INDIANAPOLIS — Just 24 winners will be announced Sunday night at the Academy Awards.
There are plenty of familiar names on the ballot, but some big stars who have waited a long time to hear their names called could finally make that walk to the Oscars stage.
All four of the acting categories have pretty clear winners. Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger should take Best Actor and Actress, and I think Zellweger as Judy Garland would win an MVP Oscar if they gave out an overall winner.
Go with Brad Pitt and Laura Dern in the supporting categories. Pitt's first nomination came 24 years ago, and this would be his first Oscar win.
If you're looking for one upset, maybe Florence Pugh of "Little Women" for Supporting Actress.
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Otherwise, the four favorites are easy picks.
In the Best Animated Feature category, "Toy Story 4" is looking like a popular choice, but I really liked "Missing Link," a very creative take on the Bigfoot story, and the stop-motion animation is simply gorgeous.
"Parasite" looks like a clear winner for Best International Film, but I'd look for it to win in at least one other category: Original Screenplay and/or Best Director for Bong Joon-Ho.
That brings us to the final award of the night: Best Picture. "1917" and "Joker" led the nominations with 10 and 11. They're head-to-head in all of the technical categories. By the end, I think "1917" will collect the most wins, probably six or seven. That will also include Best Director for Sam Mendes. The movie is an absolutely brilliant piece of movie making.
However, I will jump in and make my own pick for Best Picture: "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Quentin Tarantino's latest is sublime, a feast for the eyes, a parade of great characters and a ton of fun. Hollywood likes movies about Hollywood. We'll see if this blast from the past is Tarantino's first Best Picture winner.
The Academy Awards will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday on RTV6.
Here is my full list of Oscars picks:
