Oscar Picks 2024

I have been predicting the Oscars since 2007. Last year I saw 9 of the nominated films and correctly predicted 5 of 7 categories (I don't predict them all). This year I saw 6 films:

American Symphony

Barbie

Nai Nai and Wai Po 

Oppenheimer

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

American Symphony is nominated for Best Original Song

Nai Nai and Wai Po is nominated for Best Live Action Short Film 

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is nominated for Best Live Action Short Film

Best Supporting Actor

Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction 

Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon 

Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer 

Ryan Gosling, Barbie

Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things

My pick: Robert Downey Jr.

I loved Ryan Gosling in Barbie, but Robert Downey Jr has the buzz. I would love to see Sterling K. Brown take the win, but I expect iy will be Downey.

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer 

Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple 

America Ferrera, Barbie

Jodie Foster, Nyad

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

My pick: Da'Vine Joy Randolph 

It is a strong list of actresses and powerful performances, but Da'Vine Joy Randolph is the favorite. I am excited to see her win and to check out her performance in The Holdovers. 

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers 

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer 

Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction 

My pick: Cillian Murphy 

It's got to be Cillian Murphy.  He is great in Oppenheimer without going too far. The other nominees are good (and I could see Paul Giamatti or Jeffrey Wright take the win here), but Murphy will win.

Best Actress

Annette Bening, Nyad

Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon 

Sandra Huller, Anatomy of a Fall 

Carey Mulligan, Maestro

Emma Stone, Poor Things

My pick: Lily Gladstone 

Lily Gladstone has been the favorite in this category and seems like the sure-thing.

Best Director

Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall

Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon 

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer 

Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things 

Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest 

My pick: Christopher Nolan 

Oppenheimer is an incredible film and I fully expect Christopher Nolan to win.

Best Animated Film

The Boy and the Heron 

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

My pick: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

I expected The Super Mario Bros. Movie to be nominated here and I'm disappointed that it isn't. I believe Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will win, but, it is up against a Miyazaki film, The Boy and the Heron. If Spider-Man doesn't win, it will be because of Heron.

Best Picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall 

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon 

Maestro

Oppenheimer 

Past Lives 

Poor Things 

The Zone of Interest 

My pick: Oppenheimer 

I hate to see a single film sweep the awards, but I'll make an exception this year. Barbenheimer was a thing for a long time and it seemed like this award (and award season in general) would be a dual between Barbie and Oppenheimer, but Oppenheimer has the most nominations, a strong script, effects, direction, cast etc and I think it will be rewarded here (although I do expect Barbie to win Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song).

Extras:

1. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. It has the meticulous detail that director Wes Anderson is known for and feels like the perfect showcase for Roald Dahl's Story. I expect it will win Best Live Action Short Film. 

2. I expect "What Was I Made For?" (from Barbie) by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell to win Best Original Song.

EDIT: 7/9

Not too bad

TV: Ted Lasso

"Boy, I love meeting people's moms. It's like reading an instruction manual as to why they're nuts"

American football coach, Ted Lasso (Sudeikis), is hired as the new head coach of England's Premiere soccer team the Richmond Greyhounds. Lasso knows nothing about soccer and isn't concerned about winning. The fans are irate.

This is all part of the plan of new owner, Rebecca Welton (Waddingham). She won the team in her divorce from Rupert Mannion (Head), and since it is the only thing he truly loves, she wants to destroy it, with the reluctant assistance of Director of Football Opperations Leslie Higgins (Swift).

Lasso and his best friend and assistant coach, Coach Beard (Hunt), work on winning over the team and ignoring the naysayers. They include gruff team captain Roy Kent (Goldstein), egotistical star Jamie Tartt (Dunster), newcomer Sam Obisanya (Jimoh), enthusiastic Dani Rojas (Fernandez), and kitman Nate Shelley (Mohammed). Can Ted make an impact on the team and Richmond?

This Apple TV+ show works as both a comedy and a sport show (without showing too much of the actual soccer matches).

The Good:

There are so many things to love about this show: the folksy charm of Ted, anytime Hannah Waddingham sings, the relationships (Ted and Beard, the Coaches and the team, the team, Rebecca and Keeley, the fans at the pub), the Higgins family, etc.

The casting is great and everyone, including the recurring characters and guest stars, work well alone and as part of the ensemble. 

The writers enjoy call backs to previous gags and sequences (the last episode of season 1 mirrors the first episode, along with numerous other instances). They also enjoy pointing out the cuktural differences between Americans and thr British, including soccer/football terminology.

The Bad:

Too much swearing. It gets a little preachy at times (more than expected in a sports comedy). I don't love Season 3: Zava (although there are good moments with and about him), Keeley's story for a few episodes, etc. I don't hate Season 3, but I also don't love it.

Other Comments:

-I love the cast. The players are fun, especially Cristo Fernandez as Dani Rojas and Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya. But I love all of the players

-Sam Richardson is fantastic as Edwin Akufo. While he only appears in 3 eposodes, he is memorable and hilarious. In 2023 he won the Primetime Emmy for Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for this character. 

-They have recurring theme songs for Jamie Tartt, Roy Kent, and Sam Obisanya. Dani Rojas sings his own song (which is repeating his own name in song)

-I was nervous about trying this show because everyone loved it and I worried it wouldn't match the hype. But my worries were in vain: I loved the show and binged the whole series in a week. I don't love everything about every episode, but as a whole I enjoyed it.

