By Laurie Baron
SAN DIEGO — A reviewer too busy to write. Sounds crazy, no? But when this shtetl newspaper went back online March 1, I was caught by surprise, scratching out my annual Oscar predictions while balancing on the precipice of other deadlines. It isn’t easy. You may ask why do I make these predictions? Because the San Diego Jewish World carries my column. San Diego is my home. And why do I feel obligated to do so in such an abbreviated manner? That I can tell you in a word – tradition!
Best Picture: The Shape of Water. This is a haunting, inventive, and visually stunning treatment of the “Beauty and the Beast” plotline set in Cold War America. Along the way, it reminds us not to prejudge anyone on the basis of their gender, gender orientation, nationality, physical disability, race, or even species. This category is hotly contested and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri might edge my choice out.
Director: Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water. Ditto for my above comments about The Shape of Water and Three Billboards.
Best Foreign Language Film: A Fantastic Woman (Chile). A transgender woman is suspected of foul play in the death of her older male lover.
Lead Actor: Gary Oldman, The Darkest Hour. Oldman convincingly inhabits the role of Winston Churchill.
Lead Actress: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Hell hath no fury like a woman whose daughter has been raped and murdered without the police tracking down the perpetrator in the aftermath.
Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. He garnered the Golden Globe and a myriad of other awards that foreshadow an Oscar win.
Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, I, Tonya. Janney provides a frightening yet funny portrayal of Tonya Harding’s overbearing mother.
Best Animated Feature: Coco. Pixar scores again with this tale of a Mexican’s quest to search for his grandfather among the spirits of the dead.
Best Documentary Feature: Faces Places. Last year veteran French director Agnès Varda received an honorary Oscar. This year the documentary she co-directed by photographer JR is a favorite to win the Oscar.
Best Documentary Short Subject: Heroin(e). What could be more timely than this Netflix documentary about women trying to kick their opioid addition?
Live Action Short Film: DeKalb Elementary. Why arm teachers when a school secretary with calmness and empathy can persuade a mass shooter to surrender to the police before he kills anyone?
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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University.