WELL ANOTHER OSCAR SEASON will close with this weekend’s awards show. It has been an interesting past year for movies. There have been a couple of breakout stars and some major flops. Looking at my reviews the past year, there seems to have been fewer outstanding films in my opinion. I believe only 1 or 2 movies received my top 4 star rating. To tell you the truth overall it has been a tough slog to sit through so many pictures that were poorly made. I did however discover 3 new things at the theater. First, I love the one remodeled theater out of 18 at the movie complex near my house. With oversized, soft reclining seats that vibrate to the soundtrack and a dynamite sound system; it made watching a blockbuster film more enjoyable. Second, I discovered a decked out theater with great sound and picture quality along with reclining seats does not make a poorly made film any better. And lastly I discovered I hate, yes hate, sitting in a theater that allows people to order food and have it brought in so they can eat a meal while watching the movie. It is so annoying to sit there and try to pay attention to the picture while a group of people next to you are chomping down on their food. And don’t get me started with the ones that eat with their mouths open!

So let us put all of that aside, get settled into our happy place and enjoy the Academy Awards show. I have all of my favorite snacks ready (to be eaten during the commercials) and have the weekend off from teaching, so I can focus on getting all of my chores done before the telecast. Without further ado let me present to you my choices for what I think should and will win in each category listed.

MY CHOICE TO WIN                                                                            WHAT WILL WIN

BEST PICTURE

The Shape of Water                                                                         The Shape of Water

LEAD ACTOR

Gary Oldman                                                                                              Gary Oldman

LEAD ACTRESS

Sally Hawkins                                                                                      Frances McDormand

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Sam Rockwell                                                                                                   Sam Rockwell

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Allison Janney                                                                                                   Allison Janney

DIRECTOR

Guillermo del Toro                                                                                Guillermo del Toro

ANIMATED FEATURE

Loving Vincent                                                                                                      Coco

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Call Me by Your Name                                                                    Call Me by Your Name

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Get Out                                                                                                  The Shape of Water

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Dunkirk                                                                                                    Blade Runner 2049

ORIGINAL SONG

This is Me                                                                                                    Remember Me

COSTUME DESIGN

Phantom Thread                                                                                 Beauty and the Beast

SOUND MIXING

Baby Driver                                                                                         Star Wars: The Last Jedi

THERE YOU HAVE IT, my picks for the Oscars. May each and every one of you enjoy the show and may each day after be an Oscar worthy day for you. Thank you for your support, comments, likes and suggestions; I appreciate it deeply and also you allowing me to nurture my passion for movies.