The Oscars are this Sunday, which means it's time to give you our FINAL 2016 Oscar Predictions. This means that from this point forward I are sticking with out picks and not changing at all. Now, while I try to use the most analytic process to choose who I think will win, sometimes you just have to go with your gut. So there may be some out of left field choices here, but bear with me. I'll make sure I explain any outlandish picks.
I'm going to start out with the technical categories and make my way down. So, if you want to just read the top five categories, click ahead!
Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win: “Son of Saul”
Could Win: “Mustang”
Should Win:”Son of Saul”
Should've Been Nominated: “Goodnight, Mommy”
There are two very clear frontrunners for this category. The first is “Son of Saul” which became the early frontrunner our of Cannes. It has the advantage of being a holocaust movie, which do well at the Oscars. It also won the Golden Globe, which isn't a requirement, but it doesn't hurt. However, France's “Mustang” has been this slowly growing contender that has a lot more mainstream appeal than “Son of Saul.” I still think “Son of Saul” has it, but “Mustang” is going to put up a fight.
Best Documentary Feature
Will Win: “Amy”
Could Win: “What Happened, Miss Simone”
Should Win:”The Look of Silence”
Should've Been Nominated: N/A
Ever since this category expanded voting to the whole Academy, the crowd-pleasing movie has won over the arthouse pick. “20 Feet From Stardom” over “The Act of Killing” and “Undefeated” over “Paradise Lost 3” are recent example. That's why I think that if there's an upset in the category it will “What Happened, Miss Simone” rather than “Cartel Land” like many people are predicting. “Amy” is still who I'm predicting though. It has a lot of buzz and it is a more traditional music documentary, which is popular in this category.
Best Animated Film
Will Win: “Inside Out”
Could Win: “Anamolisa”
Should Win:”Inside Out”
Should've Been Nominated: N/A
This is pretty much an open and shut category. With “Inside Out” landing a Best Original Screenplay nomination and coming from the Oscar titan Pixar, there's almost no way it could lose. Plus, it really deserves to win for making a complicated subject both entertaining and understandable.
Who do you think will win at this year's Oscars? Tweet at us with your predictions!
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.