The 91st Academy Awards is just around the corner and its already setting records. This year is the first time in 30 years the Oscars has gone without a host. Comedian/Actor Kevin Hart was originally supposed to host the show however, old tweets circulated around the web of Hart joking about how if his son came home wanting to play with his daughters doll, he’d tell him to stop, that’s gay. And other tweets about his biggest fear being his son growing up gay. Many LGBTQ activists found the tweets offensive and condemned the Oscars for allowing Hart to host. Since the backlash, the comedian has then stepped down and the Oscars has not replaced him yet. So I guess we’ll see what direction the show goes in without a host – that will be interesting to watch. But for now, I guess we’ll have to focus on the big winners. Here is a list of some of the major categories nominees (a full list can be found here.)
Nominees for Best Picture:
Black Panther
BlacKKKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice
Our prediction: Black Panther
It’s no secret that the cast of Black Panther has had an incredible year. From 221 nominations to 77 wins including, 2019 Golden Globes Best Picture, 2018 BET Awards Best Actor, 2018 MTV Movie Awards Movie of the Year, and so much more. Not to mention breaking numerous records from beating out every other Marvel movies grossing record, to surpassing Titanic as the No. 3 all-time U.S film, and is the highest grossing solo superhero movie ever. Black Panther was a hit with Marvel fans and non-Marvel fans alike. And it’s worth a mention that Black Panther is the first superhero film to get a nomination at the Academy Awards.
Nominees for Best Actor:
Christian Bale -- Vice
Bradley Cooper -- A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe -- At Eternity's Gate
Rami Malik -- Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen -- Green Book
Our Prediction: Christian Bale
Christian Bale has already won Best Actor awards from the Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Awards for his role as former Vice President Dick Cheney in Vice. So he’s the favorite to win in this category, which would make this his second Oscar. Even if you didn’t like the film, Bale’s acting was nothing short of astounding. He captures the “Darth Vader” of politics, body, and soul, says a Hollywood Reporter. If Bale doesn’t win this one, Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody is a close second.
Nominees for Best Actress:
Yalitza Aparicio -- Roma
Glenn Close -- The Wife
Olivia Colman -- The Favourite
Lady Gaga -- A Star is Born
Melissa McCarthy -- Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Our Prediction: Glenn Close
Ok, now I know what you’re thinking. Why not Lady Gaga? A Star is Born was an all-around fantastic story and film and is nominated for 7 Oscars. How could it not win? Well, Lady Gaga was defeated both at the Golden Globes and the SAG awards to Glenn Close so we can only assume the same will happen here. The Wife tells the story of a happily married woman who has to keep a secret from her husband. Close had been nominated for an Oscar 6 times in the past but has never won, making her tied for the record as the actress with the most nominations and no win. So if she loses this one, she’ll be in first place. Hey, at least she’s breaking records.
Nominees for Best Director:
BlacKkKlansman -- Spike Lee
Cold War -- Paweł Pawlikowski
The Favourite -- Yorgos Lanthimos
Roma -- Alfonso Cuaron
Vice -- Adam McKay
Our Prediction: Spike Lee
BlacKkKlansman follows the true story of an American hero Ron Stallworth, who is a detective for the Colorado Springs police department. Stallworth goes on a dangerous mission undercover to infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan – side by side with partner Flip Zimmerman. BlacKKKlansman is a social commentary mixed with comic relief. Director Spike Lee comments on the reality that minorities must still continue to endure racism in present-day America. However, the fact that he is able to do this through a comedic adaption of the past is why his latest film deserves to finally win him that Oscar. Let’s hope this year isn’t another year of Spike Lee being snubbed by the Oscars.
The 2019 Oscar Awards will be live Sunday, February 24th 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. pacific on ABC. Coverage from the red carpet will begin at 6:30 p.m. eastern.
If you would like to watch online ABC will be streaming, as well as DirecTV Now, Hulu with live TV, YouTube TV, PlayStation TV and other streaming services that carry ABC. Red carpet coverage will be streamed live on Twitter. Don’t miss out on the 91st Academy Awards featuring performances by Queen and Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, and many more.
Tweet me your predictions and reactions throughout the show at @Fawningoverme.