The 95th annual Academy Awards are upon us! We had much more success seeing films this year than last, so sit back, have a read and see if you agree with our 2023 Oscar Picks!
THE BALCONY IS NOW OPEN!
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Nominees:
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT - Screenplay - Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY - Written by Rian Johnson
LIVING - Written by Kazuo Ishiguro
TOP GUN: MAVERICK - Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks
WOMEN TALKING - Screenplay by Sarah Polley
NICK: Hands down, for me, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT should win. It’s a masterpiece, the screenplay was extraordinary and it's a beautifully done film. I love the writer, and this version was a spectacular adaptation. It should win, it will win, I can’t see what else even stands a chance.
KATY: As you will see, I didn’t care for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT as much as Nick did, but I agree it will win. While ALL QUIET isn’t for me, I know it deserves to win. It’s horrifying and does what it was meant to – show that war is total hell. I did like WOMEN TALKING, so if I could pick two “should wins”, that would be right there next to ALL QUIET. I don’t know why TOP GUN : MAVERICK is even in this category. I almost think it’s insulting.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT WILL WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Katy: SHOULD WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT WILL WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Nominees:
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN - Written by Martin McDonagh
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
THE FABELMANS - Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
TÁR - Written by Todd Field
TRIANGLE OF SADNESS - Written by Ruben Östlund
KATY: This is a harder category for me. I know EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE will win. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a great movie that unfolded a friendship in a certain time, in a certain place that I'd know nothing about otherwise. TÁR, well, Cate was fantastic, but the movie was a little long. Didn’t love THE FABELMANS. I, shockingly, liked TRIANGLE OF SADNESS more than Nick did, and of all these nominated screenplays, I couldn’t get that one out of my head. So, for that reason, it will be my "should" win.
NICK: I enjoyed something about all of the films in this category. I did like some of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS, but by the time it got to projectile vomiting, was it really for me? It was a little muddled, but unique. I liked the THE FABELMANS better than Katy did, the movie reminded me how good a storyteller Spielberg is. It had my favorite two minutes of any movie this year in it – David Lynch’s cameo at the end. I loved TÁR, mostly for Cate Blanchett’s performance. I have to agree with Katy, there is no doubt that EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE will win. I loved it, it was bizarre and original, it was modern, futuristic, interesting, and had great performances. I won’t be sad if it wins. However, I think THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN should win. It was a much more subtle movie.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Katy: SHOULD WIN: TRIANGLE OF SADNESS for Acts 1&3 WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
INTERNATIONAL FILM
The Nominees:
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT - Germany
ARGENTINA, 1985 - Argentina
CLOSE - Belgium
EO - Poland
THE QUIET GIRL - Ireland
NICK: This is usually my favourite category. The main thing about movies ex-USA is that we don’t mind our heroes dying, and somehow that makes movies a lot more interesting. This is the most fantastic group of movies, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve seen. Again, my favourite by far is the cinematic achievement that is ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, a powerful piece of work, of acting, of sound, of production, of design. I don’t see how it can’t win. CLOSE was very touching and an interesting subject matter. THE QUIET GIRL I really liked, a lovely character study, subtle performances; in another year it may have won, but not this year.
KATY: All the movies were fantastic (though I didn’t see EO). I cried so hard during CLOSE I had a headache the next day. It depicted a beautiful friendship between boys that couldn't withstand peer pressure. It broke my heart and should be required viewing in middle school. THE QUIET GIRL is a beautiful, quiet film. THE QUIET GIRL edges out CLOSE by a hair – though the acting in CLOSE was extraordinary. Well, then it’s a tie for me! No doubt that ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT will win because it will get this award in place of BEST PICTURE.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT WILL WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Katy: SHOULD WIN: CLOSE & THE QUIET GIRL (tie) WILL WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
ANIMATED FILM
The Nominees:
GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO- Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON -Dean Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan and Paul Mezey
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH - Joel Crawford and Mark Swift
THE SEA BEAST - Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger
TURNING RED - Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins
KATY: I’ve seen every movie in this category except for THE SEA BEAST. I don’t understand how PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH is even on here, it was awful. I did see TURNING RED, yet don’t remember it, so it clearly didn’t leave an impression. That leaves me with GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO and MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON. I loved MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON. It may have been one of the best movies I’ve seen this year! A sweet and moving film, I fell in love with MARCEL. I know PINOCCHIO will win because Oscar voters will see the name “Del Toro” and just vote for him, but for me, MARCEL THE SHELL was so much better.
