The Oscar Narrative: The End

It's funny sometimes how quickly everything seems to end. You start in Sundance, a month before the Oscars, you work your way through Cannes, the summer blockbuster season, Toronto, Telluride, Venice, AFI, New York, the critics, the guilds. You build up a narrative for all of these different categories. Then over the course of one night the momentum builds and builds. And with one word, Morgan Freeman declares a winner. Then it's over. How quickly the gold dream fades. Its been about 24 hours since the end, and we are already moving on. Because in the end it never ends. It just cycles back around. Now we can turn our focus, now we can look at the upcoming year. It just seems to be so fast this year, the turnaround seems so blunt. Before we do though, let's reflect on this wacky and wonderful season.

Of course it was Spotlight. It was Spotlight since September. We kept thinking it would be someone else. It was The Martian, then Ridley Scott was snubbed. It was The Big Short, then its momentum died. Then, in the end, it was The Revenant, despite being the most divisive film of the bunch. We should have known. But this year the stats failed us. This is the first time since the expansion of this category that the PGA was wrong. This is the first time since the 1950's since a director won back to back Oscars, since a film won Best Picture with only one other win. Although the SAG Ensemble stat remains intact. If the actors are behind you, it helps. It also helps to be liked. People loved The Revenant, they didn't like it. The Big Short was important, but a comedy. And while they didn't mind giving Mad Max six incredible Oscars, it was never going to win Best Picture, although a George Miller win should have happened. It was Spotlight. It was Spotlight all along, and the punditry, including this guy, missed the boat. I am so happy for this film. Tom McCarthy has been a favorite since The Station Agent and Win Win, two underrated gems. This cast, some of the best actors working today, deserved that moment on stage. Spotlight is an important movie, it is a great movie, and I think it will go down as one of the best Oscar choices. Leo finally won, Brie Larson and Alicia Vikander just launched what I'm sure will be magnificent careers. Everyone is upset about Stallone, but this has happened before. Ask Mickey Rourke, ask Eddie Murphy. One great role cannot erase decades of crap. And missing out on SAG and BAFTA is not an easy path. Mark Rylance is right now a despised man among many who follow this race. But I know that time will realize that it was a great performance, in a good movie, from one of our finest actors. Mad Max had a great, so deserved night. Inarritu is now an Academy favorite, and all three directors from the top three films for Best Picture won Oscars. Also, 6 of the 8 nominees for Best Picture won at least one Oscar (Brooklyn and The Martian were shut out). They spread the love, and besides that dreadful Best Original Song winner (seriously, that song sucks), the winners were deserving, the night had some great winners and some awesome upsets (Ex Machina taking down the big guys was awesome), and my favorite film of the year, Inside Out, got a great moment.

The ceremony was too damn long, some of the moments fell flat, and that awful scroll was a waste. But Chris Rock was great, and his monologue was brilliant, funny, and important. Louis C.K., Tina and Steve, and others had great moments. The In Memoriam was wonderful, the clip packages for all of the categories were great. The show as long, clunky, and cut off too many winners. But that's the Oscars. They keep finding ways to try to make things smoother, to shorten the show, to draw in more viewers. In the end, it is the movies that do that, the actors, the stories of the season. We all might as well give up the notion that somehow the Oscars will dramatically improve. They can't be the Tonys, but at least they're better than the bloated and ridiculous Grammys. The Oscars are what they are, get used to it.

This has been an interesting season for me. I started graduate school in January. I work full time all day, then come home and work on school work. My life has become a stressful, time-consuming mess. And so I haven't been as engaged with this blog as I want to be, as I should be. I haven't posted as much, I haven't felt as passionate about it. It is not the films, the season (this was one of the most exciting in years). It is me, and my ability to juggle all of the different things in my life. I feel like George Clooney in Up in the Air when he talks about the weight of his backpack. First, I'd like to apologize for not being as engaged. I would also like to apologize for the next two Oscar seasons where I will also be a bit distant. But I refuse to give it up. I love film, I love this blog, and I love the Oscar race. I have sacrificed a lot to make my dreams come true, but this is where I draw the line. This has been an incredible season, and I loved every minute. I will keep this up as long as you out there, the fans, the viewers, the film lovers are here to root me on. Thank you for yet another incredible season. Thank you for your support, thank you for loving film as much as I do. As we speak, I am starting my eighth year here at The Awards Psychic. Eight years ago, I was a skinny college freshman launching a new adventure. It's funny how the adventure never seems to end. Just when you get comfortable, the world throws something else at you. That is why I need this blog, probably much more than you do. It is a constant. For eight years it has been my place to go and write, to listen, to feel, to express. I love it, and I hope at least a few of you out there do too. Thank you for seven incredible years. Here's to many more.

The 88th Annual Academy Awards

Enjoy the show...

Best Picture - Spotlight
Best Director - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "The Revenant"
Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio "The Revenant"
Best Actress - Brie Larson "Room"
Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance "Bridge of Spies"
Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander "The Danish Girl"
Best Adapted Screenplay - Charles Randolph and Adam McKay "The Big Short"
Best Original Screenplay - Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy "Spotlight"
Best Animated Feature - Inside Out
Best Documentary Feature - Amy
Best Foreign Language Film - Son of Saul (Hungary)
Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki "The Revenant"
Best Costume Design - Jenny Beaven "Mad Mad: Fury Road"
Best Film Editing - Margaret Sixel "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Best Makeup and Hairstyling - Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Best Original Score - Ennio Morricone "The Hateful Eight"
Best Original Song - Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith "Writings on the Wall" from "Spectre"
Best Production Design - Colin Gibson and Lisa Thompson "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Best Sound Editing - Mark Mangini and David White "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Best Sound Mixing - Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Best Visual Effects - Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett "Ex Machina"
Best Animated Short - Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala "Bear Story"
Best Documentary Short - Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness"
Best Live Action Short - Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armitage "Stutterer"

2016 Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) Golden Reel Awards

Best Sound Editing in Feature Film: Music Score
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Sound Editing in Feature Film: Music in a Musical
Love & Mercy

Best Sound Editing: Feature English Language – Dialogue/ADR
Bridge of Spies

Best Sound Editing: Feature English Language – FX/Foley
(TIE) Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant

Best Sound Editing: TV Short Form – Music
House of Cards - Chapter 33

Best Sound Editing: TV Short Form – Musical
Empire - Die But Once

Best Sound Editing: TV Short Form – Dialogue/ADR
Game of Thrones - Hardhome

Best Sound Editing: TV Short Form – FX/Foley
Game of Thrones - Hard Home

Best Sound Editing: TV Long Form – Music
Saints & Stranger - Night 2

Best Sound Editing: TV Long Form – Musical
Teen Beach 2

Best Sound Editing: TV Long Form – Dialogue/ADR
Bessie

Best Sound Editing: TV Long Form – FX/Foley
Texas Rising

Best Sound Editing & Music: TV Documentary Short Form
India's Daughter

Best Sound Editing & Music: TV Documentary Long Form
The Spymasters: CIA in the Crosshairs

Best Sound Editing & Music: TV Animation
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Annihilation Earth

Best Sound Editing & Music: Animation – Feature Film
Inside Out

Best Sound Editing & Music: Documentary – Feature Film
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Best Sound Editing & Music: Feature Film – Foreign Language
Son of Saul

Best Sound Editing & Music: Computer Episodic Entertainment (Webisode)
Joy Ride - Prequel

Best Sound Editing & Music: Game Cinematics
Halo 5 - Guardians

Best Sound Editing & Music: Direct To Video Animation
Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast

Best Sound Editing & Music: Direct To Video Live Action
All the Wildreness

Best Sound Editing & Music: Special Venue
Journey to Space

Verna Fields Award in Sound Editing for Student Film Makers
Fulfilament

The 36th Annual Golden Raspberry "Razzie" Award "Winners"

Worst Picture 2015
(TIE) Fantastic Four and Fifty Shades of Grey

Worst Actor 2015
Jamie Dornan "Fifty Shades of Grey"

Worst Actress 2015
Dakota Johnson "Fifty Shades of Grey"

Worst Director 2015
Josh Trank "Fantastic Four"

Worst Screenplay 2015
Kelly Marcel "Fifty Shades of Grey"

Worst Supporting Actor 2015
Eddie Redmayne "Jupiter Ascending"

Worst Supporting Actress 2015
Kaley Cuoco "Alvin & The Chipmunks: Road Chip" and "The Wedding Ringer"

