The answer is Yes.

When the Oscar nominations were announced just last month a wave of cheerfulness and lack thereof came with them. The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite resurfaced on all social media platforms, thousands of iconic celebrities (i.e Spike Lee and Tyrese Gibson) voiced their strong disapproval..going as far as to call for a boycott of the entire event. They also rallied to ask current host, Chris Rock to step down, but he relented. The Oscars are set to go on without a hitch Sunday Feb 28th 2016 in LA, and as usual, I have made my annual list of predictions – that consists of a “Who Should Win” .. “What Will Win” .. and “What Could Win”. What that means is.. although I may want (or root) for a specific film to win in a perspective category, I have tossed my bias out the window. Meaning, I have calculated my predictions very thoroughly on preceding award ceremonies (I.E..The BAFTAs or the S.A.G awards among them) to compile my list of predictions. I’m not saying they are concrete, but my lack of noticing these preceding awards last year cost me. I went a whooping 8 for 24 (YIKES) when the year prior I was 20/24. I still think Boyhood was the better candidate (which lead to my bias) – but this year I’m sticking to the guns, and making predictions based on what we already know. I’m not saying the Academy could thrown in a screwball (cause I’m sure they will). This year’s race has been so unpredictable..nobody is going to know what is going to unfold. Just don’t hold me accountable (entirely) if these predictions turn out less than enthusiastic come award night. But still..without further ado..here are my carefully calculated (and very confident) predictions for the ACADEMY AWARDS of 2016.

 

Best Picture:

 

The one I’m rooting for in this category is Room, it’s such an emotionally powerful film that deserves to be seen on all platforms (It cracked #2 on my best films of 2015 only behind Inside Out) the OTHER surefire bet here is Spotlight. For the longest time I had pegged Spotlight as the Oscar frontrunner, but recent awards ceremonies (Golden Globes..PGA..BAFTAs) have lead me to sway to my actual prediction …. which is, THE REVENANT. The fate is almost sealed away, the film has garnered strong momentum this season and director Alejandro G Inarritu is going to ride the wave of success again (he also took home top honors last year for Birdman). The only spoilers to this party would be either Spotlight (thanks to the SAG win for Best Ensemble Cast) or The Big Short (which won the Producers Guild Award for Best Picture). Regardless, at this point it’s The Revenant’s to lose.

 

Will Win: The Revenant

Could Win: Spotlight

Should Win: Room

 

Best Director:

 

When Ridley Scott was notably shunned from Academy voters for his work on The Martian I was left shocked..I thought “here was the chance to finally award a director whose’ revered work ethic is so inspiring”..sadly he was unlawfully snubbed. So that left only one person to claim the award right? …wrong. The next option would obviously be George Miller for his tenacious two year baby Mad Max: Fury Road…and he still might come away with a gold statue..but my odds are with Alejandro G Inarritu for what could be his second consecutive Oscar win. Not only would history be made if he won, but It might keep those diversity naysayers off the voters back (as Inarritu is the only ethnic person nominated among big tier categories). The Revenant, for anyone that doesn’t already know, was a hellish shoot. Where Inarritu made the artistic choice to film with all natural lightning in the worse of conditions with a budget that went over by about $35 million bucks..it seems only fair to award such a cycle. And if I wasn’t sure already..the BAFTA and Directors Guild of America awards just sealed his fate.

 

Will Win: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

Could Win: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Should Win: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

 

Best Actress:

 

Here is where I can finally give some love to my award darling Room. Brie Larson has been gunning the entire circuit..cleaning up every major award this season. And I’m so grateful that her work is being recognized in they way it has been, ROOM is one of the most emotionally scarring two hours I have ever sat through. Larson commands the screen as a mother who is being held in captivity with her 5 year old son. Although Saoirse Ronan is a real contender for her work in the gratifying Brooklyn, it’s ultimately Larson who is winning over the hearts of all the voters.   

 

Will Win: Brie Larson (Room)

Could Win: Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)

Should Win: Brie Larson (Room)

 

Best Actor:

 

Oh boy folks…it’s finally time. YES LEONARDO DiCAPRIO is going to bring home his long overdue Oscar for his work as Huge Glass in The Revenant. There are no words. Just be ready to  hold yourself as he is giving that acceptance speech, we have waited so long to hear. I can’t foresee this changing. The category is pretty much a dead-lock, aside from Redmayne who has gained some minor traction. But C’MON Redmayne you won last year for the FIRST time you were EVER nominated. Leo has been nominated a whopping six times and not once has won. Sorry pal, this is Leo’s year.

 

Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)

Could Win: Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

Should Win: Just give Leo the Oscar already.

 

Best Supporting Actor:  

 

In what will turn out as one of the more memorable moments of the night (or what should) I’m predicting that Sylvester Stallone will take home Oscar gold for a role that he was previously nominated for some forty years ago. Insane right? Stallone should win for taking on his most iconic character of Rocky Balboa in Ryan Coogler’s wonderful Creed, but don’t be too shocked if Mark Rylance gets the edge for his equally compelling work in Bridge Of Spies.  

 

Will Win: Sylvester Stallone (Creed)

Could Win: Mark Rylance (Bridge Of Spies)

Should Win: Sylvester Stallone (Creed)

 

Best Supporting Actress

 

This has been an interesting race to cover as Rooney Mara and Alicia Vikander both have been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category when their parts are prominently featured. But, at the request of their studios, have been campaigning in the supporting categories as to not have to deal with the competition in the Best Actress race. While Kate Winslet did gain some traction thanks to her win at the Golden Globes for her work on Steve Jobs. It should ultimately be Vikander that could snag that coveted statue. It’s really a Best Actress win in my book, but you know the Oscars and their stipulations. The other half of me secretly wishes that Jennifer Jason Leigh to be the best spoiler for her gritty work on The Hateful Eight, Sadly, I just don’t see that happening in the near future. Hey if it does, at least I sort-of-kind-of predicted the outcome.

 

Will Win: Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)

Could Win: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

Should Win: Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight)

 

Well..that’s all for my “in-depth” analysis on major awards. Below you will find my COMPLETE list of predictions for this year’s ceremony. The Oscars will air Sunday Feb 28th 2016 at 8pm on ABC. Hosted by Chris Rock. Also, I will be live tweeting the event with full coverage, so feel free to follow me @TheOnlyCritic on TWITTER as I will keep you all updated. I will have a post detailing the events following the ceremony, so stay tuned!

 

Best Original Screenplay – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy for SPOTLIGHT

Best Adapted Screenplay –  Charles Randolph and Adam McKay for THE BIG SHORT

Best Film Editing – Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Cinematography: THE REVENANT

Best Production Design: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Animated Feature: INSIDE OUT

Best Animated Short Film: World Of Tomorrow

Best Documentary Feature: Amy

Best Documentary Short: A Girl In The River: The Price of Forgiveness

Best Live Action Short FIlm: Shok

Best Foreign Language Film: Son Of Saul (from Hungary)

Best Costume Design: Cinderella

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Visual Effects: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Sound Mixing: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Sound Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight

Best Original Song: “Till it happens to you” performed by Lady Gaga for The Hunting Party