Here we are, less than twenty four hours until the Oscars and as I write this, I still haven’t seen all best pictures nominees (There is a screening of Ford vs Ferrari I’m going to this afternoon). As is tradition (I did it last year), I’m looking at the nominees and picking my choices to win the Asbo award*. Although I will have seen all best picture nominees, this year has had so many good films that I haven’t had a chance to get to all of the best acting ones. Therefore, I can only judge what I’ve seen. For my own fun, I’ve also stated whether the ASBO winner would beat my Oscar snub ramble choice.

Best Supporting Actor

I have only seen three of these actors, having not seen the Two Popes (Anthony Hopkins) or Beautiful Day (Tom Hanks). However, out of Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Brad Pitt, it’s a tough call. Pitt provided a good supplement to Di Caprio as his stunt double. Pacino was fantastic as Jimmy Hoffa. However, it was Joe Pesci who owned The Irishman as De Niro’s partner in crime. Therefore, Pesci wins the ASBO for best supporting actor.

[If I were to choose between Joe Pesci and Zack Gottsagen, it would have been too close to call]

Best Supporting Actress

Again, I have only seen three of the actors, therefore can’t comment on Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell) or Margot Robbie (Bombshell). I didn’t think that Scarlett Johansson especially stood out in Jojo Rabbit. However, Laura Dern was fantastic in Marriage Story. The cold calculated lawyer contrasts hot headed emotional Driver and Johansson. Florence Pugh contrasts Saoirse Ronan brilliantly in Little Women. She really owned the film and you felt her whole range of emotions. Therefore, Pugh wins the best supporting actress ASBO.

[In a contest between Florence Pugh and Zhao Shuhzen, I would give the award to Shuhzen.]

Best Actor

I admit that I have only seen three of these 5 actors. I couldn’t get to any screenings of Pain and Glory for Antonio Banderas and haven’t been desperate to watch The Two Pope’s for Jonathan Pryce. However, I’m left with three very good performances for actor. Leo Di Caprio was convincing in OUATIH. However, Joaquin Phoenix and Adam Driver both carried their respective films While Joaquin was brilliant, I never felt he matched up to Heath Ledger. Driver showed a wider range and every word stung in his argument scene. Therefore, while I wouldn’t complain if Joaquin won, I must give this award to Driver.

[In a contest between Adam Driver and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves), I would give it to Driver]

Best Actress

Embarrasingly, I’ve only seen two of the nominees. My viewing of Bombshell (Charlize Theron) was cancelled by “an incident” in Vue Fulham. Harriet and Judy only got mixed reviews, so didn’t get priority on my list (Cynthia Eviro and Renee Zellweger respectively). However, I still have two fantastic options. Scarlett Johansson was brilliant in Marriage Story. She and Driver had so much chemistry and you felt it in their love and pain. Saoirse Ronan made the role of Jo her own in Little Women. She really was the heartbeat of the film working brilliantly with Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalamet. Therefore, out of the two I’ve seen, the Asbo Award has to go to Saorise Ronan.

[I would 100% give this award to Lupita Nyong’o over Saoirse Ronan. Sorry Saoirse]

Best Picture

9) Joker: Looking back, Joker isn’t necessarily an awful film. However, the script felt a bit bland and predictable which for the Joker is a cardinal sin. However, Joaquin Pheonix was great and the scene with De Niro was bone chilling. (8/20)

8) Jojo Rabbit was deeply divisive with some loving it and some hating it. I was in the middle over it. It rarely felt inappropriate (Although the choice of Rockwell’s story ark was questionable) and while the funny moments were funny, the deep moments didn’t quite hit home. (10/20)

7) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood: This film had so much going for it. The acting was brilliant and the sets were lovely. However, it was just so slow in places and took a while to get going. Again, didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it. (11/20)

6) Ford vs Ferrari/Le Mans 66 was a fluff piece with awful supporting acting. It didn’t take itself seriously and was really fun. The action scenes were well put together. However, is it worthy of being a best picture nominee? Not really… (13/20)

5) 1917: The one in one shot. Very much like Birdman and the most likely film to win best picture tonight, 1917 was a cinematic masterpiece. The choreography going into each scene was fantastic and the style was immersive. The reason it isn’t higher on this strong list is that it didn’t make me feel as much as I wanted to. (15/20)

4) Little Women really was a wonderful piece. Each character was made to feel unique. The time switching was clever and not annoying, leaving a certain amount of intrigue. Each actress was fantastic. I don’t actually think I’ve talked to anyone who disliked this fantastic movie. (16/20)

3) The Irishman was a long watch at three and a half hours. However, it was brilliant. I was never bored and intrigued all the way. The characters were fantastic and while there was the usual gangster scenes you’d see in the Godfather, there really was a great human side to the film. (17/20).** .

2) Marriage Story was a film I wasn’t overly excited for. However, it blew me away. The two lead actors and the script were on point in every scene. While the end was a bit slow (my only criticism), this really was a case of no heroes or villains. Noah Baumbach did a great job of revealing new information at the right times to keep you on your toes. (18/20)

And the award for Best Picture goes to…

1) Parasite is as good as people will be saying. I really hope this wins best picture and gets a wide release so more people can see it. Parasite is a Korean social drama, dark comedy. This whole film was flawless. I didn’t want to give any film full marks, but this one really deserved it. (20/20)

[Parasite would’ve beaten Monos]

The Best Of The Rest

Directing: Sam Mendes – 1917 Very tough decision between him and Bong Joon Ho, but some of the scenes he organised and put together with so many extras were incredible.

Adapted Screenplay: The Irishman It is what it is. Engaging characters with great dialogue really helped this film thrive for so many hours.

Original Screenplay: Parasite Line by line perfection from Parasite writer Bong Joon Ho leaves you laughing and on the edge of your seat.

Best Animated Film: I Lost My Body Fun and creative film making, I Lost My Body is what animation should be (I haven’t seen Klaus or Missing Link)

Cinematography: 1917 No contest really, what a stunning experience.

Costume Design: Little Women Each costume showed so much in terms of age and status.

Film Editing: Parasite The constant cuts when need be really created a sense of atmosphere, especially in the scene above.

Make Up & Hairstyling: Joker The picture of Pheonix with the tear running down his eye will live long in the memory.

Production Design: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood A tough decision as all nominees were great, but OUATIH really did take you back.

Sound Editing/Mixing: Ford Vs Ferrari Well put together an immersive race scenes with sounds which made you feel like you were the race car.

Visual Effects: Avengers Endgame really thrives in this area. It’s difficult to not see Marvel dominating this area in years to come.

So Who Won Big?

3 – Little Women, Parasite

2 – 1917, The Irishman

1 – Avengers Endgame, Ford Vs Ferrari, I Lost My Body, Joker, Marriage Story, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

*Named after my cat Asbo, who some in my family like to call Oscar.

** Last year I beat the bookies and made the call that Green Book would win despite 20/1 odds at times. I’m making the same call on The Irishman

I notice my scores were higher this year. Have I gotten softer or were the film better this year?