A lot has changed for cinema this year considering most film releases have been through streaming sites or pushed back. The only notable big release this year was Christopher Nolan’s Tenet which featured a lot of stopping of time. In a year like 2020, we had come pretty familiar with the stopping of time; we didn’t need a film about it.

At this time in a normal year, we would be relishing in Oscar nominations however with the show being pushed back to April 25th we can now expect these nominations in February. Much to our benefit, however, critics haven’t stopped reviewing and raising Oscar hype around certain films. Whispers are emerging, so in attempting to set the record straight I’m going to line out some of the front runners for nominations. Of course, if it were my personal list it would look quite different but if we look at Greta Gerwig’s snub at a nomination for best director for Little Women last year, the academy has a way of continually slighting those who deserve recognition.

An obvious choice for best picture and one of the current front runners is Nomadland directed by Chloe Zhao starring two-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand who last won her leading actress prize for her performance in Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri in 2018. The picture follows a woman who begins a journey traveling through America as a modern-day Nomad after having lost everything in the great recession. Critics currently have this film in the lead for best picture as well as best director so far which isn’t surprising considering Zhao’s unstoppable record at winning awards.  I also wouldn’t be surprised if Frances gets a best actress non for her outstanding emotional performance as well.

Another guarantee nominee is the Trial of the Chicago 7, directed by Aaron Sorkin which was released on Netflix and follows the 1969 trail during the uprising of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.  It’s got a great cast with standout performances as well as an excellent screenplay. I will be shocked if it doesn’t get nominated.  I think the best picture award will definitely be a two-horse race between these two films but there are others that could potentially pull through depending on how the other categories play out.

I think my favourite film of the year so far is Promising Young Women directed by Emerald Fennell starring Carey Mulligan.  It presents the issue of sexual assault in a more smack in the face way that has value rather than tiptoeing around the very real-life problem. I note the quote where a man claims, “It’s every guy’s worst nightmare, being accused like that” to which Mulligan’s character responds “can you guess what every woman’s worst nightmare is”.  It shows just how little has changed. This will receive a few nods for screenplay, director and I strongly believe Mulligan stands with a great chance of winning best actress.

David Fincher’s new film Mank is sure to get a few nods as previous Oscar-winner Gary Oldman portrays screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his development of the screenplay for Citizen Kane.  I enjoyed this film and even from my research of its slightly disappointing performance in terms of critical success, it is notably particularly witty and will most likely get a nod for best screenplay and best picture.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by George C. Wolfe and starring the late Chadwick Boseman who I am certain will pick up the best leading actor prize as well as the incredibly talented Viola Davis who is sure to get a nod as well.  It too is a Netflix release much like Mank and the Trial of the Chicago 7 and focuses on an influential Blues singer and dramatizes the recording sessions in 1927.  I would highly recommend streaming this as it’s a crowd-pleaser as well as hugely deserving of its critical acclaim and should not only receive its best picture nomination and best actor but ones for costume and production design as well.

A great contender for a nomination is also Minari written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung which takes a semi-autobiographical take on Chung’s own upbringing and follows a Korean American Family and their move to Arkansas in hopes of the American dream in the 80s.  Audiences love it and critics love it for its intimate and emotional portrayal of family. I will be shocked if this film isn’t nominated or it’s stand out performances recognized.

Finally, in terms of safe bets for nominations, I think a good claim to make is The Father directed by Florian Zeller and starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman as it follows an elderly Welshman and his battle with dementia.  As you might expect critics have lauded both Hopkins and Coleman’s performances and most likely so will the Academy.

Film has been different this year, maybe there have been fewer films to judge but there are certainly features to keep an eye on because they could well be recognised, it just depends on what the academy decides to do.  Personally, I would love to see Netflix’s Malcolm and Marie and Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always receive some recognition for their excellent storytelling.  However, as always, it’s very much in the hands of the Academy, and I will be patiently waiting for February to see if (much like always) there are some snubs.