2023 Spearie Award Winners

 

Here are Spearie winners for the best artistry in films released in 2023. I wound up seeing 46 films and 28 of them are represented with at least one nomination here.  Without further ado, here we go.

Here are the nominees for

BEST STUNT CHOREOGRAPHY

Creed III Clayton J. Barber, Eric Brown & Marc R. Miscione

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Dian Hristov, Georgi Manchev, Brad Martin, Treyan Milenov-Troy, Peter Miles & Brian Simpson

The Iron Claw Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hiro Koda

John Wick: Chapter 4 Laurent Demianoff, Stephen Dunlevy, Koji Kawamoto, Jeremy Marinas & Scott Rogers

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Wade Eastwood & Rudolf Vrba

And the Spearie goes to....

Laurent Demianoff, Stephen Dunlevy, Koji Kawamoto, Jeremy Marinas & Scott Rogers for

John Wick: Chapter 4

Here are the nominees for

Best Special and Visual Effects

The Creator Jonathan Bullock, Neil Corbould, Raul Essig, Ajay Goswami & Min Kim

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Khalid Almeerani, Scott Benza, Axel Bonami, Sam Conway, Dave Dally, Raul Essig, Ben Snow & Sreejith Venugopalan

Godzilla Minus One Kiyoko Shibuya & Takashi Yamazaki

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Stephane Ceretti, Lindsay MacGowan, Ross McCabe, Daniel Sudick & Guy Williams

Society of the Snow Félix Bergés, Pau Costa, Ezequiel Larrú, Laura Pedro & Darío Siero

And the Spearie goes to...

Khalid Almeerani, Scott Benza, Axel Bonami, Sam Conway, Dave Dally, Raul Essig, Ben Snow & Sreejith Venugopalan for

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Here are the nominees for

Best Sound Editing

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny David Chrastka, Brian Chumney, Lee Gilmore, Krysten Mate, Samsun Neslund, Eric A. Norris & Gary Rydstrom, 

John Wick: Chapter 4 Luke Gibleon, Nicolas Interlandi, Gael Nicolas, Alan Rankin, Steve Robinson, Mark Stoechinger & Olivian Zhang

The Killer Steve Bissinger, Malcolm Fife, Ren Klyce & Jonathon Stevens

Oppenheimer Christopher Flick, Richard King, Michael W. Mitchell & Randy Torres

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Will Digby, Colin Lechner, Daniel McNamara, John J. Pospisil, Alec G. Rubay, Geoffrey G. Rubay, Andy Sisul, Kip Smedley, Bruce Tanis, Greg Ten Bosch, Cathryn Wang & David Werntz

And the Spearie goes to...

Luke Gibleon, Nicolas Interlandi, Gael Nicolas, Alan Rankin, Steve Robinson, Mark Stoechinger & Olivian Zhang for 

John Wick: Chapter 4

Here are the nominees for 

Best Sound Mixing

The Killer Ren Klyce, Drew Kunin, Jeremy Molod & Stephen Urata

Oppenheimer Willie D. Burton, Kevin O'Connell & Gary A. Rizzo

Society of the Snow Jorge Adrados & Marc Orts

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Aaron Hasson, Howard London & Juan Peralta

The Zone of Interest Johnnie Burn, Marie Valentino & Tarn Willers

And the Spearie goes to...

Johnnie Burn, Marie Valentino & Tarn Willers for

The Zone of Interest

Here are the nominees for

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Barbie Lois McIntosh & Ivana Primorac

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Alessandro Bertolazzi, Katrina Doran, David Malinowski, Ryo Murakawa, Steve Painter, Marta Roggero, Howard Swindell & Cristina Waltz

Evil Dead Rise Jason Docherty, Vanessa Hurley, Adam Johansen, Darcy O'Brien, Luke Polti & Hannah Wilson

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Alexei Dimetrieu, Lindsay MacGowan, Raissa Patton, Cassie Russek, Amanda Sprunger, 

Poor Things Mark Coulier, Carolyn Cousins, Ernella Hortobágyi & Josh Weston

And the Spearie goes to...

Mark Coulier, Carolyn Cousins, Ernella Hortobágyi & Josh Weston for

Poor Things

Here are the nominees for

Best Costume Design

Asteroid City Milena Canonero

Barbie Jaqueline Durran

The Color Purple Francine Jamison-Tanchuck

Killers of the Flower Moon Jacqueliene West

Poor Things Holly Waddington

And the Spearie goes to...

Jacqueline West for 

Killers of the Flower Moon

Here are the nominees for 

Best Production Design

Barbie Sarah Greenwood

Oppenheimer Ruth De Jong

Poor Things Shona Heath & James Price

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Patrick O'Keefe

The Zone of Interest Chris Oddy

And the Spearie goes to...

Shona Heath & James Price for 

Poor Things

Here are the nominees for

Best Cinematography

The Killer Erik Messerschmidt

Oppenheimer Hoyte Van Hoytema

Past Lives Shabier Kirchner

Saltburn Linus Sandgren

The Zone of Interest Lukasz Zal

And the Spearie goes to...

