The 2022 Academy Awards

With the Academy Awards once again returning in March 2022, the nominations have finally been revealed in what is sure to be another significant and debated year for the iconic ceremony. In a year where cinema returned to its glory after covid took it’s devastating toll on the industry in 2020, it is sure to be an Oscars to cherish. And on that note, I thought it would only be right if I take a look at the nominations in each category, offering my predictions firstly, and then the acts that I would like to see win.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Ariana DeBose – West Side Story

Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter

Judie Dench – Belfast

Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog

Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard

My Prediction: Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog

As Rose Gordon, Dunst portrays a deeply powerful performance as the on-screen wife of Jesse Plemons’ character George Burbank. Fighting addiction, depression, and unease with a huge amount of grace and charisma. Kirsten Dunst seems very likely to take this one home for me.

My Pick: Ariana DeBose – West Side Story

Breathing new life into the iconic role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a role first made relevant by Rita Moreno’s charismatic performance in 1961. What makes Ariana worthy of the award this time around is how she manages to effortlessly cultivate Anita’s natural energy and passion, whilst successfully bringing the classic tale into the 21^st century. Ariana has such an infectious personality on screen, she really stands out for me in what is a fantastic line-up of actresses both young and experienced.

Best Original Screenplay

Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza

Sir Kenneth Branagh - Belfast

Zach Baylin – King Richard

Adam McKay – Don’t Look Up

Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt – The Worst Person in The World  

My Prediction: Sir Kenneth Branagh – Belfast

I am pretty confident that Ken will take this one home, and I have no issues whatsoever with that. Belfast is a lovely slice of life, a very personal story with a clever blend of love, heartbreak, and musical fun. It is an Oscar contender in every shape and form. One thing is very clear, Sir Ken absolutely loves cinema.

My Pick: Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza

There is no point hiding that I love the cinema of Paul Thomas Anderson, and although Licorice Pizza isn’t PTA’s best work to date, his strength in character development shines through in Licorice Pizza. Even though he hasn’t always hit the mark with every film, one thing stays true, the way that he crafts his characters is so deeply unique, a true master at work. I sincerely hope he brings this one home. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

Jane Campion – Power of the Dog

Maggie Gyllenhaal – The Lost Daughter

Denis Villeneuve & Eric Roth – Dune

Ryusuke Hamaguchi & Takamasa Oe – Drive My Car

Sian Heder - CODA

My Prediction & Pick: Denis Villeneuve & Eric Roth – Dune

For me there is only one winner for Adapted Screenplay – Denis Villeneuve’s incredible take on Frank Herbert’s ground-breaking novel - Dune. For many years since David Lynch’s 1984 version of Dune, it has been considered as the kind of material that is impossible to translate onto the big screen. Nevertheless, Villeneuve has managed to breath new life into an iconic story, all thanks to the passion and unrelenting talent that he has brought to the project. 

Best Documentary Feature

Summer of Soul

Flee

Ascension

Attica

Writing With Fire

My Prediction & Pick: Summer of Soul

Once again, my prediction is actually in line with my personal pick for this category. The Summer of Soul is a beautiful, immersive experience about the 1967 Harlem Cultural Festival. An insightful look at one of the greatest musical festivals to be forgotten and lost in time. Starring some of America’s most decorated African American musical acts, this feature is as fun as it is educational. It simply has to win Best Documentary Feature.

Best International Feature

Drive My Car (Japan)

The Worst Person in the World (Norway)

Flee (Denmark)

The Hand of God (Italy)

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan)

My Prediction: Hand of God (Italy)

I’m expecting Pablo Sorrentino’s deeply personal film about his turbulent upbringing to win the Best International Feature for Italy. Exquisitely shot, Sorrentino does an incredible job in showcasing 1980’s Naples in a natural way that displays all of it’s beauty, with the many scars that come along with it. It did pretty well on Netflix too!

My Pick: Drive My Car (Japan)

This 3 hour long Japanese piece seems rather understated and quiet from the outside looking in, but I can assure you that it is once again another piece of extraordinary Asian Cinema. With so much more than meets the eye in it’s initial premise, Ryusuke Hamaguchi blends a sense of intrigue with a dark undercurrent of the title characters past. Unique and gripping, it had to be my pick for this category. 

Best Original Score

Jonny Greenwood – The Power of the Dog

Hans Zimmer – Dune

Nicholas Brittell – Don’t Look Up

Germaine Franco – Encanto

Alberto Iglesias – Parallel Mothers

My Prediction: Jonny Greenwood – The Power of the Dog

This is arguably one of the hardest categories to call this year with such a strong shortlist of composers all worthy of winning. I am predicting that Jonny Greenwood will take this one home though. The uneasy atmosphere that the Radiohead member created in The Power of the Dog is nothing short of incredible. Plus, it is probably about time now for Greenwood to add an Oscar to his name as he creates another impressive score to his body of work.

My Pick: Nicholas Brittell – Don’t Look Up

As much as I was captivated my Hans Zimmer’s score for Dune, my personal favourite for this year was Nicholas Brittell’s collaboration with Adam McKay in Don’t Look Up. An incredibly distinctive score that has so much synergy with the film’s overall theme. So diverse, so striking, I would love to see Nicholas Brittell awarded with the top prize once again.  

