After a rather chaotic awards season in the precursors that seem to have shattered even the most astute Oscar prognosticators, I don’t anyone has any clue as to what is going to happen. That being said, it’s time for the Nerdbot staff to make their final predictions for the Academy Awards. Despite some dominate showings from early frontrunners, I don’t think anyone or any film has it in the bag. Sure, there are some safe bets, but if the rogue BAFTAs are any indicator, we’re in store for a wild show full of upsets and shocking and/or disappointing winners. All that leads to an exciting event for those that are into it, and we’ve got some pretty interesting picks from our staff for the above the line categories!
So let’s get into the Nerdbot Staff predictions for the 95th Academy Awards, set to air on ABC at 5pm (PST) on March 12th. So as not overload our staff with trying to figure out every category, the picks were limited to only the awards with one wild card pick if they should choose to use it. And the (predicted) winner is:
Amy Davis:
Staff writer Amy Davis went with some no frills picks, confidently offering her selections without any need to explain herself. Her picks are as follows:
Best Picture – “Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Best Actor – Brendan Fraser for “The Whale”
Best Actress- Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Best Supporting Actress- Kerry Condon for “The Banshees of Inisherin”
Best Supporting Actor- Judd Hirsch for “The Fabelmans”
Best Director- The Daniels for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Bill Waters:
Special Features Editor Bill Waters gave a little more context to his picks, providing both who he thinks WILL win as well as who he WANTS to win! They aren’t always the same, so let’s see what Bill has cooking in his predictions!
Best Picture- “The Banshees of Inisherin” is his pick, but his wish pick is “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Best Actor- Colin Ferrell for “The Banshees of Inisherin” with a wish pick of Brendan Fraser for “The Whale.”
Best Actress- Michelle Yeoh for “Everything, Everywhere All at Once” which is also his wish pick!
Best Supporting Actress- Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” with a wish pick of Jaime Lee Curtis “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
Best Supporting Actor- Key Huy Quan for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” takes both picks here!
Best Director- The Daniels for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as the final both picks selection!
Mary Anne Butler:
Our wonderful Editor-in-Chief Mab shares her picks!
Best Picture- “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” she said “REALLY, really hoping this takes it. As such a unique and important piece fo cinema, one can only hope the voters continue to acknowledge it.”
Best Actor- Brendan Fraser for “The Whale,” adding: “WE ALL WANT IT TO BE BRENDAN!”
Best Actress- Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everything All at Once.” Her thoughts are clear: “YES, YES, PLEASE. Let the year of Michelle Yeoh never end!”
Best Supporting Actress- Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This one isn’t a lock, however, stating “I LOVE Jaime Lee Curtis, but this is really Angela’s to lose. Stephanie Hsu also deserves this, because without her wonderful performance, the linchpin and frankly, soul, of the entire film goes away.”
Best Supporting Actor- Ke Huy Quan for “Everything Everywhere All At Once” which feels like a lot for many, stating “No one else in this category really gave the level of performance Quan did. Don’t even talk to me about what an insult it is to see Hirsch nominated for what, 3 minutes of screen time?”
Best Director- The Daniels for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Not a lot of faith in the Academy, but a true wish for this one, saying “HOPING, again hoping the Academy doesn’t just hand this over to Spielberg. Yes, ‘The Fabelmans‘ was…a film he directed, but it wasn’t really one of his best. The Daniels, however, absolutely did something special with that story, cast, and final film.
Derrick Murray:
[Yes, hello, this is Derrick‘s list of choices to take home Oscars gold!]
Best Picture- “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” I’m sorry, but I just don’t see this one missing too many of its above the line nominations. It’s been on a helluva run and while there are still a few possibly sneaky snubs that could come about, I just don’t see anything dethroning this gem this year.
Best Actor- Austin Butler for “Elvis.” It genuinely pains me to say this, but I think Butler is a lock. The academy has a biopic problem, and while Fraser is the clear underdog story who should win, as well as Colin Farrell who clearly deserves this far more than “Bohemian Rhapsody 2.0.” But the continuous misses by “Banshees” in the precursors and very divisive responses to “The Whale” as a whole tells me the Academy is gonna play it safe with this one and award the least deserving.
Best Actress- Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Look, Cate Blanchett is a revelation in “Tar,” and true tour de force and is easily the biggest competitor in the running. But this needs to be the year of Yeoh. Blanchett will have plenty of opportunities to claim the gold again. It has taken nearly 40 years for the Academy to recognize the greatness of Yeoh, and it’s time to reward her for her continuous stellar work. It pains me to say this, but she may never get this chance again, so I don’t want this moment to pass her by when she is so deserving.
Best Support Actress- Jamie Lee Curtis for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Truthfully, this is THE hardest category to predict with on clear front runner. 4 out of 5 nominees have all won at least one or more precursor award, sending the whole predictions attempt into utter disarray. It’s also the most competitive, with every single woman in the category deserving of not only their nomination but a win. Personally, I would like to see Bassett or Hsu win here, but I think the real upset will be in this category and it will be Curtis.
Best Support Actor- Key Huy Quan for “Everything Everywhere Alll at Once.” I don’t care what the BAFTAs did, there is no one who can stop the Quan train. He is…inevitable.
Best Director- The Daniels for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Unless the academy simply didn’t watch it and just went with a name they recognize, I really don’t know how The Daniels can lose this. It’s only real competitor (if the precursor awards are to be believed) is Todd Field for “Tar,” which would be the only alternative I’ll accept. Anything other than those two is egregious and outright offensive, and I say that as someone who enjoyed every single film in this cateogry.
Best Documentary- “Fire of Love.” There were a few wild card picks that I thought about choosing. International Feature felt too safe, and Cinematography is a goddamn travesty in their nominees this year. Documentaries were incredible this year, and my true heart pick is “Navalny.” All of these nominees are truly wonderful, but I think “Fire of Love” is the true frontrunner and winner.
So there you have it, the Nerdbot staff picks for the 95th Academy Awards! Catch the ceremony Sunday, March 12th starting at 5pm (PST) on ABC, with returning host Jimmy Kimmel.
