We are a few short days away from the 94th Academy Awards.  Many of us haven’t touched a greasy tub of popcorn or stared down a 96 ounce, ten-dollar canister of soda in quite some time.  Some movies are bypassing the big screen and heading straight to streaming services.  Others are available at a hefty price after a month.  Despite the changes, this remains an annual post – and an annual watch – for us.  Our 2022 Oscars Predictions are locked and loaded!

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.

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 household chores.

Although, that never seems to pan out when I win.

Oh well.

As always, I’m tackling my predictions in the same way.  That includes the following strategies:

KP’s Tips for your 2022 Oscars Predictions

  • Animation: When it comes to animated films, Pixar almost always wins.  For when a Pixar film is nominated, I can only remember Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse topping Pixar.  Of course, this year, we have Pixar and Disney films, as well as a highly-rated Netflix movie.
  • Costume Design: Focus on the period pieces, and if there are multiple ones nominated, check photos from the film and look for the option with more intricate detail.
  • Score: Don’t pick the music you like the best.  Focus on the score that sets the mood and tone.
  • Major Awards: Actors that win often portray characters going through extreme adversity.
  • Sneak Peak: For films you haven’t seen, watch the trailers and get a feel for the story.  This won’t give you every last detail, but think of an Oscar-worthy storyline.  Ignore the fact that quite often these films can be weird, quirky, or downright boring.
  • Previous Awards: Often, the SAG and Golden Globe award winners indicate trends.

These tips have worked for me throughout the years.  I’m not out there viewing and critiquing every nominated film.  I am entertained by the event and we have history tied to watching it.  Overall, I appreciate a good flick.

Here are our 2022 Oscars Predictions for the major awards:

94th Annual Academy Awards: 2022 Oscars Predictions

Music (Original Song)

The Nominees Are: 

  • “BE ALIVE” from King Richard; Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyonce 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

KP’s Prediction: “NO TIME TO DIE” from No Time to Die; Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

The Wife’s Prediction: “DOS ORUGUITAS” from Encanto; Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

KP’s Take: I instantly narrowed this down to Encanto and No Time to Die as options.  It’s no secret how the music from Encanto gets fully entrenched in people’s brains.  If I had a dollar for each time my son sang “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, I’d be retired on a beach somewhere.  So when I listened to these two songs, it was close.  However, I was much more moved by Billie Eilish singing “No Time to Die”.  It grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go.  That’s my winner.

 

Music (Original Score)

The Nominees Are: 

  • DON’T LOOK UP (Nicholas Britell)
  • DUNE (Hans Zimmer)
  • ENCANTO (Germaine Franco)
  • PARALLEL MOTHERS (Alberto Iglesias)
  • THE POWER OF THE DOG (Jonny Greenwood)

KP’s Prediction: THE POWER OF THE DOG (Jonny Greenwood)

The Wife’s Prediction: DUNE (Hans Zimmer)

KP’s Take: Dune seems to be a popular pick by many – and that includes THE WIFE.  For me, I look up each score and listen to it, thinking of the overall theme and mood of the film.  Usually, after doing that, the winner jumps out at me pretty quickly.  Either that, or a few options do.  This year, it wasn’t so easy, although I did eventually narrow it down to Dune and The Power of the Dog.  I feel like the tone and uniqueness of the score for The Power of the Dog had a slight edge.  That and I occasionally like to go with the underdog.  See what I did there?  

 

Directing

The Nominees Are: 

  • 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)

KP’s Prediction: WEST SIDE STORY (Steven Spielberg)

The Wife’s Prediction: THE POWER OF THE DOG (Jane Campion)

KP’s Take: THE WIFE might be right with this one.  Campion did win the Golden Globe for best director.  In the end, I do think this comes down to Campion or Spielberg.  For me, this showcases Spielberg’s range, ability, and longevity.  Having Steven Spielberg tackle a musical and nail it, well… we shouldn’t be surprised.  He should also be rewarded for that, and that’s why he’s my pick to win.  I won’t go as far to call it an underdog selection, because… well, it’s Steven Spielberg.

 

Costume Design

The Nominees Are: 

  • CRUELLA (Jenny Beavan)
  • CYRANO (Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran)
  • DUNE (Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan)
  • NIGHTMARE ALLEY (Luis Sequeira)
  • WEST SIDE STORY (Paul Tazewell)

KP’s Prediction: CRUELLA (Jenny Beavan)

The Wife’s Prediction: CRUELLA (Jenny Beavan)

KP’s Take: We loved Cruella.  It was so well done.  As for costume design, well… consider the theme of that movie, where it has so much to do with EXACTLY that.  There are other strong options to choose from here (including period pieces), but this just seemed like a no-brainer to us.  Whether Beavan wins or not, that remains to be seen.  Also, if you haven’t seen Cruella, check it out.

