And the Oscar goes to . . . La La Land! Wait, never mind it’s Oppenheimer, sorry everyone.

Last year brought in billion-dollar blockbusters and touching dramas alike but only a handful (or one specifically) will bring in the golden award promised by the Academy. Here are some of my personal predictions and choices from the Academy nominees for the 2024 Oscars:

Actor in a Leading Role

If you think that Cillian Murphy doesn’t deserve this award, then you should click off of this app right now! I’m not kidding. In all seriousness, both myself and critics alike have praised Murphy’s haunting performance as Robert Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan’s latest film would simply not even come close to the smash hit that it is without the melancholy expressions Murphy brings to the character.

Actor in a Supporting Role

The Oscars can be a bit of a popularity contest sometimes and the most Oscar buzz I’ve heard for a supporting actor was Robert Downey Jr. in Oppenheimer. Arguably this is the first major role for Downey since his exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and being able to see his acting chops again feels satisfying. Me? Oh no, I think it would be ironic if Ryan Gosling won.

Actress in a Leading Role

I am honestly disappointed that the Academy didn’t nominate Margot Robbie for her portrayal as Barbie because that was one of the best parts of the film. However, I believe that Lily Gladstone will take home the award simply because her performance was one of the most notable aspects of Killers of the Flower Moon. Personally, I love Emma Stone as an actress, but she already won for La La Land.

Actress in a Supporting Role

America Ferrera’s monologue in Barbie was honestly quite good even though I am certainly not the target audience. The other actresses on the list didn’t nearly have such an impact on pop culture/social media.

Animated Feature Film

Disney has been going through a rough time regarding the quality of their films and I believe that can be attributed to corporate greed, so it’s shocking to see other companies like Studio Ghibli and Sony Pictures produce better films. I don’t believe I heard critics say one bad thing about The Boy and the Heron which makes sense due to the film’s touching tribute for the career of director Hayo Miyazaki. However, does the Japanese studio have Spider-Man? I don’t think so.

Cinematography

I have not seen Poor Things, yet it’s zany and artistic style seems like massive Oscar bait. This will not be the last time where I personally want Oppenheimer to win because I have not seen most of the films being awarded, but Oppenheimer’s simple solutions for showing atomic explosions is fascinating.

Costume Design

It’s Barbie. The whole point of Barbie is for the actors and actresses to look like plastic dolls. If the film didn’t look so neon exaggerated then why would Warner Bros. even release this movie.

Directing

Wait, Christopher Nolan has never won an Oscar? Get this man his Oscar already, c’mon guys. Nolan has created some of the best movies of all time like The Dark Knight, Inception, and now Oppenheimer. The man is one of the biggest directors of our times; he just needs that award.

Makeup and Hairstyling

The one category that should’ve been an easy win for Barbie funnily enough did not nominate Barbie. Guess I’ll have to say Poor Things will probably take home the victory because of the insane makeup work on Willem Dafoe’s face. Seriously, Dafoe looks like a completely different person in this film with his face being completely warped and scarred.

Music (original score)

Ludwig Göransson recently popularized his compositions worldwide by composing the music for Disney’s The Mandalorian. Now Göransson’s score for Oppenheimer makes you feel excited about the endless possibilities of the universe, but terrified of it all the same. That’s why the Oppenheimer soundtrack is unparalleled.

Music (original song)

Considering all of the Tik Toks, Instagram Reels, and other social media videos had Billie Ellish’s song from Barbie, it’s safe to assume that’s what people would be the happiest with. However, considering the recent news of Ryan Gosling performing his song “I’m Just Ken” live at the Oscars, that means there is a chance Gosling could win and perform right then and there; my life would be complete.

Visual Effects

Audiences and critics can both safely say that last year’s Godzilla Minus One was a surprise hit. Considering that the film only had a $15 million budget, Godzilla Minus One accomplished something not many films today can do: good CGI.

Documentary Feature Film and Documentary Short Film

Listen, I have no documentary experience whatsoever. The last time I watched a documentary it was about cats on Netflix. I don’t think I can give my professional ECHO opinion on documentaries.

International Feature Film

I wasn’t able to catch any of the more popular international films this year; however, I do know that The Zone of Interest is nominated for Best Picture, so I would assume that would win this category. I have on good word from senior Joe Mollura said that Society of the Snow was a good film so go check that one out for yourself.

Production Design

Remember when there was an international shortage of the color pink? That was because of the set of Barbie. So much pink was used that it caused an international shortage. I don’t see Oppenheimer causing an international nuclear bomb shortage . . . though that would be nice.

Live Action Short Film and Animated Short Film

Being 6 feet 2 inches means that I don’t like short things and short films are on that list. Maybe get someone’s opinion who is 5 feet 2 inches for a more professional short film prediction.

Sound

Did you hear that? Sounds like Oppenheimer dropping in for another award (too soon?). The detonation sequence in Oppenheimer had to literally sound like a bomb going off in the theater, and the biopic blockbuster did not disappoint. I think critics and audiences both agree that scene deserves an Oscar for causing every viewer to get goosebumps.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

We get it, the Oscars are gonna be an Oppenheimer sweep; let’s move on.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

I haven’t watched any of these nominations, but I’m choosing The Holdovers as the winner here out of good word online and not just because of my fellow staff member Trent Liptak saying how good it is.

Film Editing

The Academy should be giving me an Oscar for my incredible iMovie skills, but I guess The Holdovers does manage to do an excellent job of recreating the 70’s.

Best Picture

The moment of truth. The grand award. The biggest movie award of every year: the Best Picture award. So many truly talented people worked hard on films this year that deserve to be recognized. And the winner of Best Picture is . . . Moonlight! Oh, it’s 2024? Oppenheimer I guess then.

Make sure to check if my predictions were right when the Oscars airs March 10!