The Academy Awards arrive Sunday. Maybe you’re in an Oscar pool. Maybe you have a rooting interest. Maybe you’ve been tossing and turning at night wondering if Leonardo DiCaprio is finally going to get his due. (Rest easy, friend. He is.)
To help you no matter your need, here are my final Oscar predictions for all 24 categories, including alternate picks in the closest races.
OSCARS 2016: Full coverage | List of nominees | #OscarsSoWhite controversy
What time are the Oscars? Everything you need to know to watch the 88th Academy Awards >>
BEST PICTURE
“The Big Short”
“Bridge of Spies”
“Brooklyn”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
“Room”
“Spotlight”
Will win: “The Big Short.” The X factor here is the academy’s preferential voting system, which asks voters to rank the movies in order. This rewards consensus choices, movies that show up consistently in voters’ first, second or third place spots. “Spotlight” and “The Big Short” would seem to be those kinds of films. And since I’ve been calling it for “The Big Short” even before its PGA win, I’m going to stubbornly stick with that choice.
Could win: “Spotlight” or “The Revenant”
DIRECTOR
Lenny Abrahamson, “Room”
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, “The Revenant”
Tom McCarthy, “Spotlight”
Adam McKay, “The Big Short”
George Miller, “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Will win: Never bet against the Directors Guild winner, which was Iñárritu. He’ll become the first director to take consecutive Oscars since Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1950-51.
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LEAD ACTOR
Bryan Cranston, “Trumbo”
Matt Damon, “The Martian”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Revenant”
Michael Fassbender, “Steve Jobs”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Danish Girl”
Will win: DiCaprio. The inevitable Oscar, forecasted long before “The Revenant” screened for critics and audiences. I still have a hard time thinking DiCaprio was somehow “due” for this. He has been nominated four other times and lost to better work on each occasion. But DiCaprio did convey misery and suffering in “The Revenant” with a conviction that gave the movie a smidgen of gravitas. So give him the Oscar. Now we can start to work on getting the criminally overlooked Amy Adams one next.
Watch Q&As with the ‘The Revenant’ cast and crew
Video: 'The Revenant': Limited shooting hours
'The Revenant': Attraction of the story
Video: 'The Revenant': Know what you're getting into
'The Revenant': Knowing a character's future
'The Revenant': Conditions affect performance
Video: 'The Revenant': The bear scene
'The Revenant': Agility of the story
LEAD ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, “Carol”
Brie Larson, “Room”
Jennifer Lawrence, “Joy”
Charlotte Rampling, “45 Years”
Saoirse Ronan, “Brooklyn”
Will win: Larson had a firm grip on this Oscar from the moment that “Room” premiered at Telluride and audiences witnessed her intense turn as the movie’s protective mother. Ronan, meanwhile, is all of 21. There will be plenty of time for her to take a turn at the podium.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale, “The Big Short”
Tom Hardy, “The Revenant”
Mark Ruffalo, “Spotlight”
Mark Rylance, “Bridge of Spies”
Sylvester Stallone, “Creed”
Will win: There’s some feeling that Rylance could pull off an upset, pulling in votes from the serious actors brigade. I don’t buy it. Stallone’s compelling comeback story (yo, 39 years between Oscar nominations) has been the one of the year’s happier tales.