NICK: Not sure how PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH get on this list. I don’t mean to be unkind about it, but I couldn’t make it through it. I didn’t think MARCEL THE SHELL (sorry Kathryn) moved in an interesting direction. It was clever but… GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO is a masterpiece, literally everything about it. I liked all the characters, and it held my attention. I couldn’t get over the stop animation effect, it was stunning. It’s great that someone can still take a story like Pinocchio and do something unique and original with it again. It should and will win, it’s well-deserved.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO WILL WIN: GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO
Katy: SHOULD WIN: MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON WILL WIN: GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
The Nominees:
ANGELA BASSETT - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
HONG CHAU - The Whale
KERRY CONDON - The Banshees of Inisherin
JAMIE LEE CURTIS - Everything Everywhere All at Once
STEPHANIE HSU - Everything Everywhere All at Once
NICK: This is a tricky category. Everyone was great. I love Angela Bassett in everything she’s in, including BLACK PANTHER. Hong Chau was great in THE WHALE. I like Darren Aronofsky very much, but THE WHALE didn’t touch me quite as much as some of his other films. Kerry Condon was amazing in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, I would be very happy to see her win. Jamie Lee Curtis, there’s your winner. She was great in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, as was her co-star Stephanie Hsu, but it will be a fun moment if Jamie Lee win.
KATY: There’s no shoe in, but I think it’s between Jamie Lee Curtis and Angela Bassett, and it's as much of a career honor for them both as an acting one. Angela’s performance was great, and you felt her pain. And Jamie Lee played against type in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, and really surprised audiences. Coupled with the fact that she's "Hollywood Royalty," and is well liked, I feel like she has an edge. I think Hong Chau was really outstanding in THE WHALE, it wasn’t an easy movie to shine in, and she did. Stephanie Hsu in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE was really good, but she’s a new actress and up against a beloved co-star. That leaves Kerry Condon for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, totally outstanding, but not as outstanding (to me) as Hong Chau.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: KERRY CONDON - The Banshees of Inisherin WILL WIN: JAMIE LEE CURTIS - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Katy: SHOULD WIN: HONG CHAU - The Whale WILL WIN: JAMIE LEE CURTIS - Everything Everywhere All at Once
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
The Nominees:
BRENDAN GLEESON- The Banshees of Inisherin
BRIAN TYREE HENRY - Causeway
JUDD HIRSCH - The Fabelmans
BARRY KEOGHAN - The Banshees of Inisherin
KE HUY QUAN - Everything Everywhere All at Once
KATY: The only real done deal is in this category – it will be Ke Huy Quan for EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. He was definitely good, so he doesn’t NOT deserve it, and he has a good back story (GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!). I think Judd Hirsch holds the Judi Dench title this year – bringing up a movie with very little screen time, which is what he did for THE FABELMANS. I don’t remember much about CAUSEWAY, so I guess it didn’t impact me. Barry Keoghan was great in BANSHEES but he wasn't great like Brendan Gleeson. For my money, Brendan deserves it for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN but won’t win it this year, which is a shame.
