For the first time in forever, multiple blockbusters are actually contenders to win Best Picture Oscar. But first, they have to get nominated.
Dark comedy “The Bunsis of Inishirin” and Steven Spielberg’s Autobiographical coming-of-age drama “Fabelmans” Scored big The Golden GlobesWhile sci-fi hits “Everything everywhere at once” led Screen Actors Guild Pack along with the “Banshees”. But, when the 95th on the field Academy Award (airing March 12 on ABC) announced Tuesday morning, “Top Gun” and “Black Panther” Sequels have emerged as heavyweight contenders to add spice to an awards season that is returning to normalcy after a few pandemic-stricken years.
2023 Oscar nominations:Here is the full list of nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards
Attention, Oscar! We hope these 10 best performances feel the love at the Academy Awards
Can ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ land an Oscar nomination? Don’t count it out
While everything may seem to be falling into place for potential candidates, that’s usually when chaos is just around the corner. Let’s separate the potential contenders from the pretenders in six major Oscar categories:
- Blockbusters will vie for prime positions in the Best Picture field.
- It’s a two-person race for Best Actress and a talented trio for Best Actor.
- Supporting stars Angela Bassett and Kay Hue Kwan are the easiest bets.
Excellent picture
The best: Producers and directors usually know what’s going on before the rest of us — the vast majority of their nominees make the Oscar cut. So expect shoo-ins to be “Fabelmans,” “Banshees,” “Everything Everywhere,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “.Tar“Which was nominated by the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.”Elvis“The Globe, PGA and British Academy Film Awards Nominations to its credit, also have a good shot, such as “Babylon,” boasting Globe and Screen Actors Guild honors.
remaining: High-Profile PGA Nominees”Avatar: The Path of Water,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: The Mystery Out of a Knife” It seems more prime to take the last three places than polarizing.”the whale“Don’t count out love though Brendan Fraser. Other possibilities include the popular Indian action epic “RRR“BAFTA – Leading “All Quiet on the Western Front” and SAG-nominated “Woman Speaking” – If “Babylon” (with its mixed reviews) or “Top Gun” flop, they could all jockey for a slot.
Best actor
The best: It looks like a three-way race between the Golden Globe winners Austin Butler (“Elvis”) and Colin Farrell (“Banshees”) plus “Whale” star Fraser, who made additional awards-season momentum with her. A heartwarming speech After the win Critics’ Choice Award. It’s safe to say those guys are a lock, especially with Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA nominations.
remaining: The past two Oscar cycles have seen the SAG and Oscar best actor teams match up exactly, which is a boon for SAG nominees Bill Nighy (“Living”) — who also snagged a BAFTA nod — and Adam Sandler (“Hustle”). Sandler still doesn’t have an Oscar nomination, so the Academy may see this as a career attaboy. But if they don’t, waiting to scoop a spot in the wings are newcomers like the BAFTA nominees. Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) as well as two Globe contenders, Diego Calva (“Babylon”) and Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”). Then there is Tom CruiseThe face of “top gun” for which there are probably few voters.
Best actress
The best: Cate Blanchett (“tar”) and Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere”) tore its way through awards season with a Globe win and a SAG nomination, and that inevitable showdown is happening at the Oscars because, barring some multipart mishap, they’re in.
remaining: The other three places are less clear. Oscar winner Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) boasts a solid resume with SAG, Globe and BAFTA nods, and fellow SAG nominees. Daniel Deadwiler (“until”) and Ana de Armas (“Blondes”) are also in the mix. Michelle Williams – who would have done well this season as a supporting contender – has a shot thanks to “Fabelmans” momentum. There are even Globe nominees to look out for Margot Robbie (“Babylon”) and Olivia Coleman (“Empire of Light”).
Best Supporting Actor
The best: No one in Hollywood is as beloved as the “Everything Everywhere” star/Globe winner/SAG nominee. K Hue Kwan Because of her comeback story and overall Cinderella mojo these days. At least one actor usually runs the table each year and Kwan is the top bet in this Oscar category. Likely to take the next three slots: Brendan Gleeson’s “Banshees” duo and Barry Keoghan Also “good nurse” Opposite Eddie Redmayne, who racked up SAG, Globe and BAFTA nominations each.
remaining: For that last remaining spot — or maybe two, “The Good Nurse” isn’t really a major awards player — the SAG nominee. Paul Dano For “Fabelmans” is in dispute. His co-star Judd Hirsch is also a possibility: The longtime Emmy-winning actor has been nominated for an Oscar only once for 1980’s “Ordinary People.” Also starring Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”), who was nominated for a Critics’ Choice, and BAFTA nominee Michael Ward (“Empire of Light”).
Best Supporting Actress
The best:Angela Bassett Rules Wakanda and, so far, lead this category, which seems to be the most fluid acting field. The “Black Panther” star won gold at the Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, as well as scoring SAG and BAFTA nominations. Kerry Condon (“Banshees”) and Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere”) — still seeking his first Oscar after decades in the business — are safe bets, too, with each earning SAG, Globe, Critics Choice and BAFTA nods.
remaining: What’s left is a free-for-all with a bunch of talented contenders. Curtis’ co-star Stephanie Hsu took home a SAG nom for her breakout role. Hong Chow (“The Whale”) impressed the SAG and BAFTA parties, while Dolly de Leon (“Triangle of Sorrow”) and Carey Mulligan (“She Said”) has Globe and BAFTA nominations. And don’t ignore Janelle Monae (“The Glass Onion”) or Jesse Buckley (“The Woman Talking”), both Critic’s Choice-nominated standouts in acclaimed ensembles.
Excellent director
The best: Each year, to an odd degree, four out of five DGA nominees make it into the category. In other words, for Globe champion Spielberg, Critics’ Choice-winning duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere”), Todd Field (“Tar”), Martin McDonagh (“Banshees”) and Joseph Kosinski (“Banshees”). Things are looking good. “Top Gun: Maverick”).
remaining: So who is the odd man out? Probably Kosinski, as his best picture contender is the only one that hasn’t won a major award to date. Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”) could have taken her place and avoided an all-male field after two straight victories by female filmmakers. James Cameron Thanks to the box-office success of his “Avatar” sequel. Baz Luhrmann (“Elvis”) or SS Rajamouli (“RRR”) may ride the wave of popularity for their films. But perhaps a surprising dark horse rises from the BAFTA slate, which includes Park Chan-wook (“The Decision to Leave”), Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”) and Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Woman King”).
Read more about this year’s Oscar contenders
Ranked:All Steven Spielberg Movies (Including ‘The Fabelman’)
‘The Whale’:Brendan Fraser wants to change ‘hearts and minds’ about people living with obesity
‘The Banshees of Inishirin’ Review:Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson bring friendly fire to this dark comedy
What Huy Quan:‘Indiana Jones’ star waited ‘over 30 years’ for ‘Everything Everywhere’ role
