banner image by DJ TAJ

Good evening everyone and welcome to the show.

In past years we here at DFO have had extensive coverage (and amazing original artwork) of Oscar Season provided by our very own Make It Snow. This year due to several commitments he was unable to provide coverage.

We will attempt to fill the void.

My bonafides?

I’ve seen all 9 films that are nominated for best picture this year and most of the acting performances as well.

I’ll cover the major categories and give my opinion on who should win.

First of all welcome and feel free to give your opinions on the movies as well as any damn thing else you feel like talking about down in the comment section.

The Oscars are legacy viewing for me. My Mom was a big movie fan and she in turn passed that trait along to me. I’ve actually watched every Oscar presentation since 1971 (French Connection won) but I have never done the whole Oscar party thing. Unless an Oscar party means drinking a ton of booze while watching the show.

Along with the Superb Owl, the Oscars are one of only 2 things I watch as they air, meaning I don’t DVR them so I can fast forward through the idiot fucking commercials like I do for everything else.

I’ve saved so many brain cells this way.

This also means I can join in the live blog thing with all y’all in the comments.

Fuck it lets do this thing.

First award is for…

Best Picture of the Year:

The nominees are:

“1917”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Joker”
“Little Women”
“Marriage Story”
“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”
“Parasite”

A quick thought on each is in order.

1917 was goddamn amazing to watch for its technical expertise. Many of you know by now that the concept is the film was done as one long take. Basically an uninterrupted continuous shot. You can see where the edits are if you’re looking for that type of thing but holy shit it had some incredible “oners” throughout. The films’ use of light and shadow is fucking incredible and the score keeps the tension rolling throughout the entire film. This one is the favorite to win and if we’re going on technical wizardry and a good clean story, it will win. The reason it may not win is it’s a very simplistic plot. “Deliver this very quickly or a lot of people will die” is the whole plot. The acting is as good as it needs to be but nothing really to sing the praises of. If you’re going to see this film, see it on the biggest screen possible. This has a legitimate shot to win a bunch of hardware tonight.

Ford v Ferrari is just a damn good movie. The racing scenes are top notch, the interaction with the actors keeps it lively. Feel free to see this on the big screen as well and you will come out of the theater saying “That was a damn good movie.” It’s not going to win.

The Irishman is currently streaming on Netflix and watching it at home is the way to go. This one felt like Scorsese just wanted to “get the band back together one more time, man.” It’s a totally fine film but holy shit is it ever long. Three and a half hours or so. I had to break it up into 2 viewings. Boy can you ever tell this is a Scorsese movie. It takes about 30 seconds after the film starts to recognize that. Good story about Jimmy Hoffa and the guy who MAY have been responsible for his disappearance. Got a little Good Fellas, a little Mean Streets. Not his best film. The de-aging process was a mixed bag in that it DID eliminate the wrinkles on the actors but they still tottered like the old-ass men that they are. Since Marty already got the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award when he won for The Departed, Hollywood will feel he’s already got his. Not gonna win.

Jojo Rabbit is pretty goddamn divisive and for good reason. Not just anybody can pull of a goofball comedy about a boy in the Hitler Youth who has Hitler as his imaginary friend. I watched the first half hour just scratching my head like, “What exactly are you doing here people?” Then it found it’s pace and holy shit did I end up loving the fuck out of this movie. So much fucking heart and just an incredible finish. Not for everybody for sure. This film has a punchers chance of winning but it will probably alienate a few too many old school Hollywood voters to do so.

Joker is not gonna make it folks. While I also was seriously impacted by this movie, it is not the type of film that will win for Best Picture. This will get its accolades when Joaquin Phoenix wins for Best Actor which is a veritable goddamn lock. Loved the anarchy in this movie but the violence and the fact that it’s a comic book movie will keep it from winning.

Little Women: exactly the same as every other time it was made. Great performances, beautiful film but how many fucking times do we need a remake of this film? Ain’t winning.