Lukasz Zal for

The Zone of Interest

Here are the nominees for 

Best Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall Laurent Sénéchal

The Killer Kirk Baxter

Killers of the Flower Moon Thelma Schoonmaker

Oppenheimer Jennifer Lame

Poor Things Yorgos Mavropsaridis

And the Spearie goes to...

Jennifer Lame for

Oppenheimer

Here are the nominees for

Best Original Song

Am I Dreaming-Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse Leland Tyler Wayne, Roisee, Rakim Mayers, Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson & Landon 'Script' Wayne

Dance the Night-Barbie Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa, Caroline Ailin & Picard Brothers

I'm Just Ken-Barbie Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt

Live That Way Forever-The Iron Claw Richard Reed Parry & Laurel Sprengelmeyer

Superpower (I)-The Color Purple Terius Gesteelde-Diamant

And the Spearie goes to...

Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt for

I'm Just Ken-Barbie

Here are the nominees for 

Best Original Score

The Boy and the Heron Joe Hisaishi

Oppenheimer Ludwig Göransson

Poor Things Jerskin Fendrix

Society of the Snow Michael Giacchino

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Daniel Pemberton

And the Spearie goes to...

Daniel Pemberton for

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Here are the nominees for 

Best Adapted Screenplay

American Fiction Cord Jefferson

Killers of the Flower Moon Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese

Poor Things Tony McNamara

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Phil Lord, Christopher Miller & David Callaham

The Zone of Interest Jonathan Glazer

And the Spearie goes to...

Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese for

Killers of the Flower Moon

Here are the nominees for 

Best Original Screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall Justine Triet & Arthur Harari

The Holdovers David Hemingson

May December Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik

Past Lives Celine Song

Talk To Me Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman & Daley Pearson

And the Spearie goes to...

Celine Song for

Past Lives

Here are the nominees for

Best Supporting Actress

Taraji P. Henson-The Color Purple

Julianne Moore-May December

Da'Vine Joy Randolph-The Holdovers

Alyssa Sutherland-Evil Dead Rise

Tilda Swinton-The Killer

And the Spearie goes to...

Alyssa Sutherland-Evil Dead Rise

Here are the nominees for

Best Supporting Actor

Willem Dafoe-Poor Things

Robert De Niro-Killers of the Flower Moon

Milo Machado Graner-Anatomy of a Fall

Charles Melton-May December

Mark Ruffalo-Poor Things

And the Spearie goes to...

Robert De Niro-Killers of the Flower Moon

Here are the nominees for 

Best Leading Actress

Lily Gladstone-Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Hüller-Anatomy of a Fall

Greta Lee-Past Lives

Natalie Portman-May December

Emma Stone-Poor Things

And the Spearie goes to...

Emma Stone-Poor Things

Here are the nominees for

Best Leading Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio-Killers of the Flower Moon

Zac Efron-The Iron Claw

Paul Giamatti-The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy-Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright-American Fiction

And the Spearie goes to...

Paul Giamatti-The Holdovers

Here are the nominees for

Best Casting

Barbie Lucy Bevan & Allison Jones

The Iron Claw Susan Shopmaker

Killers of the Flower Moon Ellen Lewis

Oppenheimer John Papsidera

Poor Things Dixie Chassay

And the Spearie goes to...

Dixie Chassay for

Poor Things

Here are the nominees for 

Best Director

Yorgos Lanthimos-Poor Things

Christopher Nolan-Oppenheimer

Martin Scorsese-Killers of the Flower Moon

Celine Song-Past Lives

Justine Triet-Anatomy of a Fall

And the Spearie goes to...

Justine Triet-Anatomy of a Fall

And finally, here are the nominees for

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Anatomy of a Fall

Killers of the Flower Moon

Past Lives

Poor Things

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

And the Spearie goes to...

Killers of the Flower Moon

2023 Spearie Award Nominations

BEST PICTURE

Anatomy of a Fall

Killers of the Flower Moon

Past Lives

Poor Things

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

BEST DIRECTOR

Yorgos Lanthimos-Poor Things

Christopher Nolan-Oppenheimer

Martin Scorsese-Killers of the Flower Moon

Celine Song-Past Lives

Justine Triet-Anatomy of a Fall

BEST CASTING

Barbie Lucy Bevan & Allison Jones

The Iron Claw Susan Shopmaker

Killers of the Flower Moon Ellen Lewis

Oppenheimer John Papsidera

Poor Things Dixie Chassay

BEST LEADING ACTOR

Leonardo DiCaprio-Killers of the Flower Moon

Zac Efron-The Iron Claw

Paul Giamatti-The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy-Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright-American Fiction

BEST LEADING ACTRESS

Lily Gladstone-Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Hüller-Anatomy of a Fall

Greta Lee-Past Lives

Natalie Portman-May December

Emma Stone-Poor Things

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Willem Dafoe-Poor Things

Robert De Niro-Killers of the Flower Moon

Milo Machado Graner-Anatomy of a Fall

Charles Melton-May December

Mark Ruffalo-Poor Things

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Taraji P. Henson-The Color Purple

