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 Pop
the champagne! Don't forget to grab a $200,000 gift bag on the way out! “Who are
you wearing? ”Don't stumble over Jennifer Lawrence. She's taken another Oscar
tumble. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get on to the main event.
Having seen all eight of the nominees for best film, I can honestly only quibble
with one. Coincidentally, it's from the same director of last years best picture
winner. Even more coincidentally, it would seem that same director will most
likely be winning again this year. A shame. Overall though, a worthy bunch. I
liked each one to varying degrees. My own pick choice for the best movie of the
year,
Ex Machina
didn't even get nominated. But a win for almost any of the
others is not a bad thing indeed. Every category save one this year were easy to
formulate. The tough call in 2016 is best film. This year there are three clear
front-runners.
The Revenant
seemed like the sure thing. But Spotlight gained
some ground via other award wins. Then Adam McCays' The Big Short started
notching come victories. Consequently, I may blow the call on the big prize. But
I'm sticking with my cinematic gut. Here we go. |
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BEST
SUPPORTING ACTOR:
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Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy,
The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance,
Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone,
Creed |
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And the winner is:
Creed. Maybe Rylance deserves this based on the quiet
skill of his work, but my vote would go to Sly. He plays Rocky in
Creed with a real vulnerability that we
haven't seen before. If this is Rocky's last bow onscreen, then it's a great
turn by Stallone. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Mark Rylance,
Bridge of Spies |
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BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
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Embrace of the Serpent
Mustang
Son of Saul
Theeb
A War |
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And the winner is: Son of Saul. None of the self-importance that
usually comes with Holocaust films. Formally riveting, emotionally shattering,
and astonishingly confident. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Son of Saul |
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BEST
SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
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Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet,
Steve Jobs |
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And the winner is: The Danish Girl. Vikander gives
an even stronger performance in
Ex Machina. She's a rising star with film
after film of terrific work. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Alicia
Vikander, The Danish Girl |
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BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:
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Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There |
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And the winner is:
Inside Out.
Pixar returns to form after a few misfires. A joyous
and surprisingly wise film about what it means to grow up. I could quibble and
say that Anomalisa is more complex and rewarding. But why would I do that? |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Inside Out |
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BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
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Amy
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom |
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And the winner is: Amy. An unforgettable look at fame and the
unsympathetic toll it takes. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Amy |
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BEST
ORIGINAL SONG:
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"“Earned It,” 50 Shades Of Grey
“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction
“Simple Song #3,” Youth
“Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground
“Writing’s on the Wall,”
Spectre |
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And the winner is: “Til It Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground.
All I have to go on here is that I listened to all 5 and this was the one I
liked the best. I call 'em like I hear 'em.
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| 2016 WINNER:
“Writing’s on the Wall,”
Spectre |
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BEST
ORIGINAL SCORE:
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Bridge of Spies
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens |
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And the winner is:
The Hateful Eight. The legendary composer Ennio
Morricone trumps the other master, John Williams. Any year that gives us scores
by these two is a great year. The edge to Ennio though. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
The Hateful Eight |
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BEST
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
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Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton |
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And the winner is: Spotlight. Tom McCarthy and Josh Singers'
screenplay could have gone the easy, cheap route and played out as a thriller.
But instead, they craft some layered nuances to a powder-keg real life story. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Spotlight |
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BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
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The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
The Martian
Room |
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And the winner is: The Big Short. Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
take a complex event and find unique and entertaining ways to make it accessible
to the audience. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
The Big
Short |
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BEST DIRECTOR:
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Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller,
Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu,
The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight |
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And the winner is: Iñárritu. See explanation under
best picture. My vote would
go to McCarthy for his subtle, unobtrusive work. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Alejandro G. Iñárritu,
The Revenant |
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BEST ACTRESS:
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Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson,
Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn |
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And the winner is:
Brie Larson,
Room. Unlike the
actor category, actress is filled to the brim with top tier work. But Larson is
the clear winner. Given the nature of her role and the high tension level of the
subject matter, her performance is never over-modulated or showy. She hits it
perfectly |
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| 2016 WINNER:
Brie Larson,
Room |
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BEST PICTURE:
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The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight |
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And the winner is:
The Revenant. Not a fan of this one. Nor
did I particularly enjoy Iñárritus' winner from last year Birdman. But the
voters seem to value technique over storytelling. My favorite film of the year,
Ex Machina wasn't even nominated. But If I were voting from this list, it would
be Spotlight. |
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| 2016 WINNER:
SPOTLIGHT |
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FINAL TALLEY:
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JR PICKED: 13 out of 20 |
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OSCAR © Copyright 2016 Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. No right given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.
Article © 2016 Alternate Reality, Inc.
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