The race for best picture is going to be one of the toughest categories to call, as each of the films nominated was met with merit by audiences and critics alike. Initially I had this being a battle between Marriage Story and 1917. In recent weeks though, Parasite slowly crept in. Going off the technical achievements and the historical elements my mom is one 1917. However Parasite could win an upset.
Best Director is another strong race with all five directors worthy of the nomination. Sam Mendes, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino are all returning nominees while Todd Philips and Bong Joon Ho are first-timers.
2020’s Best Actor race is clearly the year of Joaquin Phoenix. After viewing Marriage Story, I thought Adam Driver might perform an upset. However, Phoenix is long overdue for a win.
Similar to Best Actor, this isn’t that strong of a race. Renée Zellweger became Judy Garland and the Academy loves a film centered on Hollywood.
Next to Best Picture, this is the toughest category to call. From the moment we saw a promotional photo of Tom Hanks dressed as Fred Rogers, the assumption was he would win an Oscar. However, this past summer, Brad Pitt made some serious noise with his performance as stunt man in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Since his breakthrough in 1991, Pitt has yet to receive an acting Oscar, so he’s well overdue.
Sterling K. Brown for Waves, Jamie Foxx, and Rob Morgan for Just Mercy.
Similar to Best Actress, this category is another no brainer. Portraying a tough as nails lawyer, Dern has no real competition.
Singer Marc Dorsey had already made a name for himself by appearing on soundtracks to the Spike Lee movies Crooklyn and Clockers before releasing his solo debut, Crave. Marc’s debut was released on August 10, 1999, and led by the single “If You Really Wanna Know.” .
Director Keith Thomas makes his feature debut in IFC Film’s, The Vigil. A horror film Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is a supernatural horror film set over a single evening in Brooklyn’s Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood.
Reviews & Dunn -What was the inspiration behind your recently released single “Radio?”
Deborah Bond – Producer/Saxophonist Trey Sorrells passed me the beginning ideas for the track and said he envisioned a song that was geared for listeners on the radio.
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