Worst Remake, Rip-Off
Fantastic Four

Worst Screen Combo 2015
Jamie Dornan & Dakota Johnson "Fifty Shades of Grey"

Razzie Redeemer Award 2015
Sylvester Stallone

The Oscar Narrative: Why I Love the Oscars

Someone recently asked me this: Why do you love the Oscars so much? This may sound strange, but no one has actually ever asked me that question. It kind of caught me of guard. Why do I love the Oscars? Yes, the Oscars are too white, too old, too male, and often they simply miss the boat. My two favorite films of the year are Inside Out and Star Wars, neither of which were nominated for Best Picture. So I should be mad, right? I am upset that no black actors were nominated this year. I am upset that my two favorite films missed out on that top prize. But in the end that is not what The Oscars are about. I hear people say, "The Oscars never get it right", or "my favorite film never wins, so they must be wrong". The Oscars are not about right or wrong. They are a group of people, just like any other group, that pick the films they like. They may not be your favorites, but they are their favorites. They are human, they are subjective, and to judge them too harshly is hypocritical. For the record, they don't always get it right. How Green Was My Valley over Citizen Kane. Going My Way over Double Indemnity. An American in Paris over A Streetcar Named Desire. Kramer vs. Kramer over Apocalypse Now. Ordinary People over Raging Bull. Chariots of Fire over Raiders of the Lost Ark. Out of Africa over The Color Purple. Dances With Wolves over Goodfellas. The English Patient over Fargo. But for every time they get it wrong, they also get it right. It Happened One Night won Best Picture, so did Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, The Best Years of Our Lives, All About Eve, On the Waterfront, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Apartment, West Side Story, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, Midnight Cowboy, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter, Terms of Endearment, Platoon, The Silence of the Lambs, Unforgiven, Schindler's List, American Beauty, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Departed, No Country For Old Men, The King's Speech, and Birdman. In the end, I don't watch the Oscars because I think they are the be all, end all of movies. I don't watch the Oscars because I think it is always a perfect awards ceremony. If you want a perfect awards ceremony, watch the Tonys. The Oscars are too long and they always have eye-rolling stunts to draw in viewers that make most of us groan. I love the Oscars because I love film. I think that film has the power to draw in people and transport them to another world. Film has the power to strike at our emotions, to make us laugh, cry, feel. Film has the power to touch our souls, to make us think. To quote my friend Xina: "Film can be literature". Whether you agree with the Oscar choices or not, every year for 88 years, the Oscars have celebrated film. They put film on a platform, where millions of people around the world can tune in. They make people listen, they encourage people to go to a theater, and experience film as it should be experienced. I love film. I think it is our most powerful medium, and I think that it has produced some of the greatest works of art in human history. So this year, as every year, I will watch the Oscars start to finish. I will cheer the winners I like, and boo the ones I don't. I will celebrate film as it deserves to be celebrated. And as the final credits role, I will reflect on 2015 in film. And then I will move on. #Oscars2017 will call my name. A new year will dawn, a new Oscar race will emerge. And this time next year, as is the case every year, I will once again celebrate film. I am now a full time library technician, and a part time graduate student. I leave work, and work on school work. My time is precious. I cannot think of a more endearing use of what little free time I have, than to watch brilliant films, write about brilliant films, and celebrate the magic of the movies.

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Final List

I am so tempted to move Best Picture, but we all know that is always a bad idea.

Best Picture - The Revenant
Best Director - Alejandro Gonalez Inarritu "The Revenant"
Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio "The Revenant"
Best Actress - Brie Larson "Room"
Best Supporting Actor - Sylvester Stallone "Creed"
Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander "The Danish Girl"
Best Adapted Screenplay - Charles Randolph and Adam McKay "The Big Short"
Best Original Screenplay - Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy "Spotlight"
Best Animated Feature - Inside Out
Best Documentary Feature - Amy
Best Foreign Language Film - Son of Saul (Hungary)
Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki "The Revenant"
Best Costume Design - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Film Editing - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Makeup and Hairstyling - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Original Score - Ennio Morricone "The Hateful Eight"
Best Original Song - Lady Gaga and Diane Warren "Til It Happens to You" from "The Hunting Ground"
Best Production Design - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Sound Mixing - The Revenant
Best Sound Editing - The Revenant
Best Visual Effects - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Animated Short - World of Tomorrow
Best Documentary Short - A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Best Live Action Short - Shok

The 31st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards

Best Feature
Spotlight

Best Director
Tom McCarthy "Spotlight"

Best Screenplay
Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer "Spotlight"

Best First Screenplay
Emma Donoghue "Room"

Best First Feature
The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Best Female Lead
Brie Larson "Room"

Best Male Lead
Abraham Attah "Beasts of No Nation"

Best Supporting Female
Mya Taylor "Tangerine"

Best Supporting Male
Idris Elba "Beasts of No Nation"

Best Documentary
The Look of Silence

Best Cinematography 
Ed Lachman "Carol"

Best Editing
Tom McArdle "Spotlight"

Best International Film
Son of Saul

John Cassavetes Award
Krisha

Robert Altman Award
Spotlight

Someone to Watch Award
Felix Thompson "King Jack"

Piaget Producers Award
Mel Eslyn

Truer Than Fiction
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi "Incorruptible"

The Oscar Narrative: Best Picture and Best Director

Best Picture
Will Win - The Revenant
Could Win - Spotlight, The Big Short, or Mad Max: Fury Road
Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Commentary - I have no idea which film is winning Best Picture. The Big Short is the only film statistically that can win this award. Period. But stats seem to be failing us this year. Spotlight feels like the Best Picture winner, its the film that people like the most. Like matters more than love in a preferential ballot. My brain says Spotlight or The Big Short. My heart says The Revenant. It would have to defy a lot of odds. The first film since Braveheart without a SAG Ensemble nod. The first film since Titanic to win without a screenplay nomination. The first time EVER a director wins back to back Best Picture Oscars. The odds are not in The Revenant's favor. And yet here we are. It has the momentum, it is the "brilliant film making" tag attached to it (although if they are going to go that way, why the hell are they not voting for Mad Max). So I am going with my gut, which says The Revenant. But this is still a three-way race, and it will be a nail-biter till the end.

Best Director
Will Win - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "The Revenant"
Could Win - George Miller "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Should Win - George Miller "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Commentary - How the hell is George Miller not winning this Oscar? They are going to go with a "visionary" director, and instead of picking the veteran who reinvented his own franchise and improved it from cult classic to brilliant film making, they pick the same guy they picked last year? I think Inarritu is brilliant, and I am so happy to see him getting his due. And both he and Miller are Oscar winners, so I really should just get over it. But I can't! Inarritu won the BAFTA, the DGA, and the Globe. He is winning a second Oscar. I still hold out hope that voters realize that they should think differently. Of course, they could have nominated Ridley Scott, and then picked him so that all three were Oscar winners. But I digress. Inarritu for the win.

The Oscar Narrative: Final Nomination Predictions - Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress

Best Actor
Will Win - Leonardo DiCaprio "The Revenant"
Could Win - Bryan Cranston "Trumbo" or Eddie Redmayne "The Danish Girl"
Should Win - Michael Fassbender "Steve Jobs" or Leonardo DiCaprio "The Revenant"
Commentary - For the last 20 years, Leonardo DiCaprio has been chasing an Oscar, despite some excellent performances, he has never ever been considered the front runner. For the record, the actors who beat him were worthy, but still that is a long time to wait for one of the finest actors of this generation. If Bryan Cranston or Eddie Redmayne were going to make a play, they would have. But after so many, this is finally Leo's year. My personal favorite performance of the bunch was Michael Fassbender, but I will be thrilled to finally see Leo accept an Oscar.

Best Actress
Will Win - Brie Larson "Room"
Could Win - Saoirse Ronan "Brooklyn"
Should Win - Charlotte Rampling "45 Years"
Commentary - At the beginning of this race, it was Ronan vs. Larson, and the critics were split between the two. But when Larson won the BAFTA, that sealed the deal for me. Room got that surprise Director nod, and has recently gained some vocal supporters. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Larson is breathtaking in the role, has already proven her chops many times before, and is a young Hollywood talent that has a long future ahead of her.

