The 91st annual Academy Awards honors an incredible slate of movies, from captivating independent films to big-budget blockbusters. As we gear up for the Feb. 24 show, here is a list of highlights from the nominees.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Photo Credit: Sony
- Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”
- Glenn Close, “The Wife”
- Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
- Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
- Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Our thoughts: Our money is on Glenn Close, who has been nominated a whopping seven times for an Oscar and never won. Her performance in “The Wife” is brilliant, and her time has definitely come. Yalitza Aparicio has an outside chance of nabbing the statue for “Roma,” but it will be — and should be — Close.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
- Christian Bale, “Vice”
- Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”
- Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”
- Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”
Our thoughts: Who should win? Willem Dafoe, for his portrayal of Vincent van Gogh in “At Eternity’s Gate.” But the lack of buzz around the film is an obstacle, and Dafoe has never been an academy darling. It will go instead to Rami Malek for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” who already took the Golden Globe in this category.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Photo Credit: Annapurna Pictures
- Amy Adams, “Vice”
- Marina de Tavira, “Roma”
- Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
- Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
- Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”
Our thoughts: Regina King has been sweeping this category at awards shows across the globe, and she has a good chance of taking the Oscar, too. Her biggest competition is Amy Adams in “Vice,” who is delightfully diabolical as Lynne Cheney.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
- Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
- Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
- Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
- Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
- Sam Rockwell, “Vice”
Our thoughts: This is the toughest race to call of the entire show. It could be Mahershala Ali for “Green Book,” Sam Elliott for “A Star Is Born” and Richard E. Grant for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” — way too tough to call. If we had to pick, we go with Ali.
Best Director
Photo Credit: Netflix
- Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
- Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”
- Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”
- Adam McKay, “Vice”
- Pawel Pawlikowski “Cold War”
Our thoughts: Alfonso Cuarón will likely take home the statue; his autobiographical “Roma” is wowing critics and audiences alike, and he’s already won the Golden Globe for best director. Second runner-up goes to Spike Lee for “BlacKkKlansman” — who, by the way, is receiving his first-ever nomination for best director.
Best Picture
Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight
- “Black Panther”
- “BlacKkKlansman”
- “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- “The Favourite”
- “Green Book”
- “Roma”
- “A Star Is Born”
- “Vice”
Our thoughts: “The Favourite” and “Roma” tied for most nominations (10 each), but could “The Favourite” take home best picture Oscar? Not likely. It likely won’t be “Black Panther” either, as the academy has always struggled to recognize popular movies. Our money is on “Roma,” with “Bohemian Rhapsody” enjoying an outside chance.
The 91st annual Academy Awards airs live on ABC Feb. 24.