The 94th annual Academy Awards are upon us! We had much more success seeing films at home via streaming this Season, so sit back, have a read & see if you agree with Nick and Katy's 2022 Oscar Picks!
THE BALCONY IS NOW OPEN!
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Nominees:
"CODA" Screenplay by Siân Heder
"DRIVE MY CAR" Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe
"DUNE" Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth
"THE LOST DAUGHTER" Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal
"THE POWER OF THE DOG" Written by Jane Campion
NICK: These are all very different films. I didn't think "CODA" was going to be something I'd like, but I really enjoyed it once I saw it. "Drive my Car" was very long and very good, "Dune" - loved the way the movie looked, but didn't think the screenplay was its strongest asset. I think "The Lost Daughter" was extremely well done, but not as strong of a screenplay as "CODA" or "Power of the Dog." I think Jane Campion has made special movies for many years and this one really seems to resonate.
KATY: It's for sure a strong category. For me, "The Lost Daughter" was beautifully brought to the screen, and it wasn't an easy job, especially since it went from present to past so frequently. For that reason, it gets my vote. I agree with you though Nicholas, seems like "The Power of the Dog" has this one in its grip.
Nick: SHOULD WIN:"THE POWER OF THE DOG" WILL WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "THE LOST DAUGHTER" WILL WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Nominees:
"BELFAST" Written by Kenneth Branagh
"DON'T LOOK UP" Screenplay by Adam McKay//Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota
"KING RICHARD" Written by Zach Baylin
"LICORICE PIZZA" Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
"THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD" Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier
NICK: I liked all of these movies in some way. "Belfast" is Kenneth Branagh's childhood and, I imagine, it was a movie he was thinking about making for a lot of his life. It was very authentic, and there were some great performances in it. I wasn't a big fan of "Don't Look Up." I know it was satire, but I couldn't tell what was supposed to be funny or not funny. I loved "King Richard," what a triumph. Seeing the determination of those girls and their father - what a story! "Licorice Pizza"... I am a big PT Anderson fan, however this one just didn't touch me. I am not a fan of coming-of-age movies and wasn't in love with it, but I do think it will win. I really loved "The Worst Person in the World." It had that fantastic atmosphere you only get in Scandinavian movies, the scripting was really good, performances were good. I'd be quite happy if that one got it but don't think it will.
KATY: There was no movie I was looking forward to more than "Licorice Pizza" and it was such a disappointing experience for me. The movie was all over the place, so that means the screenplay was all over the place too. "The Worst Person in the World" was great, Nick and I both loved "King Richard," and I thought "Don't Look Up" was brilliant. It is even more timely now than when it came out. That's my SHOULD win. It was so clever, and so smart. However I think "Belfast" will win. Oscar loves actors who do other things - like write and direct - and do them well. Since the movie won't win Best Director or Best Picture, it will win this.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "KING RICHARD" WILL WIN: "LICORICE PIZZA"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "DON'T LOOK UP" WILL WIN: "BELFAST"
ORIGINAL SCORE
The Nominees:
"DON'T LOOK UP" - Nicholas Britell
"DUNE" - Hans Zimmer
"ENCANTO" - Germaine Franco
"PARALLEL MOTHERS" - Alberto Iglesias
"THE POWER OF THE DOG" -Jonny Greenwood
NICK: Hans Zimmer is an extraordinary machine, he does so many scores, and he does it so well. Case in point, his "Dune" was particularly good. I liked the scores for "Don't Look Up" and "Parallel Mothers," but Jonny Greenwood's "The Power of the Dog" score was emotive and subtle, enhancing the movie.
