What It’s About: A girl spends a summer vacation with her young father at a resort in Turkey, where they lounge about and sing karaoke amidst his mental crisis. Oscar Chances: This is the definition of “It’s an honor just to be nominated.” Mescal is great in this indie film, but it’s his first nomination and he’s up against some HEAVY hitters. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: Based on the classic novel, the film follows a young German soldier during World War I who excitedly signs up for service only to come face-to-face with the horrors of war. Oscar Chances: All Quiet has solidified itself as not only the international film of the year, but also the tech juggernaut, amassing a whopping nine noms without any actors sneaking in. That means it could very well steal some wins from the likes of Top Gun and Avatar. Best International Feature seems like its easiest win, but don’t count it out for Sound, Score, or Cinematography either. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: A group of brothers in New Delhi, India make a career out of rescuing and rehabilitating black kites, majestic birds of prey struggling against the world’s ecological nightmares. Oscar Chances: The documentary race doesn’t have a clear frontrunner at the moment, and this has been popping up in plenty of the precursor awards. It’s got strong competition, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it won. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: A documentary detailing the life of famed photographer Nan Goldin while also profiling her epic battle with the Sackler family, owners of oxycontin’s manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, to get their names stripped from museums. Oscar Chances: This is my personal favorite of the doc nominees, but it is a bit edgier than some of its competition. Definitely in the hunt. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: It follows Argentina’s “Trial of the Juntas” in which a military dictatorship was tried in court for their crimes by a new government, honing in on the team who prosecuted the regime leaders under grave threats. Oscar Chances: While Argentina, 1985 beat All Quiet on the Western Front at the Golden Globes, it will be hard to make that repeat at the Oscars given just how much love All Quiet got on nominations morning. Where to Stream: Prime Video. What It’s About: A bunch of blue alien people run around on a gorgeous planet being chased by evil humans-turned-blue people. Also, whales are involved. Oscar Chances: While Avatar got the Best Picture nom, it missed in plenty of other categories, making me think its less loved than its predecessor. A Visual Effects win seems inevitable, but beyond that, I think it might be a lost cause. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A collection of film-related professionals who are traversing the transition from the silent film era to that of the talkies accompanied by absolutely insane parties involving underground wrestling rings, elephants, and piles (literally) of cocaine. Oscar Chances: The score is an absolute banger, and I’d love to see it win in that category. It’s also got incredible sets, but I fear that The Fabelmans might steal the win there. Babylon failed to materialize fully this year, and its divisiveness could make it difficult for it to win anything. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: A pair of friends who live in a small island town during the Irish Civil War fall out over a tiny dispute that unravels in horrifying and unexpected ways. Oscar Chances: Banshees is the only real threat to Everything Everywhere All At Once in the Best Picture race, and with nine nominations, it’s not to be ruled out elsewhere. Farrell could (and should) win Best Actor, especially since The Whale didn’t get a ton of noms. Condon could also win Supporting Actress, a category that has been in flux for most of the season even though Angela Bassett is the frontrunner at the moment. It’s got plenty of competition in Original Screenplay and Editing as well, but it certainly has a massive amount of fans, so it could stave off the likes of The Fabelmans. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: A semi-autobiographical surrealist epic from Alejandro G. Iñárritu about a Mexican documentarian struggling to reconcile his various identities as a middle-aged man. Oscar Chances: This beautiful film was largely panned for being too indulgent. This lone nomination is unlikely to result in a win. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: Robert Pattinson’s emo, sad boy Batman squares off against the Penguin and the Riddler in the latest iteration of the vigilante superhero. Oscar Chances: It’s unlikely to win against the bevy of Best Picture nominees in its category, but three nominations aren’t bad for a movie that came out almost a year ago. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: In the wake of T’Challa’s death, Wakanda struggles to find a new leader as it stands under threat from both international spies intent on stealing their secrets and a new villain leading a nation of underwater people. Oscar Chances: The sequel didn’t do quite as well as the original’s seven nominations, and also missed Best Picture. However, it did finally get the MCU an acting nomination, and Bassett is certainly poised to take home the statue there. Ruth Carter could also repeat for Costumes. The real wildcard is Original Song. Rihanna is a power player, but “Naatu Naatu” has a lot of momentum and Lady Gaga is a favorite. Where to Stream: Disney+. What It’s About: The tragic life of Marilyn Monroe with guest appearances from a talking fetus and many lovers she calls “Daddy”. Oscar Chances: This movie is horrifically bad, and the fact she was nominated is mostly in tribute to how hellish the production of this seemed to be. Surprising that she even made it this far. