Oscar Picks and Predictions: BEST DIRECTOR (and other odds & ends)

Some trailblazing nominations in the Best Directing category hides the fact that this is a one-horse race with a truly "Bet the House" winner. Here is how I would rate the Best Director nominees: 5). Pawel Pawlikowski - COLD WAR: A personal film for him that is lush, rich, beautifully shot and VERY European (lots of still shots of items with a viola playing in the background). The film will (most likely) win for Best Foreign Language Film, Pawlikowski will have to be happy with "just the nomination.

4). Yorgos Lanthimos - THE FAVOURITE: A real dark-horse contendor in this category, I could see the "art house" crowd rally around his name, but probably not. 3). Adam McKay - VICE: McKay has certainly graduated from his days as Will Ferrell's creative partner/director. But the Academy rewarded him a few years ago for THE BIG SHORT, doubt it will reward him again this year. 2). Spike Lee - BLACK KkKLANSMAN: Someone give Spike Lee an Oscar already! He is deserving of the award for this film, but will fall just short. 1). Alfonso Cuaron - ROMA: Film is a Director's medium and, usually, the Best Director should come from the Best Film. It doesn't always work out that way, but this year it will for Cuaron is who I think SHOULD win the Best Director Oscar this year and he WILL win the Oscar, and deservedly so. Other predictions: Best Animated Feature: SPIDERMAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE Best Song: SHALLOW (from A STAR IS BORN) Best Foreign Film: COLD WAR (as stated above) Best Cinematography: Alfonso Cuaron, ROMA (hope he brought a big bag with him, for he'll be bringing home 3 Oscars). And you can take these predictions to the Bank(ofMarquis)