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win - Sylvester Stallone "Creed"
Could Win - Mark Rylance "Bridge of Spies", Christian Bale "The Big Short" or Mark Ruffalo "Spotlight"
Should Win - Sylvester Stallone "Creed"
Commentary - Rylance won the BAFTA, and a Bale or Ruffalo win might signal overall strength for Spotlight or The Big Short. But this is an award that is an anomaly. Despite no SAG nod and no BAFTA nod, I think that Sly Stallone finally wins an Oscar for his beloved Rocky Balboa. There is not a lot a precedent, and if we are sticking with stats, the winner would probably be Rylance. But when Stallone won the Globe and the Critics Choice, and presented at the Image Awards, he lit up the room and received rapturous applause. There is something about Stallone this year that just feels magical and unstoppable. I think the magic continues.

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win - Alicia Vikander "The Danish Girl"
Could Win - Kate Winslet "Steve Jobs"
Should Win - Rachel McAdams "Spotlight" or Rooney Mara "Carol"
Commentary - I personally get tired of category fraud, but there seems to be no stopping it. My personal vote would go to McAdams for a subtle, but effective performance, or to Mara who holds her own against the dynamite Cate Blanchett. But this is a two-way race between Vikander and Winslet. When Winslet was up against Vikander's Ex Machina role at the Globes and BAFTA, she won. But when she was up against her Danish Girl performance she lost. Plus, as I said, this is category fraud, as Vikander is clearly a lead performer. Both of those factors play a role here, and Vikander is my pick. But it is far from a done deal.

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Best Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and Foreign Language Film

Best Animated Feature
Will Win - Inside Out
Could Win - Anomalisa or Shaun the Sheep Movie
Should Win - Inside Out
Commentary - Inside Out is the best film of 2015. Period. It is brilliantly original, wildly entertaining, and appeals to everyone. If Anomalisa or Shaun the Sheep Movie were going to try to upset, they would have made a move by now. It looks like Inside Out to the finish line.

Best Documentary Feature
Will Win - Amy
Could Win - Cartel Land, Winter on Fire, The Look of Silence, or What Happened Miss Simone?
Should Win - Amy
Commentary - I think that Amy is a brilliant look at heartbreak and addiction, and tells such a fascinating story without trying too hard. But I am worried about this one. When Cartel Land won the DGA, it was the first major award that showed that the Amy front runner could be beaten. Sometimes they go with the celebrity doc or they go with the "important" doc. Amy is still in the lead, but if there is an upset, watch out for Cartel Land. If just the Documentary Branch was voting, I might be tempted to go with The Look of Silence, as Joshua Oppenheimer is beloved among the ranks. And we cannot count out the Netflix campaigning machine for Winter on Fire or What Happened Miss Simone? This is one of those races that everyone thinks is locked up, but really it is still a five-film race.

Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win - Son of Saul (Hungary)
Could Win - Mustang (France)
Should Win - Son of Saul (Hungary)
Commentary - We have been talking about Son of Saul for months now. At one point there was discussion of a Best Picture push. While some folks deemed it "too divisive" for bigger awards, I still think it is safely in the lead here. What can upset? Mustang. Watch out for Mustang. It has some passionate supporters, and this category is always a bit finicky. My observance is that it is all too little, too late. This is Son of Saul's to lose, and since it's the best of the bunch, I hope it prevails.

18th Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Awards

Excellence in Contemporary Film
Beasts of No Nation – Jenny Eagan

Excellence in Period Film
The Danish Girl – Paco Delgado

Excellence in Fantasy Film
Mad Max: Fury Road – Jenny Beavan

Outstanding Contemporary Television Series
American Horror Story: Hotel – Lou Eyrich

Outstanding Period Television Series
The Knick – Ellen Mirojnick

Outstanding Fantasy Television Series
Game of Thrones – Michele Clapton

Excellence in Short Form Design
Most Interesting Man in the World Wins on Land, Sea & Air, Dos Equis Commercial – Julie Vogel

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Best Original and Adapted Screenplay

Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win - Charles Randolph and Adam McKay "The Big Short"
Could Win - Emma Donoghue "Room"
Should Win - Drew Goddard "The Martian"
Commentary - I think Drew Goddard pulled off a feat translating The Martian to the screen, and I still haven't gotten over the Aaron Sorkin snub. But I digress. This is The Big Short's to lose. It is the Best Picture front runner of the bunch, and has won every major precursor for this that matters. If anyone upsets it is Room, which clearly has some support.

Best Original Screenplay
Will Win - Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer "Spotlight"
Could Win - Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff, Alan Wenkus, and S. Leigh Savidge "Straight Outta Compton"
Should Win - Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley and Ronnie Del Carmen "Inside Out"
Commentary - Inside Out should win this category by a mile. There is no film more original, vibrant, or deserving. But once again, this is Spotlight's to lose. It has hit the right notes all season, and might be (like The Big Short), the one award it takes as a consolation prize. If anything upsets it is Straight Outta Compton. Yes, all of the screenwriters are white, but it could send a message to the rest of world that they are paying attention to obvious issues. For the record, I hope that if Straight Outta Compton wins, it is because it is a great film, I just know that politics plays too heavily sometimes in a lot of these votes .

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing

Best Cinematography
Will Win - Emmanuel Lubezki "The Revenant"
Could Win - John Seale "Mad Max: Fury Road" or Roger Deakins "Sicario"
Should Win - John Seale "Mad Max: Fury Road" or Roger Deakins "Sicario"
Commentary - Lubezki is genius, John Seale is a legend. But both have already won. It is about damn time that Academy voters reward Roger Deakins. But alas, this is Lubezki's to lose. The Revenant is the Best Picture front runner, the cinematography is brilliant, and he has won every major precursor.

Best Costume Design
Will Win - Jenny Beavan "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Could Win - Sandy Powell "Cinderella" or Sandy Powell "Carol"
Should Win - Sandy Powell "Carol"
Commentary - Carol deserves to win here, if not for the great costume work, for the fact that it deserves at least one moment on that stage. Cinderella, another Sandy Powell creation, has the flash that usually does well here. But I have a hunch that Mad Max is going to win here. You have to go back to 2007 to find a BAFTA winner that did not repeat here. If Mad Max eclipses Cinderella tomorrow night at the CDG Awards, then momentum is definitely in its favor.

Best Film Editing
Will Win - Margaret Sixel "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Could Win - Hank Corwin "The Big Short" or Stephen Mirrione "The Revenant"
Should Win - Margaret Sixel "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Commentary - If The Big Short wins here early on, it could signal its chances of Best Picture are stronger. But I think this is Mad Max's to lose. The Revenant is in play simply if a sweep occurs, but the Eddie split between Mad Max and The Big Short, and Mad Max won the BAFTA. This is a closer race than most people assume, and it is a comedy versus a fantasy film, neither of which are Academy favorites. I pick Mad Max in a close one.

Pre-Nominations for 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

About a month ago, the NATAS announced the pre-nominations for the performance categories for the 43rd Daytime Emmys. I completely missed the boat, and apologize. But it's better late than never. The full list of nominations will be announced on March 24th! For more info visit: http://emmyonline.com/


OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES 

TRACEY E. BREGMAN, as Lauren Fenmore Baldwin
The Young and the Restless, CBS

EILEEN DAVIDSON, as Ashley Abbott
The Young and the Restless, CBS

KASSIE DEPAIVA, as Eve Larson
Days of Our Lives, NBC

MELISSA CLAIRE EGAN, as Chelsea Newman
The Young and the Restless, CBS

MARY BETH EVANS, as Kayla Brady
Days of Our Lives, NBC

FINOLA HUGHES, as Anna Devane
General Hospital, ABC

KATE MANSI, as Abigail Devereaux
Days of Our Lives, NBC

GINA TOGNONI, as Phyllis Newman Abbott
The Young and the Restless, CBS

MAURA WEST, as Ava Jerome
General Hospital, ABC

LAURA WRIGHT, as Carly Corinthos
General Hospital, ABC

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES 

MAURICE BENARD, as Sonny Corinthos
General Hospital, ABC

ERIC BRAEDEN, as Victor Newman
The Young and the Restless, CBS

TYLER CHRISTOPHER, as Nikolas Cassadine
General Hospital, ABC

DOUG DAVIDSON, as Paul Williams
The Young and the Restless, CBS

BILLY FLYNN, as Chad DiMera
Days of Our Lives, NBC

ANTHONY GEARY, as Luke Spencer
General Hospital, ABC

JUSTIN HARTLEY, as Adam Newman
The Young and the Restless, CBS

THORSTEN KAYE, as Ridge Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

CHRISTIAN LEBLANC, as Michael Baldwin
The Young and the Restless, CBS

KRISTOFF ST. JOHN, as Neil Winters
The Young and the Restless, CBS

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

LAURALEE BELL, as Christine Williams
The Young and the Restless, CBS

MOLLY BURNETT, as Melanie Jonas
Days of Our Lives, NBC

JESSICA COLLINS, as Avery Bailey Clark
The Young and the Restless, CBS

JUDI EVANS, as Adrienne Kiriakis
Days of Our Lives, NBC

LINSEY GODFREY, as Caroline Spencer
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