1/20
Hollywood’s top players are usually flawless on screen, but at the Academy Awards, they’re bound to say or do the unexpected. We’ve compiled a list of squirm-in-your-seat uncomfortable moments from past Oscar ceremonies. (From left: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times; Stan Honda / AFP / Getty Images; Sebastian Artz / Getty Images; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2/20
When Sean Penn opened the envelope to announce the best picture at the 87th Academy Awards, he asked, “Who gave this son of a ... his green card?” before revealing “Birdman” as the winner. In a year when the Oscars were being scrutinized for the lack of diversity among the nominees in the top categories, some felt Penn’s joke about director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s nationality fell flat.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3/20
After hosting the Emmys and the Tonys, jack-of-all-trades Neil Patrick Harris took over Oscar duties in 2015 with mixed results. In addition to butchering actors’ names and making an ill-advised joke about Edward Snowden’s absence, Harris strained the patience of even the most faithful viewers with a running gag involving a magic box holding his winners predictions.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4/20
During a red carpet interview actress Melanie Griffith admitted she had not yet seen daughter Dakota Johnson’s performance in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” implying she was uncomfortable with some of the scenes she would see. When Griffith continued to refuse even the possibility of watching the film, a flustered Johnson responded “All right! You don’t have to see it!”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 5/20
John Travolta was tasked with introducing Idina Menzel to perform the Oscar-nominated (and later Oscar-winning) song “Let It Go” from “Frozen” at the 86th Academy Awards. Unfortunately, he ended up introducing “Adele Dazeem” in what would become the flub of the night. Ever the professional, Menzel still nailed her performance.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 6/20
Host Ellen DeGeneres rounded up high-profile celebs for a selfie that set records for retweets. What fans missed was Minnelli joining from behind, too short to be seen. Later, Minnelli tried to hug winner Lupita Nyong’o before some of Nyong’o’s cast members could. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
7/20
The academy took a gamble by having Seth MacFarlane host the 85th awards. Some people thought the many moments that MacFarlane relied on jokes about race or women were inappropriate for the occasion, including his cringe-worthy opening number, “We Saw Your Boobs.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
8/20
Jennifer Lawrence proved she is just as human as the rest of us when she tripped on the stairs on the way to accept her best actress Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. After making it to the stage to a standing ovation, she confronted the situation head-on by saying, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell and that’s really embarrassing, but thank you.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 9/20
Sacha Baron Cohen walked the red carpet of the 84th Academy Awards in character as General Aladeen from his film “The Dictator.” He also carried a gold urn he claimed contained the ashes of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, which he dumped over Ryan Seacrest. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
10/20
The 84th Academy Awards hit a hurdle when producer Brett Ratner resigned and his planned host, Eddie Murphy, stepped down too. Billy Crystal seemed like a safe choice to host. But Crystal fell back on an old bit impersonating Sammy Davis Jr. and later made racially charged joke. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
11/20
James Franco and Anne Hathaway were paired to host the 83rd Academy Awards. Unfortunately, most people agreed the show was a bust. Hathaway gave an honest effort, and even looked like she was trying to overcompensate for Franco, who at best could be described as not mentally present. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
12/20
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston ended their five-year marriage in 2005 amid reports that linked Pitt romantically to Angelina Jolie. The 81st Academy Awards was the first time all three were publicly present in the same room. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
13/20
When Glenn Hansard and Markéta Irglová won the award for original song for “Falling Slowly” at the 80th Academy Awards, both were overcome with emotions. Hansard took the mike first. When Irglová leaned in to give her own thanks, the show cut her off. Host Jon Stewart later called her back. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
14/20
Ryan Seacrest wanted to interview Laura Linney and Jennifer Garner, but Gary Busey was not having it. Busey first called out to Seacrest, delaying the start of the interview. Later, Busey surprised Garner with a hug and a kiss on the neck. (Stan Honda / AFP / Getty Images)
15/20
The 77th Academy Awards assigned stand-up comedian Chris Rock to the hosting post, foreshadowing a night of ruder-than-usual digs at celebrities for laughs. Take this for example: “Who is Jude Law?” Perhaps actor Sean Penn thought that Law forgot his armor, stepping onstage to defend his peer. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
16/20
Apparently, when overcome with happiness, actor Adrien Brody’s primal instinct tells him to latch his lips onto the pretty lady who gave him the news. Brody took everyone by surprise (especially Berry) when he kissed her after winning a lead actor Oscar for “The Pianist.” (Brian vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
17/20
Most winners don’t even have time to finish their thank-yous before the cut-off music switches on, but filmmaker Michael Moore managed to squeeze in a whole political rant after snagging a best documentary win for “Bowling for Columbine.” The boos and cheers were very, very audible. (Lee Celano / AFP / Getty Images)
18/20
Gwyneth Paltrow’s skimpy 2002 Oscar outfit seemed to be missing some vital components. (Was she not cold? Look at how bundled up everyone else is outside the Vanity Fair after-party.) In later years, the actress admitted that she wished her bits were covered better, citing the mistake as one of her worst red carpet looks. (Sebastian Artz / Getty Images)
19/20
That Oscar trophy wasn’t the only one smooched by Angelina Jolie’s famous lips at the 72nd Academy Awards. The actress planted a kiss on older brother James Haven with a force that set rumor-mongers atwitter with word of an incestuous relationship. It didn’t help that the excited Jolie launched into her acceptance speech for lead role in “Girl, Interrupted” with an ode to the sibling: “I’m in shock, and I’m so in love with my brother right now,” she giggled. “He just held me and said he loved me and I know he’s so happy for me.” (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
20/20
To open the 1989 Academy Awards, an off-key Rob Lowe sang a duet with actress Eileen Bowman as Snow White as part of an elaborately hokey musical medley that lasted more than 10 minutes and left seated stars such as Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr. and Sigourney Weaver scratching their heads in confusion. How bad was it? Disney filed a lawsuit against the academy for unauthorized use of its character.