Best Cinematography

Greig Fraser – Dune

Ari Wagner – The Power of the Dog

Dan Laustsen – Nightmare Alley

Bruno Delbonnel – Tragedy of Macbeth Janusz Kaminski - West Side Story

My Prediction: Janusz Kaminski – West Side Story

A really strong category this year as cinema’s greatest tool was showcased in all of it’s glory. West Side Story is my prediction here, As Steven Spielberg breathes new life into the classic tale , it is Janusz Kaminski’s incredible cinematography that unleashes a newfound style and potential in what is a truly iconic and tragic tale.

My Pick: Dan Laustsen – Nightmare Alley

In a category where I would be happy for any of the above to win, I’ve chosen the stylish look of Nightmare Alley. A film where the actors and camera work together in complete unison to create a fantastic noir style elegance that is palpable from the get-go.

Best Visual Effects

Dune - Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer

Free Guy - Swen Gillberg, Bryan Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis, Dan Sudick

Spider-Man: No Way Home - Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Christopher Townsend, Joe Farrell, Sean Noel Walker and Dan Oliver

No Time to Die - Charlie Noble, Joel Green, Jonathan Fawkner, Chris Corbould

My Prediction & Pick: Spider-Man: No Way Home - Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

A smash hit at the box office that probably won’t see too much praise coming it’s way from the academy on the whole. It would however be harsh for the marvel film to not be rewarded for it’s outstanding visual effects in what is a ground-breaking film in the spiderman franchise. 

Best Original Song

No Time to Die - No Time to Die (Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell)

Encanto - Dos Oruguitas (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

King Richard - Be Alive (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson)

Belfast - Down to Joy (Van Morrison)

Four Good Days – Somehow you do (Diane Warren)

My Prediction: No Time to Die - No Time to Die (Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell)

Having been delayed more times than I can remember due to covid, we were finally able to enjoy the final film of Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007. I think there’s a great chance No Time to Die wins in this category. One as it is another stylish opening to a bond film, but also as a celebration of Daniel Craig’s time as the number one man.

My Pick: Belfast - Down to Joy (Van Morrison)

A truly great catalogue of music was devised by the veteran performer Van Morrison. Working well with Director Kenneth Branagh to create a fun, emotional, and personal experience in a film that has a hell of a lot of heart. 

Best Supporting Actor

Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Power of the Dog

Ciarán Hinds - Belfast

Troy Kotsur - Coda

Jesse Plemons - The Power of the Dog

JK Simmons - Being the Ricardos

My Prediction: Jesse Plemons - The Power of the Dog

In a category that is probably the weakest of it’s kind this year I’m expecting Jesse Plemons to shine in the critically acclaimed The Power of the Dog. A real performance of depth and class, Plemons comes through as the favourite for me in the eyes of the academy.

My Pick: Ciarán Hinds - Belfast

How underrated is Ciaran Hinds? Making his mark in some of the greatest films of the last 30 years from There Will Be Blood to Road to Perdition, Hinds takes on a truly remarkable and heartfelt performance in Belfast. Anchoring the film with his charm, I would love to see Ciaran recognised not just for his performance here, but for a stellar career as a dependable supporting actor.

Best Director

Jane Campion - The Power of the Dog

Paul Thomas Anderson - Licorice Pizza

Steven Spielberg - West Side Story

Sir Kenneth Branagh - Belfast

Ryusuke Hamaguchi - Drive My Car

My Prediction & Pick: Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog

What a rich and immersive experience this film was by a female director who showed the men how to put on a belter of a film on the biggest stage of all. Campion finds herself in great company for the best director award. It would certainly be a great turn out for campion to take home one of the more coveted prizes at this years ceremony. 

Best Costume Design

Cruella - Jenny Beavan

Dune - Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan

West Side Story - Paul Tazewell

Nightmare Alley - Luis Sequeira

Cyrano - Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran

My Prediction: West Side Story - Paul Tazewell

What an explosion of colour in this new take on a classic story. In a Spielberg film nothing is done half hearted, the costume design here exceeds all possible expectations. A living, breathing celebration of colour, culture, and diversity.

My Pick: Cyrano – Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran

Cyrano definitely received a mixed bag of criticism and praise for another new take on an old tale. But if I had it my way, I would love to see Cyrano be recognised for it’s perfect blend of style and romance in its costume design. An appropriate style choice for a film steeped in romance and tragedy.

Best Film Editing

Dune - Joe Walker

The Power of the Dog - Peter Sciberras‎

Don't Look Up - Hank Corwin

King Richard - Pamela Martin

Tick, Tick... Boom! - Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum

My Prediction & Pick: Don't Look Up - Hank Corwin

Dune was great, and Tick, Tick… Boom! Was so cleverly put together, but I can see only one winner here (and rightfully so). Adam McKay’s iconic snappy style of editing has once again shone through with the hugely unique disaster flick Don’t Look Up. A film that uses quick cuts to it’s advantage and takes power in the quieter moments. A clear winner for me. 

