96th Academy Award Predictions: March 10, 2024

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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One of the requirements of being a film critic is the annual obligation to make Oscar predictions. This is akin to betting on horse races, but guys with heavy brows and cracking knuckles are not involved in these wagers. It’s merely a best guess.

On March 10, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will present its annual awards for excellence in cinematic achievements – better known as the Oscars. This is the result of votes from about 9,921 motion picture professionals. They are a cranky and partisan lot, subject to trends, whims, rivalry, and (sometimes) good performances.

Founded in 1929, AMPAS is the oldest worldwide entertainment awards ceremony.

This same evening, Tropic Cinema will close off Eaton Street, roll out the red carpet, and host a big Oscar party – watching the award presentations live on a big screen. Gwen Filosa will act as local mistress of ceremonies. Cocktails and food will be served. Oscar ballets are available for your entertainment (can you beat me?).

This year there are 23 awards categories – with the likes of “Oppenheimer,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Barbie” hoping to win big. For this forecast, we will cover only the key awards.

Follow along and see if my picks match yours:

Best Picture – “Oppenheimer,” the winner hands down. This will be a big night for director Christopher Nolan.

Best Director – Yep, Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer.”

Best Actor – Paul Giamatti for “The Holdovers.” With a cocked eye and body odor, he gave a pitch-perfect performance as an unlikable teacher who finds himself during a school break.

Best Actress – Lily Gladstone for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Academy member will want to make a statement of inclusion for Native American performers. This will be a first (you can’t count Sacheen Littlefeather’s Oscar acceptance for Marlon Brando; she wasn’t even a real Indian).

Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey Jr. for “Oppenheimer.” Proving he’s an Iron Man indeed. He was never going to get an Academy Award for a Marvel superhero movie.

Best Supporting Actress – Da’Vine Joy Randolph for “The Holdovers.” Another feel-good choice.

Best Original Screenplay – “The Holdovers,” penned by David Hemingson.

Best Adapted Screenplay – “Oppenheimer,” penned by Christopher Nolan (based on “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin).

Best Animated Feature Film – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Whoops, a superhero movie made it to the top.

Best International Feature Film – The UK’s “Zone of Interest,” directed by Jonathan Glazer.

Best Documentary – “20 Days In Mariupol,” directed by Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Chernov, and Raney Aronson-Rath.

Best Original Song – “What Was I Made For,” written and performed by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, for “Barbie.”

Best Original Score – “Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson.

Best Sound – “Oppenheimer,” Richard King, Michael W. Mitchell, Kevin O’Connell, and Gary A. Rizzo.

Best Production Design – “Barbie,” Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer.

Best Visual Effects – “The Creator,” Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts, and Neil Corbould.

Best Cinematography – “Oppenheimer,” Hoyte van Hoytema.

Best Film Editing – “Oppenheimer,” Jennifer Lame.

Best Costume Design – “Barbie,” Jacqueline Durran.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling – “Maestro,” Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, and Lori McCoy-Bell.

All the shorts – I’ll pass.

There you have it. The big winner of the night, “Oppenheimer” I forecast. The big loser, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” “The Holdovers” will do good. “Barbie” will make a showing.

Keep in mind, this is merely a prediction of winners. It does not reflect my personal opinion of “the best,” rather being a second guessing of how Hollywood insiders will vote in this year’s Oscars race.

Me, I would have given more awards to “Barbie.”

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com