NICK: I agree with Katy here: Ke Huy Quan will win, but I’d love to see either actor from THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN win. Even though they were playing mad (crazy) characters, they made those people believable. There is an artistry to that. Since Katy cheated once already, I will cheat too – I have two “should” wins – both Barry Keoghan and Brendan Gleeson.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: BRENDAN GLEESON or BARRY KEOGHAN The Banshees of Inisherin (tie) WILL WIN: KE HUY QUAN - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Katy: SHOULD WIN: BRENDAN GLEESON- The Banshees of Inisherin WILL WIN: KE HUY QUAN - Everything Everywhere All at Once
BEST ACTRESS
The Nominees:
CATE BLANCHETT - Tár
ANA DE ARMAS - Blonde
ANDREA RISEBOROUGH - To Leslie
MICHELLE WILLIAMS - The Fabelmans
MICHELLE YEOH - Everything Everywhere All at Once
NICK: All great performances. I thought BLONDE was a well-made film. Yes, it was depressing in parts and showed viewers lots of things you may not want to know or see about Marilyn Monroe, but I think Ana De Armas did a fantastic job in making you believe she was her. It was a compelling performance. I have not seen TO LESLIE, I confess. Michelle Williams is great in everything, and she was very good in THE FABELMANS. Her performance was quite touching , really, really good, but I don’t think she will win this time. Michelle Yeoh may well win for EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, but for me there is no question whatsoever that the sublime Cate Blanchett should win for her flawless performance in TÁR. Everyone else was great but she was unbelievable. She’s the actress of her generation, my "should" and "will" win is Cate Blanchett.
KATY: I did see every movie in this category. Andrea Riseborough was terrific in TO LESLIE, but not enough to make me think she deserves to win an Oscar. I didn’t care for the movie BLONDE, and didn’t love Ana De Armas’ performance as much as Nick did. I didn’t care for THE FABELMANS at all, and, as Nick said, Michelle Williams is great in everything so I am sure will be nominated again. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE gave me a headache, and while I think Michelle Yeoh’s performance was a career high, I didn’t think she was better than Cate Blanchett in TÁR.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: CATE BLANCHETT – Tár WILL WIN: CATE BLANCHETT - Tár
Katy: SHOULD WIN: CATE BLANCHETT – Tár WILL WIN: CATE BLANCHETT - Tár
BEST ACTOR
The Nominees:
AUSTIN BUTLER- Elvis
COLIN FARRELL - The Banshees of Inisherin
BRENDAN FRASER - The Whale
PAUL MESCAL - Aftersun
BILL NIGHY – Living
KATY: I also saw every film in this category as well, and will start off by saying that as amazing as they individually were, neither Bill Nighy (LIVING) or Paul Mescal (AFTERSUN) has a shot. Colin Farrell was so great in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, his performance really surprised me.At one point I sort of thought he might win, but alas, he will remain my "should" win. It’s hard to choose between Brendan Fraser in THE WHALE and Austin Butler in ELVIS. I think Brendan gave a career defining performance, but believe that THE WHALE being poorly received is going to hurt his chances. It’s also a hard film to watch. However, people love a come-back. Then you have young Austin Butler in ELVIS, and there’s no taking away that he was amazing in this role. I always “argue” with my friend Shelley that it’s easier to play a real person and she disagrees- but look at Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury or Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Nevertheless, ELVIS was the most popular movie amongst the nominees and I think Voters are going to go for Austin.
NICK: I’d love to see Colin Farrell win for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN because I enjoyed watching him, and playing that part involved a lot of discipline. In another year, he’d have won hands down. Regarding Austin Butler, it’s a gift to play the role of Elvis Presley, one of the most recognizable people in history. Austin didn’t hit a false note. I also like Baz Luhrmann, and the movie was gloriously over the top. Baz was lucky to have found Austin to play Elvis. I think he should win, and as much as I loved Colin Farrell. I can’t really say he was better thank Austin Butler. Brendan Fraser was great in THE WHALE, but I didn’t love the movie. The movie was unusual, and Brendan deserves the nomination for sure. Unfortunately, Paul and Bill are just up against too much competition this year.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: AUSTIN BUTLER- Elvis WILL WIN: AUSTIN BUTLER- Elvis
Katy: SHOULD WIN: COLIN FARRELL - The Banshees of Inisherin WILL WIN: AUSTIN BUTLER- Elvis
BEST DIRECTOR
The Nominees:
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN - Martin McDonagh
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
THE FABELMANS - Steven Spielberg
TÁR - Todd Field
TRIANGLE OF SADNESS - Ruben Östlund
NICK: I’m rather irritated with Mr. Oscar for not including Edward Berger, the director ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, in this category. Utterly absurd! He is my "should" win, even though he’s not on the list! There are some incredible directors nominated thought. I’d like to see Martin McDonagh win for THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. He did a wonderful job directing: the subtlety, the darkness, the craziness, the tension, the humility, the smalltown suffocation, it was all just wonderful. Steven Spielberg has, I am sure, a long mantlepiece filled with awards, and while I did enjoy THE FABELMANS, it’s not going to win this time. Todd Field made TÁR look great, and it was very stylish, the sound was incredible, and he had the best leading lady. I liked bits of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS, it was cool looking but too long. I’m afraid Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert will win for EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. The film was an achievement, and it’s remarkable looking, which was enjoyable even if it didn’t all make sense. I loved the fact that it was so unpredictable but somehow you ended up where you needed to be.
