, The Shape of Water
- Arnie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name
- Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
- Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name
I super agree with Michael. I really loved Michael Stuhlbarg this year but… he totally may just… cease to exist in these categories. Sam Rockwell will definitely take this, but goddamnit can we give Stuhlbarg SOMETHING.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Jon Hamm from Baby Driver. Daniel Craig & Adam Driver in Logan Lucky. Bill Skarsgard in IT.
Michael:
I’m keeping Dafoe and Rockwell. I’d love to see Jason Sudeikis get some recognition for Colossal. The last two spots I’m torn on actors from two movies. Adam Driver or Daniel Craig from Logan Lucky and Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller or Robert Carlyle from T2 Trainspotting.
Insha: Holy shit. I forgot about Jason Sudeikis. Best villain 2017 ya’ll.
Best Animated Feature
Predictions
Michael:
- The Boss Baby
- The Breadwinner
- Coco
- The Lego Batman Movie
- Loving Vincent
This one seems a little obvious, but there’s usually a surprise that slips in there. I’m also not too happy about predicting The Boss Baby, but that’s the kind of world we live in. Maybe Despicable Me 3 will bump it.
Insha:
- Lego Batman Movie
- The Breadwinner
- Coco
- Loving Vincent
- Mary and the Witch’s Flower
I feel like I’m just predicting Mary and the Witch’s Flower because it looks drop dead gorgeous. Lego Batman is a sure winner of this, but if Coco doesn’t pull, I’ll be highly pissed. (Go see Coco everyone.)
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Oh man. I’d totally put Captain Underpants, In A Heartbeat (I know it’s a short but shhh), Your Name. I know Your Name came out last year. The full world were introduced to it on DVD/Blu-Ray this year. I think we should give it its due.
Michael:
I didn’t see many animated films this year, but I saw all of the ones I predicted, so in a perfect world, I’m totally correct in my predictions.
Best Cinematography
Predictions
Michael:
- Blade Runner 2049,Roger Deakins
- Darkest Hour, Bruno Delbonnel
- Dunkirk, Hoyte van Hoytema
- Mudbound, Rachel Morrison
- The Shape of Water, Dan Laustsen
It doesn’t really matter to me who gets nominated because I know Roger Deakins is going to lose again. That annoys me.
Insha:
- Blade Runner 2049, Roger Deakins
- Dunkirk, Hoyte van Hoytema
- The Shape of Water, Dan Laustsen
- War for the Planet of the Apes, Michael Seresin
- Call Me By Your Name, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
I very much agree with Michael. I’d love for Dan Laustsen to win, but it’s a f*cked world when Roger Deakins doesn’t get shit.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I, Tonya’s cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis. I’m in LOVE with the camera in I, Tonya. It very much shoots it like the times, and it’s so wonderfully done.
Michael:
I’m happy with most of my predictions here. The only one I’d consider swapping out would be Delbonnel for something like Michael Seresin for War for the Planet of the Apes, Philippe lLe Sourd for The Beguiled or Andrew Droz Palermo for A Ghost Story.
Best Editing
Predictions
Michael:
- Baby Driver, Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jon Gregory
- Get Out, Gregory Plotkin
- Dunkirk, Lee Smith
- The Shape of Water, Sidney Wolinsky
Get Out is probably a long shot here and could be replaced by something like Darkest Hour, Call Me By Your Name, Phantom Thread or I, Tonya.
Insha:
- Baby Driver, Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss
- Dunkirk, Lee Smith
- I, Tonya, Tatiana S. Riegel
- The Shape of Water, Sidney Wolinsky
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jon Gregory
Honestly, I dig this list. I think Film Editing is always the weirdest but most diverse list when you get into Oscars territory.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I think I’d add mother! Let’s get this straight. mother! shouldn’t be nominated for any other award but editing cause dear god, that’s some good editing. I’d also add Logan Lucky and Lego Batman.
Michael:
Hard to argue with Baby Driver here. I’d also choose Dunkirk, which has incredibly impressive editing. I’d also include Call Me By Your Name, A Ghost Story and I, Tonya.
Best Costume Design
Predictions
Michael:
- Beauty and the Beast, Jacqueline Durran
- I, Tonya, Jennifer Johnson
- Murder on the Orient Express, Alexandra Byrne
- Phantom Thread, Mark Bridges
- The Shape of Water, Luis Sequeira
Phantom Thread might be the only lock in this category, the rest are toss-ups.