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: A boy befriends a horse, a mole, and a fox, and together they search for a home. Oscar Chances: Because the short films are largely unknown at this point in the race, I’ll be abstaining from commentary on them moving forward. Where to Stream: Apple TV+. What It’s About: A US soldier with a traumatic brain injury spends her time recovering while working as a pool treatment servicer, befriending a local auto-mechanic along the way. Oscar Chances: A wonderful nominations morning surprise to see BTH finally getting his due. No one is going to beat Ke Huy Quon in this category, but it will be exciting to have Brian Tyree Henry in the audience. Where to Stream: Apple TV+ What It’s About: Two young boys in Belgium have their pure, innocent friendship thrown into question by school classmates causing a rift. Oscar Chances: It’s unlikely to beat All Quiet on the Western Front, but this quiet film is very worthy of its nomination. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: An indigenous Indian couple is given an elephant to look after. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: Elvis. Duh. Oscar Chances: People seem to love this movie, even if I found it draining. This is one of those films, however, that doesn’t quite seem to be a frontrunner in any of its categories and could go home empty-handed. It is the War of the Fat Suits in Best Makeup and Hairstyling though, so we could see it taking home that trophy if it can fend off The Batman and The Whale. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: A lonely middle-aged woman who works at a failing movie theater on the southern coast of England strikes up a friendship with a new, much younger coworker. Oscar Chances: Roger Deakins’s work here is masterful, and the fact this movie got nominated even though it missed in all other categories could speak to a love of Deakins and perhaps pave the way for a win. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: A donkey roams the countryside in search of a home and stumbles upon an eclectic cast of characters in the process. Oscar Chances: EO again seems to face an uphill battle (difficult even for a donkey) against All Quiet on the Western Front. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A Chinese American immigrant woman who owns a struggling laundromat is fighting with her daughter, is in a failing marriage, and taking care of an ailing father, must fight through multiple dimensions to save the world while at the IRS. Oscar Chances: With the most nominations, EEAAO is officially the frontrunner and all doubts about the Academy thinking the film is “too weird” have been assuaged. It’s the frontrunner for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor, plus Michelle Yeoh is in a VERY close race with Cate Blanchett in Best Actress. Original Screenplay is a possibility as well. The small-budget film will have difficulty facing off in the tech categories, BUT the fact it got nominated for a song I don’t remember is a great sign that people love this movie and want to reward it. Where to Stream: Paramount+. What It’s About: Steven Spielberg growing up, hanging out with his parents, and making movies, although the names have been changed of course. Oscar Chances: While The Fabelmans may have fallen from its frontrunner position, it’s certainly still in the lead for Best Director. The production design here is also impeccable, and should the Academy be looking to honor the film again, that would be an easy place to do so. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: A documentary about a pair of married volcanologists who died in a volcano in 1991. Oscar Chances: This is yet another strong contender in the race for this category. Where to Stream: Disney+. What It’s About: Two ships collide in a harbor and a sailor goes flying, literally. Where to Stream: The New Yorker. What It’s About: In a sequel to Knives Out, Daniel Craig’s detective solves another murder on the island of an Elon Musk-type billionaire. Oscar Chances: Pundits had higher hopes for this sequel than to repeat the lone Screenplay nomination of its predecessor. Without other nominations, it seems unlikely to win. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: It’s Pinocchio. If you don’t know the plot by now, I can’t help you. Oscar Chances: While pre-nominations, I would have said this was a lock to win, the fact that it was snubbed in all other categories, makes its frontrunner status a bit shaky. People love Marcel the Shell and Turning Red, and I wonder if we won’t see one of them steal the prize as a more fun option. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: A scientist in the Siberian arctic realizes that climate change is taking a toll on the walrus population. Where to Stream: The New Yorker. What It’s About: A group of social workers living in Ukraine attempt to make a better life for the children affected by the war. Oscar Chances: This is certainly the most low profile of the docs, but its focus on Ukraine could make it the most timely nominee and thus give it the win. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A father films his daughter every year on her birthday asking the same set of questions with a variety of responses. Where to Stream: Coming to theaters February 17. Buy tickets. What It’s About: A father and son attempt to make a delivery across a treacherous path of ice. Where to Stream: The New Yorker. What It’s About: A pair of estranged brothers reunite following the death of their mother, only to discover her unfinished bucket list. Where to Stream: Coming to theaters February 17. Buy tickets. What It’s About: A younger sister searches for Ivalu, her older sister, across the vast plains of Greenland. Where to Stream: Coming to theaters February 17. Buy tickets. What It’s About: A short film about a group of young girls living at a strict religious boarding school at Christmas. Where to Stream: Disney+. What It’s About: A bureaucrat, having spent his entire life pushing papers, is finally deciding to do something meaningful with his life before it’s too late. Oscar Chances: It’s unlikely to win either category, but two nominations is a solid haul for this quiet film. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A talking shell and his grandmother, who really love watching 60 Minutes. Oscar Chances: Marcel is impossible not to love, and I think its the dark horse in this race. Pinocchio might be technically more advanced, but it lacks some of the soul that this little shell has. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: A cabinet member’s wife is gaslit when she speaks out about Watergate, creating a new psychological diagnosis named after her. