Predicting the Academy Awards 2024 — Part Two!
Photo courtesy of US Weekly
By STEPHEN CRAIG/ Staff Writer
The Academy Awards: the awards ceremony we all like to make fun of, yet still watch every year. Founded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Academy Awards recognizes exceptional talent in films. However, when watching the Academy Awards, AMPAS members tend to vote based a star’s legacy and how much studios campaign rather than for the quality of the films themselves.
In other words, it is easy to make objective predictions for who or what will win each reward. So, here are our predictions for who will win.
Best Animated Film: Nimona
Promotion of Nimona, courtesy of Netflix.
How about we pay some respect to some animated films for a change?
Typically, AMPAS would pick a Disney film for Best Animated Film; but since the one Disney nominee (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse) is critically mixed, it will most likely go to another nominee this year. The most likely to win would be Nimona because of its animation style, and clever commentary on social issues.
Best International Film: The Zone of Interest
Photo from The Zone of Interest, courtesy of A24.
It is borderline impossible for the Zone of Interest not to win Best International Film, considering it is the only nominee to also have a nomination for Best Picture. What else is there to say?
Best Makeup and Hairstyle: Poor Things
Willem Dafoe’s makeup in Poor Things, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.
In the film industry, looks can be everything. Poor Things managed to get creative with what hairstyles they can do in a steampunk world, and the makeup is applied just well enough that the actors do not look artificial. No other nominee can come close to beating Poor Things for Best Makeup and Hairstyle.
Best Costumes: Napoleon
War scene from Napoleon, courtesy of Sony Pictures.
Best Costume winners tend to be from films that never had a shot at winning Best Picture. That is why Napoleon is the best prediction for Best Costume. The costumes are more period-accurate and crucial to the story than any other nominee.
However, Barbie brings stiff competition, since not only are the costumes creative and innovative, but they also set off new fashion trends that have significantly impacted American culture. Either film has the best chance of winning, but considering that Napoleon is the underdog, it has enough of an edge to take home the prize.
Best Production Design: Barbie
Barbie World, courtesy of Warner Brothers Studio.
Production Design is based on how convincing the sets look and how much they add to the story. Barbie is the clear winner. They are by far the most creative of the nominees. The set makes the audience feel that they are in the world of Barbie. Even if other nominees had better sets, none were as crucial to the film as in Barbie.
Best Visual Effects: The Creator
Photo from The Creator, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
While it seems like other films can be over-reliant on special effects, we cannot forget how much they add to the film when properly used. The Creator is the only one where the effects were essential to the story. It accomplishes convincing-looking CGI and displays special effects at their best, making it the prime nominee.
Best Original Score: Killer of the Flower Moon (Robbie Robertson)
Photo of an orchestra, courtesy of Pexels.
All the nominees have outstanding soundtracks, but the one that takes the cake for Best Original Score is Killer of the Flower Moon. Whether it be western music or the culturally accurate tribal songs, Killer of the Flower Moon uses its soundtrack to its fullest potential and brings out the richness of the story.
Best Sound: Maestro
Audio editing studio, courtesy of Pexels.
Rather than focusing on the soundtrack, Best Sound focuses on the sound editing in the film. It only makes sense that a film about music has the best chance of winning. Since it is a film revolving around a famous composer, and given the trend of music-based films winning Best Sound Mixing and Editing, Maestro is on its way to winning Best Sound.
Best Original Song: WAHZHAZHE (Killer of the Flower Moon)
Native American band playing music, courtesy of Pexels.
Best Original Song is a unique category because it focuses on the quality of a song rather than the film. WAHZHAZHE, or A Song for My People is a beautiful song about the Native Americans’ pride and encouragement to stay strong in the midst of oppression. None of the other nominees have the heart that this song has.