Christmas is coming early for fans of Timotheé Chalamet and Jacob Elordi as the 98th Oscar awards ceremony quickly approaches on March 15. Here are our predictions (and hopes) for who will win the four biggest categories in Hollywood.
Best Picture: “Sinners”
The plot of “Sinners” is seen time after time in major blockbuster Hollywood horror films: Vampires attack a small, dilapidated town and hearty townsfolk must unite and kill them. However, the movie brings a new angle by centering the narrative on African Americans, creating a meaningful, thrilling story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. The soundtrack, which combines elements of jazz and gospel music, deservedly won the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. Specifically, the song “Flames of Fortune” embodies the African American experience during the 1930s, amplifying the stakes of the townsfolk’s success in the story and contributing to the realistic yet fantastical world in which Ryan Coogler ensnares the audience. The film’s use of the vampires is also meant to represent a historical force of assimilation of the African American community to white-dominated culture, with the lure of immortality tempting the main characters as some of them choose to conform to avoid persecution. However, preservation of blues music and refusal of immortality by other characters emphasizes the resilience of African American culture amid trials and tribulations, both fictional and historical. The film also features Michael B. Jordan, who has become the face of African American pride in recent films, with Jordan’s portrayal of the twin main characters instilling a mission of nationalism and self-determination that raises the theme above just another scary movie.
Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet
It is hard to tell if it is Timothée Chalamet or Marty Mauser who graces the screens in “Marty Supreme.” In this film, Chalamet embodies a completely new disposition through his portrayal of the film’s main character; completely indulged in the world of table tennis with confidence no less than his abilities, Chalamet’s character is a critique of narcissistic ambition. The complexity of Chalamet’s performance is a testament to his range as an actor, as Marty Mauser is brought to life without a trace of any other of Chalamet’s previous characters. Chalamet’s portrayal shows the struggle of the table tennis player, who displays a frenetic, almost lunatic-like energy in his hustle to make it big. While Marty is unlikeable as a character for many, Chalamet’s relentless charm makes the audience root for him, even against our better judgement.
Best Actress: Emma Stone
Emma Stone might be the next Meryl Streep, as her performance in the comedic thriller “Bugonia” echoes Streep’s turn as Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada.” Stone’s ability to play Michelle, a pharmaceutical CEO who was abducted by conspiracy theorists who believe she is an alien, shows Stone’s ability to manipulate and make sure no one, not even the conspiracy theorists who insist that she is an alien, can really figure her out. Michelle has become my new favorite character portrayed by Stone, displaying a new intricate layer of complexity in her acting.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: “Frankenstein”
A remake of Mary Shelley’s 1848 masterpiece novel, “Frankenstein” details the love, loss and eventual revenge of the Creature, who was brought to life as an experiment of Victorian scientist Victor Frankenstein. Costume designer Kate Hawley, who frequently collaborates with director Guillermo Del Toro, recreates the intimidating “Shape of Water” monster look in Jacob Elordi’s Creature while also achieving the near impossible—preserving his brilliant bone structure, even as an artificially designed monster. Mia Goth’s Elizabeth Frankenstein, who becomes infatuated with the Creature, wears a floating white gown that is in every goth bride’s dream, adorned with angelic wing-like pendants and a rosary. The bandaged sleeves and corset are a perfect nod to her and the Creature’s mutual need for salvation, which they found briefly in each other but tragically lost. Their love is as fleeting as the thin veil that flows off the bodice of the dress, drenching both in the bliss of finding each other and the bitterness of separation. This gown is the crowning jewel that symbolizes the spiritual union of the Creature with Elizabeth—the cherry on top of “till death do us part.”
The Oscars will be a pleasant surprise that will reinvigorate or invigorate your passion for films. Each film is unique with either a new twist on a classic or a groundbreaking disruption of social norms, but more importantly, make you realize “this is why we go to the movies.” Whether you’re a film newbie like myself or a seasoned connoisseur, this year’s Oscars will be a fun watch.
