David's Oscar Predictions - 2020

This is a bit of a strange year for Oscar predictions. On one hand, there are some stand-outs in almost every category. But in most, there’s a lot of categories that could go either way between two candidates, both of them deserving. I’d say for the most part that most of the nominations felt right, despite maybe missing out on a few, like the actors in Parasite, and Taron Egerton in particular for his stellar performance in Rocketman. But hey – I don’t get a vote either way.
I tried to stick to the format from years past, where I award my own Oscar as well as state who I actually think will take home the golden statue. I did pretty well last year – let’s see how I continue to fair.

Best Picture
Ford V. Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
Parasite
David’s Pick: 1917
Will Win: 1917

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory
Leonardo Dicaprio – Once upon a time... in Hollywood
Adam Driver – Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes
David’s Pick: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Cynthia Erivo – Harriet
Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
Saoirise Ronan – Little Women
Charlize Theron – Bombshell
Renee Zellweger – Judy
David’s Pick: Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Will Win:  Renee Zellweger, Judy

Best Editing
The Irishman
Ford v Ferrari
Parasite
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
David’s Pick: Parasite
Will Win: Ford v. Ferrari

Best Performance by An Actress in a Supporting Role
Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Margot Robbie, Bombshell
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit
Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell
David’s Pick: Margot Robbie, Bombshell
Will Win: Laura Dern, Marriage Story

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes
David’s Pick: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
Will Win: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood

Makeup and Hair design
Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
1917
David’s Pick: Bombshell
Will Win: Bombshell

Costumes Design
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Little Women
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
David’s Pick: Joker
Will Win: Little Women
 
Production Design
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
The Irishman
1917
Jojo Rabbit
Parasite
David’s Pick: Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
Will Win: Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood

Cinematography
The Irishman
Joker
The Lighthouse
1917
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
David’s Pick: 1917
Will Win: 1917

Best Animated Feature Film
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link
Toy Story 4
David’s Pick: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Will Win: Toy Story 4

Original Score
1917, Thomas Newman
Joker, Hildur Guðnadóttir
Little Women, Alexandre Desplat
Marriage Story, Randy Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, John Williams
David’s Pick: 1917, Thomas Newman
Will Win: Joker, Hildur Guðnadóttir

Original Song
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” – Toy Story 4
“I’m gonna Love Me Again” – Rocketman
“I’m Standing With You” – Breakthrough
“Into the Unknown” – Frozen II
“Stand Up” – Harriet
David’s Pick: “I’m gonna Love Me Again” – Rocketman
Will Win: “Stand Up” – Harriet

Best Original Screenplay
Knives Out
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
David’s Pick: Marriage Story (though Knives Out made it really close here)
Will Win: Parasite

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
The Two Popes
David’s Pick: The Two Popes
Will Win: Jojo Rabbit

Best Director
Martin Scorscese – The Irishman
Todd Phillips – Joker
Sam Mendes - 1917
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
Bong Joon Ho – Parasite
David’s Pick: Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
Will Win: Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
 
Visual Effects
Avengers: Endgame
The Irishman
The Lion King
1917
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
David’s Pick: 1917
Will Win: 1917
 
Best International Feature Film
South Korea, Parasite
Spain, Pain and Glory
France, Les Misérables
North Macedonia, Honeyland
Poland, Corpus Christi
David’s Pick: South Korea, Parasite
Will Win: South Korea, Parasite
 
Best Documentary Feature
American Factory
The Edge of Democracy
Honeyland
For Sama
The Cave
David’s Pick: American Factory
Will Win: American Factory
 
Best Documentary - Short Subject
“In the Absence”
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)”
“Life Overtakes Me”
“St. Louis Superman”
“Walk Run Cha-Cha”
David’s Pick – “St. Louis Superman”
Will Win – “Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)”
 
Best Animated Short Film
“Dcera (Daughter)”
“Hair Love”
“Kitbull”
“Memorable”
“Sister”
David’s Pick – N/A
Will Win - “Hair Love”
 
Best Live Action Short Film
“Brotherhood”
“Nefta Football Club”
“The Neighbors’ Window”
“Saria”
“A Sister”
David’s Pick – N/A
Will Win - “Brotherhood”

Best sound mixing
1917
Ford v Ferrari
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Ad Astra
Joker
David’s Pick – 1917
Will Win - 1917

Best sound editing
1917
Ford v Ferrari
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Joker
David’s Pick – 1917
Will Win - 1917