Insha:
- Dunkirk, Jeffrey Kurland
- The Shape of Water, Luis Sequeira
- Blade Runner 2049, Renée April
- I, Tonya, Jennifer Johnson
To be completely honest, I’m just gonna combine my perfect world picks and predictions because I know the dopest costumes won’t win. (Aka, the recreations of Tonya Harding’s outfits.)
In a Perfect World
Insha:
*see above* *then look below*
Michael:
I’d keep Phantom Thread, The Shape of Water and I, Tonya and I like Insha’s Blade Runner 2049 pick (that dope coat, though) so I’ll toss that in. My last choice would be Alien: Covenant.
Best Documentary
Predictions
Michael:
- City of Ghosts, Matthew Heineman
- Faces Places, JR, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda
- Icarus, Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan
- Jane, Brett Morgen, Bryan Burk, Tony Gerber, James A. Smith
- Strong Island, Yance Ford, Joslyn Barnes
Seems like Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Sequel should make the list, but it didn’t make anywhere close to the splash that the first one did.
Insha:
- City of Ghosts, Matthew Heineman
- Faces Places, JR, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda
- Icarus, Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan
- Jane, Brett Morgen, Bryan Burk, Tony Gerber, James A. Smith
- Strong Island, Yance Ford, Joslyn Barnes
Confession: I haven’t seen any of the documentaries on the list. Mostly cause they’re never available by me, and I have to drag my ass into the city. I have heard great buzz and praise for Strong Island and City of Ghosts, so I’ll definitely check those out soon.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Casting JonBenet, Mommy Dead and Dearest, Gaga: Five Foot Two, The Keepers, Wormwood, and Bright Lights. All these because… they’re so lovely, good, sad, all the emotions at once.
Michael:
I’d keep Icarus and City of Ghosts and add Ex Libris, LA 92 and Gaga: Five Foot Two.
Best Foreign Language Film
Predictions
Michael:
- A Fantastic Woman, Sebastián Lelio (Chile)
- In the Fade, Fatih Akin (Germany)
- The Insult, Ziad Doueiri (Lebanon)
- Loveless, Andrey Zvyagintsev (Russia)
- The Square, Ruben Östlund (Sweden)
Insha:
- A Fantastic Woman, Sebastián Lelio (Chile)
- In the Fade, Fatih Akin (Germany)
- The Insult, Ziad Doueiri (Lebanon)
- Loveless, Andrey Zvyagintsev (Russia)
- The Wound, John Trengove (South Africa)
I wouldn’t change this at all. All of these are super strong films. I feel like In The Fade will hands down grab the award in this category.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
The Square should have totally been on this list. It’s so hilarious and fantastic. It swept European awards and the Palme d’Or so… it deserves to be at the Oscars guys.
Michael:
That’s why I’m predicting/hoping it will. It would be nice if BPM could get a nomination too. I’d also like to see more foreign genre films make the Oscars, like Thelma, Raw or The Lure.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Predictions
Michael:
- Darkest Hour
- I, Tonya
- Wonder
Insha:
- Darkest Hour
- Wonder
- Guardians of the Galaxy 2
This category irks me for a reason I can’t accurately describe. It might be because this group is the only time that superhero or sci-fi truly gets recognized and f*cked over at the same time. However, I hope Guardians of the Galaxy gets it.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I’d take out all of these. All of them and replace them with I, Tonya, Ghost in the Shell, The Shape of Water and The Beguiled. I don’t think we could get better than Sebastian Stan’s mustache in I, Tonya.
Michael:
Sebastain Stan’s moustache deserves its own award. I’d keep I, Tonya and add Bright and Ghost in the Shell.
Best Original Score
Predictions
Michael:
- Darkest Hour, Dario Marianelli
- Dunkirk, Hans Zimmer
- Phantom Thread, Jonny Greenwood
- The Post, John Williams
- The Shape of Water, Alexandre Desplat
Insha:
- Darkest Hour, Dario Marianelli
- Dunkirk, Hans Zimmer
- Phantom Thread, Jonny Greenwood
- The Post, John Williams
- The Shape of Water, Alexandre Desplat
If Shape of Water doesn’t take this, I quit this world. The entire soundtrack is just something of its own fairytale. I dare you to listen to this soundtrack with your eyes closed and not dream of your own story.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Shape of Water. Give Shape of Water everything.