KATY: Hans Zimmer has been nominated for an Oscar 12 times and has won once, for "The Lion King." I don't think he will this year though. I like Jonny Greenwood, he has never won, and this score lent to the flavor of "The Power of the Dog" for me.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" -Jonny Greenwood WILL WIN: "DUNE" - Hans Zimmer
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" -Jonny Greenwood WILL WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" -Jonny Greenwood
ORIGINAL SONG
The Nominees:
"Be Alive" from KING RICHARD - Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
"Dos Oruguitas" from ENCANTO - Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda
"Down To Joy" from BELFAST - Music and Lyric by Van Morrison
"No Time To Die" from NO TIME TO DIE -Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell
"Somehow You Do" from FOUR GOOD DAYS -Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
NICK: Interesting dilemma for Oscar voters this year because the song "No Time to Die" came out in 2020 and has already won a Golden Globe and a Grammy. It's one of the best Bond themes I've heard in a long time. It has everything a Bond song should have... but it's older now and I wonder if that will have an affect on voting in anyway.
KATY: I don't even know what the movie "Four Good Days' is, sorry Diane Warren (13th nomination, no wins!). "Dos Oruguitas" from "Encanto" is ok, but why no nom for the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno"? "No Time to Die" is a true Bond song...but I think The Academy will award Beyoncé and DIXSON this year.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "No Time to Die" from "NO TIME TO DIE" - Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell WILL WIN: "Be Alive" from "KING RICHARD" - Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "No Time to Die" from "NO TIME TO DIE" - Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell WILL WIN: "Be Alive" from "KING RICHARD" - Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter"
FOREIGN FILM
The Nominees:
DRIVE MY CAR - Japan - Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
FLEE - Denmark- Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
THE HAND OF GOD - Italy - Directed by Paolo Sorrentino
LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM - Bhutan - Directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji
THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD - Norway - Directed by Joachim Trier
NICK: I love this category. Last year, it was very difficult to see movies, so we left this category out of our Oscar Kafe. This year, I saw 3 of the 5 movies. As with all Scandinavian movies, there seems to be the ghost of Ingmar Bergman lurking around them all. "The Worst Person in the World" was dark, depressing and a great analysis of flawed characters. I'm a big fan of Paolo Sorrentino and "The Hand of God" looked exquisite, but I didn't love it. "Drive My Car" is over three hours and in several languages; it's based on Chekov's "Uncle Vanya." That being said, I loved every minute of it. However, I am very disappointed that "Parallel Mothers" is not in this category. It was magnificent. Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz are a formidable duo. I don't know how it didn't end up in this category, and if it had, I'd have chosen that.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "DRIVE MY CAR" WILL WIN: "DRIVE MY CAR"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: Didn't Vote WILL WIN: Didn't Vote
ANIMATED FILM
The Nominees:
"ENCANTO" Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer
"FLEE" Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Bryge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie
"LUCA" Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren
"THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES" Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht
"RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON" Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho
KATY:I've seen everything but "Flee." I know "Encanto" will win. It was a nice movie about acceptance. Wasn't the best movie I've seen, it was no "Coco." I liked "Luca" a lot, "Mitchells vs the Machines" I don't remember all that much (!) and "Raya & the Dragon" was nice, liked the girl power aspect. My daughter Hayden said, "I saw "Luca" several times and that's my favorite of the year." My son Tanner said, "The Mitchells vs The Machines" was my favorite, and should win."
Nick: SHOULD WIN:"THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES" WILL WIN: "ENCANTO"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: Hayden says "LUCA", Tanner says "THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES" WILL WIN:"ENCANTO"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
The Nominees:
Jessie Buckley "THE LOST DAUGHTER"
Ariana DeBose "WEST SIDE STORY"
Judi Dench "BELFAST"
Kirsten Dunst "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
Aunjanue Ellis "KING RICHARD"
NICK: These are all good performances. Ariana DeBose is the favourite to win, and while it's a relatively small role, she performs the song "America." The Academy likely thinks they need to give something to "West Side Story," and this may be it. She lights up the screen. I loved everyone in "King Richard" and thought Kirsten Dunst was terrific in "The Power of the Dog." She got it absolutely right...but don't think she will win.
