Oscar Predictions by the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Staff
By Ryan Hill – Programming Director; Anthony DeSanctis – Cinema Coordinator; Lawrence Milano – Cinema Coordinator; Addyson Young – Cinema/Comedy Assistant
The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas have been the home to most of the year’s Academy Award nominated films. On Sunday, our big screen is the place to watch Hollywood’s biggest night at the Red Carpet Party presented by Molly’s Irish Grille.
As the staff members in charge of choosing our films, promoting the movies and tearing your ticket stubs, the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas staff live and breath cinema. Who will raise the golden trophies? These are their expert predictions.
BEST PICTURE
Will win: La La Land (Anthony, Addyson, Ryan); Moonlight (Lawrence)
Should win: Moonlight (Addyson, Lawrence, Ryan); La La Land (Anthony)
Ryan: It’s probably all the OJ Simpson stuff I’ve been watching lately; I just don’t trust the Academy to get this one right. While La La Land was an absolute treat in the first watch, it showed avoidable cracks the second time around for me. Moonlight, however, is an accomplishment for the ages that stays that way no matter how many times you watch it.
Addyson: While you might leave feeling better after watching La La Land, Moonlight is, overall, the better film.
BEST DIRECTOR
Will win: Damien Chazelle (Anthony, Lawrence, Ryan); Barry Jenkins (Addyson)
Should win: Damien Chazelle (Anthony, Lawrence); Barry Jenkins (Addyson, Ryan)
Lawrence: Chazelle deserves the Oscar for the film’s first seven minutes alone.
Ryan: Both Jenkins and Chazelle deserve the nod; this comes down to style and substance, and I predict the Academy will be more comfortable with Chazelle’s.
BEST ACTRESS*
Will win: Natalie Portman (Addyson, Lawrence); Emma Stone (Anthony, Ryan)
Should win: Natalie Portman (Addyson, Lawrence); Emma Stone (Anthony, Ryan)
Anthony: Emma Stone displayed a completely honest and genuine vulnerability in the film and stole my heart.
Addyson: Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jackie Kennedy shows the heartbroken and real emotion behind the seemingly poised and ever admired First Lady.
*None of us had the chance to see Isabelle Huppert in Elle, unfortunately, which skews our choices a bit.
BEST ACTOR
Will win: Denzel Washington (Addyson, Lawrence, Ryan); Casey Affleck (Anthony)
Should win: Denzel Washington (Anthony, Addyson, Ryan); Ryan Gosling (Lawrence)
Lawrence: Gosling deserves it not only for his incredible and soothing singing voice, but also for being one of the brightest and talented actors in the industry… and for being a total heartthrob.
Ryan: First off, I’m firing Lawrence for thinking that Ryan Gosling has a soothing singing voice (he’s totes right about the heartthrob thing tho, but that won’t save his job). Secondly, Denzel’s Fences is an acting clinic through and through, and he’s got the momentum to overtake what I believe to be an overrated performance from Affleck.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will win: Mahershala Ali (unanimous)
Should win: Mahershala Ali (Addyson, Lawrence, Ryan); Michael Shannon (Anthony)
Lawrence: When Moonlight opened up with Ali in the first frame, I knew he was going to dominate the screen; he certainly did just that in the first act of the film.
Anthony: In classic Michael Shannon fashion, he steals Nocturnal Animals.
Ryan: I just want it on record that Ben Foster should have received the nomination for Hell or High Water, not Jeff Bridges.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will win: Viola Davis (Anthony, Addyson, Ryan); Naomie Harris (Lawrence)
Should win: Viola Davis (Anthony, Ryan); Naomie Harris (Addyson, Lawrence)
Ryan: The scene in which Troy reveals a troubling secret to Rose in Fences, well… Davis’s performance there may just be the best of the decade.
Addyson: I think either one of these women should/will win. Both of their performances will make you feel the feels.
SOME OTHER RANDOM PREDICTIONS/OBSERVATIONS FROM RYAN
• Look for Manchester by the Sea and Moonlight to grab their respective Screenplay awards, though I’d kill to see The Lobster come up from behind and grab it from Manchester.
• The Salesman will steal the Best Foreign Film nod from Toni Erdmann as a protest vote, though I also wouldn’t be surprised if those two films end up splitting voters enough that A Man Called Ove grabs it.
• So long as he’s reviewed the terrible turn from Seth MacFarlane and learned the right lessons, Jimmy Kimmel is gonna kill it as host.
• I’m only halfway through O.J. Made in America and I can tell you that it’ll deservedly win Best Documentary on Sunday.
• The Cinematography category – of which 4 of the 5 nominees have never been nominated before – is the biggest toss-up of the night. The safest money is on Linus Sandgren for La La Land, because it’s La La Land.
• Hospitals across the country will be overrun by morons who took the under in drinking games involving how often award winners take a swipe at the president.
• Mica Levi – known as Micachu – turned in work for Jackie that was as important to the film as Natalie Portman’s. It should not just be enough that she’s nominated for Best Score, she has to win it.
• I’m sorry, Hamilton fans, but Lin Manuel Miranda ain’t gonna EGOT… at least not at this time.
• We’re gonna have a killer time watching the Oscars at the Red Carpet Party presented by Molly’s Irish Grille, and really, if you’ve read this far, you’re a true cinephile who needs to be there with us!
