Tonight, the Dolby Theatre glitters under the Los Angeles sky as Hollywood celebrates its finest at the 96th Academy Awards. Jimmy Kimmel returns for his fourth time as host, promising a night of laughs and nail-biting anticipation. This year’s ceremony is a clash between titans, with Christopher Nolan’s epic “Oppenheimer” leading the pack with a whopping 13 nominations, closely followed by Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” (10) and Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy “Poor Things” (11). But awards season is notorious for surprises, so let’s delve into the major categories and potential winners:
Best Picture: The race for Best Picture is a three-way battle. “Oppenheimer,” a historical drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer’s role in the atomic bomb, has the most nominations but could face backlash for its runtime. “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese’s long-awaited crime drama, boasts a powerhouse cast and director, making it a strong contender. However, the surprise package might be “Poor Things,” a critically acclaimed dark comedy with a distinct and potentially divisive style.
Best Director: Christopher Nolan is heavily favored for his work on “Oppenheimer,” aiming to finally snag his first Oscar after multiple nominations. However, don’t count out Martin Scorsese’s masterful direction in “Killers of the Flower Moon” or Yorgos Lanthimos’ innovative approach in “Poor Things.”
Best Actor: This category is wide open. Cillian Murphy delivers a powerhouse performance as Oppenheimer, but Bradley Cooper could be a dark horse with his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro.” Colman Domingo’s powerful performance in “Rustin” and Paul Giamatti’s nuanced role in “The Holdovers” is also worth watching.
Best Actress: This year’s Best Actress race is a battle of veterans and rising stars. Emma Stone is phenomenal in the quirky “Poor Things,” while Lily Gladstone delivers a heartwrenching performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” However, industry buzz surrounds Sandra Hüller’s role in “Anatomy of a Fall,” potentially causing an upset.
A List of Major Nominees:
- Best Picture:Â
- American Fiction
- Anatomy of a Fall
- Barbie
- The Holdovers
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Maestro
- Oppenheimer
- Past Lives
- Poor Things
- The Zone of Interest
- Best Director:Â
- Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)
- Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)
- Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
- Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)
- Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)
- Best Actor:Â
- Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
- Colman Domingo (Rustin)
- Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)
- Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
- Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)
- Best Supporting Actor:
- Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction)
- Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon)
- Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
- Ryan Gosling (Barbie)
- Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)
- Best Actress:Â
- Annette Bening (Nyad)
- Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)
- Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall)
- Carey Mulligan (Maestro)
- Emma Stone (Poor Things)
- Best Supporting Actress:
- Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)
- Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)
- America Ferrera (Barbie)
- Jodie Foster (Nyad)
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
- Best Animated Feature:Â
- The Boy and the Heron
- Elemental
- Nimona
- Robot Dreams
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Best Documentary Feature:
- Bobi Wine: The People’s President
- The Eternal Memory
- Four Daughters
- To Kill a Tiger
- 20 Days in Mariupol
To see the full list of nominees, head HERE.
This year’s Oscars promises to be a night to remember, with fierce competition across the board. Keep an eye out for emotional speeches, showstopping performances, and potential upsets as Hollywood’s A-listers gather under the bright lights.
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