Michael:
I’d definitely keep The Shape of Water and Phantom Thread. I do think the Zimmer’s work on Blade Runner 2049 deserves some recognition too. It’d be nice if Michael Giacchino could get a nod for War for the Planet of the Apes, he’s done great work in the last two films of that series.
Best Original Song
Predictions
Michael:
- “Evermore” Alan Menken, Tim Rice — Beauty and the Beast
- “Mystery of Love” Sufjan Stevens — Call Me By Your Name
- “Remember Me” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez — Coco
- “This Is Me” Benji Pasek, Justin Paul — The Greatest Showman
- “Stand Up for Something” Diane Warren, Common — Marshall
Insha:
- “Mystery of Love” Sufjan Stevens — Call Me by Your Name
- “Remember Me” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez — Coco
- “This Is Me” Benji Pasek, Justin Paul — The Greatest Showman
- “Stand Up for Something” Diane Warren, Common — Marshall
After seeing Call Me By Your Name, I listened to Mystery of Love more times than I should have. I’m listening to it now. Best song. Probably gonna be #1 on my Spotify time capsule.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I’ve only heard three of the songs on this list so I’d love to just hand Sufjan Stevens the award. He made a gorgeous song to a gorgeous movie that just… if you didn’t watch Call Me By Your Name, you’d know what the movie was about by that song. I wish we had a category for Best Curated Album. I’d give that to I, Tonya and Logan Lucky.
Michael:
Yeah, I’m all aboard the “Mystery of Love” train. Absolutely gorgeous. I also liked “Remember Me” from Coco, but I’m also annoyed it’s absolutely going to beat out Sufjan Stevens. I’d also add Stevens’s “Visions of Gideon” from Call Me By Your Name, “World Gone Mad” from Bright and “Love and Lies” from Band Aid.
Best Production Design
Predictions
Michael:
- Beauty and the Beast, Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
- Blade Runner 2049, Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola
- Dunkirk, Nathan Crowley
- The Post, Rick Carter, Rena DeAngelo
- The Shape of Water, Paul D. Austerberry, Jeffrey A. Melvin, Shane Vieau
Insha:
- Blade Runner 2049 — Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola
- The Post — Rick Carter, Rena DeAngelo
- The Shape of Water — Paul D. Austerberry, Jeffrey A. Melvin, Shane Vieau
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Rick Heinrichs
- Murder on the Orient Express — Jim Clay
I know Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Murder on the Orient Express are VERY much long shots. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (even though I didn’t personally love it) has some of the best and slick minimalistic design that goes a long way.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. You may not like the movie (I liked it), but have you seen that design tho?
Michael:
I’d keep The Shape of Water, Dunkirk and Blade Runner 2049 and include Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Best Sound Editing
Predictions
Michael:
- Baby Driver, Julian Slater
- Blade Runner 2049, Mark Mangini, Theo Green
- Dunkirk, Alex Gibson, Richard King
- The Shape of Water, Nathan Robitaille
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Ren Klyce, Matthew Wood
Ren Klyce and Matthew Wood deserve a nomination for star Wars: The Last Jedi based solely on the fact that Ren Klyce could actually be the name of a Star Wars character.
Insha:
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Matthew Wood
- Dunkirk — Richard King
- The Shape of Water — Glen Gauthier
- Blade Runner 2049 — Mark Mangini and Theo Green
- Darkest Hour — Craig Berkey
I’d give this to Dunkirk or Blade Runner 2049. Blade Runner’s entire structure counts on the sound, and Mark Mangini and Theo Green took the legacy from the first and shifted it into this. Dunkirk is silent and keeps you in suspense, which makes it a huge contender.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I’d probably take out Darkest Hour and place the sound editors from Ghost in the Shell in there. I love how that movie just SOUNDS. It’s so weirdly holo just like Major but builds steadily, and you can hear EVERYTHING which is just fantastic.
Michael:
I’m fine with my predictions being nominated, but something like Ghost in the Shell, T2 Trainspotting, Wonder Woman or War for the Planet of the Apes crashing the party would be cool.
