The Oscar nominations are due to be announced tomorrow, and TheGamer is getting in on the action. We’ve ramped up our film coverage steadily over the past year, but we still aren’t in the Academy, so these picks are meaningless. Sorry about that. Probably both informative and entertaining if you read on though.
In any case, we’ve compiled both a list of TheGamer’s Oscar Picks, where we choose who the nominees and winners would be in a world where we were the unquestioned leader of all things, as well as predictions, where we try to guess what the real picks might be.
TheGamer Picks, Best Picture
This is something of an eclectic list, and not my personal ten favourites of the year, but instead the ten I think best represent all the thrills of modern cinema, although I would have loved to have found a place for Pearl or Nope for some horror rep. The Woman King was the most bombastically wonderful movie of 2022, so I would dearly love to see it crowned. However, I’m not so sure it will even be nominated.
Related:Tár Is A Watershed Moment For Video Games In Pop Culture
TheGamer Predictions, Best Picture
Despite only picking half of this list myself, I think this ten would also be a solid representation of modern cinema’s best offerings. I didn’t care for how mawkish, overlong, and occasionally indulgent The Fabelmans was, but I suspect the Academy will. Also worth noting at this point that, due to the staggered rollout in my native UK, The Whale is the only movie in awards contention I am yet to see, so it is exempt from TheGamer Picks.
TheGamer Picks, Best Director
Oversimplifying the role of the director, we might measure their success by their ability to bring their vision to life exactly as they intended. By that criteria, you simply have to pick James Cameron. It’s a choice made with my head, even if Daniels have my heart for EEAAO. The other three all capture very different styles, with the slow and controlled unravelling from Field, the dark and tense romance of Chan-wook, and the frenetic explosiveness of Prince-Bythewood.
TheGamer Predictions, Best Director
I think the Academy will broadly use my criteria and decide the best execution of the strongest vision is Spielberg, with Cameron again an also-ran despite Avatar proving doubters wrong once more. Chazelle’s and Rajamouli’s excess, both channeled in different ways in Babylon and RRR, will likely see them overlooked, with Luhrmann the kitchen-sink choice this year.
TheGamer Picks, Best Original Screenplay
This is a shootout between Banshees and EEAAO. Creative in entirely different ways yet somehow touching on the same points of the need to make a mark on the world and the fears we never will, both movies constantly surprise you and manage to touch you deeply. Pearl and Nope will likely be shut out completely despite their brilliance, while I just can’t turn away from The Woman King.
TheGamer Predictions, Best Original Screenplay
Like I said, a shootout. Banshees might just steal it. Meanwhile I think The Fabelmans appears yet again, despite its hokey sentimentality, and my outsider guess is that Triangle of Sadness gets some much needed recognition. Tár’s pacing and ending had me considering it, and I think the Academy will land in its favour.
TheGamer Picks, Best Adapted Screenplay
Bones & All is difficult to define, which makes sense for a horror romance about cannibalism. In some ways it seems like the perfect Oscar movie, in others like the furthest removed idea of what the Academy wants. I’m backing it, but not with much expectation.
TheGamer Predictions, Best Adapted Screenplay
Women Talking was very close to being my pick, and I think it will have a clearer run with Bones likely to be ignored. Foreign movies seem to struggle with the Academy, so that harms AQOTWF, while Glass Onion is a little too gleefully crowd-pleasing and Living too sentimental to go all the way. The Whale may be Women Talking’s big rival.
TheGamer Picks, Best Animated Feature
We had some great animation this year, but when I first drew up my picks this was the easiest sell. The late release of Puss in Boots gave me something to think about, but Marcel is so endearing and hopeful that it remains my choice.
TheGamer Predictions, Best Animated Feature
As great as it is, the fact a significant chunk of Marcel is live-action will count against it. This is Pinocchio’s win, take it to the bank. This is the lock of the show in my opinion, and I’m extremely confident in my first four predictions. Wendell & Wild replaces Entergalactic from the TG Picks, but the fifth slot is up for grabs.
