If I Picked the Winners...

Only in categories where I've seen all the nominees. I'd be able to do all the technical categories, but I haven't see Cyrano. I have to skip Costume Design, though I'm rooting for Cruella.

Visual Effects: Dune

Sound: Dune

Original Song: "No Time To Die" - No Time To Die

Original Score: Dune, just barely over The Power of the Dog

Makeup and Hairstyling: Dune

Production Design: Nightmare Alley

Film Editing: Dune

Cinematography: The Tragedy of Macbeth

Animated Feature: Flee

Adapted Screenplay: Drive My Car

Original Screenplay: The Worst Person in the World

Best Directing: Jane Campion - The Power of the Dog

Supporting Actor: uh...Troy Kotsur - CODA.

Sure, why not? This lineup sucks. I love Ciaran Hinds and am glad he's finally getting recognized as he's one of the most reliable character actors. Kodi Smit-McPhee is very good, but it's not even nomination worthy. (No one in this category is.) Jesse Plemons was getting nominated sooner or later, and probably has a win coming in the not too distant future. I'm one of the few people who liked JK Simmons in Being the Ricardos, but again, not nom worthy. Who should be here? To name a few: Colman Domingo for Zola; Alex Wolff - Pig; Anders Danielsen Lie - The Worst Person in the World; Robin de Jesus - Tick Tick Boom

Supporting Actress: Ariana DeBose - West Side Story

If we were going by career wins, Kirsten Dunst would get my vote. She should probably have half a dozen nominations by now. Again, like, Supporting Actor, this lineup is pretty weak. If it were the lineup from the Golden Globes, I'd say it was strong. Caitriona Balfe and Ruth Negga are much stronger than Judi Dench and Jessie Buckley. It's a little odd, though, that there isn't more hype for DeBose being the first out LGBTQ+ person to win an acting Oscar. Also, Ruth Negga gave the best performance of the year and it can't be stated enough how much that snub stings. 

Leading Actor: Andrew Garfield - Tick Tick Boom

Being honest, that type of character would typically drive me up a wall. And for a little bit of the screentime, Garfield did. But he eventually won me over and delivered a powerful performance wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Leading Actress: Kristen Stewart - Spencer

Hey, 2009 Darren: You're eventually gonna root for KStew to win an Oscar. Ha! Hey, 2001 Darren: You won't mind if Penelope Cruz wins a 2nd Oscar. You loved it when she won her first. Hey, Darren: You love that Nicole Kidman got her fifth Oscar nomination even if all of her nominated performances (except Moulin Rouge!) don't really show the fearless actress she is.  

Best Picture:

(ranked worst to best)

10. Don't Look Up

9. CODA

8. King Richard

7. Belfast

6. Nightmare Alley

5. West Side Story

4. Licorice Pizza

3. Dune

2. The Power of the Dog

1. Drive My Car

Should be winning!