I am updating–again–my Oscar book, first published in 1986 under the title, And the Winner Is: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards. At the time, it was the first “serious” examination of the meaning, significance, and effects of being nominated for and winning the Oscar, the most prestigious and influential award in the film world.
Over the past three decades, there have been at least ten editions, and the book is still in print. The latest version, All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards, was published a decade ago (Halle Berry is on the cover).
We are now preparing the new version of the book, in time for the 90th anniversary of the Oscars.
Here are my annual prediction for the top award, Best Picture:
FRONTRUNNERS (in alphabetical order):
“The Big Short” (Paramount)
“Brooklyn” (Fox Searchlight)
“Carol” (Weinstein Co.)
“The Martian” (20th Century Fox)
“The Revenant” (20th Century Fox)
“Room” (A24)
“Spotlight” (Open Road Films)
CONTENDERS (in alphabetical order)
“45 Years” (Sundance Selects)
“Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
“Black Mass” (Warner)
“Creed” (Warner)
“Sicario” (Lionsgate)
“Son of Saul” (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (Disney)
“Steve Jobs” (Universal)
“Straight Outta Compton” (Universal)
“Trumbo” (Bleecker Street)
