Mini-Film Reviews for 2026 Oscar Movies & Award Predictions

 Great news! The Oscars are today and I am going to a party. Last year, I hosted my own Oscars Party with ballots and themed food. It was great, but really stressful to plan. I made some Substance (2024) mini- subs, "Conclave (2024)" corn dip and chips, and "The Complete Unknown (2024)" pizza calzones. This year I have convinced someone else to host the Oscars Party, but we're going bigger this year. We will have decorations, ballots and themed foods. We're also dressing up to receive some awards at the party! I have no idea what I plan to wear, but I know what I am bringing: some "Marty Supreme (2025)" sub sandwiches!

Other menu items include: The hot dog platter from "Weapons (2025)", worms in dirt pudding cups from "Frankenstein (2025)", Sentimental Value Tea Spritz, a "To Brie or not to Brie charcuterie board a la "Hamnet (2025)", Antifreeze syringe shots from "Bugonia (2025)," some Cake Pop Demon Hunters treats, F-Wontons from "F1 (2025)" and Train Beans (2025) chili. There will be some other treats, but this is all the themed food listed on the Google Doc. 

Now let's get on with my predictions. It's pretty late right now, so I won't keep you too long. Last year, I did pretty good on my ballot predictions, so I am hoping to do even better because I saw way more of the films that have been nominated for this year's Oscars. However, keep in mind that my thoughts on what should win are very different from those of the Academy. Oh, how I wish my opinion actually mattered!

Best Casting: Sinners  *incorrect*

Best Sound: F1  (If it was going to win anything, it's going to be this award specifically. The sound in Sirat was absolutely BONKETS, but if its award-winning is neither here or there for me) *correct*

Best Makeup and Hair: Frankenstein (Rightfully so, but wouldn't it be FUN if The Ugly Stepsister won something) *correct*

Production Design: Sinners *incorrect*

Film Editing: One Battle After Another (Or Sinners, but I think that there is going to be a strange split with a lot of categories between those two films) *correct*

Costume Design: Frankenstein *correct*

Cinematography: Sinners (I've been hearing some buzz about Train Dreams, but I haven't seen it) *correct*

Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash (In my opinion, the magical, time-traveling blues scene in Sinners should have been enough to take this category. There are a lot of Avatar fans, including my girlfriend, so there are a lot of people rooting for it to take this home) *correct*

Score: Sinners *correct*

Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another *correct*

Original Screenplay: Sinners (Though if it is a strange year, I could see Sentimental Value winning this one because the writing was great and I don't see it taking home many other awards. In a perfect world, Sorry, Baby would have been nominated as well) *correct*

Best Song: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters (I listen to the radio most days. I am really thinking of taking a tally of how many times I hear this song on a regular basis. It is insane how well I know the song even though I haven't seen the movie) *correct*

Best Supporting Actor: Stellan Skarsgard (It's really between him, Delroy Lindo, and Sean Penn. These are all great options, and I really think Delroy Lindo (or Benico del Toro) should win, but I think it is going to Stellan) *incorrect*

Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters (I didn't see too much in this category, but I am pleased to see the buzz around a movie like KPop Demon Hunters) *correct*

Best Supporting Actress: Teyana Taylor (I am really not upset at anyone nominated in this category. Elle Fanning didn't necessarily need to be put on this list, but its fine. I think everyone really could/should take this award, but I think the Academy really loves One Battle After Another. I know that haven't really selected it for many awards until now, but that's because its definitely taking home more of the bigger awards. The streets are also saying Amy Madigan could win because she won the Actor Award, but if this happens I will shave my head again - out of shock, not disappointment - she's great in Weapons)) *incorrect*

Best International Feature: Sentimental Value (Now, hear me out for a moment: I don't think Sentimental Value should win this award. I loved the movie, don't get me wrong. However, with a movie like No Other Choice winning last year, I really think The Voice of Hind Rajab or It Was Just an Accident are more deserving of this award.  However, both those films are so timely and so relevant in today's political climate. The US is actively engaged in a war with Iran and Israel continues to commit genocide against the Palestinian people on the West Bank, I can definitely see there being insidious moves to silence them) *correct*

Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (I agree: it should be Ryan Coogler!) *correct* 

Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (In this essay, I am going to talk about how we can still get Amanda Seyfried on the ballot - Kidding! This should be Rose Byrne's year because her performance gave me chills. I've been hearing about Jessie Buckley winning all year, so I am giving into the hype and going with that.  *correct*

Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan (Two weeks ago - I was all on the Timmy train, but he's really been making it hard for voters to want to select him. However, I could see it going either way. They also could surprise me by giving Leo his second Oscar, but I think it will be - and I am hoping that it is - Michael B. Jordan )  *correct*

Best Picture: One Battle After Another (Oh, how I wish this was a year that I could see Sinners sweep, but I am not confident in the Academy enough to write that down. I will say that this year's Best Picture selection is not awful. These are all great films. The only film I am not quite sold on is F1, but there had to be at least one OKAY film on the list and I'd rather it be that over Wicked: Part 2. In a perfect world, The Testament of Ann Lee would be here. Why this was shut out from the awards, I will never know!) *correct*

Before going into my mini-reviews for some of the nominated films, I will also say that I think the Oscars should add a category for Child/Youth Actors. Since Jacob Tremblay's performance in Room (2015), I have noticed a shift in the way we talk about child actors. I don't think young people should have to wait until they are older to be recognized for their talent. I also don't think it is fair to put them up against actors who have been both alive, and in the industry, longer than they have. I could see the argument that there aren't enough child performances in a year, but when there are a significant amount of performances - they're all outstanding. This year we have amazing performances in Sinners, Hamnet, and The Plague, which is only three films. I am sure that there are more, but, I'm just saying, if the Critics Choice Association can do it every year, so can the Academy. 

 Sinners

Sinners is a masterpiece. Its performances, sound, writing, story, and overall energy are working overtime to tell a story that it unlike anything I've seen before. It's hard to call this movie simply a "horror" film set in the South, but the elements of gothic horror and vampirism are the catalysts for a deeper story about racism, culture appropriation, and colonialism. There's something for everyone to like in Sinners: romance, horror, action, intrigue, history and music. Right when you think you this movie pinned down, it grabs the run right from under you. 

One Battle After Another

I saw One Battle After Another 3-4 times in theaters this year, which is surprisingly because I usually cannot stand movies that are as long as this movie. However, there's something about this movie that is so gripping and honest about a movie that's really just about a guy trying to do right by his kid. It's a movie about community, activism, and parenting, which are hard to connect in a productive way, especially when the film is examining "the Gen Z approach to socio-political activism" and how there is this generational conflict between Gen Z and other age cohorts. However, nonetheless, we persist, because there are bigger battles to face and we are all (mostly) fighting for the same thing.

Sentimental Value 

I know many talented assholes, but I don't know what I would do if one of those talented assholes was my father. This family drama is actually a horror movie for anyone that's every A) had a rough relationship with their father - whether they were emotionally or physically estranged - or B) is a child that's been parentified in any way - meaning you had to take care of your parents or your siblings when you were way too young. It's exceptionally moving in a way that made me want to curl up in a ball, but also wake up and write my screenplay the next morning. This movie tore me up, but it thankfully, does the right thing and leaves you with some after care. I want to watch this movie forever.

It Was Just an Accident

This movie is smart, thrilling, and tense as hell. I wish this movie got more love in the mainstream and I am thankful I got the chance to see it in theaters. Its a movie about trauma, defiance, and the moral complexities about justice and vigilantism. This film was shot and edited in secret, which says a lot already, but especially in the context of what the film is about - systemic violence and as a result, a culture of fear and guilt. Will you answer violence with violence? Will you stand up in other ways? Is violence ever justified? There's so much to chew on with this and honestly, I can't wait to watch it again. 

The Voice of Hind Rajab

There's so much to say about this movie, but it really does speak - so powerfully - for itself. Context is key and information is power, but there is no way that anyone would walk away from seeing a film like this believing that what is happening in Gaza is justified. It's genocide. It's ethnic cleansing. It's destruction. It's also wild that this movie (like 2024's No Other Land), still hasn't gotten a wide release in major cities. More people should be talking about and seeing this movie. To stay silent about dehumanization is a choice. You shouldn't have to put yourself in the perspective of a 6-year old girl or someone watching something terrible happening to a 6-year old girl. You should just do the right thing. 

