BankofMarquis OSCARS PICKS & PREDICTIONS 2022

It is time, once again, for the BankofMarquis to rank the Oscar nominees in each of the “Major” categories with the #1 ranked nominee in each category being the nominee that the BankofMarquis would have voted for. As a bonus to you all - the BankofMarquis will also predict who WILL win the Oscar (most of the time it is NOT the nominee the BankofMarquis would have voted for).

Let’s start with BEST DIRECTOR

There is a clear frontrunner in this category… 5). Paul Thomas Anderson, LICORICE PIZZA - His 3rd nomination in this category for one of his weakest films. 4). Kenneth Branagh, BELFAST - Amazingly, he’s never won an Oscar - he won’t with this year, either. 3). Steven Spielberg, WEST SIDE STORY - In another year, he might win his 3rd Directing Oscar for this effort, but not this year 2). Jane Campion, THE POWER OF THE DOG - She WILL win the Oscar for Best Director this year, adding this Oscar to her Screenplay Oscar for 1993’s THE PIANO. 1). Rysuke Hamaguchi, DRIVE MY CAR - The choice by the BankofMarquis for Best Director will finish a distant 5th in the voting.

Now…onto…BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS… The category that has the “surest thing”. Bet your house on this one… 5). Judi Dench, BELFAST - A fun performance, but not one that will give Dame Judi her 2nd Oscar. 4). Jessie Buckley, THE LOST DAUGHTER - A nice turn, hope it brings her more work…but not an Oscar. 3). Kirsten Dunst, THE POWER OF THE DOG - Underrated as an Actress, the BankofMarquis would be thrilled if she won for this role…but she won’t. 2). Aunjanue Ellis, KING RICHARD - The strongest performance in this film (sorry, Will Smith), she’ll fall just short. 1). Ariana DeBose, WEST SIDE STORY - The “surest bet” - and deserving - she SHOULD and WILL win the Oscar.

Onto…BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR… The frontrunner for this category is in a film that I might have to revisit… 5). Ciaran Hinds, BELFAST - Good for this terrific actor for finally getting an Oscar nomination. He’ll have to be content with that. 4). Jesse Plemons, THE POWER OF A DOG - He should be a stronger contender but his character disappears from the film for a large part of the middle of the piece, so…no. 3). Troy Kotsur, CODA - He’s winning most of the pre-Oscars awards in this category, and I just don’t see this turn as that good (so might have to revisit the film). That said, with the momentum for him (and this film) rolling in his favor, the prediction is that Kotsur WILL WIN the Oscar. 2). J.K. Simmons, BEING THE RICARDOS - The best performance in this film, he would be getting stronger consideration if it were not for the fact that he won this award for 2014’s WHIPLASH 1). Kodi Smit-McPhee, THE POWER OF THE DOG - The choice of the BankofMarquis. This subtle, unique performance will lose to the momentum that is building around Troy Kotsur and CODA.

And now…BEST ACTRESS One of the toughest categories to call with top-notch performances from top to bottom. 5). Nicole Kidman, BEING THE RICARDOS - A surprisingly good turn as the Queen of TV Comedy, she won in this category for THE HOURS in 2002, she will NOT add a 2nd Oscar to her mantel this year. 4). Penelope Cruz, PARALLEL MOTHERS - Another strong performance by Cruz in her native language. Unfortunately, not flashy enough to get more members of the Academy to watch a foreign language film and, besides, she won for Best Supporting Actress for 2009’s VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA, so she will be overlooked for this performance. 3). Olivia Colman, THE LOST DAUGHTER - Look out for this Academy darling to pull the upset in a complex, intriguing performance. If she does pull off the upset, it will be her 2nd Oscar - and well deserved. 2). Jessica Chastain, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE - Momentum is in her favor and the Actress the BankofMarquis has declared as the “Best Actress to have Never won an Oscar” WILL, finally, win her first Oscar this year - and that is just fine. 1). Kristen Stewart, SPENCER - Stewart BECAME Diana in this melodrama. She is superb in a poorly written film. She would be the choice of the BankOfMarquis in this category - but she is going to lose to either Chastain (probably) or Colman (maybe). As for Best Actor… Unfortunately, 2 very deserving performances will lose out in this category to a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for one of the nominees 5). Javier Bardem, BEING THE RICARDOS - Not a performance, quite frankly, that should have been nominated. It’s a Supporting performance at best and not one that showcases Bardem’s talent. 4). Will Smith, KING RICHARD - He WILL win the Oscar for his one-note performance. His is well-liked and will win the Oscar, unfortunately, as a “Lifetime Achievement” award. 3). Denzel Washington, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH - In another year, he would be a serious contender, but in 2022, this powerful portrayal of the title character in the “Scottish Play” will be just a footnote. 2). Andrew Garfield, TICK, TICK…BOOM! - The biggest surprise in the acting categories this year. It would be TERRIFIC if Garfield won, but he won’t. 1). Benedict Cumberbatch, THE POWER OF THE DOG - The “Best Actor working today who has Not won an Oscar”, should be rewarded for the dark, complex character he portrays - but, unfortunately, is going to lose to Smith.

And, finally…BEST PICTURE… The toughest category to call… 10). NIGHTMARE ALLEY - The 2nd half of this misfire from Guillermo del Toro is a mess. It should not have even been nominated 9). KING RICHARD - Love for Will Smith has elevated this film to a level above what it actually deserves . BELFAST - Kenneth Branagh’s remembrance of his childhood during “the troubles” deserves the nomination - but not the win 7). LICORICE PIZZA - Paul Thomas Anderson’s remembrance of his childhood is well intentioned, but flawed 6). DUNE - Lavishly made, Denis Villeneuve’s epic is rewarded by the fact that it will win quite a few technical Oscars - and is going to get the 2nd half of this movie made 5). CODA - This film is gaining momentum and is elevating the conversation surrounding the Deaf Community and this is the film that WILL WIN the Oscar 4). WEST SIDE STORY - Spielberg finally made a musical - and it’s good - except for the 2 leads 3). DON’T LOOK UP - Adam McKay’s satire really hit home - but won’t garner enough votes to win 2). POWER OF THE DOG - Jane Campion will have to be content with the Best Director Oscar, but don’t be surprised if this wins Best Film. 1). DRIVE MY CAR - This 3 hour Japanese meditation on grief, loss and regret really struck home - but doesn’t have a prayer of winning, except it does get the coveted BEST PICTURE OF 2021 by the BankofMarquis.

Enjoy the Oscars telecast this Sunday - and you can take these picks and predictions to the Bank(ofMarquis)