(Randy Leffingwell / Los Angeles Times) SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh, “The Hateful Eight”
Rooney Mara, ““Carol”
Rachel McAdams, “Spotlight”
Alicia Vikander, “The Danish Girl”
Kate Winslet, “Steve Jobs”
Will win: Vikander. Plenty of people want to see a Kate and Leo reunion, with each of them holding Oscars and DiCaprio offering some kind of variation on the “king of the world” speech. But between “The Danish Girl” and “Ex Machina,” Vikander has won the most acclaim. Plus, ingenues usually do quite well in this category.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“The Big Short”
“Brooklyn”
“Carol”
“The Martian”
“Room”
Will win: “The Big Short” took what could have been a lecture and turned it into an anarchic, bracing broadside against Wall Street malfeasance.
Watch Q&As with ‘Room’s’ Brie Larson
'Room:' When Brie Larson read the novel for the first time
'Room:' Tapping into dark moments with Lenny Abrahamson
'Room:' Breaking down the film's reunion scene
'Room:' Learning from real life victims
'Room:' How everything in the film tells a story
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Bridge of Spies”
“Ex Machina”
“Inside Out”
“Spotlight”
“Straight Outta Compton”
Will win: “Spotlight” for its meticulous, understated portrait of journalists bringing to light horrors too long ignored.
ANIMATED FEATURE
“Anomalisa”
“Boy and the World”
“Inside Out”
“Shaun the Sheep Movie”
“When Marnie Was There”
Will win: “Inside Out.” Pixar returns to the winner’s circle with its best movie since 2010’s “Toy Story 3.”
1/44
Writer-actor Sylvester Stallone, star of the Oscar-winning film “Rocky,” congratulates Peter Finch’s widow, Eletha, center, after Finch was posthumously awarded the lead actor award at the 1977 Academy Awards. Faye Dunaway, right, won for lead actress. (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)
2/44
Jack Palance uses molar power to pull Oscar onstage at the 65th Academy Awards, as Billy Crystal enjoys the ride. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
3/44
Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Jessica Lange at the Governors Ball in 1995. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
4/44
David Letterman with Oscar dog in 1995. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
5/44
Susan Sarandon accepts her lead actress Oscar for “Dead Man Walking” in 1996. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
6/44
Björk on the red carpet at the 73rd Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7/44
Julia Roberts wins lead actress for “Erin Brockovich,” at the 73rd Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
8/44
Adrien Brody surprises presenter Halle Berry with a kiss after he wins lead actor for “The Pianist” at the 75th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 9/44
Charlize Theron wins lead actress for “Monster,” at the 76th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
10/44
Jamie Foxx hugs Halle Berry as daughter Corinne looks on, after winning lead actor for “Ray,” during the 77th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
11/44
Presenter Julia Roberts wipes her lipstick kiss off Clint Eastwood’s face as he accepts his Oscar for director for “Million Dollar Baby,” during the 77th Academy Awards.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 12/44
Jamie Foxx, who won lead actor for “Ray,” is congratulated by Charlize Theron onstage at the 77th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
13/44
Ben Stiller reads the winner of the visual effects award during the 78th Academy Awards show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
14/44
Actors Will Ferrell, left and Steve Carell present the Oscar for makeup during the 78th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 15/44
Reese Witherspoon kisses her then-husband, Ryan Phillippe, after hearing her name announced as the lead actress winner for “Walk the Line,” during the 78th Academy Awards.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 16/44
Steven Spielberg snaps a photo of Ellen DeGeneres and Clint Eastwood while Beyoncé looks on during the 79th Academy Awards.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 17/44
Leonardo DiCaprio congratulates Helen Mirren at the 79th Academy Awards. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
18/44
Javier Bardem is embraced by his mother, Pilar, after winning supporting actor at the 80th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
19/44
Presenter Helen Mirren and Daniel Day-Lewis onstage after he won lead actor at the 80th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
