EVERY YEAR AT THIS TIME, I have felt a sense of excitement and joy in anticipation of the Academy Awards telecast. In the past, I would have more than likely seen every movie nominated in the major categories. Various family members and friends would list their picks on who they feel deserves to receive an Academy Award, to see who had the most correct predictions. I was always invited to viewing parties but declined all of them because I did not want to have any interruptions or too much noise interfering with my enjoyment of sitting back and watching the television show. All of that changed when COVID came into our lives. It has been a long time coming but movie theaters have reopened, though not all of them and this year’s telecast will be televised live with three hosts.      DESPITE THIS GOOD NEWS, THERE IS a part of me that is sad and stressed out. I looked at the list of nominations and out of the films I was able to see this past year, there was only one I physically saw in a movie theater. For the others, I had to either stream them at home, rent them, or plead with friends to make time for me to come see a film on their streaming service; and sadly, I again this year have not been able to see all movies nominated. I also have to say, watching a picture on a small screen in the comforts of one’s own home has a different affect on the movie watching experience than sitting in a dark theater. The past year I may have given one or two films a 4-star rating; part of me thinks the lack of a big screen did not let me get fully into the story. Regardless, I do want to offer below my list of films I feel deserve to receive an Oscar award and those that I think the academy will pick.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

MY CHOICE: ACADEMY PREDICTIONS

AUNJANUE ELLIS ARIANA DEBOSE

BEST SOUND:

DUNE DUNE

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

DRIVE MY CAR THE POWER OF THE DOG

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

BELFAST BELFAST

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

KODI SMIT-McPHEE KODI SMIT-McPHEE

BEST FILM EDITING:

DUNE THE POWER OF THE DOG

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

FLEE ENCANTO

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE:

DRIVE MY CAR DRIVE MY CAR

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

DUNE DUNE

BEST ACTRESS:

JESSICA CHASTAIN JESSICA CHASTAIN

BEST ACTOR:

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH WILL SMITH

BEST DIRECTOR:

JANE CAMPION RYUSUKE HAMAGUCHI

BEST PICTURE:

THE POWER OF THE DOG THE POWER OF THE DOG

SO, THERE YOU HAVE IT; MY list of who I would recognize for an Oscar and who I think the academy will pick, all from the limited group of films I was able to see this past year. No matter how it plays out, I hope the televised show brings enjoyment, thrills and excitement to all of you and to me, too. I could use a good show to comfort and transport me to my happy place.