 

Cinematography

The Nominees Are: 

  • DUNE (Greig Fraser)
  • NIGHTMARE ALLEY (Dan Laustsen)
  • THE POWER OF THE DOG (Ari Wegner)
  • THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH (Bruno Delbonnel)
  • WEST SIDE STORY (Janusz Kaminski)

KP’s Prediction: THE POWER OF THE DOG (Ari Wegner)

The Wife’s Prediction: THE POWER OF THE DOG (Ari Wegner)

KP’s Take: Cinematography is loosely defined as “the art and technology of motion-picture photography”.  Camera angles, movements and more.  If you haven’t seen The Power of the Dog, just watch the trailer.  If that alone doesn’t scream Cinematography winner, I don’t know what does.

 

Animated Feature Film

The Nominees Are: 

  • ENCANTO (Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer)
  • FLEE (Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellstrom, Signe Byrge Sorenson 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 Lopez Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho)

KP’s Prediction: ENCANTO (Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer)

The Wife’s Prediction: ENCANTO (Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer)

KP’s Take: I’ve shared my theory on picking animated films.  Go with Pixar.  This year is a bit different, considering the hefty mix of Pixar and Disney.  Overall, Luca was probably my favorite movie in this list.  I love the story and the creativity.  As far as Oscar winners go, I’m picking Encanto for a number of reasons.  The colors and the animation really pop in the film.  Everyone knows how addictive the music is.  The characters are fun, as well.  It provides the best overall package when considering a winner.  Not surprisingly, THE WIFE agrees with me.

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • JESSIE BUCKLEY (The Lost Daughter)
  • ARIANA DEBOSE (West Side Story)
  • JUDI DENCH (Belfast)
  • KIRSTEN DUNST (The Power of the Dog)
  • AUNJANUE ELLIS (King Richard)

KP’s Prediction: ARIANA DEBOSE (West Side Story)

The Wife’s Prediction: JUDI DENCH (Belfast)

KP’s Take: Debose won at both the SAG Awards and Golden Globes.  Her musical and acting talent really pops in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.  Despite there being other good options to choose from, she seems like a good bet to take home a third piece of hardware this year.

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • CIARAN 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)

KP’s Prediction: TROY KOTSUR (CODA)

The Wife’s Prediction: TROY KOTSUR (CODA)

KP’s Take: As I mentioned in my summary, the actors that win often portray characters going through extreme adversity.  That doesn’t fit the exact description here, but it’s still a unique character situation.  Kotsur plays a deaf adult that has a child with a passion for music.  There’s a lot to unpack there, obviously.  He didn’t win the Golden Globe, but brought home a SAG Award.  Either way, THE WIFE and I believe he’ll hoist the golden statue this weekend.

 

Actress in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • JESSICA CHASTAIN (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
  • OLIVIA COLMAN (The Lost Daughter)
  • PENELOPE CRUZ (Parallel Mothers)
  • NICOLE KIDMAN (Being the Ricardos)
  • KRISTEN STEWART (Spencer)

KP’s Prediction: JESSICA CHASTAIN (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)

The Wife’s Prediction: OLIVIA COLMAN (The Lost Daughter)

KP’s Take: Is it me or has Olivia Colman replaced Meryl Streep as the yearly nominee?  THE WIFE likes her to win for her performance in The Lost Daughter.  For me, this feels like the most open race of all the major awards this year.  It was hard to even narrow it down.  In the end, I believe Jessica Chastain will win for her performance as Tammy Faye.  She’s almost unrecognizable and her dialog jumps right out of the screen.  This should be close, but I like Chastain to snag another Oscar victory.

 

Actor in a Leading Role

The Nominees Are: 

  • 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)

KP’s Prediction: WILL SMITH (King Richard)

The Wife’s Prediction: WILL SMITH (King Richard)

KP’s Take: I have always been a huge fan of Will Smith.  He nailed his performance in King Richard.  Also, Smith swept the previous awards, taking the Golden Globe and SAG Award for best actor.  Despite the other strong performances in this list, this seems like the closest thing to a lock at this year’s Oscars.  At least, I hope so.  Bring it home, Fresh Prince!

 

Best Picture

The Nominees Are: 

  • BELFAST (Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers)
  • CODA (Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
  • DON’T LOOK UP (Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers)
  • DRIVE MY CAR (Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer)
  • DUNE (Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers)
  • KING RICHARD (Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers)
  • LICORICE PIZZA (Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers)
  • NIGHTMARE ALLEY (Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers)
  • THE POWER OF THE DOG (Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers)
  • WEST SIDE STORY (Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers)

KP’s Prediction: THE POWER OF THE DOG (Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers)

The Wife’s Prediction: CODA (Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

KP’s Take: This feels like a bit of a tossup.  If you look at winners at the previous award shows, a number of these movies won in key categories.  THE WIFE is going with CODA, the Apple TV+ flick about a music-loving child that’s parents are both deaf.  On my end, while I have yet to see The Power of the Dog, it reminds me of a number of past winners.  The feel, the look, and the acting.  My confidence level isn’t through the roof on this one, but this is my selection for best picture.

 

Enjoy the Show!

Feel free to chime in with your own picks, thoughts and opinions.  We also accept (and encourage) movie recommendations.

Enjoy the Oscars!  As always, thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

Image Credit: The Power of the Dog (Oscar statue addition by The Wife Hates Sports)

For all award nominations, see Oscars.org

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