2018 Oscars Predictions

As always, these are my predictions to win, not who or what movie I wish would win.


Best Picture: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor: Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour

Best Actress: Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney - I, Tonya

Best Director: Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water

Best Original Screenplay: Martin McDonagh - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Adapted Screenplay: James Ivory - Call Me By Your Name

Best Animated Film: Coco

Best Foreign Film: The Square

Best Documentary Film: Faces Places

Best Documentary (Short Subject): Edith+Eddie

Best Animated Short Film: Garden Party

Best Live Action Short Film: The Silent Child

Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat - The Shape of Water

Best Original Song: "This Is Me" - The Greatest Showman

Best Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema - Dunkirk

Best Film Editing: Lee Smith - Dunkirk

Best Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin - The Shape of Water

Best Costume Design: Mark Bridges - Phantom Thread

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick - Darkest Hour

Best Sound Editing: Richard King and Alex Gibson - Dunkirk

Best Sound Mixing: Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A. Rizzo - Dunkirk

Best Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049


I am actually fine with this year's edition of the Oscars but it frankly lost all steam with me up to this point. I had to keep reminding myself that it hasn't happen yet; that's what you get with a planning airing in March!

Oh boy, Jimmy Kimmel is back as the host. He was just so great last year I literally don't remember anything he did save for yelling at Warren Beatty. The awful hosts of past years at least have a nugget in my memory bank.

Expect way too many jokes about the winner envelopes and last year's Best Picture controversy. That is, if you are willing to turn it to watch the program; even with the still lingering hoopla about the Best Picture blunder, the television viewing audience will be very low.

I sadly see the potential of there being a total shut out for Get Out. Jordan Peele has been gaining some traction in recent weeks for Best Director but I believe del Toro has already earned the votes. He really should get it for Best Original Screenplay but the dumb Academy would rather give it to McDonagh. Three Billboards is a good film and the script is quite unique but it pales in comparison to Peele's social-political horror-comedy-drama.

Poor Willem Dafoe. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. The new Peter O'Toole of our time.

Best Foreign Language Film can go to anyone. Same with all of the short categories, which have not made a dent online. I just hope that Kobe Bryant one doesn't win Best Animated Short.


See you on Monday with my reactions to the awards and the ceremony itself.