Prediction based on nominations [Feb. 5]
NOMINEES
1. “The Jungle Book”
2. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
3. “Doctor Strange”
4. “Kubo and the Two Strings”
5. “Deepwater Horizon”
PREVIOUS CONTENDERS (for historical context)
“Arrival”
“The BFG”
“Captain America: Civil War”
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Passengers”
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film
Documentary Feature
Original Score
Original Song
Costume Design
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
I realize your predictions are not necessarily also your endorsement.
As far as my endorsement, Doctor Strange is def worthy. Truly inventive and mind blowing sequences.
Rogue One’s CG Tarkin and Leia taint the overall special effects work on the film as a whole. They obviously knew the effects weren’t there yet (they couldn’t resist. nostalgia dollars), even though I loved seeing the advances in the technique.
While Civil War’s young Stark scene was less ambitious, I have to say I looked really closely and my goodness their work there is effectively flawless, I was very impressed. For this reason I’d say Civil War is more deserving.
There was nothing in Arrival I found exceptional. On the contrary the scene with her floating hair looked quite lacking. I had to not look directly at it to try and help my suspension of disbelief.
The work with the aliens and the language will probably get “Arrival” in. Also, don’t forget “Ex Machina.” The branch is loving more “artistic” takes. “Star Wars” isn’t jus about the CG Tarkin and Leia. It’s about the battle sequences and overall realism to many of the standard effects. In my opinion, at least.