Julianne Moore-May December

Da'Vine Joy Randolph-The Holdovers

Alyssa Sutherland-Evil Dead Rise

Tilda Swinton-The Killer

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Anatomy of a Fall Justine Triet & Arthur Harari

The Holdovers David Hemingson

May December Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik

Past Lives Celine Song

Talk To Me Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman & Daley Pearson

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

American Fiction Cord Jefferson

Killers of the Flower Moon Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese

Poor Things Tony McNamara

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Phil Lord, Christopher Miller & David Callaham

The Zone of Interest Jonathan Glazer

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

The Boy and the Heron Joe Hisaishi

Oppenheimer Ludwig Göransson

Poor Things Jerskin Fendrix

Society of the Snow Michael Giacchino

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Daniel Pemberton

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Am I Dreaming-Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse Leland Tyler Wayne, Roisee, Rakim Mayers, Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson & Landon 'Script' Wayne

Dance the Night-Barbie Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa, Caroline Ailin & Picard Brothers

I'm Just Ken-Barbie Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt

Live That Way Forever-The Iron Claw Richard Reed Parry & Laurel Sprengelmeyer

Superpower (I)-The Color Purple Terius Gesteelde-Diamant

BEST FILM EDITING

Anatomy of a Fall Laurent Sénéchal

The Killer Kirk Baxter

Killers of the Flower Moon Thelma Schoonmaker

Oppenheimer Jennifer Lame

Poor Things Yorgos Mavropsaridis

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Killer Erik Messerschmidt

Oppenheimer Hoyte Van Hoytema

Past Lives Shabier Kirchner

Saltburn Linus Sandgren

The Zone of Interest Lukasz Zal

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Barbie Sarah Greenwood

Oppenheimer Ruth De Jong

Poor Things Shona Heath & James Price

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Patrick O'Keefe

The Zone of Interest Chris Oddy

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Asteroid City Milena Canonero

Barbie Jaqueline Durran

The Color Purple Francine Jamison-Tanchuck

Killers of the Flower Moon Jacquelien West

Poor Things Holly Waddington

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Barbie Lois McIntosh & Ivana Primorac

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Alessandro Bertolazzi, Katrina Doran, David Malinowski, Ryo Murakawa, Steve Painter, Marta Roggero, Howard Swindell & Cristina Waltz

Evil Dead Rise Jason Docherty, Vanessa Hurley, Adam Johansen, Darcy O'Brien, Luke Polti & Hannah Wilson

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Alexei Dimetrieu, Lindsay MacGowan, Raissa Patton, Cassie Russek, Amanda Sprunger, 

Poor Things Mark Coulier, Carolyn Cousins, Ernella Hortobágyi & Josh Weston

BEST SOUND MIXING

The Killer Ren Klyce, Drew Kunin, Jeremy Molod & Stephen Urata

Oppenheimer Willie D. Burton, Kevin O'Connell & Gary A. Rizzo

Society of the Snow Jorge Adrados & Marc Orts

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Aaron Hasson, Howard London & Juan Peralta

The Zone of Interest Johnnie Burn, Marie Valentino & Tarn Willers

BEST SOUND EDITING

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny David Chrastka, Brian Chumney, Lee Gilmore, Krysten Mate, Samsun Neslund, Eric A. Norris & Gary Rydstrom, 

John Wick: Chapter 4 Luke Gibleon, Nicolas Interlandi, Gael Nicolas, Alan Rankin, Steve Robinson, Mark Stoechinger & Olivian Zhang

The Killer Steve Bissinger, Malcolm Fife, Ren Klyce & Jonathon Stevens

Oppenheimer Christopher Flick, Richard King, Michael W. Mitchell & Randy Torres

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Will Digby, Colin Lechner, Daniel McNamara, John J. Pospisil, Alec G. Rubay, Geoffrey G. Rubay, Andy Sisul, Kip Smedley, Bruce Tanis, Greg Ten Bosch, Cathryn Wang & David Werntz

BEST SPECIAL AND VISUAL EFFECTS

The Creator Jonathan Bullock, Neil Corbould, Raul Essig, Ajay Goswami & Min Kim

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Khalid Almeerani, Scott Benza, Axel Bonami, Sam Conway, Dave Dally, Raul Essig, Ben Snow & Sreejith Venugopalan

Godzilla Minus One Kiyoko Shibuya & Takashi Yamazaki

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Stephane Ceretti, Lindsay MacGowan, Ross McCabe, Daniel Sudick & Guy Williams

Society of the Snow Félix Bergés, Pau Costa, Ezequiel Larrú, Laura Pedro & Darío Siero

BEST STUNT CHOREOGRAPHY

Creed III Clayton J. Barber, Eric Brown & Marc R. Miscione

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Dian Hristov, Georgi Manchev, Brad Martin, Treyan Milenov-Troy, Peter Miles & Brian Simpson

The Iron Claw Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hiro Koda

John Wick: Chapter 4 Laurent Demianoff, Stephen Dunlevy, Koji Kawamoto, Jeremy Marinas & Scott Rogers