20/44
Forest Whitaker escorts Marion Cotillard off the stage after presenting her the Oscar for lead actress at the 80th Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21/44
Hugh Jackman opens the show at the 81st Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
22/44
Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman present at the 81st Academy Awards. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
23/44
Phillipe Petit balances the Oscar after winning for documentary feature for “Man on Wire” as James Marsh looks on at the 81st Academy Awards. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
24/44
Seal, left, and Mickey Rourke during the 81st Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
25/44
Actor Ben Stiller, as an Avatar blue man, backstage before an award presentation at the 82nd Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
26/44
Kathryn Bigelow backstage at the 82nd Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
27/44
Mauro Flore is congratualated for winning for cinematography for “Avatar” at the 82nd Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
28/44
Jeremy Renner, from left, Brian Geraghty and Anthony Mackie of “The Hurt Locker” rejoice after the film in which they co-starred won best picture at the 82nd Academy Awards. Screenwriter Mark Boal is at lower right. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
29/44
Natalie Portman after winning lead actress for “Black Swan” at the 83rd Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
30/44
Actor Colin Firth and his wife, Livia Giuggioli, react after Tom Hooper wins best director for “The King’s Speech,” at the 83rd Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
31/44
Jean Dujardin, after winning lead actor for “The Artist,” walks off the stage with Uggie the dog at the 84th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
32/44
Muppet characters Kermit and Miss Piggy at the 84th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
33/44
Presenters Rose Byrne, left, and Melissa McCarthy at the 84th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
34/44
Sandra Bullock at the 84th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
35/44
Sacha Baron Cohen and entourage on the red carpet at the 84th Academy Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
36/44
Jennifer Lawrence slips on the stairs when going up to the stage to receive her lead actress Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
37/44
Channing Tatum dances with actress Charlize Theron as host Seth MacFarlane looks on during the 85th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
38/44
Anne Hathaway watches as her Oscar for supporting actress is engraved at the 85th Academy Awards the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
39/44
The cast and crew of best picture “Argo” at the 85th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
40/44
Legendary actor Sidney Poitier and actress Angelina Jolie chat backstage. Jolie was the recipient of the 2014 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 41/44
Actors Liam Neeson and J.K. Simmons, right, chat backstage at the 87th Academy Awards after Simmons won a supporting actor prize for “Whiplash” in 2015.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42/44
With “Star Wars” reintroduced to a new generation by “The Force Awakens” film, it seemed only fitting to have droids R2D2 and C3PO grace the Academy Awards stage once again.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43/44
Brie Larson is ecstatic as she walks off the stage with the lead actress Oscar for her role in “Room.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44/44
In a “Titanic” meetup, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet kiss backstage at the Oscars. DiCaprio won the lead actor Oscar for his role in “The Revenant.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) FOREIGN LANGUAGE FEATURE
“Embrace of the Serpent”
“Mustang”
“Son of Saul”
“Theeb”
“A War”
Will win: “Son of Saul.” Oscar voters get heat for rewarding Holocaust films time and time again, but Laszlo Nemes’ movie managed to freshly illuminate those horrors in a uniquely executed fashion.
DOCUMENTARY
“Amy”
“Cartel Land”
“The Look of Silence”
“What Happened, Miss Simone?”
“Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom”
Will win: “Amy.” Asif Kapadia’s empathetic look at the late singer Amy Winehouse has both reviews and box office on its side. “Cartel Land” could surprise if voters decide to go for an issue-oriented doc.
