pictureperfectreviewsFrom Best Picture to Best Original Screenplay, check out all the winners for the 90th Academy Awards winners below…
BEST PICTURE
WHO WON: THE SHAPE OF WATER
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
Leading up to the Oscars, there was a real struggle between Three Billboards, The Shape Of Water and Darkest Hours as to who would end up on top. But in the end, my preferred front-runner Three Billboards was beaten to the post by the well-deserving sci-fi romance The Shape Of Water.
2018 Nominees: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, DARKEST HOUR, DUNKIRK, GET OUT, LADY BIRD, PHANTOM THREAD, THE POST, THE SHAPE OF WATER, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BEST DIRECTOR
WHO WON: Guillermo del Toro, THE SHAPE OF WATER
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Guillermo del Toro, THE SHAPE OF WATER
Del Toro was my clear winner for Best Director amongst this year’s nominees. There was a lot of hubbub on social media in the run up to the Oscars as to whether Greta Gerwig would be a dark horse and steal the limelight, but it’s was del Toro’s clear mastery of the cinematic art that won out, in what could be his best film to date.
2018 Nominees: Christopher Nolan, DUNKIRK, Jordan Peele, GET OUT, Greta Gerwig, LADY BIRD, Paul Thomas Anderson, PHANTOM THREAD, Guillermo del Toro, THE SHAPE OF WATER
BEST ACTOR
WHO WON: Gary Oldman, DARKEST HOUR
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Gary Oldman, DARKEST HOUR
From the start of awards season to now, it’s always been the year of Gary Oldman – and deservedly so with a performance like that! Although Oldman wasn’t counting his chickens as he was definitely up against some tough competition – two established nominated actors and two very young actors with great careers ahead of themselves. However, it’s a little bittersweet that Daniel Day-Lewis just missed out on a final hurrah for what is reportedly his last film ever.
2018 Nominees: Timothée Chalamet, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Daniel Day-Lewis, PHANTOM THREAD, Daniel Kaluuya, GET OUT, Gary Oldman, DARKEST HOUR, Denzel Washington, ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.
BEST ACTRESS
WHO WON: Frances McDormand, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Frances McDormand, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
McDormand’s win was the most obvious win and her performance was a true tour de force. Once again, it’s sad that Meryl has once again been overlooked for a similarly strong role, but was far less ‘obvious’ understated performance.
2018 Nominees: Sally Hawkins, THE SHAPE OF WATER, Frances McDormand, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, Margot Robbie, I, TONYA, Saoirse Ronan, LADY BIRD, Meryl Streep, THE POST
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
WHO WON: Sam Rockwell, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Sam Rockwell, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
What a well-deserved award, for one of my newest favourite actors – Sam Rockwell! Rockwell is one of those true hidden gems within the acting world and I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s able to achieve in the coming years. Also, an honorable mention to Christopher Plummer who, at the age of 88, not only made an amazing Oscar-worthy performance, but also did it with no preparation and only 9 days of filming (to fill in for Kevin Spacey).
2018 Nominees: Willem Dafoe, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, Woody Harrelson, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, Richard Jenkins, THE SHAPE OF WATER, Christopher Plummer, ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD, Sam Rockwell, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
WHO WON: Allison Janney, I, TONYA
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Allison Janney, I, TONYA
Janney was another clear winner in my books – and a definite crowd favorite at the awards. Her performance was so twisted and believable that you couldn’t help but love such an abominable character. (Another thing that is interesting is that both winning female actresses this year play some truly deplorable characters!)
2018 Nominees: Mary J. Blige, MUDBOUND, Allison Janney, I, TONYA, Lesley Manville, PHANTOM THREAD, Laurie Metcalf, LADY BIRD, Octavia Spencer, THE SHAPE OF WATER
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
WHO WON: COCO
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: COCO
Interestingly, the Animated Feature Film category was surprisingly weak this year, making Coco a CLEAR winner. Could the weaker selection have been down to the increasingly long production times for ‘good’ animation films? Otherwise, a totally deserved win by the heartbreakingly sweet Coco.
2018 Nominees: THE BOSS BABY, THE BREADWINNER, COCO, FERDINAND, LOVING VINCENT
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
WHO WON: DEAR BASKETBALL
2018 Nominees: DEAR BASKETBALL, GARDEN PARTY, LOU, NEGATIVE SPACE, REVOLTING RHYMES
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
WHO WON: ICARUS
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: ICARUS
I didn’t manage to watch all of the nominees, but it was clear that after watching Icarus that there was no other film in the category to have made such world-reaching leaps through the process of its own documentary making, by uncovering one of the biggest scandals in global sports history.
2018 Nominees: ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL, FACES PLACES, ICARUS, LAST ME IN ALEPPO, STRONG ISLAND
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
WHO WON: HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: HEROIN(E)
For me, Heronin(e) was by far the best short documentary of this category. It was the most real and truly harrowing film that brought to light some true horrors in the world, but also showed some real heroes in that community that deserve to have the spotlight put on their stories.
2018 Nominees: EDITH+EDDIE, HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405, HEROIN(E), KNIFE SKILLS, TRAFFIC STOP
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
WHO WON: A FANTASTIC WOMAN
2018 Nominees: A FANTASTIC WOMAN, THE INSULT, LOVELESS, ON BODY AND SOUL, THE SQUARE
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
WHO WON: THE SILENT CHILD
2018 Nominees: DEKALB ELEMENTARY, THE ELEVEN O’CLOCK, MY NEPHEW EMMETT, THE SILENT CHILD, WATU WOTE/ALL OF US
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
WHO WON: Jordan Peele, GET OUT
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
I think that Get Out was a really interesting original idea, and am not sorry that a smaller film on a has been able to be pushed into the spotlight and appreciated on a larger world-stage. I just feel that it lacked the heart behind Three Billboards that really made that film a stronger and more realistic film overall.