CHRISTEL KHALIL, as Lily Winters Ashby
The Young and the Restless, CBS

PEGGY MCCAY, as Caroline Brady
Days of Our Lives, NBC

SOFIA PERNAS, as Marisa Sierras
The Young and the Restless, CBS

MELISSA REEVES, as Jennifer Horton
Days of Our Lives, NBC

KELLY SULLIVAN, as Sage Warner
The Young and the Restless, CBS

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES 

SEAN BLAKEMORE, as Shawn Butler
General Hospital, ABC

DARIN BROOKS, as Wyatt Spencer
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

STEVE BURTON, as Dylan McAvoy
The Young and the Restless, CBS

SEAN CARRIGAN, as Ben “Stitch” Rayburn
The Young and the Restless, CBS

BRYTON JAMES, as Devon Hamilton
The Young and the Restless, CBS

WALLY KURTH, as Justin Kiriakis
Days of Our Lives, NBC

GREG RIKAART, as Kevin Fisher
The Young and the Restless, CBS

CHRISTOPHER SEAN, as Paul Narita
Days of Our Lives, NBC

JACOB YOUNG, as Rick Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

DOMINIC ZAMPROGNA, as Dante Falconeri
General Hospital, ABC

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

CAMILA BANUS, as Gabi Hernandez
Days of Our Lives, NBC

LAUREN BOLES, as Ciara Brady
Days of Our Lives,   NBC

ASHLEIGH BREWER, as Ivy Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

REIGN EDWARDS, as Nicole Avant
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

HAYLEY ERIN, as Kiki Jerome
General Hospital, ABC

KELLI GOSS, as Courtney Sloan
The Young and the Restless, CBS

CAMRYN GRIMES, as Mariah Copeland
The Young and the Restless, CBS

VIVIAN JOVANNI, as Ciara Brady
Days of Our Lives, NBC

OLIVIA KEEGAN, as Claire Brady
Days of Our Lives, NBC

HUNTER KING, as Summer Newman
The Young and the Restless, CBS

ALYVIA ALYN LIND, as Faith Newman
The Young and the Restless, CBS

TRUE O’BRIEN, as Paige Larson
Days of Our Lives, NBC

ASHLYN PEARCE, as Aly Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

BROOKLYN RAE SILZER, as Emma Drake
General Hospital, ABC

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

NICOLAS BECHTEL, as Spencer Cassadine
General Hospital, ABC

BRYAN CRAIG, as Morgan Corinthos
General Hospital, ABC

MAX EHRICH, as Fenmore Baldwin
The Young and the Restless, CBS

ROME FLYNN, as Zende Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

PIERSON FODÉ, as Thomas Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS

CONNOR KALOPSIS, as Chase Jennings
Days of Our Lives, NBC

JAMES LASTOVIC, as Joey Johnson
Days of Our Lives, NBC

JONATHAN MCCLENDON, as Chase Jennings
Days of Our Lives, NBC

CASEY MOSS, as JJ Devereaux
Days of Our Lives, NBC

TERRELL RANSOM JR., as Theo Carver
Days of Our Lives, NBC

TEQUAN RICHMOND, as TJ Ashford
General Hospital, ABC

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing and Sound Editing

Best Production Design
Will Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Could Win - Bridge of Spies, The Martian, The Revenant
Should Win - The Revenant could win in a sweep, The Martian is a feat, and Bridge of Spies  could pull off a Lincoln-type upset. But I think this is Mad Max: Fury Road's to lose. George Miller and his brilliant team created this vile, hot, and brilliant world in a stylistic way that defies reason. I will be surprised if anything upsets.

Best Sound Mixing
Will Win - The Revenant
Could Win - Mad Max: Fury Road or Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Commentary - This was Mad Max's to lose. Then The Revenant won the CAS and the BAFTA, and suddenly the tables are turned. I think that The Revenant is in for a big night, including Best Picture, and as a technical achievement is poised to take more than just Cinematography. This is still a tight race, but the tides have turned in favor of The Revenant here, and I think it upsets.

Best Sound Editing
Will Win - The Revenant
Could Win - Mad Max: Fury Road or Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Commentary - This category seems to be the same with Sound Mixing if there is no musical. I think that if The Revenant wins Mixing, it wins here as well. That also goes for Mad Max, if it wins one, it will probably win the other.

The 52nd Annual Cinema Audio Society (CAS) Awards

I've had this hunch that The Revenant was going to take the Sound Awards at the Oscars, over Mad Max and Star Wars. This, along with the BAFTA, proves I was not too out there. Mad Max could still triumph, but if The Revenant wins Best Picture, I think it takes these along with it.

Motion Picture - Live Action
The Revenant

Motion Picture - Animated
Inside Out

Television Movie or Miniseries
Fargo Season 2: Episode 5

Television Series - 1 Hr
Game of Thrones: Hardhome

Television Series - 30 Minutes
Modern Family: Connection Lost

Nonfiction, Variety or Musical Series or Special
Live From Lincoln Center: Danny Elfman's Music From the Films of Tim Burton

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Production
Sound Devices SL-6

Post Production
Izotope RX5

2016 Makeup and Hair Stylists Guild Awards

FEATURE MOTION PICTURE -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-­UP
FURIOUS 7
Make-­Up Artists: James MacKinnon, Autumn Butler, Roxy D’Alonzo

FEATURE MOTION PICTURE -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING
PITCH PERFECT 2
Hair Stylists: Cheryl Marks, Meagan Herrera, Daina Daigle

FEATURE MOTION PICTURE -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKE-­UP
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Make-­Up Artists: Lesley Vanderwalt, Nadine Prigge, Ailie Smith

FEATURE MOTION PICTURE -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIR STYLING
CINDERELLA
Hair Stylists: Carol Hemming, Orla Carroll, Wakana Yoshihara

FEATURE MOTION PICTURE -­ BEST SPECIAL MAKE-­UP EFFECTS
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Make-­Up Artists: Damian Martin, Elka Wardega, Jaco Snyman

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA SERIES -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-­UP
DANCING WITH THE STARS
Make-­Up Artists: Zena Shteysel, Angela Moos, Patti Bortoli

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA SERIES -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING
DANCING WITH THE STARS
Hair Stylists: Mary Guerrero, Kimi Messina, Jennifer Guerrero

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKE-­UP
GAME OF THRONES
Make-­Up Artist: Jane Walker

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA SERIES -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIR STYLING
GAME OF THRONES
Hair Stylists: Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA SERIES -­ BEST SPECIAL MAKE-­UP EFFECTS
THE WALKING DEAD
Make-­Up Artists: Greg Nicotero, Garrett Immel

TELEVISION MINI SERIES (MOW) -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-­UP
SCREAM QUEENS
Make-­Up Artists: Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kelley Mitchell, Melissa Buell

TELEVISION MINI SERIES (MOW) -­ BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING
WHITNEY
Hair Stylists: Emanuel Millar, Rhonda O’Neal

TELEVISION MINI SERIES (MOW) -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKE-­UP
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL
Make-­Up Artists: Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Sarah Tanno

TELEVISION MINI-­SERIES OR MOW -­ BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIR STYLING
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL
Hair Stylists: Monte C Haught, Darlene Brumfield, Frederic Aspiras

TELEVISION MINI SERIES (MOW) -­ BEST SPECIAL MAKE-­UP EFFECTS
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL
Make-­Up Artists: Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, David Anderson

COMMERCIALS AND MUSIC VIDEOS -­ BEST MAKE-­UP
AMERICAN HORROR STORY, HOTEL PROMO
Make-­Up Artists: Kerry Herta, Jason Collins

COMMERCIALS AND MUSIC VIDEOS -­ BEST HAIR STYLING
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL
Hair Stylists: Nicole Alkire, Marissa Smith

THEATRICAL PRODUCTION -­ BEST MAKE-­UP
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Make-­Up Artists: Vanessa Dionne, Rheanne Garcia, Deborah Bryan

THEATRICAL PRODUCTION -­ BEST HAIR STYLING
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Hair Stylists: Vanessa Dionne, Cassandra Russek

CHILDREN AND TEEN PROGRAMMING -­ BEST MAKE-­UP
HENRY DANGER
Make-­Up Artists: Michael Johnston, Patti Brand Reese, Melanie Mills

CHILDREN AND TEEN PROGRAMMING -­ BEST HAIR STYLING
HENRY DANGER
Hair Stylists: Joe Matke, Roma Goddard, Mary Lum

DAYTIME TELEVISION -­ BEST MAKE-­UP
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Make-­Up Artists: Patricia Denney, Marlene Mason, Kathy Jones

DAYTIME TELEVISION -­ BEST HAIR STYLING
THE REAL
Hair Stylist: Roberta Gardener Rogers

The USC Scripter Award

No surprise here as The Big Short marches to that Adapted Screenplay win at the Oscars. Love the Show Me a Hero win here. It did not do well with Globes and SAG, but I'm hoping it still captures some Emmys.

