Jack Shapiro ’19

The Oscars will return on March 4 and once again be hosted by late-night television host, Jimmy Kimmel.

Here is a preview of movies and celebrities that could take home some hardware at this prestigious award show.

One of the most anticipated awards of the night is Best Picture. The  Oscar goes to the top movie of the year  and is awarded to the producers.

There are only nine movies nominated for the award and “Dunkirk” is surely a favorite in this category. The movie takes place in 1940 as the German troops advance into France, trapping Allied soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk. Although “Dunkirk” didn’t take home any awards at the Golden Globes, it is my favorite for taking home the Oscar gold.

But if “Dunkirk” isn’t the winner, my guess is Best Picture will either go to “The Shape of Water” or “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Both films received exceptional reviews and have actors and actresses nominated for their own awards.

Two more important awards for the night include the best Lead Actor and Actress.

As for the best lead actor, it will be tough competition for the five nominees. Denzel Washington is easily one of the favorites for his role in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”  Washington has been nominated for an Oscar eight times, has won an Oscar twice, and took home the Outstanding Actor Award at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, so he is always a top contender.

Other actors to watch out for include Gary Oldman and Daniel Kaluuya. Oldman was praised by the critics for his portrayal as Winston Churchill in “The Darkest Hour.” As for Kaluuya, he received lots of buzz for his role in “Get Out.”

The Lead Actress award is just as close of a race. Frances McDormand is the favorite after winning the Golden Globe for Best Performance by Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

Saoirse Ronan is just as close in the running after her performance in “Lady Bird.” After she won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, it will be a tight race for Oscar hardware between her and McDormand.

Meryl Streep and Margot Robbie also deserve praise for their performances. Streep is nominated for her twenty-first Oscar after staring in “The Post.” As for Robbie, she earned her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Tonya Harding in “I, Tonya.”

The Oscars will be a very exciting show this year because it’s featuring some of the same stars and also has a strong list of of new nominees. To find out who wins the trophies, tune in on March 4.