Each year, the morning of the Academy Awards Nominations is always a fun time to be on the internet. Although the Oscars has faced loads of backlash that effectively take away a lot of their integrity as a stage of merit for accolades in the film industry, I and countless others still love watching this culminating finale each year to the film awards season. Following the nominations that were announced this morning, here are my personal picks for some of the major categories of the 2023 Oscars.
Note: My picks are solely based on what I would, in the ideal world, like to see, based on my own personal reactions to the films nominated, rather than predictions on who or what film I think has the best chance at winning. I also feel I lack a good understanding of the more technical categories like sound, visual effects, costume design, etc, to pick these, as well as not yet watching most of the documentary films, so I will stick with the categories on performances and overall pictures nominated.
Best Supporting Actress
Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Hong Chau (The Whale)
Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
I was nervous that only Jamie Lee Curtis would get a nomination for supporting actress for EEAAO, even when it was Stephanie Hsu who really brought the film home for me, so very happy to see Hsu on the list. Bassett, Chau, and Condon are all equally as stellar in their films. Like others, would have liked to see Dolly De Leon for Triangle of Sadness, probably over Curtis. Also sad to see no nominees for acting performances from Women Talking.
Pick: Stephanie Hsu for Everything Everywhere All at Once or Kerry Condon for The Banshees of Inisherin, although I think Angela Bassett will take this one.
Best Supporting Actor
Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway)
Judd Hirsch (The Fabelmans)
Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
I am so happy to see Barry Keoghan, Ke Huy Quan, and Brian Tyree Henry in this category. Would have liked to see Paul Dano over Judd Hirsch.
Pick: Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett (Tár)
Ana de Armas (Blonde)
Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie)
Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans)
Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
This category is one of the biggest surprises of this year’s nominations. With expected nominees like Blanchett and Yeoh, we also see Ana De Armas for Blonde, a notoriously exploitative film, and Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans, which seemed to me like more of a supporting role. Also the inclusion of Andrea Riseborough, who saw a large influx of support just 1 or 2 weeks ago pushing her campaign and nomination, despite this film being largely unseen. Very disappointed to not see Taylor Russell here for Bones and All, as well as Danielle Deadwyler for Till.
Pick: Cate Blanchett for Tár
Best Actor
Austin Butler (Elvis)
Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
Paul Mescal (Aftersun)
Bill Nighy (Living)
So insanely happy to see Paul Mescal get his first Academy Award nomination for Aftersun. My favourite film of 2022, and such an amazing performance in his first feature-length film. Other than that, no big surprises here. I have no idea how this will play out the night of, but I love that we are finally seeing a competitive Best Actor Category.
Pick: Paul Mescal for Aftersun, and would also be happy with Colin Farrell for The Banshees of Inisherin.
Best Animated Film
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
The Sea Beast
Turning Red
This was a great year for animated films. I have only seen Pinocchio and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and I would be happy to see either of them win. Looking forward to watching Marcel the Shell with Shoes On before the awards.
Pick: Have not seen a majority, would be happy with either of the two I have seen, Pinocchio or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, winning.
Best Director
Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans)
Todd Field (Tár)
Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness)
Disappointed but not surprised to see no female nominees in this category, once again. Charlotte Wells for Aftersun or Sarah Polley for Women Talking would have made wonderful and well-deserved additions to this list. In terms of those who are on this list, all strong contenders for some great direction and creative decisions this year. Could go to any of them.
Pick: Todd Field for Tár.
Best Picture
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick
Triangle of Sadness
Women Talking
Very happy to see Women Talking on this list. Would have loved to see Aftersun as well, but overall no big surprises here. Also, overall would have also loved to see Jordan Peele’s Nope get much more love and recognition.
Pick: I would honestly be happy with any of Tár, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Women Talking winning.
The Academy Awards will take place on March 12, 2023 at 8:00 pm.
After Screening Cinema 