There are only a few days left until the 88th Academy Awards. Some categories have obvious picks, others have safe bets, but a lot of this race is largely up in the air. I do my best to keep track of the awards season and what is likely going to take home the big prize, but I do have my own thoughts as well. Here I have laid out all the categories, with some thoughts on what will be happening come Oscar night. For those looking for predictions, I have highlighted what I think will win in each category. (There may be possible updates, but I'm pretty set in stone on my choices.)
Best motion picture of the year:
“The Big Short”
“Bridge of Spies”
“Brooklyn”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
“Room”
“Spotlight”
It is weird to complain, but after a year where my top two films were battling it out, seeing my 7th favorite Best Picture nominee (in my top 30 of the year) turn into the likely winner does sting a bit. It won't be a bad Best Picture winner, but between the importance of Spotlight and the amazing accomplishment that was my favorite 2015 film, Mad Max, The Revenant feels sub-par by comparison. Regardless, despite being the tightest race in some time, The Revenant has taken home enough of the big prizes to push it ahead of its rivals Spotlight and The Big Short. Of course, the game is not set yet and one of these two could pull off the win, but I'm looking towards the wilderness epic as the champ.