Best Sound

Dune - Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

West Side Story - Tod A Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson and Shawn Murphy

No Time to Die - Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor

Belfast - Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri

The Power of the Dog - Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb

My Prediction: No Time to Die - Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor

In what is another very strong category for sound, an award that has consistently been underrated for many years now. No film represents the power and grandeur of sound like No Time to Die. An epic bond movie of wide proportions with a soundscape appropriate to make you take notice.

My Pick: Belfast - Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri

Despite expecting a win for No Time to Die I can’t hide my love for the intense and layered sound design of Belfast. Juggling with the impacts of War on the admirable innocence of buddy, the sound design actually drives the film to new heights underneath the surface of Branagh’s charming aesthetic.

Best Documentary Short

Audible

Lead Me Home

The Queen of Basketball

Three Songs for Benazir

When We Were Bullies

My Prediction: The Queen of Basketball

The fascinating tale of Lucy Harris is truly exhilarating and sure to turn a few heads at this years ceremony. A story of an outstanding human achievement paired with the damaging impact of prejudice along the way. Definitely a strong contender here.  

My Pick: Audible

The topic of sport has dominated the category this year, and I’m all for it. I had to go for Audible as my personal pick having been extremely touched by this true story of success against the backdrop of disability and loss. A powerful ride of a team unwilling to quit.

Best Make-Up and Hairstyling

The Eyes of Tammy Faye - Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

Dune - Donald Mowat, Love Larson and Eva von Bahr

Cruella - Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon

Coming 2 America - Mike Marino, Stacey Morris and Carla Farmer

House of Gucci - Goran Lundstrom, Anna Carin Lock and Frederic Aspiras

My Prediction: The Eyes of Tammy Faye - Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

Although I didn’t entirely enjoy this film it’s hard to deny how it’s Make-up and Hairstyling contributes fantastically to the over-the-top nature of Jessica Chastain’s Tammy Faye. A larger-than-life performance with an appropriately larger than life Make-Up design.

My Pick: Cruella - Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon

One of the more understated pictures of the year so far, but I actually think Disney and Emma Stone did a superb job to breathe new life into the old character. The Make-Up design is so iconic and striking, showcasing Cruella like we have never seen before. 

Best Production Design

Dune - Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos

Nightmare Alley - Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau

West Side Story - Adam Stockhausen and Rena DeAngelo

The Tragedy of Macbeth - Stefan Dechant and Nancy Haigh

The Power of the Dog - Grant Major and Amber Richards

My Prediction & Pick: The Tragedy of Macbeth - Stefan Dechant and Nancy Haigh

As if the Coen Brothers needed to make another exceptional film, nevertheless the film is just a transportation to another world. A world that transcends Shakespeare, a world that transcends life. It is just iconic. 

Best Live Action Short

Ala Kachuu - Take and Run

The Dress

The Long Goodbye

On My Mind

Please Hold

My Prediction & Pick: The Long Goodbye

Riz Ahmed really is a genius, isn’t he? I’m not sure if I can look anywhere else for this category, and that’s all I have to say. 

Best Animated Feature

Encanto

Luca

The Mitchells vs the Machines

Flee

Raya and the Last Dragon

My Prediction & Pick: Encanto

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I really can’t look past Encanto this year for the best animated feature. With Lin Manuel Miranda as the composer, it was about so much more than its premise. Truly a fun ride.

Best Actor

Will Smith - King Richard

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog

Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick... Boom!

Denzel Washington - The Tragedy of Macbeth

Javier Bardem - Being the Ricardos

My Prediction: Will Smith - King Richard

Here I am predicting a lifetime achievement style Oscar for the legend that is Will Smith. Does he deserve it for King Richard? Probably not, but what a stellar career he has had in the spotlight.

My Pick: Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick... Boom!

I was so held by this performance, so touched, so electrified. It is a performance of optimism and unwavering ability. It wont win, but for me it was the clear winner. I truly loved Tick, Tick… Boom! And so much is owed to Andrew. 

Best Actress

Olivia Colman - The Lost Daughter

Nicole Kidman - Being the Ricardos

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Kristen Stewart - Spencer

Penelope Cruz - Parallel Mothers

My Prediction & Pick: Penelope Cruz - Parallel Mothers

What an incredible career Penelope Cruz has had. Not only on her own but accompanied with the fantastic direction of Pedro Almodóvar. It is time to recognise Penelope’s marvellous contribution to the world of cinema in the last 20 years, and the many more years to come.

Best Picture

The Power of the Dog

West Side Story

Belfast

Dune

Licorice Pizza

King Richard

CODA

Don't Look Up

Drive My Car

Nightmare Alley

My Prediction: The Power of the Dog

It’s just predictable for me here. I don’t particularly want this film to win Best Picture, but I’m pretty sure it will. It’s a pretty good film no doubt, but it doesn’t feel very memorable to me.

My Pick: Dune

A transformative, beautiful, thoughtful, and imaginative experience. I’m not even sure that Denis Villeneuve even knows that he may have created the most amazing Science Fiction series ever (with a little help from Frank Herbert). All I Know is that this completely unique to anything we have seen before, and it deserves to win Best Picture.