Despite no host for another year, the 92nd Annual Academy Award ceremony (Monday February 10, midday, Australian time, on Channel 7) is sure to be a magical moment for many with their little gold statues and hopefully unique acceptance speeches.
In a year of little diversity among the nominees there are still plenty of range in the titles including a record breaking South Korean feature, a 52nd nomination for composer John Williams and Kiwi auteur applauded for his controversial Hitler youth satire.
Solitary Australian nominee the irrepressible Margot Robbie is up for Supporting Actress in Bombshell, not Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, in which she also impressed.
Iron that tuxedo or ball gown, chill the champagne my favourite day of the year is here.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Jo Jo Rabbit, The Irishman, Little Women, Two Popes, Joker
With too many to count Little Women adaptations, what makes this different is acute modern changes by writer Greta Gerwig. It's only competitors are sprawling epic The Irishman, or beloved long shot JoJo Rabbit.
My Pick: Little Women
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Parasite, Knives Out, 1917
Marriage Story simply flawless, Knives Out is a personal favourite as is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but it seems Parasite has got this won.
My Pick: Marriage Story
SCORE
1917, Joker, LIttle Women, Marriage Story, Rise of Skywalker
Joker score won the Golden Globe, should win again, Star Wars maestro John Williams is on his 52nd nomination for 5 wins, his Rise of Skywalker effort again worthy. 1917 is often elevated by it's compounding music.
My Pick: Joker
SONG
I'm Standing With You (Breakthrough), I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away (Toy Story 4), I'm Going to Love Myself Again (Rocketman), Into the Unknown (Frozen 2), Stand Up (Harriet)
No Beyonce for Lion KIng? No Taylor Swift for Cats? No worries as Elton John for Rocketman has probably got this, with Frozen 2 closest. Not quite an upset would be Harriet tune Stand Up, a truly magnificent song.
My Pick: I'm Going to Love Myself Again (Rocketman)
ANIMATED FEATURE
Toy Story 4, I Lost My Body, Klaus, Missing Link, How to Train Your Dragon Hidden World
Please explain, where is Frozen 2? To the shock of many, including the filmmakers, Missing Link won the Golden Globe. Sadly, no quinella here.
My Pick: Toy Story 4
COSTUME DESIGN
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Little Women, The Irishman, JoJo Rabbit, Joker
At first glance Little Women seems obvious choice, take a closer look at Joker and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood retro creations, delightful. Jo Jo Rabbit wartorn threads and sudden colours also detailed to perfection
My Pick: Little Women
VISUAL EFFECTS
Avengers Endgame, Lion King, 1917, The Irishman, Rise of Skywalker
From time-travelling Marvel heroes to a Benjamin Button version of Robert DeNiro, to lightsabre battles on a submerged waterlogged Death Star, all are extreme. 1917 re-created war atrocities to the hilt.
My Pick: Avengers Endgame (although i'm a Star Wars guy)
CINEMATOGRAPHY
1917, Joker, The Irishman, The Lighthouse, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
1917 creatively masterful alongside The Lighthouse, an underseen equally formidable eerie achievement.
The other three all wonderful cinematic splendour in their own way.
My Pick: 1917
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell), Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Scarlett Johansson (Jo Jo Rabbit), Florence Pugh (Little Women), Margot Robbie (Bombshell)
As much as I want Australians to conquer the world of movies, Margot is a longshot amongst an array of scintillating performances. Laura Dern is a lock, only realistic upset are in form ScarJo or evergreen Kathy Bates.
My Pick: Laura Dern
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Anthony Hopkins (Two Popes), Al Pacino (The Irishman), Joe Pesci (The Irishman), Brad Pitt (Once Upon A Time in Hollywood), Tom Hanks (Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood)
There is still no way there is no chance in Hollywood purgatory that Brad Pitt will lose, he's rightfully won everything else so far with fellow nominees gleefully applauding along.
My Pick: Brad Pitt
BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), Renee Zellweger (Judy), Charlize Theron (Bombshell).
Recreating the tragic dark life of Judy Garland was a masterclass from Renee Zellweger, an unbeatable favourite, or is she? Scarlett Johansson takes her ability next level, while Irish lass Saoirse is on fire. Astonishing Charlize Theron only likely upset of Judy's roll. Cynthia, not tonight.
My Pick: Renee Zellweger
BEST ACTOR
Antonio Banderas (Pain & Glory), Adam Driver (Marriage Story), Joaquin Phoenix (Joker), Jonathan Pryce (Two Popes), Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
Although he deserves a career thank you award, Spanish lothario Antonio Banderas sadly will not triumph. Adam Driver is brilliant as is Leo in emotional character portrayals, Brit Pryce is just a smile. It's a Phoenix win.
My Pick: Joaquin Phoenix
BEST FILM
Ford v Ferrari, The Irishman, Jo Jo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, 1917, Parasite, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
I saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood six times, but I'm at peace knowing it may not win. Marriage Story is brilliant all round and Ford V Ferrari is quite underrated - so great to see it in the mix. The Irishman is just so overrated, I cannot fathom it's enduring praise. Joker is hectic magnificence. Little Women and Jo Jo Rabbit are longshots. It's a two-horse race; Parasite, 1917.
My Pick: 1917
