On Monday, January 13th, the nominations for this year’s annual Academy Awards were announced. Audiences and stars anticipate the show as it features several earth-shattering hits from “Joker” a tale of batman’s mentally ill arch-nemesis starring Joaquin Phoenix, Greta Gerwig’s portrayal of Louisa May Alcott’s literary epic “Little Women”, and Quentin Tarantino’s newest blockbuster “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”, an ode to 1960’s Hollywood.

As stated above “Joker”, “Little Women” and “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” will make up the category of best picture. Rounding out the category will be Martin Scorcese’s newest mob drama “The Irishman”, “1917” a WWI epic centering on two British soldier’s journey to deliver a message, “Parasite” a South Korean psychological thriller and dark comedy, “Jojo Rabbit” depicting a german boy who has assumed Hitler as his imaginary friend during the time of Nazi Germany, “Marriage Story” a story of an excruciating divorce and a battle over custody, and “Ford v Ferrari” based on the true story of Ford’s goal to make a faster car than the Ferrari. With “Joker”, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” and “Little Women” gathering numerous nominations within other categories and 1917’s win for best picture at the Golden Globes, these three films are the most likely candidates for winning best picture. Due to each movie’s innovation of the art form and sensational viewing experience, the race for the title will be a close battle.

The category of best actor will feature Joaquin Phoenix who had truly become the well-known batman villain “Joker” in 2019’s film of the same name, Adam Driver whose impressive display of raw emotion as a theatre director navigating a custody battle with his soon to be ex-wife played by Scarlett Johannson in “Marriage Story” encapsulated viewers, Leonardo DiCaprio within “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”, playing an actor Rick Dalton whom after a successful career in his youth struggles to find meaningful work, Antonio Banderas within the movie “Pain and Glory” where he portrays an aging film director “Salvador Mallo”, a man whose decisions in his youth suddenly come crashing down on him, and Jonathan Pryce in “The Two Popes” a tale of behind the Vatican walls, Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church. Because of his numerous accolades and his victories at award shows such as the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, Joaquin Phoenix leads as the primary choice for the best actor. 

To round out, I will leap into the nominations for best actress. Renée Zellweger demonstrates her raw talent and vocal abilities as she plays the star in the biopic of Hollywood icon Judy Garland within the film “Judy”, Charlize Theron in the movie  “Bombshell” is Megyn Kelly a former news anchor at Fox News from 2004 to 2017 who, after being sexually harassed by boss Roger Ailes, joined several other women in exposing their stories of his sexual harassment, Scarlett Johansson who, just like her fellow actor Adam Driver exploded with emotion, captivating audiences within the complicated film featuring divorce and loss “Marriage Story”. The next nominee, Saoirse Ronan, faced great expectations as she was the popularized role of Jo March in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, the young actress surpassed all expectations as she dazzled audiences with her portrayal of the literary feminist icon. Cynthia Erivo may become the youngest EGOT as she is nominated for her fantastic performance as Harriet Tubman; she puts forth her emotional depth and acting talent granting the depth the historical heroine deserves within the film “Harriet.” Just as Joaquin Phoenix due to her recent best actress wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, Renée Zellweger is likely the expected winner. But with such a range of acting talent demonstrated by each of these women, the victory is justified for any of the actresses nominated.

Although controversy surrounds the Oscars this year, every person and project nominated deserves the credit of bringing these stories and characters to life so beautifully on the silver screen.