Hollywood is ready to take center stage, with the 92nd Academy Awards just around the corner and our Oscars 2020 predictions locked and loaded.

While we likely won’t get a dynamite opening like the one Ricky Gervais provided us at the Golden Globes, we should still get plenty of drama.

Considering the favorites for the major awards, the speeches could get interesting.  Hopefully not too preachy, because it’s simply not something our country needs right now. 

Speaking for so many fans of the movies, I just want to be entertained.  I want (and need) an outlet.

Snubs > #DickPoop

There’s also the additional drama from this year’s snubs.  Certainly, these pop up every year, but the volume seems to be a bit higher for Oscars 2020.  Consider the absence of Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems), Taron Egerton (Rocketman) and Awkwafina (The Farewell) from the list of nominees – and that’s honestly just the starting point.

The Oscars haven’t even kicked off and there’s a lot of external (and negative) chatter. 

Still, it could be worse.  At least it isn’t anything like the ‘La La Land’-‘Moonlight’ Best Picture announcement blunder or the Academy botching Dick Pope’s name by calling him “Dick Poop” during the reveal of nominations back in 2015.

There’s still time for more chaos.

Outside noise aside, THE WIFE and I never miss the Oscars.  There will be no fancy clothes worn or seven-course meals cooked.  We will simply make fresh two-cheek imprints on the couch, sporting the comfiest clean pair of sweatpants we can find.  Then we’ll watch it all unfold and see who wins.

Regular visitors to The Wife Hates Sports will know that this is a sports site with a tendency to dabble in the entertainment world from time to time.

And nothing symbolizes Hollywood (and entertainment) more than the Oscars, which is why yours truly will go head-to-head against THE WIFE in hopes to achieve bragging rights for one evening.  That and maybe a friendly bet surrounding dishwashing or grocery runs.

Here are our predictions for the major awards.  Chime in with your own picks, thoughts and opinions.  We also accept (and encourage) movie recommendations.

92nd Annual Academy Awards: Oscars 2020 Predictions

Music (Original Song)

The Nominees Are:

  • “I Can’t Let you Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4 (Music and Lyric by Randy Newman)
  • “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman (Music by Elton John, Lyric by Bernie Taupin)
  • “I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough (Music and Lyric by Diane Warren)
  • “Into the Unknown” from Frozen II (Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez)
  • “Stand Up” from Harriet (Music and Lyric by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo)

KP’s Prediction: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman (Music by Elton John, Lyric by Bernie Taupin)

The Wife’s Prediction: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman (Music by Elton John, Lyric by Bernie Taupin)

KP’s Take: My gut says we are going to hit a stretch of movies featuring all-star musicians.  We had Queen featured in Bohemian Rhapsody.  A Star Is Born was fictional, but still impactful.  Now, it’s Elton John, and since Taron Egerton was snubbed for a nomination, I’m going with “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” to bring home the Oscar for original song.

 

Music (Original Score)

The Nominees Are:

  • Joker (Hildur Guonadottir)
  • Little Women (Alexandre Desplat)
  • Marriage Story (Randy Newman)
  • 1917 (Thomas Newman)
  • Stars Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (John Williams)

KP’s Prediction: Joker (Hildur Guonadottir)

The Wife’s Prediction: Joker (Hildur Guonadottir)

KP’s Take: It’s another year and another nomination for Alexandre Desplat.  Toss in John Williams and the career he’s had, too.  In the end, it was Guonadottir’s score for Joker that had the most impact on the movie and its story.  The dark tones and intense melodies really add to the overall storyline.  So while Desplat’s score for Little Women is the most catchy and Williams will provide the most nostalgia, it’s Joker that will get the last laugh at the Oscars.

 

Directing

The Nominees Are:

  • The Irishman (Martin Scorsese)
  • Joker (Todd Phillips)
  • 1917 (Sam Mendes)
  • Once upon a Time… in Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino)
  • Parasite (Bong Joon Ho)

KP’s Prediction: 1917 (Sam Mendes)

The Wife’s Prediction: Once upon a Time… in Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino)

KP’s Take: This is quite the list of heavy hitters, with the obvious exception being Bong Joon Ho.  Not that Parasite isn’t worthy.  It’s just not my pick in this category.  For me, it comes down to either Tarantino or Mendes and I’m giving the edge to Sam Mendes for his well-rounded directing work on 1917.  1917 brought home the Golden Globe and I like Mendes to snag another win here, too.

 

Costume Design

The Nominees Are:

  • The Irishman (Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson)
  • Jojo Rabbit (Mayes C. Rubeo)
  • Joker (Mark Bridges)
  • Little Women (Jacqueline Durran)
  • Once upon a Time… in Hollywood (Arianne Phillips)

KP’s Prediction: Little Women (Jacqueline Durran)

The Wife’s Prediction: Little Women (Jacqueline Durran)

KP’s Take: Sandy Powell received two nominations last year and here she is again for her work on The Irishman.  Jacqueline Durran also has a history of success in costume design, most recently with her two Oscar nominations (in 2018) for Darkest Hour and Beauty and the Beast.  I tend to always lean towards the unique period-like pieces in this category, as they almost always win.  That narrows it a little bit here, but not entirely.  My gut says Durran (for Little Women) brings home the prize by the narrowest of margins.  Not that we will know the final tally.

 

Cinematography

The Nominees Are:

  • The Irishman (Rodrigo Prieto)
  • Joker (Lawrence Sher)
  • The Lighthouse (Jarin Blaschke)
  • 1917 (Roger Deakins)
  • Once upon a Time… in Hollywood (Robert Richardson)

KP’s Prediction: 1917 (Roger Deakins)

The Wife’s Prediction: 1917 (Roger Deakins)

KP’s Take: A lot of good options here and while I haven’t seen every movie nominated, I took some time to review extended previews to get a feel for each film’s cinematography.  It’s hard to ignore 1917 because of the material.  Deakins takes you right into the middle of the war on so many fronts (and in so many different angles).  That’s my pick.  Roger Deakins walks away a big winner.