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Wade Eastwood & Rudolf Vrba

2022 Spearie Award Nominations

BEST PICTURE

Aftersun

Everything Everywhere All At Once

The Fabelmans

RRR

Tár

BEST DIRECTOR

Todd Field-Tár

Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert-Everything Everywhere All At Once

S.S. Rajamouli-RRR

Steven Spielberg-The Fabelmans

Charlotte Wells-Aftersun

BEST CASTING

The Banshees of Inisherin Louise Kiely

Everything Everywhere All At Once Sarah Halley Finn

The Fabelmans Cindy Tolan

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Bret Howe & Mary Vernieu

Women Talking John Buchan & Jason Knight

BEST LEADING ACTOR

John Boyega-Breaking

Ram Charan-RRR

Colin Farrell-The Banshees of Inisherin

Gabriel LaBelle-The Fabelmans

Paul Mescal-Aftersun

BEST LEADING ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett-Tár

Frankie Corio-Aftersun

Renate Reinsve-The Worst Person in the World

Margot Robbie-Babylon

Michelle Yeoh-Everything Everywhere All At Once

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Paul Dano-The Fabelmans

Barry Keoghan-The Banshees of Inisherin

Anders Danielsen Lie-The Worst Person in the World

Justin Long-Barbarian

Ke Huy Quan-Everything Everywhere All At Once

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessie Buckley-Women Talking

Kerry Condon-The Banshees of Inisherin

Claire Foy-Women Talking

Stephanie Hsu-Everything Everywhere All At Once

Michelle Williams-The Fabelmans

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Aftersun Charlotte Wells

The Banshees of Inisherin Martin McDonagh

Everything Everywhere All At Once Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

Tár Todd Field

The Worst Person in the World Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

All Quiet on the Western Front Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell

Breaking Abi Damaris Corbin Kwame Kewi-Armah

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Rian Johnson

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On Dean Fleischer-Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Nick Paley & Jenny Slate

Women Talking Sarah Polley

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

All Quiet on the Western Front Volker Bertelmann

Babylon Justin Hurwitz

The Batman Michael Giacchino

The Northman Robin Carolan & Sebastian Gainsborough

RRR M.M. Keeravani

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Dosti-RRR M.M. Keeravani & Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry

Hold My Hand-Top Gun: Maverick Lady Gaga & BloodPop

Lift Me Up-Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Goransson, Rihanna & Tems

La Musique du Futur-Petite Maman Para One & Celine Sciamma

Naatu Naatu-RRR Chandrabose & M.M. Keeravani

BEST FILM EDITING

Everything Everywhere All At Once Paul Rogers

Nope Nicholas Monsour

RRR A. Sreekar Prasad

Tár Monika Willi

Top Gun: Maverick Eddie Hamilton

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Batman Greig Fraser

Decision to Leave KIM Ji-Yong

Nope Hoyte Van Hoytema

RRR Senthil Kumar

Top Gun: Maverick Claudio Miranda

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Avatar: The Way of Water Dylan Cole & Ben Procter

Babylon Florencia Martin

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Rick Heinrichs

The Northman Craig Lathrop

The Woman King Akin McKenzie

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Babylon Mary Zophres

Everything Everywhere All At Once Shirley Kurata

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Jenny Eagan

The Northman Linda Muir

The Woman King Gersha Phillips

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Barbarian Alexandrina Dermendzhiyska, Natalia Kamenova, Lyudmil Nikolov, Sofia Rakova, Alis Shopova & Atanas Temnilov

The Batman Naomi Donne, Zoe Tahir & Tristan Versluis

Men Kentaki Chinyelu-Hope, Nicole Stafford & Tristan Versluis

The Northman Sacha Carter, Stefania Pellegrini, Maralyn Sherman & David White

The Whale Judy Chin & Adrien Morot

BEST SOUND MIXING

All Quiet on the Western Front Lars Ginzel, Stefan Korte & Viktor Prasil

Babylon Ai-Ling Le & Steven Morrow

The Batman Will Files, Andy Nelson & Stuart Wilson

Nope Johnnie Burn, Jose Antonio Garcia & Oleg Kultchytskyi

Top Gun: Maverick Mark Weingarten

BEST SOUND EDITING

All Quiet on the Western Front Frank Kruse & Markus Stemler

Everything Everywhere All At Once Jacob Flack, Brent Kiser, Kailand C. Reilly, Reese Richardson & Andrew Twite

Nope Max Behrens, Johnnie Burn, Brendan Feeney & Keith Kohn

RRR Raghunatha Kemisetty

Top Gun: Maverick James Mather, Al Nelson & Bjorne Ole Schroeder

BEST SPECIAL AND VISUAL EFFECTS

Avatar: The Way of Water Joe Letteri, Sergei Nevshupov, Mona Peters, Eric Saindon & J.D. Schwalm

Everything Everywhere All At Once Jonathan Kombrinck & Zak Stoltz

Nope Scott R. Fisher, Jeremy Robert & Guillaume Rocheron

Prey Ryan Cook, Neeti Jain, Wade Maurer, Sandeep Oruganti, Emmanuel Spatz & Jingyi Zhang

Top Gun: Maverick Scott R. Fisher, Victor F. Medel, Biswajit Pegu, Ryan Tudhope

BEST STUNT CHOREOGRAPHY

All Quiet on the Western Front Jan Loukota & Marek Svitek

Everything Everywhere All At Once Timothy Eulich, Andy Le & Bryan Le

The Northman CC Smiff

RRR Vicky Arora, Ivan Kostadinov, Nick Powell & Raicho Vasilev

Top Gun: Maverick Casey O'Neill

2022 Oscar Winner Predictions

(Note: I will make by guesses for who will win for every category, but I will only give my opinions on who should win for categories where I've seen at least half the nominees.)