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: A British cleaning lady becomes infatuated with Dior and travels to Paris to purchase a cone-of-a-kind dress. Oscar Chances: All those Dior dresses earned this beautiful film an Oscar nomination, and you can’t be mad about that. Where to Stream: Peacock. What It’s About: A girl tries to lose her virginity in ’90s Houston in this psychedelic film. Where to Stream: Vimeo. What It’s About: It’s a documentary about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned and blamed Vladimir Putin and his regime for the attack. Oscar Chances: This is the other Russia-centered doc in the race. I’m not sure if that helps its chances or could lead to a split vote. This is the one category in which I think all five nominees could potentially win. Where to Stream: HBO Max. What It’s About: A woman accidentally hijacks a tram late at night and conflict arises from there. Where to Stream: The New Yorker. What It’s About: A young office worker and a mysterious, friendly ostrich uncover the flaws in their world. Where to Stream: Coming to theaters February 17. Buy tickets. What It’s About: Puss in Boots, who has lost eight of his nine lives, goes on a journey to find a Wishing Star to wish for his first eight lives back. Oscar Chances: This Shrek spinoff is well-loved by those who see it, but I wonder how many academy members will give it a chance given that it is so un-Oscary. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: An Irish girl is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with a foster family, but uncovers secrets in the new house. Oscar Chances: This was a bit of a surprise on nomination morning, bumping out strong competitors like Bardo and Decision to Leave. The nomination is the win. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A frenetic, highly stylized Indian musical action film about two revolutionaries who fought against British Imperialism (using tigers, according to this). Think Moulin Rouge! meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets The Matrix meets The Patriot. Oscar Chances: Having been kept out of the International Feature race when India opted to submit a different film, its been a long road for RRR to get to the Oscars. “Naatu Naatu” has been winning precursor awards though, and fans of the film (of which there are many) will know exactly how to honor it now. I think this will win. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: An Iranian girl at the Luxembourg airport seems frightened to enter the country with her red suitcase. Where to Stream: Coming to theaters February 17. Buy tickets. What It’s About: An orphan girl joins a group of sea monster hunters to hunt a giant sea monster. Oscar Chances: This was another surprise nomination. This one snuck in and seems unlikely to take home the trophy. Where to Stream: Netflix. What It’s About: A former Marine in Indiana planned to attack members of the Islamic community until he had a change of heart. Where to Stream: The New Yorker. What It’s About: Cate Blanchett is a famed orchestra conductor, who on the brink of completing her magnum opus, begins to spiral as her past catches up to her. Oscar Chances: If there is a place this film should win, it’s in Screenplay, but I don’t think it has as much momentum there as you’d suppose. Cate Blanchett is neck and neck with Michelle Yeoh for her third Oscar, but unfortunately, if she doesn’t win there, I think this lovely film could go home empty-handed. Where to Stream: Peacock. What It’s About: An anthology film about women directed by women. Oscar Chances: This is Diane Warren’s fourteenth Oscar nomination in this category, and she’s never won. She’s unlikely to win this year as well, but I’d like to give her a trophy eventually just so we don’t have to nominate her again for a movie NO ONE has seen. Where to Stream: Currently unavailable. What It’s About: An alcoholic lottery winner goes on a journey to find herself and sobriety. Oscar Chances: To Leslie came out of nowhere the week of nomination voting with a guerrilla campaign to get Riseborough nominated. The campaign worked and that is the victory in and of itself. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: Tom Cruise flying planes a long time after he flew planes before. Oscar Chances: Top Gun is in a bit of a tricky spot because while it’s a big-budget film that would normally win the tech categories, this year it has LOADS of competition in those races. Sound and Editing seem like the film’s best bet. Also, don’t rule out Lady Gaga for a second Oscar in the Best Song category. Where to Stream: Paramount+. What It’s About: A model and his influencer girlfriend end up on an ill-fated mega yacht cruise with the über wealthy. Oscar Chances: This trio of nominations in high-profile categories was a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one. I don’t think it has a chance to win any of these competitive categories, but three noms is a strong showing. Where to Stream: Rent it on VOD. What It’s About: A girl starts turning into a giant red panda in a metaphor for puberty. Oscar Chances: This is another dark horse coming for Pinocchio. Also, with Disney’s other films flopping, this is the one they’ll be campaigning for and they’ve got MONEY. Where to Stream: Disney+. What It’s About: An immobile, reclusive 500+ pound man grapples with the meaning of life after being informed he only has a few days left to live. Oscar Chances: While the surprise Hong Chau nomination signifies strength, the fact it didn’t get into Best Picture seems to signify weakness. Fraser is in the hunt for Best Actor though, and this fat suit could easily win the Makeup Oscar. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango. What It’s About: A group of Mennonite women who have been sexually abused by the men of their colony must decide whether to stay and fight for their rights or flee to a new life. Oscar Chances: This Best Picture nomination is a bit shocking given that the film has been snubbed over and over again through this awards season and again missed out on so many categories Oscar morning. The script could indeed win though. Where to Stream: Currently in theaters. Buy tickets at Fandango.
