This is something new I think I’m going to try. When I was in college (back in the day) I used to play a game (mostly with myself) to predict the Oscars. I was decent at it. The year The Return of the King won Best Picture (2004) I missed a perfect score by three categories. I haven’t played it since because I graduated, and started a career and a family (among other reasons). I think I will give it another go for the 97th Academy Awards, just for funsies.
Granted, I haven’t seen all of the movies that have been nominated, I don’t have time for that; I do have to earn a paycheck and raise a family. Most categories will be an educated guess but I will try to watch (and review) any of them I think are interesting (or recommended).
Event Details and Predictions
The 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2nd, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre honoring movies released in 2024. Conan O’Brien is set to host. There are 23 categories and approximately 50 films have been nominated. The films with the most nominations are Emilia Perez (13), The Brutalist (10), and Wicked (10).
Wicked and Emilia Perez will probably be the top winners. Given the social agenda pushed in Emilia Perez, it will probably win the most awards. The Academy loves to show political favoritism, especially to pander to the social media crusaders.
Predictions by Category
| Category | Winner | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Actor in a Leading Role | Ralph Finnes (Conclave) | |
| Actor in a Supporting Role | Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) | |
| Actress in a Leading Role | Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) | it will probably go to Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez) to be the first trans-woman to win an Oscar |
| Actress in a Supporting Role | Ariana Grande (Wicked) | |
| Animated Feature Film | The Wild Robot | |
| Animated Short Film | Magic Candies | |
| Cinematography | Dune: Part Two | |
| Costume Design | Wicked | |
| Directing | Emilia Perez | |
| Documentary Feature Film | No Other Land | |
| Documentary Short Film | I Am Ready, Warden | |
| Film Editing | Conclave | |
| International Feature Film | Emilia Perez | |
| Makeup and Hairstyling | Wicked | |
| Music (Original Score) | Wicked | |
| Music (Original Song) | Emilia Perez | |
| Best Picture | Wicked | It will probably go to Emilia Perez |
| Production Design | Wicked | |
| Live Action Short Film | Anuja | |
| Sound | A Complete Unknown | |
| Visual Effects | Wicked | |
| Writing (Adapted Screenplay) | Conclave | |
| Writing (Original Screenplay) | The Brutalist |
Final Thoughts and Follow-Up
I have Wicked winning 8 Oscars and Emilia Perez winning 3, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the reverse. Despite The Brutalist 10 nominations, I don’t think it will walk away with very many.
I don’t plan to watch the Oscars. It’s too insufferable when some of the winners take the opportunity to opine instead of expressing gratitude. I’ll look up the winners and provide a follow-up post during the week following the Oscars.
“The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.”
– Stanley Kubrick
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