Oscar Nominations 2016: The ConnoReview

Hey y'all, my Aunt Stephanie sent me a request: scoping out this year's Oscars. So rather than leave the fun for her, I decided to post about it here. Hurray for being inclusive! I'll include my personal opinion on what I'd like to win as well as what I think will win. Anyways, let's begin.

*indicates films I haven't seen yet
Best Writing/Original Screenplay
Bridge of Spies*
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Spotlight*
Straight Outta Compton*

My opinion: this was tough, especially with how much buzz there is about nearly all of these films. However, I would personally vouch for Inside Out as it has big laughs, big personalities (5 of them, in fact) and functions as a full story even without the personality dialogue. What I think will win is Spotlight, as from everything I've heard about that film it sounds like it would mesh with a very wide audience and focuses on a gripping, not often discussed, but still major event. Also, the writing is of course wonderful.

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short*
Brooklyn*
Carol*
The Martian
Room*

My opinion: The Martian is fabulously written, with Matt Damon's dialogue and strong supporting characters supporting him. What will win I believe is The Big Short, which I'm in the process of reading, as it is wildly funny and tells a manipulative, domineering tale of businessmen cornering the global market.

Best Visual/Sound Effects
Ex Machina
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant*
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Bridge of Spies*

My opinion: All of these films did a brilliant job of creating an immersive, unique experience. Ex Machina brought you into the mind of a manipulative and captivating AI, Mad Max featured huge explosions and breathtaking views of the Australian outback, The Martian did something very similar, and I haven't seen Bridge of Spies or Revenant, so I can't comment on those. However, I feel like the film this year that did visual and audio design the best was Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
JJ Abrams uses movie magic to bring you back to the glory days of the sci-fi franchise. Brilliant dogfights, breathtaking landscapes, and spot-on sound design bring the viewer into a space opera with through-the-roof production values, and the production that came out of it showcases those values with aplomb.

Best Cinematography
Carol*
The Hateful Eight*
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant*
Sicario*

My opinion: I haven't seen 4 out of 5 of these films, so let's talk about Mad Max! Mad Max is the most impressive feat of cinematography I've seen in a film. The movie is one take, and one long race told from different viewpoints. It's BREATHTAKING and a huge undertaking. Take a look sometime, I certainly liked it.

Best Actress in a Lead Role (Daisy Ridley is not nominated but still wins)
Cate Blanchett, Carol*
Brie Larson, Room*
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy*
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years*
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn*

Best Actor in a Lead Role
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo*
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo Dicaprio, The Revenant*
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs*
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl*

I've trumpeted on about Martian long enough, but from what I understand this may be the year that ol' Leo gets an Oscar.

Best Picture
The Big Short*
Bridge of Spies*
Brooklyn*
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant*
Room*
Spotlight*

KINGSMAN WINS
Ok thanks for reading, I may have some sort of arbitrary award ceremony of my own in a few weeks, we'll see.