BEST PICTURE

Will Win: What once looked like a competition between Belfast and The Power of the Dog has shockingly turned into a neck in neck race between Dog, which has 12 nominations, and CODA, which has 3. This is likely because people didn't discover the very likable CODA until after it received its Best Picture nomination. The buzz is currently in CODA's favor after wins at the actors and producer's guild awards. That said, I still think Power has the edge. The Oscars tend to be a touch more highbrow with its more limited membership than those more mainstream organizations. I wouldn't be surprised by either film winning, but I still think the odds are in The Power of the Dog's favor at this point in time.

Likelihood of winning

1. The Power of the Dog

2. CODA

3. Belfast

4. West Side Story

5. King Richard

6. Dune

7. Drive My Car

8. Licorice Pizza

9. Nightmare Alley

10. Don't Look Up

Should Win: I absolutely loved Drive My Car and The Power of the Dog, and I wouldn't be upset with victories by CODA or West Side Story. That said, Dune is my favorite film of the last several years, and would easily get my vote. 

Personal ranking of the nominees

1. Dune

2. Drive My Car

3. The Power of the Dog

4. CODA

5. West Side Story

6. Licorice Pizza

7. King Richard

8. Belfast

9. Nightmare Alley

10. Don't Look Up

BEST DIRECTOR

Will Win: Jane Campion has seemed like a lock for several months now for her work on Power of the Dog, even after a particularly tone deaf Critic's Choice Awards speech. When Picture and Director split, Picture tends to go to the more "loved" film while director goes to the more "respected" option. Because of that, Campion should still cruise to an easy victory here, even if the film doesn't take home Best Picture. Also, the main Best Picture competition is not nominated here.

Should Win: Due to the inexplicable snub of Denis Villeneuve for Dune, I'd definitely give Campion my vote. 

BEST LEAD ACTOR

Will Win: It seemed like Will Smith's main competition was going to be Benedict Cumberbatch if Power managed to pull a full sweep. However, with Power's buzz fading and Cumberbatch losing the British Academy Award to Smith (where Cumberbatch had a home-field advantage) it looks like there's nothing standing in the way of Will Smith winning an Oscar for King Richard.

Should Win: This is mostly a very good lineup. I'd personally pick Benedict Cumberbatch for his multi-layered performance in Power of the Dog, though I wouldn't be at all upset about a Denzel Washington victory in the fantastic Tragedy of Macbeth

BEST LEAD ACTRESS

Will Win: This is the only acting category that still feels wide open. Jessica Chastain seems like the frontrunner, but it's a soft lead. Nicole Kidman seems good on paper, but her film wasn't able to get nominations outside of acting, Kristen Stewart was the frontrunner for most of the season, but her film lost buzz. The most likely spoiler to Chastain's frontrunner status is Olivia Colman, who is very well respected and who's film was clearly well loved, though it's a more subtle performance than Oscar usually goes for. It'll likely wind up going to Jessica Chastain, but I wouldn’t be surprised by any of the nominees winning. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Will Win: A two horse race has recently become a foregone conclusion. Kodi Smit-McPhee's subtle and excellent turn in The Power of the Dog got a lot of buzz, but has recently been fully overshadowed by Troy Kotsur. While I'm not sure CODA will be able to ultimately win Best Picture, its increasing buzz has made me more confident in Kotsur's eventual win here, as his performance is the most lauded aspect of the film. 

Should Win: Interestingly, the two performances most likely to win are also the two I believe are most deserving. There's really not a wrong choice between Kotsur and Smit-McPhee, and both would make worthy winners. I'd probably ultimately vote for Kodi Smit-McPhee, but it would be a difficult choice.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Will Win: Honestly, this has seemed like the easiest race to guess for a while now, and there's no reason to doubt the results. Ariana DeBose will become the second person to win an Oscar for playing the role of Anita in West Side Story, especially since her main competition, Caitriona Balfe, wound up not being nominated. 

