Oscar Nominees: Best Picture

My predictions: 9/9, though I said “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” would also get nominated
My ballot: Come back later this week!
The nominees: Ford v Ferrari, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, 1917, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Parasite

What a lackluster way to end a lackluster slate. As I’ve said in most other categories, the nominees aren’t actually bad or even not good, it just would have been nice to see a little creative thinking and some surprises. In a great piece about new Oscar trivia and records, Nathaniel at the Film Experience points out that this is the first time that four films have achieved double digit nominations, which means a less impressive spread and recognition of different projects. Somewhat unexpectedly, Joker rallied to earn the most bids of all, with eleven, while Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 1917, and The Irishman all came in second with ten. Four other films were next with six, including Little Women, which rebounded from a disappointing precursor performance, Marriage Story, which scored only in expected races, Jojo Rabbit, which did better than I thought it would, and Parasite, which underwhelmed given what it could have accomplished, even though six bids for a Korean film is nothing to scoff at. In last place, somewhat fittingly, was Ford v Ferrari, a film that wasn’t included at the Golden Globes in a top race but still pulled off three technical bids in addition to this mention. The tenth PGA nominee, “Knives Out,” didn’t make the cut, and “The Two Popes,” which landed three nominations, was probably next up in terms of votes. It’s a shame that “The Farewell” didn’t earn any love, and I’m sure others are lamenting the failure of “Uncut Gems” to muster any steam to break through. Now, it’s time for a bit of a break from Oscar prognosticating to catch up on the three features and seven shorts I haven’t yet seen, but the award show is less than a month away, so come back soon for winner predictions!

My current bet to win: I’m worried it might be “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” but I’ll stick pick Parasite.