KATY: It really bums me out that Ariana DeBose is the frontrunner. She has one big song. Blah. You can't tell me Ariana deserves Oscar gold. Jessie Buckley was fantastic in a tricky role. I could listen to Judi Dench read the phone book, she's a treasure. I thought Aunjanue Ellis was wonderful and proved her chops in a big scene with Will. All that said, Kirsten Dunst deserves to win for "The Power of the Dog." Every character pivots around her.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: Kirsten Dunst WILL WIN: Ariana DeBose
Katy: SHOULD WIN: Kirsten Dunst WILL WIN: Kirsten Dunst
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
The Nominees:
Ciarán Hinds "BELFAST"
Troy Kotsur "CODA"
Jesse Plemons "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
J.K. Simmons "BEING THE RICARDOS"
Kodi Smit-McPhee "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
NICK: I liked "CODA" a lot more than I thought that I would, and Troy Kotsur was spectacularly good. He packed a lot in to his performance. I loved both Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smith-McPhee in "The Power of the Dog," and would be happy if Kodi won. I loved "Being the Ricardos," but don't think J.K. has a chance.
KATY: This is one of the two "locks" of the night - Troy Kotsur will win for "CODA." It would be a huge upset if he didn't win. Every other nominated actor was great, but my "should win' is J.K. Simmons. I don't know why, but he really touched me and was so believable as the character. My other "should" is Kodi Smit-McPhee, who was so wonderfully weird in "The Power of the Dog."
Nick: SHOULD WIN: Troy Kotsur "CODA" or Kodi Smit-McPhee "The Power of the Dog" WILL WIN: Troy Kotsur "CODA"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: J.K. Simmons "Being the Ricardos" or Kodi Smit-McPhee "The Power of the Dog" WILL WIN: Troy Kotsur "CODA"
BEST ACTRESS
The Nominees:
Jessica Chastain "THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE"
Olivia Colman "THE LOST DAUGHTER"
Penélope Cruz "PARALLEL MOTHERS"
Nicole Kidman "BEING THE RICARDOS"
Kristen Stewart "SPENCER"
NICK: This is my favourite category. Each of these actresses deserves to win. I didn't like "Spencer," but thought Kristen Stewart was great in it. She's a very good actress in whatever she does, but I don't think she will win. I loved Nicole Kidman in "Being the Ricardos," it was my biggest 'surprise movie' of this year. Nicole was excellent playing Lucy, not the easiest character to play. Olivia Colman - what can you say about her? She's super-good in everything, doesn't seem there is much she cannot do. Jessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" - what a part to get! I think she will probably win for this, and I won't be disappointed except Penelope...I'd love to see her win. "Parallel Mothers" thrilled me.
KATY: This is a really hard category. Jessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" - it was such a juicy part and she infused her performance with so much heart. She deserves it for a lot of other roles too, and sometimes that's how Oscar works. Olivia Colman is fantastic in everything. I thought Kristen Stewart was a revelation in "Spencer." I don't think people expected it to be an art house movie about Princess Diana, which it was. Nicole Kidman is my "should win" though - Lucy is a difficult role, and she handled it with aplomb. The movie opened my eyes as to how far ahead of her time Lucille Ball really was. Nicole was pretty close to perfection.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: Penélope Cruz "PARALLEL MOTHERS" WILL WIN: Jessica Chastain "THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: Nicole Kidman "BEING THE RICARDOS" WILL WIN: Jessica Chastain "THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE"
BEST ACTOR
The Nominees:
Javier Bardem "BEING THE RICARDOS"
Benedict Cumberbatch "THE POWER OF THE DOG"
Andrew Garfield "TICK, TICK…BOOM!"
Will Smith "KING RICHARD"
Denzel Washington "THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH"
NICK: I almost feel a little sad when there are so many great performances and only one person can win. Javier Bardem was that guy this year to me. I think he'd win any other year. Benedict Cumberbatch, same thing. He's also good in everything, but this is as good as he has ever been. A difficult part, trying to be overtly macho on the outside when he wasn't really that way on the inside. He pulled it off immaculately. However, when I saw "King Richard" I understood why everyone is waving the flag of Will Smith. He was flawless.