Should Win: DeBose is great, but my personal vote would wind up going to Kirsten Dunst, who brings so much to her performance in Power of the Dog as one of the two POV characters that find themselves in conflict with Cumberbatch's Phil Burbank.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Will Win: This category is a pretty difficult one to guess, and a case could be made for nearly any of the five nominees to win, and to lose. Belfast is a well liked film that's unlikely to win elsewhere, but the script is not the most lauded aspect of the film. Don't Look Up is probably the most divisive nominee, but those who like it REALLY like it. King Richard will appeal to the more traditional members of the Academy, but many will feel like Smith is enough of a reward. Licorice Pizza is a great opportunity to finally give the overdue PTA an Oscar on his 11th nomination, but the film has attracted some controversy for a poorly handled racial caricature. The Worst Person in the World is very well loved by those who have seen it, but it's probably the least watched of the five, being a foreign language film not nominated for Best Picture. I'd place my bets on Belfast at this point in time, but it's very tight with Licorice Pizza and Don't Look Up.

Should Win: For me, I would easily give it to The Worst Person in the World, which is the best film nominated here, and the only one where I'd say the screenplay was the best part of the film.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Will Win: It seems, on paper, like The Power of the Dog should cruise to an easy victory here. However, the recent surge in popularity could bring CODA to a victory, plus this is the best place to honor the acclaimed foreign drama Drive My Car. Much like in Best Picture, I still think the ball is in Power of the Dog's court. 

Should Win: The Power of the Dog is a fantastic screenplay that forces the audience to participate and pay attention, and would make for a worthy winner. However, Drive My Car is arguably a greater achievement. It's so subtle real and lived in that it manages to fully engross despite being a three hour long drama spoken in four languages that is mostly made up of very long conversations. 

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Will Win: I'm sure The Power of the Dog and Encanto will get a lot of votes here, but I just don't see them ultimately beating Dune, who's score is so unique, powerful and instantly iconic.

Should Win: Dune, full stop. 

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Will Win: On paper, this seems like an easy get for No Time to Die. Billie Eilish is a big star, and the last two Bond Songs won Oscars. However, I just have a gut feeling it won't pull a repeat here. Encanto would surely win if it's nominated song were "We Don't Talk About Bruno," but I don't see Dos Uruguitas being as popular. I actually have a sneaking suspicion that Beyonce will sneak her way to a victory with the powerful Be Alive from King Richard, which may not have buzz now, but in a category with frequent left field winners, wouldn't be the oddest thing ever.

Should Win: Honestly, my own vote would go to Be Alive. I do really like No Time to Die, but it feels very derivative of Skyfall and Writing's on the Wall to me, rather than feeling like it's own thing. 

BEST FILM EDITING

Will Win: This is another category where it seems like any of the five can win. Don't Look Up is the showiest, though just as much in bad ways as in good. Dune is a big action epic, King Richard has those showy sports sequences, and Tick Tick Boom has musical numbers. Weirdly, the only film I don't see winning this is The Power of the Dog, which is a little too subtle. At this point I'd lean towards Dune, but I'm far from convinced.

Should Win: This is very much not the lineup I'd personally have picked. Dune is my favorite of the nominees, but I think Drive My Car, In the Heights and The Last Duel would have made better nominees than those that made the cut. 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Will Win: This is likely a three horse race. Dune is the most visually dynamic overall, The Power of the Dog is an opportunity to award the first female cinematographer, and the Tragedy of Macbeth has a showy, black and white style. I've been going back and forth between the first two, and at the moment am leaning towards The Power of the Dog. 

Should Win: My personal pick would be Dune, but honestly all five in this lineup are pretty great picks.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Will Win: This is down to Dune versus Nightmare Alley. I think Dune has a lot more support than the latter at the moment.

Should Win: Honestly, for me it's a coin flip between the new worlds of Dune and the old school expressionistic minimalism of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The coin landed on The Tragedy of Macbeth.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Will Win: This one mostly comes down to Dune versus Cruella. Cruella is all about costumes, which could give it an advantage here. That said, I have a gut feeling that Dune being a more overall well-liked film will lead it to a victory here, a la Mad Max: Fury Road.

Should Win: Dune deserves this one for sure. The costumes are gorgeous, and do so much world building.

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Will Win: I think Dune will be competitive, but lately they've really liked makeup that recreates the appearance of historical figures. As such, I think The Eyes of Tammy Faye will wind up victorious here.

BEST SOUND

Will Win: It is tempting to go with a musical here, which would benefit West Side Story. However, lately they haven't been automatic victories, and Dune's soundscape is so impressive in every way that I think it has the advantage.

Should Win: Dune. It's some of the best sound work of all time.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Will Win: Dune, no contest.

Should Win: Dune, no contest.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

Will Win: They occasionally go left field in this category, but if a foreign film is nominated for Best Picture, that tends to be a pretty undeniable sign it will win here. Hence, Drive My Car should prove victorious.

Should Win: All three of the ones I've seen (Drive My Car, The Worst Person in the World, Flee) are great, but Drive My Car is the one that most grabbed and enraptured me, as well as sticking in my head until the end.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Will Win: The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Flee are very well liked, but it's not usually wise to bet against Disney in this category, so I think Encanto will walk away with it here.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Will Win: Of the three categories it's nominated in, this one is the best chance to honor Flee. However, Summer of Soul seems to be the more likely victor. 