Marriage Story: also available on Netflix. That’s the best way to see it. You know what this movie is? Kramer vs Kramer. Almost to a goddamn “T.” Hell, the son is the same age. Scarlett Johanssen is fantastic though. Decent watch if nothing is on. No sir. Not winning tonight.

Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood: Completely entertaining movie. I’ve seen it twice already. Great scenes, terrific acting, surprisingly upbeat considering the fringe subject matter. I’ve got a funny feeling that this one may just win. Remember what I said up there about Scorsese and his lifetime achievement award? Same concept here. This is NOT Tarrentino’s best film but it’s his most Oscar voter friendly film. My upset pick to win.

Parasite: Best film of the year of the nominated films. Completely unique, captivating, heart felt. A true insight into the class struggles inside Korea. Surprisingly upbeat then incredibly dark. Excellent film. I’m going to hedge my bets and say if this does not win for Best Foreign Language film? It wins it all. It’s going to win for Best Foreign Language Film.

Best actual film of the year?

The Lighthouse.

Fuck me was this movie awesome. Seriously in the running for one of my favorite movies of all time. Love this damn thing.

Lightning round!

Best Director:

nominees:

Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite”
Sam Mendes, “1917”
Todd Phillips, “Joker”
Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”
Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”

Will win: Sam Mendes. Deserves to win? Mendes. This is going to happen.

Best Actor:

Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”
Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory” *
Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”
Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”

* Did not see this film

Will win? Joaquin Phoniex. Period. Lock it in. Quick aside; does anyone else feel that Adam Driver’s acting is a little wooden? Just me? Fair enough.

Best Actress:

Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”
Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”
Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”
Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”*
Renee Zellweger, “Judy”

*missed this film too

According to every prognosticator and recent awards show, this is going to be a lock for Renee Zelwegger. Cynthia Erivo was excellent in Harriet (as she is currently on “The Outsider” on HBO) and Saoirse Ronan was her usual solid self in Little Women. Scarlett gets to hit the full range of emotions in Marriage Story.

Renee Zelwegger was incredible in “Judy”. Stunning. Give her my money! And a sandwich!

Best Supporting Actor:

Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Anthony Hopkins, “The Two Popes”
Al Pacino, “The Irishman”
Joe Pesci, “The Irishman”
Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

I’ve seen every one of these films so I feel a little more confidant here. For some reason EVERYBODY and their deranged aunt is predicting Brad Pitt to win this baby. I thought he was great in his role and played it with a great deal of confidence and swagger but wasn’t he, you know, playing Brad Pitt? Hopkins was fantastic in The Two Popes but he’s already been fully decorated by the Academy. Personally I would choose Tom Hanks because he was fucking incredible as Mister Rogers. Loved that movie. I guess Brad Pitt wins though. Good for him.

Best Supporting Actress:

Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”
Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”
Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”
Florence Pugh, “Little Women”
Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”*

*missed this one too. A little too Fox Newsy for me

As with Brad Pitt, every damn body is gift wrapping this for Laura Dern for Marriage Story. She was solid in it, but it’s hard to feel sympathy for somebody playing an attorney who acts like a shithead. Loved Scarlett in Jojo Rabbit – a LOT – but Kathy Bates had a fantastic role in Richard Jewell. Honestly thought that movie would get more nominations but if the controversy about the film is true, that’s just too goddamn sleazy to get behind. My upset pick is Kathy Bates for Richard Jewell

Adapted Screenplay:

“The Irishman,” Steven Zaillian
“Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Waititi
“Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
“Little Women,” Greta Gerwig
“The Two Popes,” Anthony McCarten

Best guess is Jojo Rabbit.

Original Screenplay:

“Knives Out,” Rian Johnson
“Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach
“1917,” Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino
“Parasite,” Bong Joon-ho, Jin Won Han

This really feels like a win for Parasite.

Cinematography: