2025 Oscars Preview

The Oscars are Sunday and I'm still catching up on the nominees.

I watched the SAG awards and was just as surprised as everyone, including Timothée Chalamet, when he won a heavy statue for A Complete Unknown. Apparently people forgot about Todd Haynes' Bob Dylan movie from nearly 20 years ago, I'm Not There. This year, there's a nominee titled I'm Still Here. Where exactly? Not in many movie theaters, that's for sure. 

I have a hunch Conclave will win Best Picture. The coronation of a new pope mirrors the Academy's voting process. Also, the movie has a great cast, costumes and is compelling up to its surprise climax.
But its director, Edward Berger, isn't nominated while Brady Corbet is for The Brutalist and Sean Baker for Anora, both serious contenders. 

Kieran Culkin and Demi Moore are locks in their categories. Best Actor is a toss-up but I still think Adrian Brody gave the best performance of those nominated films. The visually riveting, but sorta boring, Dune: Part Two will likely run away with the technical awards. With Chalamet the star of two Best Picture nominees that draw from iconic sources, it will be a big night for him, in some shape or form.  

Instead of posting my Best Pictures from the last year, I'm switching it up mock elections style and also including some bonus categories. 


Best Oscar Bait: The Brutalist

Best Brawls: The Bikeriders

Best Twist: Conclave

Best Biopic: The Apprentice

Best Bizarre Love Triangle: Challengers

Best Book Adaptation: The Nickel Boys 

Best Nostalgic Time-warp: Didi

Best Noir: Poolman

Best Horror: Longlegs

Best Documentary: Seeking Mavis Beacon 

 

Biggest Meh: MaXXXine 

Worst Movie Watched in Theater: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Best AI: Here

Best Blu-ray Discovery: Heartbreakers (Fun City Editions)

Best 4K Blu-Ray Restoration: The Hitcher (Second Sight) 

Best Theatrical Experience: Heavenly Bodies (Plazadrome)

 

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