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

Will Win: The Long Goodbye has more star power, but Ala Kachuu: Take and Run has the more emotionally fulfilling narrative. I'm leaning towards Ala Kachuu at the moment.

Should Win: Ala Kachuu is my pick, but Please Hold is very excellent as well, and one of the more clever shorts in recent memory.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Will Win: Since it's the only family friendly offering nominated in this traditionally family friendly category I believe Robin Robin will emerge victorious.

Should Win: The Windshield Wiper may not have any kind of traditional narrative, but it is a beautiful and fascinating series of vignettes that is the best example of what can be accomplished in short form and animation.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Will Win: I don't know. Maybe The Queen of Basketball? It really could be any of the five.

2021 Spearie Nominations

Here are the nominations for the best in film of the year 2021. Just a note about eligibility: as I was not willing to go to a theater at the time of last year's Spearie Awards, films that released in 2020 but were not available to stream until 2021 are eligible for this year. As such, many of the films that were part of last year's Oscars will be part of this year's Spearies. Without further ado, here are the nominees:

BEST PICTURE

Dune

The Father

The Last Duel

The Power of the Dog

Promising Young Woman

BEST DIRECTOR

Joel Coen-The Tragedy of Macbeth

Emerald Fennell-Promising Young Woman

Ridley Scott-The Last Duel

Denis Villeneuve-Dune

Florian Zeller-The Father

BEST CASTING

CODA Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood & Lisa Zagoria

Dune Jina Jay & Francine Maisler

The Harder They Fall Victoria Thomas

Nomadland Nathan Harrison & Hannah Peterson

Promising Young Woman Lindsay Graham Ahanonu & Mary Vernieu

BEST LEAD ACTOR

Benedict Cumberbatch-The Power of the Dog

Anthony Hopkins-The Father

Daniel Kaluuya-Judas and the Black Messiah

Dev Patel-The Green Knight

Denzel Washington-The Tragedy of Macbeth

BEST LEAD ACTRESS

Jodie Comer-The Last Duel

Frances McDormand-Nomadland

Carey Mulligan-Promising Young Woman

Agathe Rousselle-Titane

Kristen Stewart-Spencer

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Reed Birney-Mass

Mike Faist-West Side Story

Troy Kotsur-CODA

Vincent Lindon-Titane

Kodi Smit-McPhee-The Power of the Dog

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Ann Dowd-Mass

Kirsten Dunst-The Power of the Dog

Kathryn Hunter-The Tragedy of Macbeth

Rita Moreno-West Side Story

Yuh-Jung Youn-Minari

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Mass Fran Kranz

No Sudden Move Ed Solomon

Pig Michael Sarnoski; story by Vanessa Block & Michael Sarnoski

Promising Young Woman Emerald Fennell

Spencer Steven Knight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

CODA Sian Heder; Based on the motion picture "La Famille Belier" by Victoria Bedos, Stanislas Carre de Malberg, Eric Largigau, & Thomas Bidegain

The Father Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller; based on the play by Florian Zeller

Nomadland Chloe Zhao; based on the book by Jessica Bruder

The Power of the Dog Jane Campion; based on the novel by Thomas Savage

West Side Story Tony Kushner; based on the stage play, book by Arthur Laurents

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Dune Hans Zimmer

Fear Street: Part Two - 1978 Marco Beltrami & Brandon Roberts

The Harder They Fall Jeymes Samuel

The Suicide Squad John Murphy

The Tragedy of Macbeth Carter Burwell

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Beyond the Shore-CODA Nick Baxter, Sian Heder, Marius De Vries & Matt Dahan

Fight For You-Judas and the Black Messiah H.E.R., Dernste Emile II & Tiara Thomas

Guns Go Bang-The Harder They Fall Shawn Carter, Scott Mescudi & Jeymes Samuel

No Time to Die-No Time to Die Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell

Speak Now-One Night in Miami Sam Ashworth & Leslie Odom Jr. 

BEST FILM EDITING

Dune Joe Walker

The Father Yorgos Lamprinos

In the Heights Myron Kerstein

The Suicide Squad Fred Raskin & Christian Wagner

The Tragedy of Macbeth Reginald Jaynes & Lucian Johnston

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Dune Greg Fraser

Judas and the Black Messiah Sean Bobbitt

Nomadland Joshua James Richards

The Power of the Dog Ari Wegner

The Tragedy of Macbeth Bruno Delbonnel

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Dune Patrice Vermette

The Father Peter Francis

The Harder They Fall Martin Whist

The Tragedy of Macbeth Stefan Dechant

West Side Story Adam Stockhausen

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Dune Bob Morgan & Jacqueline West

The Green Knight Malgosia Turzanska

The Last Duel Janty Yates

Last Night in Soho Odile Dicks-Mireaux

West Side Story Paul Tazewell

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Dune Cheryl Daniels & Donald Mowat

The Green Knight Eileen Buggy, Audrey Doyle, Barrie Gower

One Night in Miami Sabrina Curz Castro & Scott Wheeler

Spencer Wakana Yoshihara

Titane Flore Masson

BEST SOUND MIXING

Dune Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill & Mac Ruth

In the Heights Lewis Goldstein, Drew Kunin & John Marquis

The Last Duel Daniel Birch, Stephane Bucher, David Giammarco, Paul Massey & William Miller

