Search
2021 Oscar Picks
Picture of Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

Reviews & Dunn 2021 Oscar Picks

When theaters shut down temporarily in 2020, the question on everyone’s mind was what would happen at the Oscars in 2021. Well, theaters briefly opened back up in the fall of 2020, and this Sunday, the 93rd Academy Awards will honor the best films of 2020 and early 2021. Check out my picks for who will take home the gold.

 

BEST PICTURE

Nominees

  • THE FATHER
  • JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
  • MANK
  • MINARI
  • NOMADLAND
  • PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
  • SOUND OF METAL
  • THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7

Will Win – NOMADLAND

Should Win – JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Deserved a NominationONE NIGHT IN MIAMI & DA 5 BLOODS

The Best Picture Award is the one that everyone looks forward to finding out who wins. Outside of Frances mcdormand, I did not particularly care for it, Nomadland is a critic favorite and I do not see anything upsetting it. Personally, though, Judas and The Black Messiah was a stronger overall film. Furthermore, it is a crime that One Night in Miami is not here.

 

BEST DIRECTOR

Nominees

  • THOMAS VINTERBERG – ANOTHER ROUND
  • DAVID FINCHER – MANK 
  • LEE ISAAC CHUNG – MINARI 
  • CHLOÉ ZHAO –NOMADLAND 
  • EMERALD FENNELL – PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN 

Will Win – Chloé Zhao for Nomadland. On the one hand, Hollywood loves a movie about itself, so in that regard, I could place money on David Fincher for Mank. However, Chloé Zhao has cleaned up this year at other awards ceremonies, so the crème de la crème of movie awards should not be any different.

Should Win – Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman. Fennell came across as a seasoned pro in her debut. Of all the nominees, her film stuck with me with most.

Deserved a Nomination – Regina King for One Night in Miami

 

BEST ACTOR

Nominees:

  • RIZ AHMED –SOUND OF METAL
  • CHADWICK BOSEMAN –MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
  • ANTHONY HOPKINS –THE FATHER
  • GARY OLDMAN –MANK
  • STEVEN YEUN –MINARI

Will Win – Chadwick Boseman. The passing of Mr. Boseman in August of last year still hurts fans to this day. Awarding him Oscar gold will cement his legacy even more. However, even if Boseman had not passed away, he delivers two monologues in the film that will stick with me for years to come.

Should Win – Chadwick Boseman

Deserved Nominations – Kingsley Ben-Adir for One Night in Miami and Delroy Lindo, for Da 5 Bloods.

 

BEST ACTRESS 

Nominees

  • VIOLA DAVIS- MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
  • ANDRA DAY- THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY
  • VANESSA KIRBY- PIECES OF A WOMAN
  • FRANCES MCDORMAND – NOMADLAND
  • CAREY MULLIGAN – PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN

Will Win – Frances mcdormand. While Andra Day provided a much-deserved upset at the Golden Globes, I do not see lightning striking twice for her at the Oscars.

Should Win – As I alluded to earlier, outside of Frances mcdormand, I did not care for Nomadland. Frankly, mcdormand could do the role in her sleep. 2021 is a strong year for WOMEN in search of an Oscar, and they are all worthy, in my opinion.

Deserved A Nomination – Rosamund Pike for I Care a Lot.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 

Nominees

  • SACHA BARON COHEN –THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
  • DANIEL KALUUYA & LAKEITH STANFIELD – JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
  • LESLIE ODOM, JR.-ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…
  • PAUL RACI- SOUND OF METAL
  • LAKEITH STANFIELD – JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Will Win – Daniel Kaluuya. I know many folks were confused about Daniel’s placement in the supporting category. I think the studio was playing chess to improve his chances of winning. The bigger question was Lakeith Stanfield’s placement in this category when he was the lead in the film. Nevertheless, I knew the Oscar gold was Daniel to lose from the moment I saw the movie.

Should Win – Daniel Kaluuya 

Deserved a nomination – Jesse Plemons for Judas and the Black Messiah

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Nominees

  • MARIA BAKALOVA –Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
  • GLENN CLOSE –HILLBILLY ELEGY
  • OLIVIA COLMAN –THE FATHER
  • AMANDA SEYFRIED-MANK
  • YUH-JUNG YOUN –MINARI

Will Win – Yuh-Jung Youn. I think everyone who saw Minari saw a bit of his or her grandmother in Youn Yuh-Jung’s character of Soon-Ja from Minari. For that, alone, I think she is taking home the Oscar gold.

Should Win – Glenn Close. I am in the minority of critics who enjoyed Hillbilly Elegy. After eight nominations and no victories, Close is well overdue for Oscar gold.

Deserved a Nomination – Dominique Fishback for Judas and the Black Messiah

What do you think of my picks for Oscar Night? Respectfully let me know in the comments.

Tune into the Oscars this Sunday on ABC 

Movie Clappers

More to explorer

“Amber Alert” is a solid thriller

Former child stars Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams have collaborated for the first time in the thriller “Amber Alert” from Lionsgate. The film is directed by Kerry Bellessa, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joshua Oram. This is not the first time the duo has explored this topic; they previously worked on a film with the same title in 2012, using a found footage approach.

Usher shines in the city of lights with his latest concert film

Currently, Usher is captivating sold-out audiences throughout the US on his sixth concert tour, “Past Present and Future.” Despite this, he hasn’t forgotten about the fans who may not have the chance to experience the tour in person. As a thoughtful gesture, Usher has released the concert film “Usher: Rendezvous in Paris” for those unable to attend the live shows.

James McAvoy shines in “Speak No Evil” remake

The Dalton family, comprising Ben (Scoot McNairy), Louise (Mackenzie Davis), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefle), are American expatriates who have recently relocated to the United Kingdom. During a vacation, they encounter a charming British family, including Paddy (James McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), and their non-speaking son Ant (Dan Hough).

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

© Copyright Reviews & Dunn. All rights reserved

website designed by Red Robin Digital designers