Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Oscar Predictions - Part One

   Well it's finally that time of year, when the best of the best come together for Hollywood's biggest night. With the ceremony less than a week away, I Am Sam Reviews will be previewing each and every category, giving a personal thought and a realistic prediction for all twenty-four awards. Will La La Land rack up the wins as it did nominations? Is there room for the other great films of 2016 to be recognized? Let's start with the first handful of awards and find out.

Best Visual Effects

What I Want to Win: 
Kubo and the Two Strings

Prediction: 
The Jungle Book

   An absolutely beautiful film that only is elevated once you know the tremendous amount of work that was put into it. As the first animated film to be nominated for Visual Effects since The Nightmare Before Christmas, the film really doesn’t have the odds in its favor but I’m still holding out hope for the upset. But from the standpoint of truly breathtaking visuals, nothing comes close to what The Jungle Book accomplished. Though the appearance of a lush jungle is throughout, the reality is a whole lot of blue screen in a studio in Hollywood and yet none of it feels faked or out of place and because of this it’s essentially a lock for the award.

Best Film Editing

What I Want to Win: 
Arrival

Prediction: 
La La Land

   Outside of my pure love for this incredible film Arrival, I fear it may not have any other award shots this year and so I have to pull for it somewhere. It’s completely deserving of this award (and others) with some excellent editing from Joe Walker. On the other hand is La La Land. Certain sequences of choreography appear to be so magical that it’s hard to really determine where the cuts actually are.  It’s incredibly seamless and I will say it’s likely that the big Hollywood musical gets the award in this category, though it is hardly a lock.

Best Costume Design

What I Want to Win: 
Jackie

Prediction:
Jackie

   It’s almost too gorgeous to deny this film some sort of recognition and costume design appears to be that place. I, personally, loved the entire film although there are definitely flaws but the look of the film is not one. Though it’s hardly a lock, I’m going to go out and predict the design work of Madeline Fontaine will bring home the statue. There is always the lurking monster that is La La Land, which could definitely pull another win here, and Allied features some great period design as well, but the beauty and elegance that the costuming work does for Jackie is hard to ignore.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

What I Want to Win: 
Star Trek Beyond

Prediction: 
Star Trek Beyond

   Another category that features recognition for the big budget blockbusters, Makeup and Hairstyling is inherently an easier category to predict with only three nominees. Hopefully one of the few great summer blockbusters from last year takes home some recognition for some absolutely incredible creature work. It should go to Star Trek Beyond but the academy may go a strange direction and give it to A Man Called Ove. Honestly as long as Suicide Squad doesn’t bring home the award I think everyone can be happy, because the only thing worse than saying Oscar Nominated film Suicide Squad is Oscar Winning film Suicide Squad.

Best Cinematography

What I Want to Win: 
Silence

Prediction: 
La La Land

   The criminally underrepresented film in this years nominations features some truly mesmerizing cinematography work that accents the beauty of the film itself. Rodrigo Prieto highlights all of the stylishness of the film and should, ideally, get some recognition here.Though as much as I want Silence to bring home this award, in all likelihood it will be one of three films (Arrival, La La Land, or Lion).  Lion has gained some steam, earning the big win from ASC, and Arrival features some breathtaking work from Bradford Young, but the love for La La Land and it’s spectacular camera work is enough to most likely bring it home.

Best Production Design

What I Want to Win: 
Arrival

Prediction: 
La La Land

   This category is really strong this year and any of them could ultimately bring it home, but the work on Arrival (and my love for it) makes it stand out above the rest. The film transports you to this other world that’s unique and amazing and it’s all just a cherry on top of the wonderful story.There is so much great design work that is used to move the audience into these other worlds or realities. Ultimately, I’ll take the most nominated film of the year to bring home the trophy here though I’d hardly be shocked if one of the more immersive films earns the Oscar here.


   With La La Land likely bringing in three awards from the visual categories, it's fairly clear the domination of the ceremony is still a high possibility. Will it continue into the other categories as well? And are there any upsets that you see happening? Subscribe, share, comment below, and be sure to look out for Part Two tomorrow. 

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