When it comes to Oscar predictions, the consensus tends to be right. However, there are rare cases where I think the consensus is wrong.
Such is the case with Best Documentary Feature. Almost every media outlet is predicting The Act of Killing, but I think that there is going to be a huge shock in the category.
Stories We Tell was one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the year, mostly for its unique style, however it was snubbed, which makes it clear that the academy is obviously not ready to embrace art house documentaries. This is why I think the more traditional doc The Square is going to surprise. As I explained here, they have several factors going for them.
The only other film in the category that I think will have chance is 20 Feet from Stardom, which is the most uplifting of the nominees.
Check out my predictions below and all our Oscar predictions here!
Will Win: The Square
Spoiler: The Act of Killing
Should Win: Cutie and the Boxer (I think it’s the most human of the documentaries.)
Should Have Been Nominated: Stories We Tell, Blackfish
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.
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