Best Sound Mixing
Predictions
Michael:
- Baby Driver, Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin
- Blade Runner 2049, Mac Ruth, Ron Bartlett, Doug Hephill
- Dunkirk, Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, Gary A. Rizzo
- The Shape of Water, Glen Gauthier, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Staurt Wilson, Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick
I’m just gonna straight-up repeat my Sound Editing guesses.
Insha:
- Blade Runner 2049, Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill, Mac Ruth
- Baby Driver, Tim Cavagin, Julian Slater, Mary H. Ellis, James Peterson
- Dunkirk, Gregg Landaker, Gary Rizzo, Mark Weingarten
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi, David Parker, Michael Semanick, Tim White
- The Shape of Water, Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, Gary A. Rizzo
URG THIS IS SO HARD. Okay, I think Dunkirk is going to take this one. Dunkirk just has all the ingredients of a perfectly mixed sound that is haunting, terrifying and suspenseful.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I actually really love the list. Final answer.
Michael:
Yeah, I’m fine with my list as well. Still, a War for the Planet of the Apes nod in some more technical categories would be very cool.
Insha:
Michael will never forgive them if Planet of the Apes doesn’t win SOMETHING.
Best Original Screenplay
Predictions
Michael:
- The Big Sick, Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
- Get Out, Jordan Peele
- Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig
- The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh
Insha:
- The Shape of Water – Guillermo del Toro
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Martin McDonagh
- Coco – Adrian Molina
- Lady Bird – Greta Gerwig
- Get Out – Jordan Peele
I know two of these are a long shot, but I think this could be a little different. I think it kinda calls for it. Coco has an intriguing and vibrant story. Lady Bird is a coming of age that you didn’t see coming. Get Out is…. Get Out, there’s no other way to describe it. The Shape of Water might totally take this and well deserves it. I’m hoping for other films in this category that’s not the same old, same old.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I, Tonya should totally be in this category. But, would that be adapted screenplay? Michael? HALP?
Michael:
I think it counts as original and I wouldn’t be surprised if it pushes something out and actually nabs a nomination. I’m pretty happy with my list as-is, but I’d maybe swap Lady Bird out for the aforementioned I, Tonya, i don’t feel at home in this world anymore. or Brawl in Cell Block 99.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Predictions
Michael:
- Call Me By Your Name, James Ivory
- The Disaster Artist, Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber
- Logan, Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green
- Molly’s Game, Aaron Sorkin
- Mudbound, Virgil Williams and Dee Rees
I’m less sure about Logan and Mudbound, but the rest seem like a lock.
Insha:
- Call Me by Your Name, James Ivory
- The Disaster Artist, Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber
- Logan, Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green
- First They Killed My Father, Angelina Jolie and Loung Ung
- Molly’s Game, Aaron Sorkin
I mean, Call Me By Your Name is totally gonna win this, right?
In a Perfect World
Insha:
My Friend Dahmer. Hands down. I’m in love with the comic and the adaptable for the comic screen was something to see. I’m making Michael watch this as soon as it comes out. I’d also say Matt Bomback, and Matt Reeves for War for the Planet of the Apes should be in this category too. Maybe Wonder Woman as well.
Michael:
Logan would be a cool nominee, so I’d keep that, and Call Me By Your Name. For the rest of the spots I’d throw in The Beguiled, The Breadwinner and IT.
Best Visual Effects
Predictions
Michael:
- Blade Runner 2049
- Dunkirk
- Okja
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- War for the Planet of the Apes
Insha:
- Blade Runner 2049
- Alien: Covenant
- The Shape of Water
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- War for the Planet of the Apes
This is another category I’m super bitter about, but 2016’s win for Ex Machina gave me some hope again that this category can be good again. This year has so many strong contenders that it’s so hard. I want to give it to Blade Runner 2049. I hope they do too. It’s s strong VFX film, but then there’s War for the Planet of the Apes.
In a Perfect World
Insha:
I’d take our Star Wars: The Last Jedi (cause I’m petty and bitter as a motherf*cker. I’ll admit it) and replace it with Kong: Skull Island. Dat monkey’s back tho. Hot damn.
Michael:
I’d keep all of my picks here (because I’m not bitter about Star Wars) but it would be nice to see some love for Alien: Covenant, Kong: Skull Island or Valerian.
Insha:
The bitterness is strong within me.
