Oscars Should/Will Win

Even though last year's award season was a full month longer than this one, it somehow felt less dragged out than this one, didn't it? Perhaps it's because we actually got several on-air, in-person awards and events leading up to tonight.

Then there's the absolute dumb-ass decision to relegate 8 categories for a pre-show ceremony to be edited back into the main show as well as plenty of questionable comments from this year's producers and those in charge clearly displaying a lack of understanding why people watch the Oscars. The self-sabotage and disrespect is unbelievably astonishing. But hey maybe they will surprise us.

So before we get Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer to emcee us into another Oscar night, how about some predictions...

Happy #Oscars Day! To keep myself honest, here are my predictions. Definitely did not overthink anything this year. Who has that energy? pic.twitter.com/s3iLJKICGH

— Ryan (@sortathatguy) March 27, 2022

Yes, I'm predicting a big night for The Power of the Dog (and Campion) in spite of the very real CODA surge. Dune should have a fine multi-win night as well. Thrice-nominated Flee will sadly walk home empty-handed as will eventually EGOT-bound Lin-Manuel Miranda while Chastain will finally nab that elusive win in the night's most competitive and unpredictable category. I sound SO sure of myself don't I?

But here's something easier and more fun, my "should wins" aka my personal ballot...

Best Picture: The Power of the Dog
Best Director: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Best Lead Actor: Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick... Boom!
Best Lead Actress: Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Best Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur, CODA
Best Supporting Actress: Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Best Animated Film: The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Best Original Screenplay: The Worst Person in the World
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Lost Daughter
Best International Feature: Drive My Car
Best Documentary: Flee
Best Original Score: The Power of the Dog
Best Original Song: “Dos Oruguitas,” Encanto
Best Editing: Tick, Tick... Boom!
Best Production Design: Dune
Best Cinematography: Dune
Best Costume Design: Dune
Best Makeup and Hair: Cruella
Best Sound Achievement: Dune
Best Visual Effects: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Best Live Action Short: The Long Goodbye
Best Animated Short: Robin Robin
Best Documentary Short: The Queen of Basketball

Looks like I gave my top 2 favorite Best Picture nominees (Power of the Dog and Dune) 4 wins each plus a couple of wins each for should've been Best Picture-nominated Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Lost Daughter. And opposite of what I predicted, I did give Flee a win and Lin-Manuel Miranda his EGOT. If only I had the power!