Film
Charles Randolph and Adam McKay "The Big Short" From Michael Lewis' "The Big Short"

Television
William F. Forzi and David Simon "Show Me a Hero" from Lisa Belkin's "Show Me a Hero"

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Best Original Score and Best Original Song

Best Original Score
Will Win - Ennio Morricone "The Hateful Eight"
Could Win - John Williams "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" or Thomas Newman "Bridge of Spies"
Should Win - Ennio Morricone or Thomas Newman
Commentary - This is one of those awards that did not have a clear front runner, but recently has had pundits crowd around one. Ennio Morricone is a legend, and despite multiple nominations over the years, has only ever won an Honorary Oscar. He won the Globe and BAFTA, he is overdue, and Harvey and Quentin are pushing hard for this win. If Morricone can't win, I hope it goes to Thomas Newman, another overdue veteran in this category. Also watch out for John Williams. He has won for Star Wars before, oh and he's John Williams.

Best Original Song
Will Win - Lady Gaga and Diane Warren "Til It Happens to You" from "The Hunting Ground"
Could Win - The Weeknd, Ahmad Balshe, Jason Quenneville, and Stephan Moccio "Earned It" from "Fifty Shades of Grey" or Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith "Writing's On the Wall" from "Spectre"
Should Win - Lady Gaga and Diane Warren "Til It Happens to You" from "The Hunting Ground"
Commentary - I don't really have a dog in this fight, other than it would be great to see Diane Warren finally win an Oscar, so of the bunch, that is my choice. But this is a three-way race. Writing's on the Wall won the Globe, and it could win the Oscar, but it is such a terrible song. I love Sam Smith, and I think he is a great new talent, but compared to Skyfall, this ballad is a dud. I think this will end up being between Gaga and The Weeknd. Several folks are going for The Weeknd, because he just won a bunch of Grammys, and it would be a black Oscar winner, in a year where #OscarsSoWhite was dominant. If it wins, I really do hope that it is because it's a great song from an incredible talent, but we all know politics plays into these things a lot more than we wish they would. In the end I think two things will play against The Weeknd here. First, I just can't imagine voters want "Oscar-winning film Fifty Shades of Grey" to be a tagline. Second, Gaga has been working it lately. She is all over the news with her PGA performance, Super Bowl National Anthem, and her buzzed David Bowie tribute at the Grammys. Weinstein is behind this film, and they know what they are doing. I think that her campaign will win over more voters than the other four.

The Oscar Narrative: Final Oscar Predictions - Visual Effects, Makeup and Hairstyling, and The Shorts

Best Makeup and Hair Styling
Will Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Could Win - The Revenant
Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road
Commentary - The Revenant could benefit from the grit and grime, but I would be jaw-dropped if anything other than Mad Max: Fury Road won here. The makeup was front and center, it was bold and brilliant, and as we know, usually the most wins. And Mad Max certainly has the most makeup of the bunch.

Best Visual Effects
Will Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Could Win - The Revenant, The Martian, or Mad Max: Fury Road
Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Commentary - I don't think that Oscar voters are going to let Star Wars go away empty handed. BAFTA and the VES went for Star Wars in this category, and I think that Academy voters will follow suit, even over their Best Picture favorites The Revenant and Mad Max. Plus, I think it deserves to. Unlike the prequels, this film actually felt real. That's because the visual effects team beautifully worked special effects into built sets in a way that seamlessly blended the old and the new. I think it surprises here.

Best Animated Short
Will Win - World of Tomorrow
Could Win - Bear Story or Sanjay's Super Team
Should Win - World of Tomorrow

Best Documentary Short
Will Win -  Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah
Could Win - Body Team 12 or Chau, Beyond the Lines
Should Win - Body Team 12

Best Live Action Short
Will Win - Shok
Could Win - Ave Maria or Stutterer
Should Win - Shok

16th Annual Black Reel Award Winners

Outstanding Film
Creed

Outstanding Actor
Michael B. Jordan "Creed"

Outstanding Actress
Teyonah Parris "Chi-Raq"

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Idris Elba "Beasts of No Nation"

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Tessa Thompson "Creed"

Outstanding Director
Ryan Coogler "Creed"

Outstanding Screenplay
Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington "Creed"

Outstanding Documentary
What Happened, Miss Simone

Outstanding Ensemble
Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Foreign-Language Film
Girlhood

Outstanding Score
Joseph Trapanese "Straight Outta Compton"

Outstanding Original Song
“See You Again” - Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth (Furious 7)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Abraham Attah "Beasts of No Nation"

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Kiersey Clemons "Dope"

Outstanding Voice Performance
Rihanna "Home"

Outstanding Independent Film
Tangerine

Outstanding Independent Documentary
Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Blues

Outstanding Independent Short
Addiction

Outstanding TV Documentary or Special
The Wiz Live!

Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series
Bessie

Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
David Oyelowo "Nightingale"

Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series
Queen Latifah "Bessie"

Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
Bokeem Woodbine "Fargo"

Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series
Regina King "American Crime"

Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series
Dee Rees "Bessie"

Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Limited Series
John Ridley "American Crime"

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards

In all of the Grammy madness, I forgot to post the ASC winners! My apologies, although to be fair, we all knew Lubezki was going to win, and he will probably win his third Oscar in a row.

Theatrical Release
Emmanuel Lubezki "The Revenant"

Television Movie, Miniseries, or Pilot
Pierre Gill "Casanova"

TV Series
Vanja Cernjul "Marco Polo - The Fourth Step"

Spotlight
(TIE) Adam Arkapaw "Macbeth" and Matyas Erdely "Son of Saul"

Lifetime Achievement Award
John Toll

Board of Governors Award
Ridley Scott

Career Achievement in Television Award
Lowell Peterson

Presidents Award
Bill Bennett

ASC Gordon Willis Heritage Award Winners

Undergraduate
Nicolas Aguilar Ketchum "Run"

Documentary
Rob W. Scribner "Warbird Pilot: Behind the Visor"

Graduate
Steven Holloway "The Defeat (x3)"

The 58th Annual Grammy Awards

I will update as it goes along:

Album of the Year - Taylor Swift "1989"
Record of the Year - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Song of the Year - Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge "Thinking Out Loud"
Best New Artist - Meghan Trainor
Best Country Album - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Best Rap Album - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Best Musical Theater Album - Hamilton
Best Rock Performance - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Best Pop Solo Performance - Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap "The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern"
Best Pop Vocal Album - Taylor Swift "1989"
Best Dance Recording - Skrillex and Diplo feat. Justin Bieber "Where Are U Now"
Best Dance/Electronica Album - Skrillex and Diplo "Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U"
Best Metal Performance - Ghost "Cirice"
Best Rock Song - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Best Rock Album - Muse "Drones"
Best Alternative Music Album - Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color"
Best R&B Performance - The Weeknd "Earned It"
Best Traditional R&B Performance - Lalah Hathaway "Little Ghetto Boy"
Best R&B Song - D'Angelo and Kendra Foster "Really Love"
Best Urban Contemporary Album - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Best R&B Album - D'Angelo and the Vanguard "Black Messiah"
Best Rap Performance - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise, and Thundercat "These Walls"
Best Rap Song - Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Best Country Performance - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Best Country Duo/Group Performance - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Best Country Song - Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose "Girl Crush"
Best Gospel Performance/Song - Kirk Franklin "Wanna Be Happy?"
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song - Francesca Battistelli "Holy Spirit"
Best Gospel Album - Israel & NewBreed "Covered: Alive in Asia [Live]"
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album - Tobymac "This is Not a Test"
Best Roots Gospel Album - The Fairfield Four "Still Rockin' My Soul"
Best American Roots Performance - Mavis Staples "See That My Grave is Kept Clean"
Best American Roots Song - Jason Isbell "24 Frames"
Best Americana Album - Jason Isbell "Something More Than Free"
Best Spoken Word Album - Jimmy Carter "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety"
Best Comedy Album - Louis C.K. "Live at Madison Square Garden"
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media - Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media - Antonio Sanchez "Birdman"
Best Song Written for Visual Media - Lonnie Lynn, John Stephens, and Che Smith "Glory" from "Selma"
Best Music Video - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood"
Best Music Film - Amy

