Oscar predictions 2019

Every year I attempt to predict who will take home the Oscars in the ten “main” categories.  I usually – but by no means always – do reasonably well, so here are my predictions for 2019’s awards ceremony.

Remember, these are who I think will win, not who I think should win!

Best picture – Roma

I think that this is arguably the toughest category to call this year, and it could easily go to Green Book or Bohemian Rhapsody, but perhaps Roma is just a hair’s breadth in front of the others?

Other nominees:
BlacKkKlansman
Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
A Star Is Born
Vice

Best actress – Glenn Close (The Wife)

Although Olivia Colman picked up the BAFTA (and a Golden Globe), I think Glenn Close’s home-field advantage will give her the edge at the Oscars.

Other nominees:
Yalitza Aparicio - Roma
Olivia Colman - The Favourite
Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best actor – Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)

Although Christian Bale could stage an upset here, the momentum really seems to be behind Rami Malek in this category.

Other nominees:
Christian Bale - Vice
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe - At Eternity's Gate
Viggo Mortensen - Green Book

Best supporting actress – Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)

Again, although Rachel Weisz took the BAFTA on her home-field turf, I think the momentum is behind Regina King to take If Beale Street Could Talk’s only Oscar.

Other nominees:
Amy Adams - Vice
Marina de Tavira - Roma
Emma Stone - The Favourite
Rachel Weisz - The Favourite

Best supporting actor – Mahershala Ali (Green Book)

Without wishing to tempt fate, I think this is probably the category with this year’s clearest frontrunner, after Mahershala Ali seems to have taken every Supporting Actor award so far this season…

Other nominees:
Adam Driver - BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott - A Star Is Born
Richard E Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell - Vice

Best director – Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)

It’s possible that Spike Lee may get a “I can’t believe he doesn’t already have an Oscar” win, but Alfonso Cuaron seems to be the one to beat this year, and has already taken all of the other major directing awards.

Other nominees:
Yorgos Lanthimos - The Favourite
Spike Lee - BlacKkKlansman
Adam McKay - Vice
Pawel Pawlikowski - Cold War

Best adapted screenplay – BlacKkKlansman

If Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman lose out on best film and best director, there’s a good chance they could take best adapted screenplay at least.

Other nominees:
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star Is Born

Best original screenplay – The Favourite

This could easily go to Green Book, but like BlacKkKlansman, if The Favourite loses out on all of the other categories, it could take best original screenplay instead.

Other nominees:
First Reformed
Green Book
Roma
Vice

Best cinematography – Roma

Even if it doesn’t take best picture or director, Roma still seems the clear frontrunner for best cinematography.

Other nominees:
Cold War
The Favourite
Never Look Away
A Star Is Born

Best costume design – The Favourite (Sandy Powell)

Although I think Black Panther clearly deserves the Oscar, it’s surely going to go to yet another period film, right?

Other nominees:
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - Mary Zophres
Black Panther - Ruth E Carter
Mary Poppins Returns - Sandy Powell
Mary Queen of Scots - Alexandra Byrne

So there you have it – come back after the Oscars on 24 February to see how I did!  I’ve managed 8/10 for the last couple of years, but it feels a lot closer to call in many of the categories this year…