On Sunday, Hollywood will be buzzing with excitement as the biggest night in the film industry, the Academy Awards, takes place. With a slate of incredible movies vying for the prestigious Best Picture prize, including “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” and “Conclave,” the race is wide open and the anticipation is at an all-time high.
This year’s red carpet will see some new faces, with actors Timothee Chalamet and Demi Moore both nominated for their first Oscars. The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Walt Disney’s ABC network, promises to be a star-studded affair, with Hollywood’s biggest names in attendance.
Comedian and host Conan O’Brien has promised to deliver a mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and tributes to the city of Los Angeles as it continues to recover from the devastating wildfires that ravaged the area in January. While he may touch on current political events, O’Brien has made it clear that he will not dwell on them, stating that the show aims to strike a balance between different tones and textures.
This year’s Oscars race has been full of surprises and no movie has emerged as a clear frontrunner. This adds to the excitement and anticipation, as any of the three contenders could take home the top prize. “Anora,” the story of a sex worker hoping for a Cinderella story, “The Brutalist,” which follows a Jewish immigrant chasing the American dream, and “Conclave,” a film about the secret proceedings for choosing a pope, are all in the running for Best Picture.
However, they are not the only contenders. The blockbuster musical “Wicked,” a prequel to the beloved classic “The Wizard of Oz,” and “A Complete Unknown,” a biopic about legendary musician Bob Dylan starring Timothee Chalamet, are also among the nominees.
Leading the pack with the most nominations is the Netflix musical, “Emilia Perez.” However, the film’s chances of victory were dampened when offensive social media posts from one of its stars, Karla Sofia Gascon, came to light. Gascon, the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Oscar, has since disappeared from the awards circuit but is expected to attend Sunday’s ceremony.
Her co-star, Zoe Saldana, is the frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as a fixer who helps a Mexican drug lord (played by Gascon) transition to a woman and start a new life.
The winners of the coveted gold Oscar statuettes are chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is made up of roughly 11,000 actors, producers, directors, and film craftspeople. This diverse group of industry professionals ensures that the best of the best are recognized and celebrated on this prestigious night.
While the glitz and glamour of the Oscars may be the main attraction, the film industry is also fighting to maintain its position at the center of the global entertainment business. Interestingly, none of the ten Best Picture nominees were filmed in Los Angeles, the traditional hub of the film industry for over a century.
In the supporting actor category, Kieran Culkin is the favorite for his role in “A Real Pain,” a film about a man who travels to Poland with his cousin to explore their family history. As for Best Actor, the race is a close one between Timothee Chalamet and Adrien Brody, the star of “The Brutalist.” Brody made history when he became the youngest ever Best Actor winner at the age of 29 for his performance in “The Pianist” in 2002. Chalamet, at just nine months younger than Brody was at the time, could follow in his footsteps and make history himself.
In the Best Actress category, Demi Moore is the clear favorite for her powerful performance in “The Substance.” However, there is a possibility of an upset win by Brazil’s Fernanda Torres for her role in “I’m Still Here.” With the Academy having increased its international membership, it could potentially play a role in the final outcome, according to Ian Sandwell, movies editor at Digital Spy.
The producers of the show have decided to break from tradition and not have musicians perform the nominated original songs. Instead, they will focus on the songwriters themselves. However, they have promised many musical moments throughout the night, including a performance by “Wicked” stars Ariana