No Time to Die Simon Hayes, Paul Massey, Mark Taylor & Can Yesilyurt

West Side Story Tod A. Maitland, Andy Nelson & Gary Rydstrom

BEST SOUND EDITING

Dune Phil Barrie, Lee Gilmore, Theo Green, Bob Kellough, Piero Mura & David Whitehead

The Harder They Fall Richard King, Michael W. Mitchell & Roland N. Thai

The Last Duel Adam Armitage, Michael Fentum, Dawn Gough, David Grimaldi, Tom Sayers & Oliver Tarney

The Suicide Squad David Acord, Justin Doyle & Adam Kopald

The Tragedy of Macbeth Craig Berkey

BEST SPECIAL AND VISUAL EFFECTS

Dune Paul Lambert & Gerd Nefzer

The Green Knight Paul Byrne & Kev Cahill

No Time to Die Chris Corbould, Yael Majors & Charlie Noble

Spider-Man: No Way Home Kelly Port & Daniel Sudick

The Suicide Squad Filip Dimitrievski, Kelvin McIlwain & Daniel Sudick

BEST STUNT CHOREOGRAPHY

The Harder They Fall Aviel Ayoung, Richard Bucher & Keith Woulard

The Last Duel Rob Inch and Trayan Milenov-Troy

No Time to Die Lee Morrison, Petr Rychly, Oliver Schneider & Patrick Vo

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Brad Allan, Andy Cheng, Xiang Gao, Marg Ginther & Peng Zhang

The Suicide Squad Guy Norris

Oscar winner predictions

BEST PICTURE: Nomadland

BEST DIRECTOR: Chloe Zhao-Nomadland

BEST ACTOR: Chadwick Boseman-Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

BEST ACTRESS: Carey Mulligan-Promising Young Woman

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Daniel Kaluuya-Judas and the Black Messiah

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Yuh Jung-Youn-Minari

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Promising Young Woman

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Nomadland

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Soul

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: Husavik-Eurovision Song Contest

BEST FILM EDITING: The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Nomadland

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Mank

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: Pinocchio

BEST SOUND: Sound of Metal

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Tenet

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Soul

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: My Octopus Teacher

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE: Another Round

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: The Letter Room

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: If Anything Happens I Love You

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM: A Concerto is a Conversation

2021 Oscar Nomination Predictions

 BEST PICTURE

The Father

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Minari

Nomadland

One Night in Miami

Promising Young Woman

The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST DIRECTOR

Lee Isaac Chung-Minari

David Fincher-Mank

Regina King-One Night in Miami

Aaron Sorkin-The Trial of the Chicago 7

Chloe Zhao-Nomadland

BEST ACTOR

Riz Ahmed-Sound of Metal

Chadwick Boseman-Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Anthony Hopkins-The Father

Gary Oldman-Mank

Steven Yeun-Minari

BEST ACTRESS

Viola Davis-Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Andra Day-The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Sophia Loren-The Life Ahead

Frances McDormand-Nomadland

Carey Mulligan-Promising Young Woman

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Sacha Baron Cohen-The Trial of the Chicago 7

Daniel Kaluuya-Judas and the Black Messiah

Leslie Odom Jr.-One Night in Miami

Paul Raci-Sound of Metal

Mark Rylance-The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Maria Bakalova-Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Glenn Close-Hillbilly Elegy

Olivia Colman-The Father

Amanda Seyfried-Mank

Yuh Jung Youn-Minari

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Judas and the Black Messiah

Minari

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

The Father

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Nomadland

One Night in Miami

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Mank

Minari

News of the World

Soul

Tenet

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Fight for You-Judas and the Black Messiah

Hear My Voice-The Trial of the Chicago 7

Husavik-Eurovision Song Contest

Lo Si (Seen)-The Life Ahead

Speak Now-One Night in Miami

BEST FILM EDITING

Mank

Nomadland

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Mank

News of the World

Nomadland

Tenet

The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Mulan

News of the World

Tenet

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Emma

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Mulan

News of the World

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Birds of Prey

Emma

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Pinocchio

BEST SOUND

Mank

News of the World

Soul

Sound of Metal

Tenet

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Mank

The Midnight Sky

Mulan

Tenet

Welcome to Chechnya

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

The Croods: A New Age

Onward

Over the Moon

Soul

Wolfwalkers

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

Another Round-Denmark

Collective-Romania

La Llarona-Guatemala

Quo Vadis, Aida-Bosnia and Herzegovina

Two of Us-France

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Collective

Crip Camp

Dick Johnson is Dead

Time

Welcome to Chechnya

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

Burrow

If Anything Happens I Love You

Opera

Out

The Snail and the Whale

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Colette

A Concerto is a Conversation

Hunger Ward

A Love Song For Latasha

The Speed Cubers

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT

Feeling Through

The Human Voice

The Letter Room

The Present

Two Distant Strangers