KATY: This is the other 'lock' category. I can't see an upset here. It's going to be Will Smith, completely deserved, for "King Richard." He was triumphant. Andrew Garfield was phenomenal in "Tick, Tick..Boom" and also as Jim Baker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," but it's not his year. I loved Javier Bardem in "Being the Ricardos." I didn't love "The Power of the Dog" as much as Nick, but understand why Benedict was nominated. I didn't see "The Tragedy of Macbeth," though I am sure Denzel was wonderful in it.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: Will Smith "KING RICHARD" WILL WIN: Will Smith "KING RICHARD"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: Will Smith "KING RICHARD" WILL WIN: Will Smith "KING RICHARD"
BEST DIRECTOR
The Nominees:
"BELFAST" Kenneth Branagh
"DRIVE MY CAR" Ryusuke Hamaguchi
"LICORICE PIZZA" Paul Thomas Anderson
"THE POWER OF THE DOG" Jane Campion
"WEST SIDE STORY" Steven Spielberg
NICK: "The Power of the Dog" has a lot of things that movies don't always have but should - beautifully told, well acted, the direction was as good as it could be. The choice of locations, of colour palates, of costumes, all the things that fall to the director to decide on, it was all extraordinary. She's my "will" and "should" win.
KATY: I am removing "West Side Story" and "Licorice Pizza" right away as they don't deserve to be nominated. I will remove "Drive my Car" because I didn't see it. I was not as big a fan of "The Power of the Dog" as Nicholas was, but I know Jane Campion deserves the Director nod. It was a stunningly directed movie.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" Jane Campion WILL WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" Jane Campion
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" Jane Campion WILL WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" Jane Campion
BEST PICTURE
The Nominees:
"BELFAST"
"CODA"
"DON'T LOOK UP"
"DRIVE MY CAR"
"DUNE"
"KING RICHARD"
"LICORICE PIZZA"
"NIGHTMARE ALLEY"
"THE POWER OF THE DOG"
"WEST SIDE STORY"
NICK: "Belfast" was well done but it's not an Oscar winner. I liked it as a piece of filmmaking. "CODA" is a wild card. The cast was so good, and it was well-scripted, and an unusual story. I don't see it as an Oscar winner though. "Don't Look Up" did nothing for me in this category. "Drive my Car" deserves to be in there but won't win. "Dune" has a blockbuster Hollywood thing about it, but just the fact that it's nominated is progress. The script for "King Richard" was great, but it won't win Best Picture. I really did like "Nightmare Alley," a bit long in some places, but I liked it. Cate Blanchett was good in that too. "Westside Story" we don't need to discuss any more. My vote is very simple, "The Power of the Dog." It's the best movie of the year and should win.
KATY: This is a hard category. Let's narrow it down to the movies that stand a chance: "King Richard," "CODA," "The Power of the Dog," "Dune" and "Belfast." I don't feel like any of these are true Oscar movies. I guess "The Power of the Dog" deserves it because it's sweeping and epic. I loved "CODA," it was a good story, good acting, but not an Oscar movie. "King Richard" was wonderful but it's not really an Oscar movie. I couldn't get my head around "Dune," and "Belfast" is too small of a film to really get Best Picture, and I don't mean "indie" I mean the weight of the film. The best movie I saw this 2021-2022 Oscar season was "Red Rocket" with Simon Rex (who won Best Actor at the Independent Spirit awards).
Nick: SHOULD WIN: "THE POWER OF THE DOG" WILL WIN:"THE POWER OF THE DOG"
Katy: SHOULD WIN: "RED ROCKET" (not nominated) WILL WIN: "CODA"
How will we do? Tune in to the The 94th annual Oscars, airing on March 27 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
Members of the fan community can listen to the entire audio on duranduranmusic.com