1/16
Nominated for: lead actor Oscar in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” 2007 | lead actor Oscar for “Ali,” 2002 (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2/16
Nominated for: supporting actress for “Junebug,” 2006 | supporting actress for “Doubt,” 2009 | supporting actress for “The Fighter,” 2011 | supporting actress for “The Master,” 2013 | lead actress for “American Hustle,” 2014 (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
3/16
Nominated for: lead actor Oscar for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” 2008 | lead actor Oscar for “Finding Neverland,” 2005 | lead actor Oscar for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” 2004 (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
4/16
Nominated for: lead actress Oscar for “Gorillas in the Mist,” 1989 | supporting actress Oscar for “Working Girl,” 1989 | lead actress Oscar for “Aliens,” 1987 (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
5/16
Nominated for: Supporting actor Oscar for “Magnolia,” 2000 | lead actor Oscar for “Jerry Maguire,” 1997 | lead actor Oscar for “Born on the Fourth of July,” 1990 (Shown center with “Valkyrie” director Bryan Singer and writer Chris McQuarrie.) (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
6/16
Nominated for: supporting actor Oscar for “Tropic Thunder,” 2009 | lead actor Oscar for “Chaplin,” 1993. (Shown here at left with “Iron Man 3” director Shane Black.) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
7/16
Nominated for: lead actress Oscar for “Love Field,” 1993 | lead actress Oscar for “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” 1990 | supporting actress Oscar for “Dangerous Liaisons,” 1989 (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)
8/16
Nominated for: supporting actor Oscar for “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” 2002 | lead actor Oscar for “Gods and Monsters,” 1999 (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)
9/16
Nominated for: best picture Oscar for “The Fighter,” 2011 (shared with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman) | supporting actor Oscar for “The Departed,” 2007 (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
10/16
Nominated for: lead actress Oscar for “Albert Nobbs,” 2011 | lead actress Oscar for “Dangerous Liaisons,” 1989 | lead actress Oscar for “Fatal Attraction,” 1988 | supporting actress Oscar for “The Natural,” 1985 | supporting actress Oscar for “The Big Chill,” 1984 | supporting actress Oscar for “The World According to Garp,” 1983 (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
11/16
Nominated for: lead actor Oscar for “Witness,” 1986 (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
12/16
Nominated for: supporting actor Oscar for “Pulp Fiction,” 1995 (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)
13/16
Nominated for: lead actor Oscar for “Pulp Fiction,” 1995 | lead actor Oscar for “Saturday Night Fever,” 1978 (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
14/16
Nominated for: supporting actress for “The Wings of the Dove,” 1998 | lead actress Oscar for “The King’s Speech,” 2011 (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
15/16
Nominated for: Lead actress Oscar for “The Help,” 2012 (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
16/16
Nominated for: lead actor for “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” 2012 (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Carol”
“The Hateful Eight”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Revenant”
“Sicario”
Will win: Emmanuel Lubezki will become the first cinematographer to win three consecutive Oscars. Nobody’s complaining. “Gravity,” “Birdman” and now “The Revenant” each furthered the craft.
COSTUME DESIGN
“Carol”
“Cinderella”
“The Danish Girl”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Revenant”
Will win: “Cinderella.” Sandy Powell now has a dozen Oscar nominations and three wins. I’m guessing she’ll add a fourth Oscar to the mantel for the glass slippers and all those fairy tale gowns.
Could win: How many academy members’ children (and grandchildren) drew inspiration from “Mad Max” for their Halloween get-ups? If there’s enough, maybe there will be an upset. You can’t discount “Carol,” Powell’s other nominated film, either.
1/51
Oscars: The gowns (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times, left; Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times, center; The Kobal Collection)
2/51
Halle Berry wore a burgundy Elie Saab gown to the Oscars in 2002.
(Kevin P. Casey / For the Times) 3/51
Renee Zellweger wore a yellow chiffon vintage dress to the Oscars in 2001. Her gown was a 1959 design by Jean Dessès from the vintage dealer Lily et Cie.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) 4/51
Gwyneth Paltrow wore a pink Ralph Lauren dress to the Oscars in 1999.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 5/51
Nicole Kidman wore a haute couture John Galliano dress to the Oscars in 1997.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 6/51
Lupita Nyong’o wore a light blue Prada gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7/51
Jenna Dewan-Tatum wore a Reem Acra gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 8/51
Diane Keaton wore a menswear-inspired look to the Oscars in 2004.
(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times) 9/51
Lady Gaga wore a Versace gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 10/51
Sandra Bullock wore a Marchesa gown to the Oscars in 2012.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11/51
Emma Watson wore a metallic and black Vera Wang gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 12/51
Beyonce wore a vintage velvet Versace dress to the Oscars in 2005.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 13/51
Jennifer Lawrence wore a red Dior gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 14/51
Cate Blanchett wore a Jean Paul Gaultier gown with gold adornments to the Oscars in 2000.
(Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times) 15/51
Emma Stone wore a red Giambattista Valli gown to the Oscars in 2012.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 16/51
Bjork wore a swan dress to the Oscars in 2001.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 17/51
Jessica Chastain wore a metallic Armani Prive gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 18/51
Kerry Washington wore a purple Jason Wu gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 19/51
Liza Minnelli wore an electric blue number to the Oscars in 2014.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 20/51
Olivia Munn wore a detailed Marchesa gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21/51
Stacy Keibler wore a metallic Naeem Khan gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 22/51
Zoe Saldana wore an Alexis Mabille Couture creation to the Oscars in 2013.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 23/51
Alicia Vikander wore an Elie Saab gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 24/51
Kate Mara wore a Jack Guisso Couture gown to the Oscars in 2012.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 25/51
Nancy O’Dell wore a yellow Chagoury Couture gown to the Oscars in 2012.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 26/51
Giuliana Rancic wore a Tony Ward Couture dress to the Oscars in 2012.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 27/51
Milla Jovovich wore an Elie Saab gown to the Oscars in 2014.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 28/51
Ellie Kemper wore an Armani Prive gown to the Oscars in 2012.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 29/51
Jennifer Lopez, left, wore Zuhair Murad and Cameron Diaz wore Gucci Première to the Oscars in 2012.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 30/51
Anne Hathaway wore a red Valentino gown to the Oscars in 2011.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 31/51
Scarlett Johansson wore a Dolce & Gabbana number to the Oscars in 2011.
(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times) 32/51
Cate Blanchett wore a Givenchy Couture creation to the Oscars in 2011.
(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times) 33/51
Celine Dion wore a backwards tuxedo by John Galliano for Christian Dior to the Oscars in 1999.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 34/51
Hailee Steinfeld wore a Marchesa gown to the Oscars in 2011.
(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times) 35/51
Cheryl Hines wore a sparkling Johanna Johnson gown to the Oscars in 2011.
(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times) 36/51
Halle Berry wore a Marchesa gown to the Oscars in 2011.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 37/51
Jennifer Lawrence wore Calvin Klein Collection to the Oscars in 2011.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 38/51
Vera Farmiga wore a Marchesa gown to the Oscars in 2010.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 39/51
Penelope Cruz wore a Pierre Balmain Haute Couture gown to the Oscars in 2009.
(Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times) 40/51
Sarah Jessica Parker wore a Christian Dior Haute Couture gown to the Oscars in 2009.
(Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times) 41/51
Jessica Alba wore Marchesa to the Oscars in 2008.
(Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times) 42/51
Penelope Cruz wore Chanel Haute Couture to the Oscars in 2008.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 43/51
Naomi Watts wore a Givenchy dress to the Oscars in 2006.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44/51
Hilary Swank wore a backless Guy Laroche to the Oscars in 2005.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 45/51
Renee Zellweger wore a Carolina Herrera number to the Oscars in 2004.
(Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times) 46/51
Cate Blanchett wore a John Galliano for Dior Couture gown to the Oscars in 1999.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 47/51
Anne Hathaway wore a pink Prada gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 48/51
Kerry Washington wore a Miu Miu dress to the Oscars in 2013.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 49/51
Amy Adams wore an Oscar De La Renta gown to the Oscars in 2013.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 50/51
An injury didn’t stop Kristen Stewart from donning a Reem Acra gown for the 2013 Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 51/51
Naomi Watts wore Armani Prive to the Oscars in 2013.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) FILM EDITING
“The Big Short”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Revenant”
“Spotlight”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Will win: Margaret Sixel’s Herculean effort cutting together the massive amount of footage shot by her husband, George Miller, for “Mad Max: Fury Road,” is the favorite.
Could win: Hank Corwin’s work in “The Big Short” is both flashy and essential, the kind of editing voters like to reward.
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared”
“The Revenant”
Will win: “Mad Max.” Score one for the War Boys!
1/30
Bruce Springsteen performs “Streets of Philadelphia” from the film “Philadelphia” at the 66th Academy Awards in March 1994. (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)
2/30
Celine Dion belts “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic” at the 70th Academy Awards on March 23, 1998. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
3/30
Singer-songwriter Elliott Smith performs “Miss Misery” from the film “Good Will Hunting” at the 70th Academy Awards on March 23, 1998.
