In My Opinion: The Oscars

Marred by controversy and promising a number of hotly contested awards, all eyes will be on Hollywood once again come Sunday night. Here is a look at this year's Academy Awards and my perspective on the all-important categories.

Best Actress 
I cannot see anyone else having much of a chance in this category after seeing Room. Brie Larson gave an extraordinarily real and heartbreaking performance as Joy Newsome and is one that I feel will stick with all who saw it for a very long time. Both Charlotte Rampling and Saoirse Ronan received high praise from many in 45 Years and Brooklyn respectively, but Larson was on another level for me.

Should Win: Brie Larson
Will Win: Brie Larson






Best Actor
DiCaprio's brutal and extremely physical performance as Hugh Glass gave the Revenant much of its power and raw, unforgiving nature. The actor displayed both the hunger and desire for revenge through a tough, often painful to watch performance. Truly unique.


Should Win: Leonardo DiCaprio
Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio









Best Director
By far the toughest category to decide, all five directors brought originality and verve to the table in their respective pictures. George Miller revolutionised the modern day blockbuster with his cartoonish, zany Mad Max scapes while Inarritu offered up a technically impressive and gorgeous jigsaw of seamless shots and sprawling scenery. McCarthy gave a fresh lick of paint to the thrilling docu-drama in Spotlight while Adam McKay lit up the wonders of Wall Street with a cynical, frenetically paced approach through the Big Short. However, Lenny Abrahamson just edges it, perfectly creating both the claustrophobic trappings of Room while also inventing a wonderfully evocative and sensory experience through young Jacob's eyes. 

Should Win: Lenny Abrahamson
Will Win: Alejandro G. Inarritu 




Best Picture  
For many, the Revenant's powerful performances and stunning set-pieces will be the crowning achievement of this year's awards. However, Room took a step above Inarritu's film. Larson and Tremblay formed a unique and utterly stunning bond, subjecting us to the horrors and hopes of their imprisonment and creating an immersive, uplifting and ultimately tender picture that will not be forgotten for a long time.

Should Win: Room
Will Win: The Revenant