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 While dark comic book movie "Joker" goes into the ceremony with
a leading 11 nominations, it's the immersive World War One movie
"1917" that has emerged as the film to beat in the best picture
race after winning a slew of accolades in the last five weeks.
Yet a win for "1917" is far from a foregone conclusion, with
South Korean social satire "Parasite" and sentimental favorite
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" from Quentin Tarantino also
jostling for attention from the 8,000 voters of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"Right now, it's looking like '1917''s to lose," said Alison
Willmore, film critic at pop culture website Vulture.
"I can see a world where 'Parasite' could be a dark horse
candidate. It's so beloved. Once we get past that, there is
probably a chance for 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'," she
said.
Korean-language film "Parasite" seems certain to take the
renamed best international feature Oscar and would make history
if the black comedy about haves and have-nots in modern Seoul
also takes home the best picture statuette.
Martin Scorsese's mob saga "The Irishman" seems to have lost
momentum despite lavish early praise and a cast that includes
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. But it has failed to
take home major acting or directing awards this season, likely
dashing Netflix's best hope so far of picking up its first best
picture Oscar.
The best director category, a controversially all-male affair,
is equally hard to call according to Oscar pundits, with a
lineup featuring Sam Mendes ("1917"), Scorsese, Todd Phillips
("Joker"), Tarantino and Bong Joon Ho ("Parasite").
Owen Gleiberman, chief film critic at Variety, said he could see
the Academy Award going to any of the five directors. But he
added; "I feel like it could be Quentin's year because he has
said he's only going to make 10 films. This is his ninth."
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SURE BET FOR BRAD?
Some races appear to be already locked up. Brad Pitt has never
won an acting award, but he has charmed awards audiences with
his witty speeches and supporting actor performance as a
laid-back stunt double in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
"Like Clark Gable, he (Pitt) has an aura, just an effortless zen,
macho thing," said Gleiberman.
Joaquin Phoenix has dominated best actor prizes for his
terrifying portrayal of an isolated loner in "Joker," while
Renee Zellweger seems to have locked up best actress for playing
an aging Judy Garland in "Judy."
"She's playing beloved Hollywood royalty," said Scott Feinberg,
awards columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.
A win by Zellweger would defeat "Harriet" star Cynthia Erivo,
the only person of color in the acting lineup that has renewed
the #OscarsSoWhite furor despite four years of efforts to
diversify the academy's membership.
Taking place without a host for the second year, Oscar
organizers have given few details of the ceremony, other than to
announce live performances by original song contenders Elton
John, Idina Menzel, Randy Newman, Chrissie Metz and Erivo.
Five-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish will also take the stage
for what is billed as a special performance that could see her
debut her theme song for the upcoming James Bond movie "No Time
to Die."
The Academy Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday in Hollywood
and will be broadcast live on ABC television, starting at 5 p.m.
PT/8 p.m. ET (0100 on Monday GMT).
(Additonal reporting by Lisa Richwine and Alicia Powell)
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