Oscars 2023: who could be nominated?

We all like to go to the movies, popcorn bucket in hand, and enjoy a good movie. However, many of the films we choose to see on the big screen, will not be among the nominees for the 2023 Oscars. At least not in the important categories. That honor is reserved for the lesser blockbuster films such as The Banshees of Inisherin or Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Just look at the winners of the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards where, apart from a few rare occasions, no blockbuster has won the coveted award. While that doesn't mean that Avatar: The Way of Water, Top Gun: Maverick or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won't end up among the nominees in more than one category, it holds true that achieving victory can be more than just a little complicated, to say the least.

It all has to do with the change of rules that took place last year at the ceremony. That year, recalls AP, it was an Apple TV+ feature film, CODA, that earned the title of Best Film of 2022. The surprising thing about the case was that, at no time had the film had been shown on the big screen, it had simply been released on this streaming platform.

It is true that at that time, the coronavirus pandemic had severely affected the world and, consequently, movie theaters. However, that time has passed and it seems that in spite of everything, the title will not likely go to any blockbuster. Although Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water will surely be among the nominees for Best Picture. What's more, these blockbusters are sure to get more than one nomination, albeit in more technical categories.

Everything Everywhere All at Once' and 'The Banshees of Inisherin', the favorites.

If we look at the nominations of the main unions, the Actors', Producers' and Directors' Unions, we could almost certainly state that Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin or The Fabelmans are the most likely to be awarded the Oscar for Best film vs. blockbuster like Top Gun: Maverick.

Furthermore, according to several media outlets, the first two could also compete for the statuette in the categories of direction and screenplay, it has not been ruled out that they may also appear in a number of other categories to compete for the award against other films.

The Best Director category this year will be hotly contested. Steven Spielberg has every chance of winning for his behind-the-scenes work on the movie The Fabelmans, however, there are others in this catagory who could also easily win the award such as, James Cameron for Avatar: The Way of Water, Todd Field for Tár; Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once or Martin McDonagh for The Banshees of Inisherin.

Angela Bassett has every chance of winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

On the other hand, all indications are that Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quin will also repeat nominations and their names will be heard on Tuesday in the categories of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, for the roles they both played in Everything Everywhere All at Once. And in Best Supporting Actress catagory, if the Oscars were to follow the trends of the previous awards shows, Angela Bassett will win the statuette for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

As for Best Actor in a Leading Role, it's a close call. It would be surprising not to hear the names of Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) or Austin Butler(Elvis) on Tuesday. However, the trio has exactly the same chance of winning the statuette. In the Best Actress catagory, the nominees also seem clear. Michelle Yeoh will be joined by Cate Blanchett for Tár and Viola Davis for The Women King.

Hispanic nominations

It is more complicated for the Hispanic Ana de Armas. Her role in Blonde may earn her a nomination, but it is far from clear. True, it was nominated at both the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, however, it failed to win a prize and also failed to earn a nomination at the Critics Choice Awards.

In the field of animation, it would be incredibly strange if Guillermo del Toro's name was not included for his version of Pinocchio this Tuesday. It has been one of the surprises of the season, but the Mexican director knew how to thrill all those who decided to give a chance to the new version of the popular children's story. Nor would it be particularly strange if Argentina, 1985 ended up competing for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.

However, all these doubts will be resolved in just hours, when on Tuesday, January 24th Riz Ahmed y Allison Williams will announce the nominees for the 95th Annual Academy Awards on Good Morning America and thereby officially kicking off the countdown to the film industry's most important gala.