Film Feature: HollywoodChicago.com 2020 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: “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” … “I Lost My Body” … “Klaus” … “Missing Link” … “Toy Story 4”

Will Win: “Toy Story 4”
Should Win: “Toy Story 4”

Oscar10
Toy Story 4
Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios

While there’s a part of me that senses a bit of a Disney backlash in this category – due to the snubbing of Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen 2” – but I don’t think enough people will defect to the stop motion charms of “Missing Link” to deny Woody, Buzz and Forky an Oscar. It may be the safe choice, but in this field it’s the right one. And while I think Warner Brothers kind of killed their golden goose by coming out with too many Lego movies in too short a time, “The Lego Movie: The Second Part” displayed more fresh gags and ingenuity than a corporate brand extension had any right to. (SW)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM (Jon Lennon Espino)
NOMINEES: South Korea, “Parasite” … Spain, “Pain and Glory” … France, “Les Misérables” … North Macedonia, “Honeyland” … Poland, “Corpus Christi”

Will Win: “Parasite”
Should Win: “Parasite”

Oscar11
Parasite
Photo credit: Neon

There really isn’t a loser in this bunch, but my obvious standouts are “Parasite” and “Pain and Glory.” If either of them win, I’ll be ecstatic, but I feel that “Parasite” marginally inches ahead of “Pain and Glory” because of the social and cultural commentary. (JE)

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM (Patrick McDonald)
NOMINEES: “Dcera (Daughter)” … “Hair Love” … “Kitbull” … “Memorable” … “Sister”

Will Win: “Hair Love”
Should Win: “Hair Love”

Oscar11
’Hair Love,’ Written and Directed by Matthew Cherry
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

It’s always interesting to look at short animation. What was once a purely commercial art – think Looney Tunes and Saturday Morning TV – is now a easier-to-produce cinematic speciality. Interestingly, there were a couple of “claymation” type computer generated forms in “Daughter” and “Memorable,” which were both beautiful. “Kitbull” is a wonderful treatise on unlikely friendship, and there is politics in “Sister” (the one child policy of China). But the winner will be “Hair Love,” which also gotten more pre-Oscar hype than usual for this category. It tugs essentially at the heartstrings while containing a cultural message of genetic traits, especially with people of color. Last Tuesday, Shorts TV release the nominees (and their LIVE ACTION counterparts) on digital platforms. Check it out if you want to be informed on the Big Night. Happy Oscar! (PM)

ODDS FOR THE REST

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

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
1917 1/50 

Once Upon A Time in Hollywood 12/1

The Lighthouse 12/1 

Joker 14/1

The Irishman 22/1 



BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
American Factory 1/2

For Sama 3/2 

Honeyland 6/1

The Cave 50/1

The Edge of Democracy 50/1



BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
The Neighbor’s Window 7/2

Brotherhood 37/10

Saria 4/1
Sister 9/2

efta Football Club 9/2

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Learning to Skateboard 1/10

St Louis Superman 5/1 

In the Absence 12/1 

Life Overtakes Me 14/1 

Walk Run Cha Cha 20/1

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again (“Rocketman”) 1/10

Stand Up (“Harriet”) 9/2 

Into The Unknown (“Frozen II”) 9/1 

I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away (“Toy Story 4”) 25/1

I’m Standing With You (“Breakthrough”) 40/1

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Joker 1/7

1917 3/1 

Little Women 12/1

Marriage Story 33/1 

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker 40/1

BEST FILM EDITING
Ford v Ferrari 5/6 

Parasite 1/1

The Irishman 11/2 

Jojo Rabbit 25/1 

Joker 25/1

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
1917 2/3

Avengers: Endgame 5/2

The Lion King 9/2

The Irishman 11/2 

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker 25/1

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Little Women 1/3 

Jojo Rabbit 5/2 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 5/1 

Joker 40/1

The Irishman 50/1

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2/3
1917 8/5

Parasite 7/2

The Irishman 33/1
Jojo Rabbit 50/1

BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING
Bombshell 1/10
Joker 4/1
Judy 14/1
1917 22/1 
Maleficent Mistress of Evil 33/1

BEST SOUND EDITING
1917 4/13
Ford v Ferrari 17/4
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood 22/1

Joker 25/1

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker 25/1  

BEST SOUND MIXING
1917 4/15

Ford v Ferrari 2/1

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 18/1
Ad Astra 25/1
Joker 25/1

The 92nd Academy Awards will take place on February 9th, 2020, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater, and will be broadcast on ABC-TV beginning at 7pm ET/6pm CT. Thanks always to Jimmy Shapiro for the odds that were determined by click here, except for the Best Live Action Shorts from click here. Please, no wagering.

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2020 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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