 

Animated Feature Film

The Nominees Are:

  • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Dean DeBlois, Bradford Lewis and Bonnie Arnold)
  • I Lost My Body (Jeremy Clapin and Marc du Pontavice)
  • Klaus (Sergio Pablas, Jinko Gotah and Marisa Roman)
  • Missing Link (Chris Butler, Arianne Sutner and Travis Knight)
  • Toy Story 4 (Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera)

KP’s Prediction: Toy Story 4 (Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera)

The Wife’s Prediction: Missing Link (Chris Butler, Arianne Sutner and Travis Knight)

KP’s Take: My theory on animated feature films has always been the same – and that’s to go with the Pixar film.  That worked every year until last year, when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse brought home the Oscar victory.  This year, I can’t help but wonder if it’ll happen again, considering Missing Link won at the Golden Globes.  Despite that fact, I’m sticking with my ongoing Pixar theory and taking Toy Story 4 for the win.  Not just because it’s a Pixar movie, but because it was a terrific film.

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are:

  • Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell)
  • Laura Dern (Marriage Story)
  • Scarlett Johansson (Jojo Rabbit)
  • Florence Pugh (Little Women)
  • Margot Robbie (Bombshell)

KP’s Prediction: Laura Dern (Marriage Story)

The Wife’s Prediction: Laura Dern (Marriage Story)

KP’s Take: My strategy this year has been to focus on taking the clean sweep selections where applicable.  In this case, Laura Dern won both the SAG and Golden Globe and I see her also bringing home the Oscar for her role in Marriage Story.

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are:

  • Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood)
  • Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes)
  • Al Pacino (The Irishman)
  • Joe Pesci (The Irishman)
  • Brad Pitt (Once upon a Time…in Hollywood)

KP’s Prediction: Brad Pitt (Once upon a Time…in Hollywood)

The Wife’s Prediction: Brad Pitt (Once upon a Time…in Hollywood)

KP’s Take: It’s still hard to imagine Tom Hanks being nominated for supporting actor when he plays the character the movie is about.  With that said, I don’t think he wins this time around.  The two in The Irishman will almost cancel each other out.  Brad Pitt, otherwise, has a standout performance in Tarantino’s latest critically acclaimed film.  He swept the category in the earlier award shows and should make it three-for-three during the Oscars.

 

Actress in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are:

  • Cynthia Erivo (Harriet)
  • Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story)
  • Saoirse Ronan (Little Women)
  • Charlize Theron (Bombshell)
  • Renee Zellweger (Judy)

KP’s Prediction: Renee Zellweger (Judy)

The Wife’s Prediction: Renee Zellweger (Judy)

KP’s Take: Johansson had a great year, bringing home two nominations in this year’s Oscars, but her performance in Marriage Story was shutout by Renee Zellweger in the other award shows.  I did not see Judy, but the movie follows Judy Garland and Zellweger’s performance pops even on the trailers.  It pops a lot.  This certainly looks like it will be a clean sweep and another big win for her.  In fact, this would be a big surprise if she doesn’t win.

 

Actor in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are:

  • Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory)
  • Leonardo DiCaprio (Once upon a Time…in Hollywood)
  • Adam Driver (Marriage Story)
  • Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
  • Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes)

KP’s Prediction: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

The Wife’s Prediction: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

KP’s Take: Many say Adam Sandler was robbed of a nomination for his performance in Uncut Gems.  While that may be true, it likely wouldn’t have mattered.  Joaquin Phoenix was phenomenal in Joker.  He was dark and fun, creepy and entertaining.  His laugh was demonic and on point.  You feel bad for his character, only to be horrified by him as the film progresses.  Phoenix won the SAG and the Golden Globe as top male actor in a lead role, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t win the Oscar, too.

 

Best Picture

The Nominees Are:

  • Ford V Ferrari (Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and James Mangold, Producers)
  • The Irishman (Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Producers)
  • Jojo Rabbit (Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, Producers)
  • Joker (Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper and Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Producers)
  • Little Women (Amy Pascal, Producer)
  • Marriage Story (Noah Baumbach and David Heyman, Producers)
  • 1917 (Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren and Callum McDougall, Producers)
  • Once upon a Time…in Hollywood (David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh and Quentin Tarantino, Producers)
  • Parasite (Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon Ho, Producers)

KP’s Prediction: Parasite (Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon Ho, Producers)

The Wife’s Prediction: 1917 (Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren and Callum McDougall, Producers)

KP’s Take: Like last year, there are a lot of nominations and a bunch of solid options to choose from.  To make my pick, I first looked back to the other award shows from the season.  1917 took home best picture for dramas at the Golden Globes.  Also, at the Globes, Once upon a Time…in Hollywood snagged the win for best picture in the musical or comedy category.  At the SAG Awards, Parasite won the most outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. 

All are major wins and Best Picture this year looks like it could come down to these three films.  So, who would you pick?  1917 seems like the favorite, but for me, I really like Parasite as a dark horse.  I didn’t see the movie, but watching the trailer, it looks like the type of picture that could snag an upset victory.  It has creativity, quality acting, twists, turns, comedy and dark moments.  It has everything (from what it appears).  That’s why I’m going with Parasite as the surprise winner at the Oscars 2020.  THE WIFE is sticking with 1917, so we’ll see who walks away with the bragging rights at the end of the night.

 

Enjoy Oscars 2020!

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Image Credit: Movie poster for Joker, with an Oscar added in (of course)