2016 Grammy Predictions: Final List

Album of the Year - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Record of the Year - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Song of the Year - Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Best New Artist - James Bay
Best Pop Vocal Album - Taylor Swift "1989"
Best Pop Solo Performance - Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap "The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern"
Best Dance Recording - Skrillex and Diplo feat. Justin Bieber "Where Are U Now"
Best Dance/Electronica Album - Skrillex and Diplo "Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U"
Best Rock Performance - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Best Rock Song - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Best Rock Album - Muse "Drones"
Best Alternative Music Album - Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color"
Best R&B Performance - The Weeknd "Earned It"
Best Traditional R&B Performance - Jazmine Sullivan "Let it Burn"
Best R&B Song - Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville & Abel Tesfaye "Earned It"
Best Urban Contemporary Album - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Best R&B Album - D'Angelo and the Vanguard "Black Messiah"
Best Rap Performance - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - Common & John Legend "Glory"
Best Rap Song - Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Best Rap Album - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Best Country Solo Performance - Carrie Underwood "Little Toy Guns"
Best Country Duo/Group Performance - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Best Country Song - Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose "Girl Crush"
Best Country Album - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Best Spoken Word Album - Jimmy Carter "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety"
Best Comedy Album - Louis C.K. "Live at Madison Square Garden"
Best Musical Theater Album - Hamilton
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media - Empire Season 1
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media - Antonio Sanchez "Birdman"
Best Song Written for Visual Media - Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz "See You Again" from "Furious 7"
Best Music Video - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood"
Best Music Film - Amy

The 69th Annual EE BAFTA Awards

I will update the winners as they come in from London:

Best Film - The Revenant
Best Director - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "The Revenant"
Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio "The Revenant"
Best Actress - Brie Larson "Room"
Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance "Bridge of Spies"
Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet "Steve Jobs"
Best Adapted Screenplay - Adam McKay and Charles Randolph "The Big Short"
Best Original Screenplay - Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy "Spotlight"
Best British Film - Brooklyn
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Documentary - Amy
Best Film Not in the English Language - Wild Tales 

EE Rising Star - John Boyega
Best Debut - Naji Abu Nowar "Theeb"
Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki "The Revenant"
Best Costume Design - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Editing - Mad Max: Fury Road 

Best Makeup and Hair - Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Original Music  - Ennio Morricone "The Hateful Eight"
Best Production Design - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Sound - The Revenant
Best Special Visual Effects - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best British Short Film - Operator
Best Short Animation - Edmond
Best British Contribution to Cinema - Angels Costumes
Fellowship Recipient  - Sir Sidney Poitier

2016 Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards

I will update the winners as they come in...

Best Adapted Screenplay
Charles Randolph and Adam McKay "The Big Short"

Best Original Screenplay
Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy "Spotlight"

Best Documentary Screenplay
Alex Gibney "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief"

Best Drama Series
Mad Men

Best Comedy Series
Veep

Best New Series
Kyle Bradstreet, Kate Erickson, Sam Esmail, David Iserson, Randolph Leon, Adam Penn, Matt Pyken "Mr. Robot"

Best Long Form Adapted
Steve Blackman, Bob DeLaurentis, Noah Hawley, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert "Fargo"

Best Long Form Original
Seth Fisher, Walon Green, Chip Johannessen, Eric Overmyer "Saints & Strangers"

Best Episodic Drama
Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould "Better Call Saul - Uno"

Best Episodic Comedy
Clay Tarver "Silicon Valley - Sand Hill Shuffle"

Best Variety Series - Talk
Real Time with Bill Maher

Best Variety Series - Sketch
Inside Amy Schumer

Best Variety Special
Jimmy Kimmel Live: 10th Annual After The Oscars Special

Best Animation
Dan Fybel "Bob's Burgers - Housetrap"

Best Daytime Drama
General Hospital

Best Quiz and Audience Participation
Hollywood Game Night

Best Children's Script - Episodic and Specials
Gretchen Enders & Aminta Goyel "Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street - Gortimer, Ranger and Mel vs. The Endless Night”

Best Children's Script - Long Form or Special
Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott "Descendants"

Best Videogame Writing
Rise of the Tomb Raider

2016 Grammy Predictions: Album of the Year and Record of the Year

Album of the Year
Will Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Could Win - Taylor Swift "1989" or Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Commentary - Taylor Swift has won here before, and she is the front runner by most people's standards. She sold the most records, got rave reviews, and has managed to keep the album relevant for over a year now. But I just don't see it. Alabama Shakes is my spoiler here. Rave reviews, a ton of nominations, and the most Grammy-friendly of the bunch. But I think Kendrick Lamar is going to pull an upset here. His album has topped almost every Top 10 of 2015 list you can imagine, he has campaigned well over the last couple of months, and there is no need to reward Swift again in this category. Lamar would be a bold and brilliant choice. I hope they take the opportunity.

Record of the Year
Will Win - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Could Win - Taylor Swift "Blank Space" or Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud"
Should Win - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk" or D'Angelo "Really Love"
Commentary - Since D'Angelo has no shot here of winning, my favorite is Uptown Funk, and I think it is going to win. Blank Space and Thinking Out Loud are spoilers, but their voters are probably similar. Uptown Funk reminds me of that Get Lucky win two years ago. It is a fun, infectious, radio-friendly song that also feels old-school. I think Grammy voters will eat that up.

2016 Grammy Predictions: Best New Artist and Song of the Year

Song of the Year
Will Win - Max Martin, Shellback, and  Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Could Win - Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge "Thinking Out Loud" or Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Should Win - Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Commentary - This is a tough one. Ed Sheeran has never won a Grammy, and voters clearly love this song. The best of the bunch is Kendrick Lamar, and I would not discount Girl Crush either. But I think Taylor Swift is going to get a general award this year. Record of the Year will be more difficult, and Album of the Year is a heated race. This feels like the right place to reward a song that is cleverly written.

Best New Artist
Will Win - James Bay
Could Win - Sam Hunt, Meghan Trainor, or Courtney Barnett
Should Win - Courtney Barnett or Tori Kelly
Commentary - I have no idea who is winning this award. Sam Hunt could follow in Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood's footsteps of country artists who have done well here. Tori Kelly and Meghan Trainor are pop hits, but a lot of the time they nominate the popular artist, and then they don't win. Courtney Barnett is the oddest and most different of the bunch (aka Esperanza Spalding). But James Bay did well in the rock categories (so did Sam Hunt, which is why he is my number 2), and I feel like of the bunch, he seems like the best guess.

2016 Grammy Predictions: Pop

Best Pop Vocal Album
Will Win - Taylor Swift "1989"
Could Win - Kelly Clarkson "Piece By Piece" or Mark Ronson "Uptown Special"
Should Win - Florence + The Machine "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful"
Commentary - Kelly Clarkson has upset here before, but this album is not getting the kind of support as the last one. Mark Ronson is a potential, but the rest of Uptown Special failed to meet the high mark set by Uptown Funk. And if I had a vote, Florence would win this by a mile. But this is Taylor Swift's to lose. She has lost a genre album category despite an Album of the Year nomination before, but I don't think that will happen twice.

