Directors and writers and cinematographers, oh my!
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Judas and the Black Messiah employs thrilling photographic choices, lensed by the genius Sean Bobbitt, creating a visceral, immersive, anxiety-laden experience for the viewer as we follow the Black Panthers through 1960s Chicago. For Mank, Erik Messerschmidt worked carefully with David Fincher to recreate the feel of Gregg Toland’s work on Citizen Kane, the film central to Mank’s plot, transporting us back to the 1930s— but what left me scratching my head was the choice to shoot digitally and not on film after putting so much thought into authentic design. Didn’t they have that good, good Netflix budget?! Dariusz Wolski captured and demystified towering western landscapes, giving News of the World a simultaneously intimate and expansive feel. And Phedon Papamichael is one of the greats… However, nominated here? For The Trial of the Chicago 7? A courtroom drama? Interesting. All of this being said, no one will triumph over Joshua James Richards for his magical work capturing the beauty that courses through the veins of Nomadland.
Will win: Joshua James Richards, Nomadland
Could win: Dariusz Wolski, News of the World
Should win: Joshua James Richards, Nomadland
Should’ve been nominated: Christopher Aoun, The Man Who Sold His Skin, Hoyte van Hoytema, Tenet
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again— this is truly a smackdown between Oscar-darling Aaron Sorkin (four-time nominee, one-time winner across the writing categories) and current wonder woman Emerald Fennell (first-time nominee for both writing and directing). Minari (written by Lee Isaac Chung) seems too quiet for the Academy to award in this category, Judas and the Black Messiah (written by Will Berson & Shaka King based on a story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas) is getting more attention for it’s performances than it’s writing, and Sound of Metal (written by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder based on a story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance), in a different year, would stand a much better chance. This year the Academy just needs to decide if it wants to award Sorkin’s heavy hand or Fennell’s loaded gun. I’m hoping for the latter.
Will win: Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
Could win: Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Should win: Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
Should’ve been nominated: Eliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes Always
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
I’m going back and forth on this one. On one hand, Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller delivered the best stage to screen writing with The Father, the dialogue melding seamlessly with the editing to create a dizzying world tinted by dementia. On the other, Chloé Zhao seems unbeatable across the writing and directing branches for her miraculous work on Nomadland. Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (the list of writers is too long to list here but do look it up) doesn’t really stand a chance given how much was improvised plus the Academy in it’s current state wouldn’t be caught dead awarding a broad comedy in this category. In One Night in Miami, Kemp Powers posed questions around what do (or don’t) Black influencers “owe” the culture when they’ve reached superstar status, leading to conversations the Academy clearly appreciated but won’t award. And with The White Tiger, Ramin Bahrani builds suspense thrillingly in a movie that was so much more exciting than I expected it to be, if only it got more hype. I may second guess this but my vote here is for Zhao.
Will win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Could win: Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, The Father
Should win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Should’ve been nominated: Mike Makowsky, Bad Education (Yes, this is technically an HBO movie but STILL)
BEST DIRECTOR
This isn’t even worth discussing. Just check the box next to Chloé Zhao’s name and you’ll have one guaranteed point in your ballot pool. God bless Thomas Vinterberg, David Fincher, Emerald Fennell, and Lee Isaac Chung, they just don’t stand a chance here…
And fun fact: In February 2021, Variety reported that with her combined awards season trophies for directing, screenplay, and editing, Chloe Zhao has surpassed Alexander Payne (Sideways) as the most awarded person in a single awards season in the modern era.
Can’t wait for her to add an Oscar to that collection.
Will win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Could win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Should win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Should’ve been nominated: Spike Lee, Da 5 Bloods
