2018 Oscar Predictions

Here are my 2018 Oscar predictions:

Best Picture:

“The Shape of Water”

Lead Actor:

Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”

Lead Actress:

Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”

Supporting Actor:

Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”

Supporting Actress:

Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”

Director:

“Get Out,” Jordan Peele

Animated Feature:

“Coco,” Lee Unkrich, Darla K. Anderson

Animated Short:

“Lou,” Dave Mullins, Dana Murray

Adapted Screenplay:

“Logan,” Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green

Original Screenplay:

“Get Out,” Jordan Peele

Cinematography:

“Blade Runner 2049,” Roger Deakins

Best Documentary Feature:

“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman

Best Documentary Short Subject:

“Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Kerrin Sheldon

Best Live Action Short Film:

“DeKalb Elementary,” Reed Van Dyk

Best Foreign Language Film:

“On Body and Soul (Hungary)

Film Editing:

“Baby Driver,” Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss

Sound Editing:

“Baby Driver,” Julian Slater

Sound Mixing:

“Baby Driver,” Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin

Production Design:

“Blade Runner 2049,” Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola

Original Score:

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” John Williams

Original Song:

“Remember Me” from “Coco,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez

Makeup and Hair:

“Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick

Costume Design:

“Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran

Visual Effects:

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Dan Sudick

Thoughts on Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is a Netflix movie based on the anime show. As a stand-alone movie it doesn’t really hold up but if you are a fan of the show it is entertaining enough. It comes across as a mass of cosplayers just making representation of the high points of the show. Not much depth is given to the characters and it comes off as a shallow interpretation. It isn’t a bad movie but it is weakened by trying to cram so much into the time allotted. It would be a confusing mess to any one not familiar with the show.

Thoughts on Black Panther

When it comes to Marvel movies Black Panther is okay. The story is a run of the mill tale of revenge. The actors are all good but the story is fairly dull. The effects even felt a bit dated which was a real shame considering the hype this movie is getting. As a whole it isn’t a bad movie but it is forgettable. It is predictable and does nothing to challenge the genre. It ia worth seeing if you are looking to keep up with the ever growing MCU but otherwise it’s can be a rental.

Thoughts on The Kingsmen: The Golden Circle

The Kingsmen: The Golden Circle is okay. No more, no less. It has a more ridiculous plot than the original. It still is a fun enough movie with enough charm to make it entertaining. It isn’t perfect by any means but it seems to realize this and is fine just being silly and over the top. It is a worthy as a rental or background movie.

Thoughts on The Ritual

The Ritual is a good Lovecraftian story that feels like The Descent. The acting is good and the story is    eerie. The characters are interesting and well developed. It feels like a familiar premise but it works. The film is entertaining and a worthy horror movie for any afternoon. The woods are creepy and this movie capitalizes on that feeling. Check it out if you are a horror fan.

Thoughts on The Cloverfield Paradox

The Cloverfield Paradox is a fun scifi entry into the Cloverfield universe. The acting is good and the effects are fun to watch. It is an immersive movie that made kept me captivated even during the more stranger aspects. There seems to be some attempt to tie the movies together but it was a bit confusing on that level. This movie leaves me with a few questions but I was entertained and enjoyed the weird ride.

Thoughts on My Life as a Zucchini

My Life as a Zucchini is a gorgeous film. It is depressing and uplifting at the same time and the stop motion captures the emotions perfectly. The material is somber and adult but the imagery is colorful and beautiful. The contrast makes it quite compelling. The story is pretty simple but it feels genuine. If you can handle a French film then it is worth watching.

Thoughts on Baby Driver

Baby Driver is a pretty fun action movie. The look and soundtrack is very stylized which makes the movie interesting to a certain degree. Otherwise it is a pretty standard crime movie. The acting is very over the top and the script seems like a 70s movie. It is not a bad movie but it is also not a very deep movie. The humor is pretty low key and subtle which gives it charm. It is fine way to kill some time.

Thoughts on Rings

Rings is a piss poor excuse to try to revitalize a franchise. It adds nothing new, feels like it is retreading old ground, and is poorly written. Characters struggle to find stuff to do which is baffling and pointless.  The main characters are bland and the dialogue is poor executed. Bottom line is that this is fine if you are bored but otherwise it is a forgettable movie.