Oscars 2017: Predictions

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Who Will Win

This race comes down pretty much to Emma Stone from La La Land and everyone else. Stone has flown high all award season with notable wins from Golden Globe and SAG awards for her performance in La La Land. It looks as if Stone’s second Oscar nomination will be the one that gets her that little golden statue.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea
Who Will Win

This is Viola Davis third Oscar nomination, and you know what they say; third time is the charm. Davis is her character, Rose Maxson in Fences. It’s a role she had toiled over for years and has perfected. There is no one truly better for that role than her. The only other performance that was just as exceptional is that of Naomi Harris from Moonlight. For Harris, this is not going to be enough to give her Oscar gold.

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences
Who Will Win

Oscar prognosticators think this is Casey Affleck’s award to win. He’s already won the best lead actor awards at the Golden Globes and BAFTA for Manchester by the Sea, but I believe any good actor could have done stepped into that role and done well. What Denzel Washington does in Fences is art and should be rewarded. If Washington had not stepped in to do the film, I honestly don’t think we wouldn’t be talking about it.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals
Who Will Win

Mahershala Ali is a gift to Moonlight. Ali’s portrayal as drug dealer come unlikely father figure is exceptional. You know when an actor is giving an excellent performance when the character is no longer on the screen, and you crave to have them back.

The 89th Academy Awards will air live on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m CT on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Make sure to check back with us for all of our Oscar coverage.