“Too late for a write-in campaign for an ineligible movie?”
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Derek McLane, production designer for the 88th Academy Awards, poses for a photo with sketches of stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.
Inarritu, who picked up a second Directors Guild of America award (DGA) in a row and a BAFTA earlier this month, won the Oscar for best picture past year for dark comedy “Birdman”.
There’s one result here that could really signal what’s to come: If “The Big Short” scores an upset victory over “Mad Max: Fury Road” in this category, it’s nearly certainly destined to win Best Picture.
The live ceremony is streamed by Sky Movies exclusively so there are two ways to watch; sign up for Sky Movies or get yourself a NowTV Sky Movies pass. “Revenenat”/Inarritu wins, following last year’s “Birdman”/Inarritu wins, will make the highest-profile minority nominee the first director ever to claim back-to-back best-picture Oscars. Because you know there are always at least one or two of those.
There are so many other things to blame the academy for, starting with a telecast dragged down by self-congratulatory hype, odd production numbers and boring speeches.
DiCaprio (“The Revenant”) and Brie Larson (“Room”) have swept the acting categories at other awards shows this season and are favored to win on Sunday. Last year’s winners Eddie Redmayne, Patricia Arquette, J.K. Simmons, Julianne Moore, John Legend and Common are also set to appear. “The Revenant” is certainly an achievement, one designed for the Big Screen. This suspense will be delivered most likely in the best supporting categories. If her past Oscar appearances are any indication, there may be another “relatable girl” moment happening Sunday. West is nominated for costume design for her work on the film, “The Revenant”. “The Martian”, in contrast, is a technical marvel with both brains and soul.
Residents in Russia’s Far East have made a statue for DiCaprio that bears close resemblance to the Oscar prize and is made from donated metals. He is deserving and the award recognizes his growing maturity as an actor.
That is despite the box office success of big budget films with female leads, including Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” franchise, Shailene Woodley in the “Divergent” series, Scarlett Johansson’s “Lucy” and newcomer Daisy Ridley in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. Charlotte Rampling’s performance in “45 Years” is superb, but she hasn’t been in the spotlight enough.
Doesn’t Belong Here: Cate Blanchett, “Carol”.
Theron’s gutsy, hard-driving rebel steals the movie away from Tom Hardy’s title character.
Sylvester Stallone is the industry and fan favorite to win Best Supporting Actor for his return to the role of Rocky Balboa in “Creed”.
Christian Bale (“The Big Short”) and Mark Ruffalo (“Spotlight”) also could pull off a major surprise.
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Tucci was pitch ideal as the cranky, cynical, honorable attorney who fought long odds in seeking justice for victims of clergy abuse. The award ceremony kicks off at 8:30pm ET.