Ted Lasso (2020-2023)

Creator: Bill Lawrence

Starring: Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso

Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton

Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins

Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt

Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent

Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard 

Nick Mohammed as Nate Shelley

Juno Temple as Keeley Jones

Sarah Niles as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone

Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion

Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya

Cristo Fernandez as Dani Rojas

Kola Bokinni as Isaac McAdoo

Billy Harris as Colin Hughes

James Lance as Trent Crimm

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

"Let's do things differently this time."

Gwen Stacy (Steinfeld) is struggling. The death of her best friend Peter (Jack Quaid) haunts her and she misses her Spider-friends. Her alter-ego, Spider-Gwen, is being hunted by the police under the direction of her father, Captain Stacy (Shea Whigham). When a villain from another universe attacks, she joins an elite group of Spider-People, led by the dour Miguel O'Hara (Isaac).

Meanwhile, Miles Morales (Moore), is also missing his friends, while trying to keep his city save, his grades up, and stay one step ahead of his father Jeff Morales (Henry). It all comes to a head when his father is promoted to the captain of the police and a new villain emerges, The Spot (Schwartzman). The Spot believes he is Miles' nemesis, as they created each other.

Gwen pops back into Miles' life to catch up and to chase after the Spot. She ends up accidentally bringing Miles to another universe. As they chase after Spot, they team up with new friends Pavitr Prabhakar (Soni) the Spider-Man of that universe, Hobie Brown (Kaluuya) Spider-Punk, pregnant Spider-Woman Jess Drew (Rae), and others. But not everyone is happy about Miles' involvement, especially Miguel. Can Miles and his friends save the day and keep his family and the world safe?

The sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2019).

The Good:

The filmmakers wisely chose to take the things that worked and people loved in the first film and carry them out in new ways in this film. The script is once again written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. 

Once again, they introduce other versions of Spider-Man from the comics. Each one has a unique personality and costume. The new characters are great and add to the story.

The animation is incredible: it takes the classic comic book style and adds to it. Each universe has it's own style and is fun to watch.

The Bad:

It's long (apparently it is the longest animated film).

Other Comments:

-I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I was excited about it from the beginning and it did not disappoint.

-Nominated for the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature

-A third film is planned, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) 140 minutes 

Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson

Starring: Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man

Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Gwen

Brian Tyree Henry as Jeff Morales

Lauren Vélez as Rio Morales

Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man

Jason Schwartzman as Johnathon Ohnn / The Spot

Issa Rae as Jess Drew / Spider-Woman

Karan Soni as Pavitr Prabhakar / Spider-Man India

Daniel Kaluuya as Hobie Brown / Spider-Punk

Oscar Isaac as Miguel O'Hara / Spider-Man 2099

American Symphony

2022 was a year of triumps and struggles for musician Jon Batiste. He was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and won 5. He also worked as the band leader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. And after 4 long years of work, he is preparing to debut his original symphony, titled "American Symphony", at Carnegie Hall.

In the midst of these triumps, his wife, author Suleika Jaouad's, cancer returned.

An intricate look at the life of musician and composer Jon Batiste over a year.

The Good:

Batiste is obviously a gifted (Julliard grad) and passionate musician. The film lingers on Batiste as he plays the piano and dives into preparing his original symphony, including his vision and inspiration. 

The film also devotes time to Suleika Jaouad's passions: her best-selling novel "Between Two Kingdoms" and her paintings while in treatment. 

Director Matthew Heineman does not shy away from the heartbreaking moments or talking about mental health.

The Bad:

No real complaints. 

Other Comments:

-Nominated for the 2024 Academy Award for Best Original Song for "It Never Went Away"

American Symphony (2023) 104 minutes 

Rating: PG-13 for some strong language 

Director: Matthew Heineman

Starring: Jon Batiste

Suleika Jaouad

It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown

"I put down green!"

"Green? Why did you put down green?"

"I thought it was a trick question."

Charlie Brown (Johnson) can't understand why his dog Snoopy is tired all the time. All day he is sluggish and lazy. But at night he comes alive on the dance floor.

Peppermint Patty (Holtzman) struggles with school, but loves her social life and gym class. After school everyone gathers for a party. While it is an excuse to dance and enjoy time with friends, Lucy still uses the opportunity to boss around the gang.

Will Charlie Brown ever learn the truth about Snoopy and his love of dance?

Inspired by the 1983 film Flashdance, and Peanuts creator's Charles Schulz's love for it.

The Good:

This Peanuts film has some of my favorite songs "Pigpen Hoedown", "Lucy Says" because I love bossy Lucy, and "Peppermint Patty's PE Program".

It also has some fun scenes for Peppermint Patty. But, as The title suggests, this is all about Snoopy.

The Bad:

It's a little dated, very clearly a product of the 1980s. It's not bad, just doesn't hold up great in places.

Other Comments:

-This was the film debut of singer Fergie (billed as Sarah Ferguson). She voiced Sally in several other Peanuts specials

-It's cute and has some fun, upbeat songs

It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown (1984) 28 minutes

Director: Bill Melendez & Sam Jaimes

Starring: Brett Johnson as Charlie Brown and 555 95472

Kevin Brando as Charlie Brown (singing)

Stacy Ferguson as Sally Brown

Jeremy Schoenberg as Linus van Pelt

David T. Wagner as Linus (singing)

Heather Stoneman as Lucy van Pelt

Jessie Lee Smith as Lucy (singing)

Gary Goren as Schroeder and Tommy

Gini Holtzman as Peppermint Patty

Keri Houlihan as Marcie

Bill Melendez as Snoopy and Woodstock