A&E
The OSCARS: This year’s predications and storylines
By Matt Burner ’17
February 2, 2017
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In many ways, it seems like only yesterday that the 2016 Oscars Ceremony took place. The debate between the slow-burning drama Spotlight and the massive undertaking that was The Revenant is still stuck in the minds of many, but it is time now to shift our focus toward new storylines. With the 2017 Academy Award nominations now released, this article will profile some of the notable storylines as we enter the final weeks before the last stop on the awards ceremony circuit.
Moonlight vs. La La Land
2017 has arguably been one of the weaker years for film in recent memory.
Whereas last year there were several Best Picture nominees that were considered worthy, this year has seemingly become a two-horse race between two incredibly different movies.
La La Land is a musical about two people seeking fulfillment in Los Angeles. It is an incredibly unique take on the musical genre, with fewer traditional sing-song sequences and more incorporation of instruments alongside the singing. It is truly a phenomenol production and a must-see.
Moonlight, on the other hand, is a very personal film directed by newcomer Barry Jenkins about a young boy growing up in Miami. The low-budget indie is saturated with bold colors and consists of multiple emotional and captivating acting performances.
It will be interesting to see whether the Academy will award the safer pick, La La Land, or pick the bolder indie Moonlight. The current consensus is trending towards the former.
Political Statements
To the chagrin of some, awards ceremonies have become an opportunity for actors and actresses to share their opinions on causes that are deeply meaningful to them.
Last year the Oscars were somewhat overshadowed by the trending topic “#OscarsSoWhite” while actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio shared their opinions on other contentious issues during the show.
With the November election results, much of the Hollywood establishment’s ire has recently been directed toward the new presidential administration. If the Golden Globes were any indicator of what to expect, this year’s Oscars ceremony could become an avenue for actors to share again their opinions on new policies.
An example is how President Trump’s recent immigration ban will affect Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi’s attendance of the ceremony for his film “The Salesman.” This is sure to be a topic of discussion in the lead-up to the ceremony and certainly during it.
Who will take home Best Actor?
A final note to pay attention to is who will receive the award for Best Actor. The field is deep this year with Casey Affleck and Denzel Washington leading the way.
Although Casey Affleck took home the Golden Globe, it is not a foregone conclusion that he will also receive the Oscar. Andrew Garfield, nominated for his performance in Hacksaw Ridge, could also cause an upset. Keep this in mind as you watch the Oscars on Feb 26.