Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “Oppenheimer” is poised to make history at the upcoming Oscars ceremony. With an impressive 13 nominations, strong box office performance, and a successful awards season track record, it is expected to not only win Best Picture but also challenge the record for the most wins in Oscar history. The film has already won top prizes at prestigious awards shows such as the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and BAFTA, making it a frontrunner for the coveted award.
The 96th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will begin an hour earlier than previous years, with the broadcast set for 7 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. This change in timing aims to attract more viewers and boost ratings for the ceremony. The event will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on various platforms such as ABC.com, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV.
Jimmy Kimmel, a familiar face in the hosting role, will return for his fourth time as the host of the Oscars. Known for his gentle humor and relatable style, Kimmel has been a popular choice in recent years. He joins the ranks of Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon as one of the few hosts to have hosted the ceremony multiple times.
The nominees for the Oscars are chosen by members of the Academy, with each category’s corresponding branch selecting the nominees. However, the Best Picture nominees are decided by all voting members of the Academy. The winners in all 23 categories are then determined by the full membership through voting. The Best Picture winner is chosen through a preferential ballot system, where voters rank the nominees, and the film with the majority of votes wins.
“Oppenheimer” is the clear frontrunner for Best Picture, having achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan, explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the architect of the atomic bomb. It has grossed nearly $1 billion at the global box office and has won every major precursor award, making it a strong contender for the Oscar. Christopher Nolan himself is also expected to win Best Director, which would be his first Academy Award.
While “Oppenheimer” seems like a sure bet for Best Picture, there are a few other films that could potentially pull off an upset. “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, finished second with 11 nominations and won Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) at the Golden Globes. “Anatomy of a Fall” is also a dark horse contender, having received nominations in key categories such as director, editing, lead actress, and original screenplay.
In the acting categories, Robert Downey Jr. is the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer,” while Da’Vine Joy Randolph is expected to win Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “The Holdovers.” The race for Best Actor is compelling, with Paul Giamatti and Cillian Murphy both winning major precursor awards. However, Murphy’s win at the SAG Awards solidified his frontrunner status. The most exciting duel is in the Best Actress category, where Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone are neck and neck. Stone’s performance in “Poor Things” and Gladstone’s role in “Killers of the Flower Moon” have both received critical acclaim and recognition.
Aside from the major categories, there are other races to watch, such as Best Original and Adapted Screenplay. “Anatomy of a Fall” is the front-runner for Best Original Screenplay, while “American Fiction” is expected to win Best Adapted Screenplay. However, the inclusion of “Barbie” in the adapted screenplay category adds an interesting twist to the race.
In the animated feature category, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” are the top contenders. Both films have won major awards leading up to the Oscars, making it a close competition. The live-action short category also presents an intriguing narrative, with acclaimed director Wes Anderson potentially winning his first Oscar for “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.”
For those interested in watching the Best Picture nominees, most of them are available on subscription streaming services. “Oppenheimer” and “The Holdovers” can be found on Peacock, “Barbie” is on Max, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is on Apple TV Plus, “Past Lives” is on Paramount Plus, “Poor Things” is on Hulu, and “Maestro” is on Netflix. The remaining films, “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” and “The Zone of Interest,” are either in theaters or available to rent through various platforms.
The Oscars will also feature live performances of the Best Song nominees, including performances by Jon Batiste, Becky G, Scott George and the Osage Singers, Billie Eilish and
