Oscars 2016: November Predictions

Hello, Bloggers, here is my updated list of Oscar predictions for the month of November. For this post, I will post my absolutely crazy Best Picture predictions.

Best Picture:
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Carol
Inside Out
The Martian
Room
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Steve Jobs
Straight Outta Compton

I'm going to do the whole "Anne Thompson" approach in this category and predict movies that have already been screened with one exception of course. Star Wars: The Force Awakens will likely be one of the biggest movies of all time and I feel that if it has the reviews to back it up, it can be a late player in the awards race. It may not be screening for the earlier critics groups, but it doesn't need them. I also have Straight Outta Compton on here because I've been following Hollywood insiders like Pete Hammond from Deadline and Tom O'Neil on Gold Derby and they say that voters really like this one and if you factor in the film's amazing box office, reviews, and timeliness, it'll likely be a factor in this year's Best Picture race.

Dark Horses: 45 Years, The Big Short, The Hateful Eight, Joy, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Revenant, Son of Saul, Youth

Best Director:
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Thomas McCarthy, Spotlight
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott, The Martian
Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies

Even if Mad Max doesn't crack Best Picture due to the crowded field, I believe Miller can still get in here as a passion pick if the film is still beloved. Also, since the film will likely score many craft nods, they may want to recognize the man who made those crafts happen, I hope.

Best Actor:
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

While Michael Caine is a threat for the veteran slot that might be occupied by Ian McKellen, Caine doesn't have the overdue factor that McKellen will likely have since he has yet to win while Caine has already won 2 for Supporting.

Dark Horses: Steve Carell, The Big Short, Bryan Cranston, Trumbo, Johnny Depp, Black Mass, Tom Hanks, Bridge of Spies, Tom Hardy, Legend, Samuel L. Jackson, The Hateful Eight, Will Smith, Concussion 

Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Dark Horses: Emily Blunt, Sicario, Blythe Danner, I'll See You In My Dreams, Rooney Mara, Carol, Carey Mulligan, Suffragette, Amy Schumer, Trainwreck, Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road, Lily Tomlin, Grandma, Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Best Supporting Actor:
Benicio Del Toro, Sicario
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Michael Keaton, Spotlight
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight 
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Spotlight could be the first film in 24 years to have two Supporting Actor nominees from the same film. Keaton looks to have an "I.O.U." factor after losing Best Actor last year and Ruffalo looks to have the showiest role amongst the cast. So they both definitely have something in their favor.

Dark Horses: Paul Dano, Love and Mercy, Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation, Jason Mitchell, Straight Outta Compton, Seth Rogen, Steve Jobs, Jacob Tremblay, Room, one of the Hateful Eight actors (Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins, etc.)

Best Supporting Actress:
Joan Allen, Room
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Isabella Rossellini, Joy
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Rooney Mara and Alicia Vikander are being pushed here, but I fear that because of the Globes announcing them being put in lead, they'll suffer category confusion and be left out. So far, I think Winslet is the safest bet in this category.

Dark Horses: Elizabeth Banks, Love and Mercy, Diane Ladd, Joy, Kristen Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria, Julie Walters, Brooklyn

Best Original Screenplay:
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Joy
Spotlight
Trainwreck

Dark Horses: Bridge of Spies, Love and Mercy, Mad Max: Fury Road, Son of Saul, Straight Outta Compton

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Brooklyn
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Steve Jobs

Dark Horses: 45 Years, The Big Short, Carol, The Danish Girl

So those are my updated predictions for the month of November. I'd love to hear what you guys think. So please be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!