(Susan Sterner / Associated Press) 4/30
Robin Williams performs “Blame Canada” from “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” at the 72nd Academy Awards on March 26, 2000. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
5/30
Björk, in her famous swan dress, performs “I’ve Seen It All” from the film “Dancer in the Dark” at the 73rd Academy Awards on March 25, 2001. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
6/30
Sting and Alison Krauss team up to sing “You Will Be My Ain True Love” from “Cold Mountain,” at the 76th Academy Awards on Feb. 29, 2004. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
7/30
Dolly Parton performs the song “Travelin’ Thru” from the film “Transamerica” at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
8/30
Three 6 Mafia performs “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” from the film “Hustle & Flow,” during the 2006 Oscars. From left, Cedric Coleman, Jordan “Juicy J” Houston and Paul “DJ Paul” Beauregard. Actress Taraji P. Henson can be seen in the background. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
9/30
Celine Dion performs “I Knew I Loved You” during a tribute to Ennio Morricone at the 79th Academy Awards on Feb. 25, 2007. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
10/30
Beyoncé, left, Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried perform during the 81st Academy Awards in February 2009 in Hollywood.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 11/30
Neil Patrick Harris, center, entertains at the 82nd Academy Awards on March 7, 2010. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
12/30
Randy Newman onstage at the Oscars on Jan. 16, 2011, performing “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 13/30
Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell, right, present for original score at the Academy Awards in February 2012.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 14/30
Esperanza Spalding, front, sings at the Academy Awards in Hollywood in 2012. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
15/30
Cirque du Soleil performers hover at the 84th Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2012. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
16/30
Adele performs the title track of the James Bond film “Skyfall” at the 2013 Oscars. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
17/30
Channing Tatum lifts fellow dancer Charlize Theron at the 85th Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 18/30
Norah Jones sings “Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from the film “Ted” at the 2013 Academy Awards show in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
19/30
Host Seth MacFarlane is front and center in a performance at the 2013 Academy Awards that includes the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, second from right. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is behind MacFarlane to the left.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 20/30
Kristin Chenoweth and Seth MacFarlane sing the closing song at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 21/30
Catherine Zeta-Jones rises above the action at the 85th Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
22/30
U2 performs “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” at the Oscars on March 2, 2014. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
23/30
Idina Menzel croons “Let It Go” from “Frozen” during the 2014 Oscars, right after presenter John Travolta famously introduced her as “Adele Dazeem.” (John Shearer / Invision/Associated Press)
24/30
Pharrell Williams performs “Happy” from the film “Despicable Me 2” at the 2014 Oscars. (John Shearer / Invision/Associated Press)
25/30
Rita Ora performs at the 87th Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26/30
Common, foreground left, and John Legend, foreground right, perform at the Oscars on Feb. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
(John Shearer/Invision/Associated Press) 27/30
Lady Gaga appears during the telecast of the 87th Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 28/30
The Weeknd performs “Earned It” from “Fifty Shades of Grey” at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 29/30
Sam Smith performs “Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre” at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 30/30
Lady Gaga performs “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground” at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) PRODUCTION DESIGN
“Bridge of Spies”
“The Danish Girl”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
Will win: “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Those cars! Those caves!
SCORE
“Bridge of Spies”
“Carol”
“The Hateful Eight”
“Sicario”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Will win: Ennio Morricone. After receiving an honorary Academy Award nine years ago, the 87-year-old composing legend wins his first proper Oscar for the haunting “Hateful Eight.”
1/14
After hosting the 2016 Emmys, Jimmy Kimmel will make his debut as host of the 2017 Academy Awards. In addition to his previous awards show experience, Kimmel has hosted the annual “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” special for years.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times; ABC ; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2/14
In his second time hosting, Chris Rock addressed the #OscarsSoWhite controversy during the telecast of the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3/14
After multiple stints hosting the Tonys and the Emmys, Neil Patrick Harris was a natural choice to lead the festivities at the 87th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4/14
Ellen DeGeneres broke a Twitter record with her star-studded selfie as emcee of the 2014 Academy Awards and won the hearts of hungry actors with freshly delivered pizza. DeGeneres scored with audiences as host in 2007 (above right) with her crowd work as well. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. (Robert Gauthier, Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
5/14