Best Pop Solo Performance
Will Win - Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Could Win - Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud" or The Weeknd "Can't Feel My Face"
Should Win - Taylor Swift "Blank Space"
Commentary - Blank Space feels like the winner here, but I am really looking at that Ed Sheeran upset. He has yet to win a Grammy Award, and they clearly love this song. I'll leave Taylor there for now, but am seriously considering a switch.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Will Win - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"
Could Win - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood"
Should Win - Florence + The Machine "Ship to Wreck"
Commentary  - Once again, Florence should easily win this award. But, alas stars are not aligned for them, and this is a battle of the dynamic duos. Uptown Funk is up for general awards, so it is the front runner. But a chance to honor the two biggest nominees of the night at the same time? Might be hard to pass up.

Best Traditional Pop Album
Will Win - Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap "The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern"
Could Win - Bob Dylan "Shadows in the Night"
Should Win - Bob Dylan "Shadows in the Night"
Commentary - In the battle between Grammy legends, I am sticking with Bennett in this category, because he has dominated this category for years.

2016 Grammy Predictions: Rock and Alternative

Best Rock Album
Will Win - Muse "Drones"
Could Win - James Bay "Chaos and the Calm"
Should Win - James Bay "Chaos and the Calm"
Commentary - With no Foo Fighters, Elle King, and with Alabama Shakes moving to alternative, this race is kind of a crap shoot. I think it is between Best New Artist nominee James Bay, and old favorite Muse. Muse's Drones got some pretty mixed reviews, even making some "Worst of 2015" lists, but also has its admirers. I am not sure where to go, but I know that history at the Grammys matters, and Muse has won this award before.

Best Rock Performance
Will Win - Alabama Shakes 'Don't Wanna Fight"
Could Win - Foo Fighters "Something from Nothing"
Should Win - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Commentary - Alabama Shakes should win this award. It is the best of the bunch, and its Album of the Year nomination shows broad support. But don't discount the Foo Fighters. They are beloved among Grammy voters, and the fact that their album was almost completely shut out is a jaw-dropper. Their fans and fanatics might still want to reward them.

Best Rock Song
Will Win - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Could Win - James Bay "Hold Back the River" and Florence + The Machine "What Kind of Man"
Should Win - Alabama Shakes "Don't Wanna Fight"
Commentary -  James Bay is clearly popular, and Florence + The Machine are fantastic. But without the Foo Fighters here, I feel even more confident that Alabama Shakes will take this one.

Best Alternative Music Album
Will Win - Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color"
Could Win - Bjork "Vulnicura" or Wilco "Star Wars"
Should Win - Bjork has never won this award, and while there may be some sentiment, that Album of the Year nomination pretty much sealed the deal for Alabama Shakes, and what a worthy winner.

2016 Grammy Predictions - Rap and R&B

Best Rap Album
Will Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Could Win - Nicki Minaj "The Pinkprint" or Drake "If You're Reading This You're Too Late"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Commentary - We've seen surprises in this category before, but Kendrick Lamar could end up winning Album of the Year, and he was easily the best of the bunch. I think this one is a pretty safe bet.

Best Rap Performance
Will Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Could Win - Kanye West Featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney "All Day"
Should Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Commentary - Kendrick Lamar is on a roll, having won this category last year, but if voters want to see Paul McCartney win a rap Grammy, this is their chance.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Will Win - Big Sean feat. John Legend and Kanye West "One Man Can Change the World"
Could Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Should Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Commentary - I feel weird not predicting Glory here, but I think that One Man Can Change the World will surprise everyone with a win here.

Best Rap Song
Will Win - Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams "Alright"
Could Win - Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith & John Stephens "Glory" or tons of people for "All Day"
Should Win - This seems like a lock for the only one to cross over to Song of the Year. But Common and John Legend won an Oscar for Glory, and All Day has so many songwriters that it is hard to pass up, including Kendrick Lamar, and once again Paul McCartney in a rap award.

Best R&B Album
Will Win - D'Angelo and the Vanguard "Black Messiah"
Could Win - Leon Bridges "Coming Home" or Charlie Wilson "Forever Charlie"
Should Win - Charlie Wilson is the legend, and Leon Bridges is a wonderful new voice. But D'Angelo's was the best album, a long awaited return, and got some general category love. I think he wins here.

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Will Win - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Could Win - Miguel "Wildheart"
Should Win - The Weeknd "Beauty Behind the Madness"
Commentary - With that Album of the Year nomination, anyone but The Weeknd here would be a shock.

Best R&B Performance
Will Win - The Weeknd "Earned It"
Could Win - Andra Day "Rise Up"
Should Win - Andra Day "Rise Up"
Commentary - I discovered Andra Day late in the game, and I'm glad I did because she is an incredible new talent. But The Weeknd is, well, The Weeknd.

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Will Win - Jazmine Sullivan "Let it Burn"
Could Win - Tyrese "Shame"
Should Win - Jazmine Sullivan "Let it Burn"
Commentary - Both Shame and Let it Burn got song nominations. I give the edge to Sullivan.

Best R&B Song
Will Win - Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville & Abel Tesfaye "Earned It"
Could Win - D'Angelo & Kendra Foster "Really Love"
Should Win - D'Angelo & Kendra Foster "Really Love"
Commentary - Really Love is the best of the bunch, but I think the power of The Weekend will triumph.

The 68th Annual Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards

Well Well Well. Another mess we have. The last time the three big guilds split was in 2013, with Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, and American Hustle, and we had no idea what was going to win until the envelope was opened. I think this year's race is even tighter, and Inarritu winning here has put The Revenant back in the race. Spotlight, The Big Short, The Revenant, and yes even Mad Max, are all on an interesting trajectory here. I think BAFTA will go for The Revenant, which puts it ahead, but just by a hair. Updated predictions coming soon...

Director of a Motion Picture
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "The Revenant"

First-Time Feature Film Director
Alex Garland "Ex Machina"

Documentary Director
Matthew Heineman "Cartel Land"

Director of a TV Movie/Miniseries
Dee Rees "Bessie"

Director of a Drama Series
David Nutter "Game of Thrones - Mother's Mercy"

Director of a Comedy Series
Chris Addison "Veep - Election Night"

Director of Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Series
Dave Diomedi "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - Episode 325"

Director of a Variety Special
Don Roy King "Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special"

Director of Reality Program
Adam Vetri "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge - Gods of War"

Director of Children's Program
Kenny Ortega "Descendants"

Director of Commercials
Andreas Nilsson

Lifetime Achievement - Television Direction
Joe Pytka

Frank Capra Achievement Award
Mary Rae Thewlis

Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award
Thomas McDermott

The 43rd Annual Annie Awards

Inside Out was the big winner last night, which is no surprise. It pretty much has Animated Feature locked down at this point. My favorite win of the night? Phyllis Smith of course! Such an incredible performance.

Best Animated Feature
Inside Out

Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Pete Docter "Inside Out"

Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Matt Braly "Gravity Falls - Northwest Mansion Mystery”

Best Animated Feature – Independent
Boy and the World

Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production
The Simpsons - Halloween of Horror

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Children
Wander Over Yonder - The Breakfast

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
Tumble Leaf - Mirror

Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley "Inside Out"

Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Steve Davis and Kelvin Yu "Bob’s Burgers - The Hauntening”

Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Phyllis Smith "Inside Out"

Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Kristen Schaal "Bob’s Burgers - Hawk & Chick”

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Commercial
Man and Dog

Best Animated Special Production
He Named Me Malala

Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out

Production Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show

Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out

Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Dragons: Race to the Edge - Have Dragon Will Travel, Part 1

Character Animation in a Live Action Production
The Revenant – Judy

Character Animation in a Video Game
Evolve

Best Animated Short Subject
World of Tomorrow

Animated Effects in an Animated Production
The Good Dinosaur

Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron – Sokovia Destruction

Music in an Animated Feature Production
Michael Giacchino "Inside Out"

Music in an Animated Television/ Broadcast Production
Christopher Willis "Disney Mickey Mouse - ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!”

Character Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas

Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out

Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out

Editorial in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Disney Mickey Mouse - Coned

Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out

Storyboarding in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Disney Mickey Mouse - ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

Best Student Film
ed

Windsor McCay Award
Isao Takahata
Phil Roman
Joe Ranft

June Foray Award
Don Hahn

2016 Grammy Predictions: Country

Best Country Album
Will Win - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Could Win - Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material" or Little Big Town "Pain Killer"
Should Win - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Commentary - Kacey Musgraves has upset here before, and Little Big Town got some general love with a Song of the Year nomination. But when Chris Stapleton got that Album of the Year nomination, that sealed the deal for me. Traveiller has been tearing up the country awards circuit, has all the buzz, and happens to be the best of the bunch.

