Here is an overview of the main Oscar nominations at the 2017 Academy Awards and which are Moviedoc’s personal favourites to win

BEST PICTURE NOMINEES

ARRIVAL 
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
HIDDEN FIGURES
LA LA LAND
LION
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA 
MOONLIGHT

WHICH FILM IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

LA LA LAND

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

HACKSAW RIDGE

I’ve seen them all, except for HIDDEN FIGURES, and the field is competitive this year. Only MANCHESTER BY THE SEA gets close to HACKSAW RIDGE for me, but not close enough. This is a complete movie experience that is hugely impacting, brilliantly made and hands down one of the greatest war films of the 21st century. It needs to be rewarded as such.

Moviedoc’s Full Review – HACKSAW RIDGE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINATIONS

CASEY AFFLECK – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
 ANDREW GARFIELD – HACKSAW RIDGE
RYAN GOSLING – LA LA LAND
VIGGO MORTENSEN – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
DENZEL WASHINGTON – FENCES

WHICH ACTOR IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

CASEY AFFLECK – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

ANDREW GARFIELD – HACKSAW RIDGE

“HACKSAW RIDGE unearths a career-best display of professional acting by a perfectly cast and outstanding Andrew Garfield, who will be a surefire contender for an Oscar nomination.” – These were my comments from my HACKSAW RIDGE review from November 2, 2016. Right I was and I stand by these comments. (On a side note, I’m so happy that Viggo received this level of recognition for CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, even though he doesn’t stand a chance to win. If Garfield is not holding a statuette on Oscar’s night, then it better be in the hands of Denzel Washington.)

Moviedoc’s Full Review – HACKSAW RIDGE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINATIONS

ISABELLE HUPPERT – ELLE
 RUTH NEGGA – LOVING
NATALIE PORTMAN – JACKIE
EMMA STONE – LA LA LAND
MERYL STREEP – FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS

WHICH ACTRESS IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

EMMA STONE – LA LA LAND

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

NATALIE PORTMAN – JACKIE

Admittedly, I am yet to see ELLE or LOVING. Natalie Portman is the sole reason JACKIE is worth watching. Her performance completely outdoes the less than captivating film JACKIE turned out to be. I would be equally happy to see Emma Stone win, even though Portman just nudges Stone.

Moviedoc’s full review – JACKIE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE NOMINATIONS

MAHERSHALA ALI – MOONLIGHT
 JEFF BRIDGES – HELL OR HIGH WATER
LUCAS HEDGES – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
DEV PATEL – LION
MICHAEL SHANNON – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

WHICH ACTOR IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

MAHERSHALA ALI – MOONLIGHT

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

DEV PATEL – LION

Honestly, he wins for nailing the Australian accent alone. It’s better than my own! But in all seriousness, Dev’s emotion-charged performance is one of the stand-outs of cinema this year for sure. Jeff Bridges is just quietly sitting in second place though, with his best performance in years in the excellent HELL OR HIGH WATER. An upset is very much possible in this category.

Moviedoc’s full review – LION

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE NOMINATIONS

VIOLA DAVIS – FENCES
NAOMIE HARRIS – MOONLIGHT
NICOLE KIDMAN – LION
OCTAVIA SPENCER – HIDDEN FIGURES
MICHELLE WILLIAMS – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

WHICH ACTRESS IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

VIOLA DAVIS – FENCES

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

VIOLA DAVIS – FENCES

Personally, this is the toughest category to choose a winner, along with Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. This is especially made tough, for Viola really should be listed under Best Actress in a Leading Role, not supporting. Nonetheless, she just must win for such a stellar performance. A shame, for Naomie Harris and Michelle Williams truly deserve success on Awards night too. 

Moviedoc’s full review – FENCES

BEST DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

DENIS VILLENEUVE – ARRIVAL
MEL GIBSON – HACKSAW RIDGE
DAMIEN CHAZELLE – LA LA LAND
KENNETH LONERGAN – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
BARRY JENKINS – MOONLIGHT

WHICH DIRECTOR IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

DAMIEN CHAZELLE – LA LA LAND

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

DAMIEN CHAZELLE – LA LA LAND

I’m selecting Chazelle over Gibson, just. I really liked LA LA LAND, but I didn’t love it. Much of what I admired of the sweeping musical is due to Damien Chazelle’s superb direction. And it was no fluke, with WHIPLASH putting the young filmmaker’s name as one to take serious note of. This man is a true talent and does deserve to at least win Best Director. Sorry Mel, sorry.

Moviedoc’s full review – LA LA LAND

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM NOMINATIONS

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS
MOANA
MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI
THE RED TURTLE
ZOOTOPIA

WHICH ANIMATED FEATURE FILM IS THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?

ZOOTOPIA

MOVIEDOC’S PERSONAL CHOICE TO WIN

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

I’ve been a little slack with my animated films over the past 12-18 months and as such, have only seen my personal favourite to win and THE RED TURTLE, a very close second. Regardless, the inventive and unique KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS would eventuate as a more than worthy winner if it causes an upset. But I doubt it will. I’ve heard great comments for ZOOTOPIA and very much look forward to renting it soon.

Sorry, Moviedoc did not review this film 😦

Compiled by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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