KATY: I think EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE will win. “The Daniels” did create a cinematic achievement, so ok, I get it. But why wasn’t James Cameron been nominated for AVATAR, which was an achievement in directing? And AFTERSUN was gloriously well directed. And yes, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT was a masterclass in directing. I am crossing Spielberg right off, THE FABELMANS didn't work for me. TÁR was too long and TRIANGLE OF SADNESS meandered.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN - Martin McDonagh (but really ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT’s Edward Burger) WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Katy: SHOULD WIN: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN - Martin McDonagh WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
BEST PICTURE
The Nominees:
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT - Malte Grunert, Producer
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER - James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN - Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers
ELVIS - Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, Producers
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and Jonathan Wang, Producers
THE FABELMANS - Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Producers
TÁR - Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert, Producers
TOP GUN: MAVERICK - Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers
TRIANGLE OF SADNESS - Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, Producers
WOMEN TALKING - Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Frances McDormand, Producers
NICK: Given the silliness of not having Edward Burger nominated for best director for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, I’m happy the film is included on the BEST PICTURE list. It should win, but I fear it will not, because it will win Best International Film. My “will win” is EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, it has built so much momentum it seems unstoppable. I did like EVERYTHING, I was mesmerized by it, so I didn’t mind it was confusing. I liked being transported into that world. I have no problem with it winning at all, but it’s not a better movie than ALL QUIET. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT showed you the utter destruction of war, the true horror of it all. I think it’s up there with the best war movies ever made. AVATAR, James Cameron does a good job of pushing boundaries, I wish I’d seen it in 4D. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN won a lot at the BAFTAs, it’s a very European movie, but not going to win the Oscar. Loved ELVIS, really enjoyed it, but it won’t win. THE FABELMANS was a good movie, but not an Oscar winner. TÁR was really good, but it was really down to Cate and her performance more than the movie itself. TRIANGLE OF SADNESS won’t win, and while it was good, I am not sure how WOMEN TALKING got on the list. TOP GUN wasn’t the movie for me, but I get it, it’s an American hero movie, and there is a market for those. However, I think those films should be in a different category all together, because you can’t compare it to the others on this list.
KATY: I can appreciate what ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT meant for you Nick, but it wasn’t for me, which means it did its job. I covered my eyes frequently. AVATAR, like TOP GUN, isn’t really a “Best Picture” from my point of view. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN was the first of the well-reviewed movies that I saw that I said, yes, this is an Oscar contender. ELVIS was a great achievement, and Austin Butler carried the entire film, but it may be "too Baz" to win. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE was an achievement in its uniqueness, but I came so close to turning it off. I didn’t like THE FABELMANS at all (as stated!), clearly, I had so many issues with the movie. TÁR was Cate’s achievement alone to be honest. I really liked Acts 1 & 3 (it was a 3 Act movie) of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS but it won’t win. WOMEN TALKING was a good, good movie with great acting, but not 100% sure it belongs in the BEST PICTURE category.
Nick: SHOULD WIN: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Katy: SHOULD WIN: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN WILL WIN: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
How will we do? Tune in to the The 95th annual Oscars, airing on March 12 on ABC at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
Members of the fan community can listen to the entire audio on the Member section of the website.
