Look,

it’s Oscar night. If you have relatives over, that’s what’s on. If you have a partner that likes movie or entertainment gossip, that’s what’s on. I haven’t seen the majority of the films on the list, but this is the internet, so my uninformed opinions are just as valid as the next internet asshole’s. So let’s put out the Buddy Cole beacon,

just accept it, and join in the fray.

Here are the top categories of note, a link to yeah right‘s predictions, followed by my best guesses:

• Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
  • Maria Bakalova (‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”)
  • Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”)
  • Olivia Colman (“The Father”)
  • Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”)
  • Yuh-jung Youn (“Minari”)

Glenn Close is the emotional favourite, Maria Bakalova is the “came from nowhere” favourite, and Amanda Seyfried is the Mean Girls Favourite. Having seen “Mank”, I have to go with Karen Smith for the win.

• Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
  • Sacha Baron Cohen (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”)
  • Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”)
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (“One Night in Miami”)
  • Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”)
  • Lakeith Stanfield (“Judas and the Black Messiah”)

I saw “Chicago 7”, but Daniel Kaluuya was in both “Get Out” and “Black Panther”. So, in the absence of Delroy Lindo & “Da 5 Bloods”, it’s Kaluuya ekeing out the win in a tight five-way race.

• Best Actress in a Leading Role:
  • Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”)
  • Andra Day (“The United States v. Billie Holiday”)
  • Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”)
  • Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”)
  • Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”)

McDormand has two & Davis has one, so they’re out. I don’t know who Andra Day or Vanessa Kirby are. Carey Mulligan should win, but she’s married to a Mumford & that might count against her. Too close to call.

• Best Actor in a Leading Role:
  • Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”)
  • Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”)
  • Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”)
  • Gary Oldman (“Mank”)
  • Steven Yeun (“Minari”)

It’s gotta be Chadwick, right? He did all that good work before he died, he was the Black Panther, and this was his last role. Beyond that, it’s a fucking outstanding movie and why it’s not nominated for Best Picture is a hate crime.

• Best Director:
  • Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”)
  • David Fincher (“Mank”)
  • Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”)
  • Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”)
  • Emerald Fennell (“Promising Young Woman”)

Everybody seems to love the Asian lady because she gives no fucks, so her victory speech will be worth it.

• Best Picture:
  • “The Father”
  • “Judas and the Black Messiah”
  • “Mank”
  • “Minari”
  • “Nomadland”
  • “Promising Young Woman”
  • “Sound of Metal”
  • “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

Of what I saw: I saw “Mank”; it was “fine”. “Chicago 7” was pure Aaron Sorkin, so no. Again I say, where the fuck are “Da 5 Bloods” and “Ma Rainey”?

I expect it’ll be “Nomadland” for the win, because people won’t fucking stop recommending it to me, despite the fact that I hated “Three Billboards” almost as much as I hated “Atonement”, and “Three Billboards” and “Nomadland” sound like the same goddamned thing. But Oscar loves righting a perceived wrong, so this will be McDormand’s first Best Picture since “Fargo”. Of the other movies I haven’t seen, based on what I hear “Minari” seems like it could sneak in, and “Judas and the Black Messiah” sounds like the long-shot-with-a-shot.

So get some popcorn & let’s dish about dresses & disses. Someone propose a drinking game!

Tonight’s sports:

• The Oscars – 8:00pm | ABC / CTV
• NHL:
  • Columbus vs Tampa Bay – 7:00pm | NBCSN / Sportsnet
• NBA:
  • Milwaukee vs Atlanta – 7:30pm | TSN4 / NBATV
  • Sacramento vs Golden State – 10:00pm | Sportsnet1 / NBATV
• MLB:
  • Padres vs. Dodgers – 7:00pm | ESPN / TSN

Beyond that, the Draft is on Thursday. Start honing your rage now.