Though Seth MacFarlane was widely criticized for his 2013 Oscars hosting debut, the awards show saw its best ratings in years with “Family Guy’s” creator at the helm. According to Nielsen, an average of 40.3 million viewers tuned in to hear MacFarlane bash a slew of Hollywood’s A-list. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
6/14
Considered one of the best of the contemporary comedic hosts, Crystal began his Oscar run with the 62nd telecast in 1990 and remained on the job through 1993. Also add 1997, 1998, 2000 (above left), 2004 and most recently 2012 (above right) to the list. (Bob D’Amico / ABC; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
7/14
In an effort to boost viewership in young demographics, the producers of the 83rd Academy Awards tapped hot “of the moment” actors Hathaway and Franco as hosts for the 2011 ceremony. Many critics felt the hosts didn’t have much chemistry. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
8/14
When Martin teamed with his “It’s Complicated” costar Alec Baldwin to co-host 2010’s ceremony, it was his third Oscar hosting appearance. He made his solo debut with the 73rd award show in 2001 and returned to the job in 2003. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
9/14
Hugh Jackman’s song-and-dance number at the opening of the 81st Academy Awards in 2009 drew barbs from TV critics. The Times’ Mary McNamara said of the performance: “Somewhere in New York, a huge weight has been lifted from David Letterman’s shoulders.” (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
10/14
The “Daily Show” host brought his outsider perspective into the heart of Hollywood for his stint as Oscar host in 2006. He poked fun at the awards-cast itself, which generally played better at home than it did in the theater. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
11/14
Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005 and raised many eyebrows with his pointed barbs directed at the assembled celebrities. Years later, Ricky Gervais adopted this tone to great effect at the Golden Globes. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
12/14
Goldberg, the first African American to win the supporting actress Oscar since Hattie McDaniel won in the category in 1940 for “Gone With the Wind,” began her stint as host with the 66th award ceremony in 1994. She returned in 1996, 1999 (shown in a Queen Elizabeth costume) and 2002. (Timothy White / ABC and AMPAS; Los Angeles Times)
13/14
The “Tonight Show” legend moonlighted as Oscar host beginning with the 51st ceremony in 1979; he went on to host the show four more times. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
14/14
The outrageous funnyman co-hosted the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 in L.A., while Claudette Colbert and writer-director Joseph Mankiewicz hosted a satellite ceremony in New York. He revisited the role in 1957. Lewis and his wife, SanDee, above, pictured at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983. (Larry Armstrong / Los Angeles Times)
SONG
“Earned It” from “Fifty Shades of Grey”
“Manta Ray” from “Racing Extinction”
“Simple Song #3” from “Youth”
“Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground”
“Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre”
Will win: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Golden Globe, Grammy and, now, Oscar winner Lady Gaga.
SOUND EDITING
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
“Sicario”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Will win: The sound categories come down to a coin flip between “Mad Max’s” deafening roar and the whistling wind of “The Revenant.” Let’s go with “Mad Max” here ...
Could win: “The Revenant”
SOUND MIXING
“Bridge of Spies”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Will win: ... and “The Revenant” here for its immersive mix.
Could win: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
VISUAL EFFECTS
“Ex Machina”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“The Martian”
“The Revenant”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Will win: As best picture nominees typically prevail over their non-nominated competitors in this category, “Mad Max” gets the slight edge.
Could win: But this could also be the place where voters tip their hats to “Star Wars.” Another possibility: The roar of “The Revenant’s” digital bear.
ANIMATED SHORT
“Bear Story”
“Prologue”
“Sanjay’s Super Team”
“We Can’t Live Without Cosmos”
“World of Tomorrow”
Will win: Even though Pixar hasn’t won this category in 14 years, it’s hard to pick against the emotional “Sanjay’s Super Team.”
Could win: Don Hertzfeldt’s minimalist masterpiece “World of Tomorrow” is the class of the nominees. And “Bear Story” is a beautifully told story of loss with political undertones. Any of these shorts could take this Oscar.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“Body Team 12”
“Chau, Beyond the Lines”
“Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah”
“A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”
“Last Day of Freedom”
Will win: it’s hard to pick against the high-profile “Body Team 12,” which tells the story of the Ebola crisis through the eyes of a female Red Cross worker. It’s a well-made, eye-opening movie. Beyond that, the filmmakers embedded with an Ebola team. That action alone is going to win a few votes.
Could win: The other four nominees have their admirers too. As an alternate, I’d go with “Girl in the River,” the look at honor killings in Pakistan that seems poised to changing the country’s laws.
LIVE ACTION SHORT
“Ave Maria”
“Day One”
“Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)”
“Shok”
“Stutterer”
Will win: “Shok,” the first Kosovo Oscar nominee, gets the edge for its affecting tale of friendship between two Kosovan boys and their awful encounters with Serbian troops.
Could win: “Ave Maria,” a geopolitical satire about a group of nuns helping Israeli travelers, seems to be the consensus favorite. But the humor feels a bit too forced for it to win.
[email protected] | Twitter: @glennwhipp
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