This is my favorite time of year! Oscar Time! I love Oscar Nomination Morning!
There were some very good movies this year and some highly emotional films. I have shed many tears in the last month. But there were also some very upbeat films as well. They will all be honored on Tuesday January 24th when the nominations are announced. Here are my predictions, for what it’s worth:

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis Fences
Naomie Harris Moonlight
Nicole Kidman Lion
Octavia Spencer Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams Manchester By The Sea

or maybe………..

Greta Gerwig 20th Century Women

I don’t think Viola Davis belongs in this category. She should probably be in the Lead Actress category but this is how they campaigned for her and she will get the nod. The category seems pretty set but Greta Gerwig could sneak in at the last minute. However, Hidden Figures has soared at the Box Office and 2oth Century Women has not been seen by enough people yet.

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali Moonlight
Jeff Bridges Hell Or High Water
Hugh Grant Florence Foster Jenkins
Dev Patel Lion
Michael Shannon Nocturnal Animals

or maybe………..

Ben Foster Hell Or High Water

I’m taking Michael Shannon over Aaron Taylor Johnson for Nocturnal Animals.
Even though Johnson won the Golden Globe Shannon is more popular with the Academy. Dev Patel should also probably be in the Lead Actor category but the studio felt he had a better chance in supporting. The surprise could come with nominated Ben Foster for hell Or High Water.  He gave an excellent performance and is well respected in the acting community.

Best Actress

Amy Adams Arrival
Isabelle Huppert Elle
Natalie Portman Jackie
Emma Stone La La Land
Meryl Streep Florence Foster Jenkins

or maybe……..

Annette Benning 20th Century Women

Annette Benning is an Academy favorite but her film just hasn’t had a lot of exposure. Huppert is also a favorite and the Academy likes to recognize foreign actors from time to time. This may be one of those times.

Best Actor

Casey Affleck Manchester By The Sea
Andrew Garfield Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling La La Land
Tom Hanks Sully
Denzel Washington Fences

or maybe………

Viggo Mortensen Captain Fantastic

I’m putting Hanks in there even though he hasn’t seen a lot of love during this award season. But he is a beloved Hollywood star and he hasn’t been nominated since Cast Away (2000). But Mortensen was nominated for the Golden Globe and the SAG so maybe I’m being sentimental.

Best Director

Damien Chazelle La La Land
Barry Jenkins Moonlight
Kenneth Lonnergan Manchester By The Sea
David Mackenzie Hell or High Water
Denis Villanueve Arrival

or maybe……..

Mel Gibson Hacksaw Ridge

Always a tricky one especially since they now allow up to 10 films to be nominated for Best Picture. Still only 5 nominated for Best Director and this means that those 5 films are the Best Picture front runners. I’m putting David Makenzie in there because Hell or High Water was a real American original and he’s a new voice. But Hollywood also loves a comeback so don’t be surprised if ‘Mad Mel’ gets the nod and welcomed back to the fold officially.

Best Picture

ARRIVAL
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGHT WATER
HIDDEN FIGURES
LA LA LAND
LION
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT

or maybe…….

DEADPOOL
FENCES

I am going with 8 films this year. Fences could sneak in. Some of you may be thinking “Deadpool? Really?” Yes! It received nominations from the Producer’s and Writer’s Guild as well as a Golden Globe nomination. There are always surprises!