Hamnet

People hate this movie, which is wild, right? It is a picture perfect Academy-winning movie. It's moody and tragic. It has great production design and costuming. It's impeccably written and acted.  What more is there not to love? Some say the grief is not earned, or is too "over-the-top," but I really cannot agree with that. Chloe Zhao paints a wonderful, moving portrait of grief, art, and trauma and I loved it.

Marty Supreme

I didn't enjoy this one. I went in knowing that this wasn't the movie for me and left getting exactly what I expected. This isn't to say Marty Supreme is bad because it's not. The acting, the score, the MUSIC, the direction and pacing is all around fantastic. Marty is where the film loses me, which sucks because he is the core of this movie. I am just bored by him. His hi-jinks do not amuse me, nor is Chalamet engaging enough to get me on board with Marty's schemes. 

Frankenstein

I will say it again: I detest LONG movies. Especially movies that have no reason to be as long as they are. This movie does not have the right to be as long as it is. Honestly, I'd like it more if it were broken into parts to keep the pacing up. It felt like I was hearing someone tell me a long story that I wasn't really interested in hearing in the first place. It's beautiful. It's dark. It's gloomy. Jacob Elordi has range that I wasn't expecting from him, especially because this film is more of a physical performance from him. However, there's nothing more than that for me, especially because everyone else feels so under utilized.

If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You

This movie floored me. I was only recently able to give it a second watch because that's how much it affected me. This a psychological thriller that disguised as a drama. I don't mean that in a negative way, as much that I really want point out that this film gave me an anxiety attack after I saw it for the first time. While it is incredible overwhelming, there is something very real and cathartic seeing another person going through a miserable time that makes me feel like the miserable time I'm experiencing isn't all that bad. Motherhood is morbid and horrible, just as much as it is all-consuming and beautiful. That's all I'm saying.

Bugonia 

Yorgos is back to being weird again! This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but Poor Things and The Favorite were films that made me forget that he like making deep, dark films. This film is akin more to Dogtooth and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. It has a lot to ponder about. Capitalism, corporate greed, and the failings of humanity. Will we be our own destruction? Are we worth saving? Is there a time where we will all be able to live in humanity? Or is that solely in death? It's kind spooky to think about, but a engaging film. I can't say that I was ever bored while watching this.

Weapons

This movie having any sort of association with the Academy is bonkers. Amy Madigan up for Best Actress, which is mind-bogging choice because, historically, the Academy does not like horror movies. This isn't to say that she's bad because Amy Madigan is stellar. Weapons is a horror movie, but it is a damn good horror movie about what trauma, manipulation, and fear can do to a community. I love the storytelling in this film. If I can gather new information from a film every time I watch it, its a winner in my book!

 Sirat

 This is the newest Oscar nominated film I got to watch. I'd been waiting for a while to catch it and I will say, I wasn't completely disappointed. The film intrigued me, as I initially though it was a thriller/mystery about a man looking for his daughter at a rave. It's almost that. It's so much more about community, existential dread, and grief. However, it doesn't set everything up in the most cohesive way, so much of that is lost throughout the journey. Its dystopian and eerie, too, which also complicate the atmosphere. I didn't know what I was walking into and even long after seeing it, I still don't know what I was supposed to walk away with. 

Zootopia 2 

A well-deserved, and well-executed sequel. I had a blast in theaters and I really enjoyed the way they expanded on the Zootopia universe. Although it probably was a cash grab, it didn't feel like they were simply putting out an unnecessary sequel. This felt earned and it made sense in the context of the other film. Plus, the song "Zoo" is excellent. What can I say?

 And that's it! I am so happy that I got to see all these movies in theaters. There's still so much more to see, especially in the Shorts categories. My local theater usually gets the Shorts, but I missed them this year. I definitely want to try to check them out in the future. As for any other features, I can't say that I will be watching F1, but I will be catching The Secret Agent soon! 

Happy Movie Watching!