Evan’s Oscar picks
A preview of the 95th Academy Awards
On March 12, 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will host the 95th annual Academy Awards ceremony to honor films released in 2022. The ceremony will be hosted by late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel for the third time. Kimmel hosted previously in 2017 and 2018.
This year’s ceremony follows last year’s infamous incident when Will Smith went onstage and slapped Chris Rock across the face for joking about Smith’s wife’s, Jada Pinkett Smith’s, alopecia. As a result, Smith would later apologize for his actions and resign from the Academy. The Board of Governors also banned Smith from attending any Academy events for the next ten years.
Hopefully, this year’s ceremony will go forth without incident, but after all, it’s Hollywood so who knows? But enough talk about that! Here are a few of the award categories and my predictions for who will win them:
Best Picture: Elvis
This bio-drama is my pick to win best picture because of how hard-hitting a film it was. It tells the life story of iconic American singer Elvis Presley — his childhood, his career, his personal life, his demons, and his final days. The film really makes you feel how the music industry used Presley for years until it inevitably sent him into a downward spiral that eventually led to his death at the age of 42. Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis was simply amazing. He would be my pick for best actor if it wasn’t for one performance:
Best Actor: Brendon Fraser, The Whale
In The Whale, Fraser portrays Charlie, a morbidly obese and reclusive English professor who teaches only online courses anonymously. Estranged from his daughter and ex-wife and consumed by grief over the death of his lover, Charlie hopes to reconnect with his daughter as his health begins to decline. Fraser gave an absolutely heart-wrenching performance in what I believe to be the best performance of his career. The Whale is easily the most emotional film I have ever watched, and the main reason was Brendon Fraser.
Best Original Song: “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The emotional song written by the Barbadian singer will forever be connected to the film that was made to pay tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.The actor, best known for his portrayal of King T’Challa, died in August 2020 following a secret battle with colon cancer. It is a very fitting tribute to the cultural icon who forever changed the superhero genre and inspired millions.
Obviously, these are all based on my personal opinion. The other nominations all have their case to take the win this year and it will be interesting to see who does. May the best films win!
By: Evan Majors