By Julian
The Oscars are just over 48 hours away from premiering on ABC, and I feel cautiously nervous about which films are going to win. But I want to keep my hopes up for tomorrow in case the reveals surprise me at best. In the meantime, here are my top six films (Some of these I have not seen) that might win an Oscar this year.
Distributed by Sony Pictures1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Best Animated Feature
This movie was amazing from the beginning to its cliffhanger ending for the next Spider-Verse movie. It has diversity at the forefront representing that anyone can be a hero, and not follow prexisting rules like Miles Morales. Great animation that looks like it came out of the actual Marvel comics. And a story that handles its multiverse plot a hundred times better than what the MCU, DCEU’s The Flash, and Sony’s Venom universe tried to do. Not to mention it has a cool soundtrack that is fun, upbeat, dark, and intense as the film itself.
Distributed by Toho2. Godzilla: Minus One for Best Visual Effects
I wanted to see this movie in theaters, but I was taking a break from moviegoing. But from what I’ve heard, the movie was a masterpiece of kaiju destruction. It was a remake of the original 1954 movie but set in 1947, three years after Japan’s defeat in WWII and the dropping of the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Similar to 20th Century Studios Predator prequel Prey; Godzilla: Minus One stripped the franchise down to the bare essentials. Big G was back to being a terrifying monster than the self-righteous anti-hero version of the Monsterverse movies. I still plan to see this movie streaming someday.
Distributed by Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
3. American Fiction for Best Picture/Adapted Screenplay
Despite not having seen it yet, but I’m still rooting for it to win because we need another African-American-led film to win. Hopefully, this movie led by Jeffrey Wright and Trace Ellis Ross will recapture the Moonlight moment of 2016. If nothing else, let’s hope Danielle Brooks from 2023’s The Color Purple wins the award for Best Actress in Supporting Role.
Distributed by Paramount Pictures/Apple Original Films
4. Killers of the Flower Moon for Best Picture
This movie should also win because it is a representation of the Native American community and their plight due to racism and serial murder over oil, greed, and land. I have a mild temptation to watch this movie, but I need to be in a mindset to watch this film.
Distributed by A245. Past Lives for Best Picture/Original Screenplay
This is a movie I plan to review for Asian Heritage Month. A24’s century-spanning rom-com thrilled audiences everywhere with the story of two childhood friends reconnecting their lost romantic spark.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
6. Barbie for Best Picture/Original Screenplay
I haven’t seen this movie yet, but it manages to please Barbie fans and many other people liking this movie. Hopefully, it does win in what we are currently in Women’s History Month. It would be crazy when it comes full circle.
Those are my top six hopeful picks for this year’s Oscar season. They’ve always been stingy on who they want to win every year. Let’s hope the Academy Board have some kind of conscience of who they want to win.
