Oscar Predictions - Part Three

Yesterday, Part Two knocked out the rest of the technical awards as well as the music side of things. Today, Part Three handles those tough Short Films and the Best Documentary and Foreign Film as well. The day keeps approaching and the categories keep getting tougher, but alas here is Part Three:

Best Animated Short Film

Favorite: Sanjay’s Super Team

   Pixar very often contributes a nominee in this catergory, much like the Feature Animated category, but Sanjay’s Super Team doesn’t get by on just its name alone by any means. The charming short is sweet while also entertaining and could very easily bring home the gold.

Who I Want to See Win: Bear Story

   Something about this short film is so amazing that it’s hard to put into words why it ended up being my favorite. The style of animation is creative and different and ultimately beautiful despite it’s simplicity.

Prediction: Bear Story

   In perhaps a bit of an upset, Bear Story will bring home the award over Sanjay’s Super Team. World of Tomorrow, the story of the future where humans have perfected cloning, could certainly challenge the other two, but in the end Bear Story will bring it home.

Best Live Action Short Film

Favorite: Ave Maria

   The surprisingly funny live action short about a group of nuns and their attempts to help a stranded couple is certainly a deserving candidate, but a favorite? As much as I enjoyed Ave Maria, it certainly wasn’t the standout of the five candidates.

Who I Want to See Win: Day One

   In an intriguing film about the first day of a new interpreter in the Middle East, Day One was easily my favorite among the five nominees. It’s story is something that could work beyond a short, but still very much functions within the short runtime.

Prediction: Shok

   Honestly this category is such a competitive one that it’s hard to pick a film to win. It could be either of the mentioned previously, but could also be the beautiful Stutterer or even the heartbreaking Everything Will Be Okay. In the end though I had to go with the absolutely terrific film, Shok.

Best Documentary – Short Subject

Favorite: Body Team 12

   In perhaps the most heartbreaking of the five nominees is the story of a Body Team during the Ebola outbreak. It’s a strange sort of heartbreaking though, as however hard it may be to see the families go through this, its uplifting to see the hope the Red Cross Workers have for the future.

Who I Want to See Win: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

   Remember when I said ‘most heartbreaking’? I retract that statement. This short film gets that title. Following the story of Saba, as 18 year old victim of ‘honor killings’ in Pakistan, A Girl in the River is an eye opener to another corner of the world and truly, truly devastating.

  

Prediction: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

   Why must these short film categories be so hard to call? I feel like I could get every other category right, but these three categories are so open I could miss all three pretty easily. But this film is my pick to win the award. I guess we will have to see come Sunday what comes out on top.

Best Documentary – Feature

Favorite: Amy

   Far and away one of the biggest favorites of the entire nomination list, Amy tells the tale of Amy Winehouse and the tragedy that occurred almost five years ago. It’s an interesting look at what the mustician faced and went through and ultimately the best of the five nominees.

Who I Want to See Win: Amy

   Not only was it the best but ended up being my favorite as well.

Prediction: Amy

   While it could end up face some challenge from either of the Netflix orginial Documentaries, What Happened, Miss Simone? and Winter on Fire, Amy looks life a lock when it comes down to it.

Best Foreign Language Film

Favorite: Son of Saul

   Perhaps even more of a lock than Amy is Son of Saul. Not only is a huge frontrunner for Best Documentary, but there was a time when it received some Best Picture buzz as well. It’s really no surprise at how much attention Son of Saul is receiving especially when taking the World War II subject matter into account.

Who I Want to See Win: Son of Saul

   Another frontrunner that ended up being my favorite, but there is a reason it’s the frontrunner.

Prediction: Son of Saul

   Son of Saul doesn’t only capture a different side of World War II but it does so extremely well. Very few films appear able to challenge Son of Saul for the award, perhaps A War or Mustang, but again the Academy seems to have a virtual lock on their hands.

Oscar Count through Part Three:

Mad Max: Fury Road – 3
Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound Editing

The Hateful Eight – 1
Best Original Score

The Revenant – 1
Best Sound Mixing

The Big Short – 1
Best Film Editing

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 1
Best Visual Effects

Cinderella – 1
Best Costume Design

The Hunting Ground – 1
Best Original Song

Son of Saul – 1

Best Foreign Language Film

Amy – 1

Best Documentary – Feature

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness – 1

Best Documentary – Short Subject

Shok – 1

Best Live Action Short Film

Bear Story – 1

Best Animated Short Film

So what are your predictions? Do you disagree with mine? Share, comment below, make sure to look out for Part Four on Thursday, and as always return to I Am Sam for weekly reviews and insight.