Oscar voting is officially over for the 97th Academy Awards, and now we are just patiently waiting until the awards are handed out on March 2nd. Will Mavity and I spoke with several Academy voters about what they are voting for and why. We’ll be posting some of those thoughts for your amusement in the lead-up to the Oscars (because that’s all this is at the end of the day). Remember, as you read these, they represent only a tiny fraction of the 10,000+ people who vote on the Oscar winners. While these may help provide some insight into how voters make their selections, they are far from the be-all-end-all of what will win the Oscars and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Best Picture:
This is a relatively weak year compared to last as we don’t have anything like an “Oppenheimer” this year, but if I had to tell you my top three they would be “Conclave,” “A Complete Unknown,” and “Anora,” in that order.
Best Director:
I gotta go with Brady Corbet on this one. What he did for $10 million was incredible. Much of “The Brutalist” I think is performative with the overture, intermission, and excessive runtime, but regardless of how one feels about such decisions, there’s no denying how bold his vision for this was and what he was able to accomplish with what he was given.
Best Actress:
I went with Fernanda Torres for “I’m Still Here.” I finally managed to catch up with this film after her Golden Globe win, and I’m glad I did because she was quite powerful in such a subtle role.
Best Actor:
For Best Actor, I went with Sebastian Stan. He had such a great year between “The Apprentice” and “A Different Man.” I admire his courage more than anything as someone who has had success in the blockbuster world and isn’t afraid to take on challenging independent projects or play one of the world’s most feared, powerful, and despicable individuals right now—anything to see him not look good. I normally would’ve said Adrien, but I was affected by the whole AI thing.
Best Supporting Actress:
Monica Barbaro for “A Complete Unknown.” Such a great singing voice, excellent presence, and really inhabited Joan Baez.
Best Supporting Actor:
Much like Stan, I went with Jeremy Strong for his bravery and how he fully embodies his character, in this case, Roy Cohn. He’s going to lose to his “Succession” buddy Kieran, but he’s so committed to his craft. I really respect him as an actor.
Best Original Screenplay:
I went with “September 5.” I don’t understand why that movie didn’t get more nominations. I really loved it, so all my support for that movie is going here. I really didn’t get the hype around “The Substance,” as I found it to be too blunt in its messaging. I suspect “Anora‘ will probably win here.
Best Adapted Screenplay:
It’s “Conclave.” There’s no other choice for me here that even touches it.
Best Animated Feature:
I voted for “Flow.” To me, that was the most artistic accomplishment of the nominees.
Best Documentary Feature:
I didn’t get a chance to watch all of them so I abstained.
Best International Feature Film:
I went with “I’m Still Here.” But man, do I really love “Flow.” I hope it can win at least one of its nominations but I ultimately voted for it in Animated because I think it has a better shot at winning there.
Best Cinematography:
“Nosferatu.” There was really unbelievable camerawork and lighting in that one.
Best Costume Design:
I’m not too crazy about the movie, but “Wicked” had the most impressive designs of the year.
Best Film Editing:
“Conclave” had this propulsive movement to it that made watching old men talk behind closed doors one of the most riveting films of the year.
Best Makeup & Hairstyling:
I went with “Wicked” here. I know most people are picking “The Substance,” but I honestly felt it was trying too hard to pull a Rick Baker and impress people with its work rather than going with something that felt more organic, especially in the third act. I found it to be overdone.
Best Production Design:
Same as Costume Design, “Wicked.”
Best Original Score:
“Conclave.” When he works with Berger, there’s something so alluring about how that composer uses the bass to grab your attention as they did on “All Quiet On The Western Front.” It’s a brooding phrase more than a melody. It really adds to the tension and I love it.
Best Original Song:
I chose Dianne Warren. She has to win one at some point, right? While I appreciate the operatic, big swing of “Emilia Pérez,” it’s just not a very good movie and that extends to the songs.
Best Sound:
Any time there is a musical or a film dealing with music, it should be up for the Oscar if done well, so for me, it was between “Wicked” and “A Complete Unknown.” Mangold’s film is told within a realistic environment, which makes it harder for the sound team to make it more immersive for the viewer since they don’t have tricks to fall back on that a fantasy film would allow you to play with. “Wicked” is a film that’s primarily created in post, while “A Complete Unknown’s” atmosphere is captured by the sound team on set, and it transports you. “Dune: Part Two” may seem like a shoo-in winner here, but it was already rewarded, and I didn’t feel there was anything much different with the second film to have to give it another win.
Best Visual Effects:
However, I will say “Dune: Part Two” for Best Visual Effects, quite simply because there is no competition. It’s the most seamless blend of practical and visual effects this year. No hesitation.
**This voter, a member of the director’s branch, abstained from voting in the shorts as they didn’t get around to them in time this year.**
Please let us know your thoughts on our X account and be sure to listen to our final Oscar predictions podcast episode coming this Sunday. Please click here for more important upcoming dates this awards season and here for the most recent tally of awards season winners for the current year.
You can follow Matt & Will and hear more of their thoughts on the Oscars & Film on Twitter at @NextBestPicture& @mavericksmovies
