Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com’s 2017 Oscar Predictions

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WILD CARD

We took assignments on some other individual categories, just to comment upon some favorite gems buried in the mass of Oscar beyond the above-the-line interest.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE (Spike Walters)
NOMINEES: “Kubo and the Two Strings” “Moana” “My Life as a Zucchini” “The Red Turtle” “Zootopia”


Will Win: “Zootopia”
Should Win: “Moana”

Hopp, Nick and Flash the Sloth in ‘Zootopia’
Photo credit: Walt Disney Pictures

I think Walt Disney Studios wins this category either way with two strong entries. Voters may be leaning towards “Zootopia” for its strong social message and themes, although “Moana” is more of the visual and lyrical treat for the eyes and ears. (SE)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Jon Espino)
NOMINEES: “Arrival” “La La Land” “Lion” “Moonlight” “Silence”

Will Win: “La La Land”
Should Win: “La La Land”
Should Have Been Nominated: “The Neon Demon”

Opening Dance Scene in ‘La La Land’
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Just as a surprise, this is one category that I don’t think “Moonlight” deserves to win. While “Moonlight’s” visual style is mesmerizing and abundant with symbolism, “La La Land’s” visual aesthetic is infections and will enchant you. Now, if “The Neon Demon” were being nominated instead, it would easily get my vote since the entire film is an enthralling moving editorial picture that is powerful enough to draw the viewer deeper into the film regardless of story or plot. (JE)

BEST ANIMATED SHORT (Patrick McDonald)

NOMINEES: “Blind Vaysha” “Borrowed Time” “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” “Pearl” “Piper”

Will Win: “Blind Vashya” Theodore Ushev
Should Win: “Blind Vashya”
Should Had Been Nominated: “Moms on Fire” Joanna Rytel

Best Animated Short Nominee ‘Blind Vashya’
Photo credit: Shorts HD/Magnolia Pictures

I sat on the Animated Short Film jury at the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival last year, so I feel an infinity for this category, and although our eventual pick “Moms on Fire” (from Germany) didn’t get nominated, our Gold Plaque honoree “Blind Vashya” did. This Canadian entry is so exquisite and beautiful in its woodcut animation style, but what really informs it is the simple message it conveys. The odds-on favorite is “Piper,” from the Walt Disney/Pixar Studios, but I think the voters of the Academy will be swayed by “Blind Vashya.” Honorable mentions: the simplicity of “Pearl” (Patrick Osborne) is an American Dream, and the Canadian “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” (Robert Valley & Cara Speller) is an epic story and style. (PM)

ODDS FOR THE REST

To complete the rest of the categories, here are the latest odds for each…

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Toni Erdmann (Germany) 4/5

The Salesman (Iran) 11/10

A Man Called Ove (Sweden) 7/1

Land of Mine (Denmark)  66/1

Tanna (Australia) 66/1

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Ennemis Interieurs 10/11
La Femme et le TGV 8/1
Silent Nights 22/1
Sing 8/1
Timecode 4/1

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
City Of Stars (La La Land) 2/15

How Far I’ll Go (Moana) 6/1

Audition/The Fools Who Dream (La La Land) 8/1

Can’t Stop The Feeling (Trolls) 25/1

The Empty Chair (Jim: The James Foley Story) 40/1

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
O.J.: Made in America 1/9

13th 9/2

I Am Not Your Negro 16/1

Fire at Sea 25/1

Life, Animated 50/1

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Joe’s Violin 3/2

The White Helmets 23/10

Extremis 4/1

Wantani: My Homeland 20/1

4.1 Miles 22/1

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
La La Land 1/15

Moonlight 9/1

Lion 12/1

Jackie 15/1

Passengers 50/1

BEST FILM EDITING
La La Land 2/13

Moonlight 66/1

Hell or High Water 100/1

Hacksaw Ridge 16/1

Arrival 20/1

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Jungle Book 1/5

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 4/1

Doctor Strange 9/1

Deepwater Horizon 33/1

Kubo and the Two Strings 33/1

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
La La Land 4/7

Jackie 6/5

Florence Foster Jenkins 18/1

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 25/1

Allied 50/1

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
La La Land 1/5

Arrival 11/1
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 18/1

Hail Caesar 66/1


Passengers 100/1

BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING
Star Trek Beyond 8/13
Suicide Squad 23/10
A Man Called Ove 11/1

BEST SOUND EDITING
La La Land 6/1

Hacksaw Ridge 2/5

Arrival 8/1

Deepwater Horizon 66/1

Sully 100/1

BEST SOUND MIXING
La La Land 3/10

Hacksaw Ridge 11/2

Arrival 18/1

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 66/1

13 Hours 100/1

By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com