Best Country Solo Performance
Will Win - Carrie Underwood "Little Toy Guns"
Could Win - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Should Win - Either one
Commentary - While I feel like Album is a done deal, I'm not so sure about this one. Chris Stapleton could sweep the categories, something that happens a lot at the Grammys. But I think that as a single, as a performance, that Carrie Underwood's Little Toy Guns is going to resonate more with voters. She is a Grammy favorite, and has won here before over stiff competition.

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Will Win - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Could Win - Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe "Lonely Tonight" or Joey and Rory "If I Needed You"
Should Win - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Commentary - There is a good reason why Girl Crush got a Song of the Year, and why it will win this award. It is a hell of a song and the best single to come of of country music in this eligibility period. I would be surprised at anything else.

Best Country Song
Will Win - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Could Win - Chris Stapleton "Traveller"
Should Win - Little Big Town "Girl Crush"
Commentary - Chris Stapleton is probably going to win more than one award considering his popularity, but with that Song of the Year nomination, I am hesitant to pick anyone other than Little Big Town here. Although we have seen general category nominations somehow miss out in their genres, so anything could happen.

2016 Grammy Predictions: Spoken Word, Comedy Album, and Musical Theater

Best Spoken Word Album
Will Win - Jimmy Carter "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety"
Could Win - Patti Smith "Blood on Snow" or Amy Poehler "Yes Please"
Should Win - Jimmy Cater "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety"
Commentary - I loved Amy Poehler's Yes Please, and Patti Smith's recording of Jo Nesbo's latest is fascinating, but previous Grammy winner, President Jimmy Carter will probably take this one in a cakewalk. The book is great, he is a former President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and recently, his health struggles have endeared him to anyone with a beating heart.

Best Comedy Album
Will Win - Louis C.K. "Live at Madison Square Garden"
Could Win - Craig Ferguson "Just Being Honest" or Wyatt Cenac "Brooklyn"
Should Win - Lisa Lampanelli "Back to the Drawing Board"
Commentary - I'm partial to Lisa Lampanelli, and both Ferguson and Cenac could upset here, but Louis C.K. is one of those comedians that just resonates with awards folks. I have struggled with Louie at times, but his stand-up is always classic. I think he wins here.

Best Musical Theater Album
Will Win - Hamilton
Could Win - Fun Home, The King and I, or An American in Paris
Should Win - Hamilton
Commentary - Usually, one of the big Tony contenders from the previous year, in this case Fun Home, The King and I, or An American in Paris, are usually the ones battling it out. But this year, Hamilton is all the rage. After tearing up off-Broadway, it has made its way to the big stage, and I think it starts its trajectory towards major Tony recognition at this year's Grammy Awards.

2016 Grammy Predictions: Visual Media and Music Video

Best Compilation Soundtrack - Visual Media
Will Win - Empire: Season 1
Could Win - Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me and Fifty Shades of Grey
Should Win - Empire: Season 1
Commentary - Glen Campbell could inspire some sympathy, but Empire was the big hit of the year, and all of its original songs feel like a safe bet. Also, don't discount Fifty Shades of Grey. The movie was terrible, but the soundtrack was pretty fantastic.

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Will Win - Antonio Sanchez "Birdman"
Could Win - Alexandre Desplat "The Imitation Game"
Should Win - Antonio Sanchez "Birdman"
Commentary - Desplat could win a Grammy, after just winning an Oscar, but I think that Oscar-snubbed Antonio Sanchez will win for his inventive drum score. Maybe the music branch of the Oscars didn't quite "get it", but I think Grammy voters will.

Best Song Written for Visual Media
Will Win - Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz "See You Again" from Furious 7
Could Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Should Win - John Legend and Common "Glory"
Commentary - I thought this one was a slam dunk for Grammy favorites John Legend and Common. They won the Oscar, it is an awesome song. Then See You Again missed that Oscar nod despite a lot of campaigning. But these are different voting bodies, and See You Again got a nod for Song of the Year showing more support overall.

Best Music Video
Will Win - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood"
Could Win - Kendrick Lamar "Alright"
Should Win - Bad Blood
Commentary - There is a reason this was the Video of the Year at the VMAs, and will probably pull the same feat at the Grammys. It is a clever, high quality music video with the top two stars at this years Grammys. Seems almost too easy to predict.

Best Music Film
Will Win - Amy
Could Win - Sonic Highways or What Happened, Miss Simone?
Should Win - Amy
Commentary - Amy is on a roll for awards this year, and I would be surprised if it didn't continue its streak here. But Sonic Highways was an Emmy favorite, and What Happened, Miss Simone? also got an Oscar nod, so this race is a not a done deal.

The 47th Annual NAACP Image Awards

Entertainer of the Year - Michael B. Jordan
Best Motion Picture - Straight Outta Compton
Best Actor in a Film - Michael B. Jordan "Creed"
Best Actress in a Film - Sanaa Lathan "The Perfect Guy"
Best Supporting Actor in a Film - O'Shea Jackson Jr. "Straight Outta Compton"
Best Supporting Actress in a Film - Phylicia Rashad "Creed"
Best Independent Film - Beasts of No Nation
Best Director of a Film - Ryan Coogler "Creed"
Best Film Screenplay - Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington "Creed"
Best Drama Series - Empire
Best Comedy Series - black-ish
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Terrence Howard "Empire"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Taraji P. Henson "Empire"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Anthony Anderson "black-ish"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Tracee Ellis Ross "black-ish"
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Mike Epps "Survivor's Remorse"
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Marsai Martin "black-ish"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Joe Morton "Scandal"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Regina King "American Crime"
Best Directing in a Drama Series - John Ridley "American Crime - Episode 1"
Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Don Cheadle "House of Lies – The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule"
Best Writing in a Drama Series - Mara Brock Akil, Jameal Turner, and Keli Goff  “Being Mary Jane- Sparrow”
Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Kenya M. Barris "black-ish - The Word"
Best Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special - The Wiz Live!
Best Actor in a TV Movie or Mini - David Alan Grier "The Wiz Live!"
Best Actress in a TV Movie or Mini - Queen Latifah "Bessie"
Best Directing in a TV Movie/Mini - Dee Rees "Bessie"
Best Writing in a TV Movie/Mini - Lawrence Hill and Clement Virgo "The Book of Negroes"
Best News/Information - Unsung
Best Talk Series - The Talk
Best Variety Program - Steve Harvey
Best Reality Program - Welcome to Sweetie Pie's
Best Children's Program - Doc McStuffins
Best Performance by a Youth - Marcus Scribner "black-ish"

For the full list including music and literature visit: http://www.naacpimageawards.net/

The 14th Annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Award Winners

The big winner here was Star Wars. I still think Mad Max is the front runner for the Oscar, but this could be the place where Star Wars gets a big win.

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
The Revenant

Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature
The Good Dinosaur

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project
The Order: 1886

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Game of Thrones; The Dance of Dragons

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial
SSE; Pier

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project
Fast and Furious: Supercharged

Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature
Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Falcon Chase / Graveyard

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Vikings; To the Gates

Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature
The Revenant; The Bear

Outstanding Animated Performance in an Animated Feature
Inside Out; Joy

Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature
The Good Dinosaur; The Farm

Outstanding Animated Performance in an Episode, Commercial or Real-Time Project
SSE; Pier; Orangutan

Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial or Real-Time Project
Game of Thrones; City of Volantis

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Photoreal Project
Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Falcon Chase / Graveyard

Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project
Game of Thrones; Hardhome

Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Feature
The Revenant; Bear Attack

Outstanding Models in a Photoreal or Animated Project
Star Wars: The Force Awakens; BB-8

Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature
Mad Max: Fury Road; Toxic Storm

Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Episode
Game of Thrones; Hardhome

Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature
The Good Dinosaur

Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Commercial
SSE; Pier

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project
Citipati

The 20th Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards

Period Film
The Revenant

Fantasy Film
Mad Max: Fury Road

Contemporary Film
The Martian

One-Hour Period or Fantasy Single-Camera Series
Game of Thrones

One-Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Series
House of Cards

Television Movie or Limited Series
American Horror Story: Hotel

Half-Hour Single-Camera Series
The Muppets

Multi-Camera Series
The Big Bang Theory

Awards or Event Special
The Oscars, 2015

Short Format: Web Series, Music Video or Commercial
Apple Music

Variety, Reality or Competition Series
Key & Peele