Awards season is in full swing, with one of the biggest award shows, the Oscars, just releasing their nominations on Jan. 23. Oppenheimer leads the way in nominations with 13, followed by Barbie with 8. 

In the running for best picture, we have “American Fiction” (MGM), “Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon), “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), “The Holdovers” (Focus Features), “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures), “Maestro” (Netflix), “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures), “Past Lives” (A24), “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures) and “The Zone of Interest” (A24). “Oppenheimer” is the predicted winner in this category, even though “Barbie” was the highest-grossing movie in 2023, earning 1.446 billion dollars, while “Oppenheimer” only earned 953.8 million.

For best director, we have Jonathan Glazer “The Zone of Interest” (A24), Yorgos Lanthimos “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures), Christopher Nolan “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures), Martin Scorsese “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures) and Justine Triet “Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon). The predicted winner is Christopher Nolan with “Oppenheimer.” As you may have noticed, a big name was left out of director nominations: Greta Gerwig, director of “Barbie.” In fact, the entire list is void of women Unfortunately, it looks like the Oscars aren’t set in Barbie land, and director Barbie was robbed big time. 

Our nominees for best actors are Bradley Cooper “Maestro” (Netflix), Colman Domingo “Rustin” (Netflix), Paul Giamatti “The Holdovers” (Focus Features), Cillian Murphy “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures) and Jeffrey Wright “American Fiction” (MGM). This category has critics split on the potential winner. Currently, the prediction is tied between Giamatti, who played Paul Hunham, and Murphy, who portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer. Both actors have critics at the edge of their seats, seeing who will take home the Oscar.

For best actress, we have Annette Bening “Nyad” (Netflix), Lily Gladstone“Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures), Sandra Hüller “Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon), Carey Mulligan “Maestro” (Netflix), and Emma Stone “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures). The frontrunner for best actress is Gladstone for her role as Mollie Burkhard. Again, an actress seems to be missing from this list. Margot Robbie, who portrayed Barbie, did not receive an Oscar nomination for her role. This shocked many people, as “Barbie” was the most successful movie in 2023 and Robbie’s portrayal of the character brought almost everyone to tears. She may have lost the nomination, but her character and portrayal were priceless and exceptionally moving. 

For the best-supporting actor, we have Sterling K. Brown “American Fiction” (MGM), Robert DeNiro “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures), Robert Downey Jr. “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures), Ryan Gosling “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), and Mark Ruffalo “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures). The predicted winner is Robert Downey Jr. for his portrayal of Lewis Stauss.

For best supporting actress, we have Emily Blunt “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures), Danielle Brooks “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros.), America Ferrera “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), Jodie Foster “Nyad” (Netflix) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph “The Holdovers” (Focus Features). The predicted winner is Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her role as Mary Lamb. The winner for this category will be a close call, as these actresses had soul-touching roles and resonated with audiences. 

Finally, we have the best original song. The nominees are “It Never Went Away” By Jon Batiste, Dan Wilson (American Symphony, Netflix), “I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt (Barbie, Warner Bros.), “What Was I Made For?” By Billie Eilish, FINNEAS (Barbie, Warner Bros), “The Fire Inside” by Diane Warren (Flamin’ Hot, Hulu/Searchlight Pictures), and “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” By Scott George (Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures). The predicted winner for this category is “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS. Unsurprisingly, this song takes the front-runner for best original song, as I don’t think it left a single eye dry when it played in the theater. 

Overall, the Oscars are blessed with astounding talent this year, and the winners will win by a small margin. Everyone played moving roles and did so passionately. The winners will be a close call, and seeing how it all plays out will be very interesting.