2018 Nominees: THE BIG SICK, GET OUT, LADY BIRD, THE SHAPE OF WATER, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
WHO WON: James Ivory, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: LOGAN
I would have LOVED to have seen Logan win this category because it is such a beautifully made film. Not only was it a complete step beyond the typical superhero movie, but it was also a genuinely sad and truly moving story of the aging jaded heroes we’ve grown up with. Still, I think it’s nice to see James Ivory get his moment – a man who is truly iconic and a massive talent in the industry – and if someone had to win against Logan, then Ivory was definitely a worthy advisory to go up against.
2018 Nominees: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, THE DISASTER ARTIST, LOGAN, MOLLY’S GAME, MUDBOUND
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
WHO WON: Roger A. Deakins, BLADE RUNNER 2049
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: BLADE RUNNER 2049
In the Cinematography category there was little doubt which film would win. Winner Roger A. Deakins – always the bridesmaid, now finally the bride – got his well-deserved win after 13 previous Oscar nominations. A very beautiful film and well-deserved win by Deakins!
2018 Nominees: BLADE RUNNER 2049, DARKEST HOUR, DUNKIRK, MUDBOUND, THE SHAPE OF WATER
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
WHO WON: John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover, BLADE RUNNER 2049
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
Another no brainer for some, but I truly think that The Last Jedi was overlooked on this one. I think people don’t realise that Star Wars is at the forefront of visual effects, whose newfound techniques trickle down to other films like Blade Runner. I think Star Wars’ biggest enemy is itself and that it’s become more of an ‘expected’ winner, rather than the visionary front-runner that it truly is. However, Blade Runner is still a worth winner and an exceptionally stylish and well-made film – it’s just a shame for Star Wars that it got essentially overlooked!
2018 Nominees: BLADE RUNNER 2049, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
WHO WON: Mark Bridges, PHANTOM THREAD
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: PHANTOM THREAD
I’m glad that a film that’s all about an haute couture fashion house won in the costume category. To be honest, I think if it hadn’t it would possibly have been the biggest shock of the awards season! Some very beautiful work (if not his best) from Bridges on Phantom Thread.
2018 Nominees: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, DARKEST HOUR, PHANTOM THREAD, THE SHAPE OF WATER, VICTORIA AND ABDUL
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
WHO WON: Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick, DARKEST HOUR
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: DARKEST HOUR
I think for this category you have to take into account the genuine transformation of Gary Oldman. I think make-up and hairstyling is always seen as such a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of award, but its in films like Darkest Hour that we really see how these artists are so integral into the creation of a films character and believability.
2018 Nominees: DARKEST HOUR, VICTORIA AND ABDUL, WONDER
BEST SOUND MIXING
WHO WON: Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landarker, Gary A. Rizzo, DUNKIRK
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
Another Star Wars snub for me as The Last Jedi had some truly outstanding sound mixing. Dunkirk was a very ‘quiet’ film for me and more understated, which is why I think it was less appealing to me.
2018 Nominees: BABY DRIVER, BLADE RUNNER 2049, DUNKIRK, THE SHAPE OF WATER, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
BEST SOUND EDITING
WHO WON: Richard King, Alex Gibson, DUNKIRK
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
Yet another missed opportunity for Star Wars. Again Dunkirk was a great film, but the quality of sound editing was far superior on The Last Jedi.
2018 Nominees: BABY DRIVER, BLADE RUNNER 2049, DUNKIRK, THE SHAPE OF WATER, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
BEST FILM EDITING
WHO WON: Lee Smith, DUNKIRK
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: BABY DRIVER
For me, the only film that I was going to be happy with winning in this category was Baby driver. Although it was not anything new, the way that Baby Driver was very cleverly edited to the amazing soundtrack music. It definitely gave the film an extra ‘something special’ from the other nominees. My one thought was Baby Driver tainted by the situation surrounding Kevin Spacey?
2018 Nominees: BABY DRIVER, DUNKIRK, I, TONYA, THE SHAPE OF WATER, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
WHO WON: Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau, Jeff Melvin, THE SHAPE OF WATER
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: BLADE RUNNER 2049
The Shape of Water definitely has one of the strongest and most uncompromising production designs of any film in the past ten years. It’s definitely not a pretty film, but it is clearly (and accurately) based on the distinctive time period in which the film is set. For me, however, Blade Runner elevated that futuristic world into a new, almost incomparable world of real beauty, whilst staying true to its original theme. I think the hardest thing for a sequel is to out-do its original (especially in the case of the cult classic Blade Runner) – and so The Shape Of Water technically got off lighter by forging its own path and not having to compare itself against a prequel.
2018 Nominees: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BLADE RUNNER 2049, DARKEST HOUR, DUNKIRK, THE SHAPE OF WATER
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
WHO WON: Alexandre Desplat, THE SHAPE OF WATER
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
I’m definitely not unhappy at this win, as Desplat’s score definitely matches the quirky tone of its film. But again, like Meryl, I think Williams has been overlooked for being ‘too good’, and making too many good movie scores that he’s pushed aside for the sake of others.
2018 Nominees: DUNKIRK, PHANTOM THREAD, THE SHAPE OF WATER, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
WHO WON: Remember Me, COCO
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON: Remember Me, COCO
This is Me had a great public backing and the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman is undoubtedly one of the best soundtracks in the past couple of years. So Remember Me’s win was definitely a pleasant surprise winner for me. I think the emotion of the piece far outweighed the performance of other songs like This Is Me, which made it a truly special original song.
2018 Nominees: Mighty River, MUDBOUND, Mystery Of Love, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Remember Me, COCO, Stand Up For Something, MARSHALL, This is Me, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN