This year I sent a little dinero to Las Vegas to bet on some of my Oscars picks. Why would I risk money here, you ask? Well, since you did, since I started covering the Oscars eight years ago, I have correctly selected 51 out of 61 in the major categories. At 83.6%, that practically money in the bank, I mean if, uh, I gambled. Now that my overt bragging is complete, here's the Media Guy choices for the telecast on Sunday:
Best Picture
Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: The outrage police will be patrolling Twitter when this one wins. A Green Book win could set the Oscars back a few years. All of the so-called progress that occurred with the Shape of Water, Moonlight, and 12 Years A Slave victories might be destroyed. The hate Green Book has generated throughout awards season is might be enough to break Twitter when Peter “I flashed Cameron Diaz" Farrelly and Nick “Muslims celebrated on 9/11” Vallelonga get on the Dolby Theatre stage to accept their award.
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close, The Wife
Media Guy Thoughts: How she didn't win for Fatal Attraction will never be explained. No other actress has ever been nominated seven times without a win. This is her seventh nom. The Academy doesn't like those kind of streaks.
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Media Guy Thoughts: At all of the Oscars events where actual voters are present, I spoke with about 40 (out of 50) who said they voted for Malek. In other words, in a sample of this size, it's as close to a lock as possible.
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: Two wins in three years sounds about right.
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Media Guy Thoughts: She was the critical darling taking the Big Three (New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics), plus she's adored and respected. Ask one hundred critics and you will be hard-pressed to find anything but a positive story about King.
Directing
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Media Guy Thoughts: They won't give him Best Picture, but he will take this and also honors for Foreign Language Film.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Media Guy Thoughts: Spike won't win the directing honors (at least he can't say it's a white thing) so this is the shot to get him his Oscar. Get ready for the drama.
The Oscars Swag Bag
What's in the 2019 Oscars Swag Bag? Win or lose, all of the nominees are gifted swag bags filled with luxury travel packages, world-class beauty products, fine art, jewelry and even the opportunity
to give back to charities.
The "Everyone Wins" nominee gift bags were crafted by Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, who says "Every human being, regardless of career or fame, appreciates a great gift. While our 'Everyone Wins' Gift Bag is certainly not given based on need, it is put together with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible performances these talented individuals gave all of us this year.”
Here are some of the highlights:
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| 9Oscars winner Allison Janney and Gary Oldman during Saturday rehearsals. |
Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: The outrage police will be patrolling Twitter when this one wins. A Green Book win could set the Oscars back a few years. All of the so-called progress that occurred with the Shape of Water, Moonlight, and 12 Years A Slave victories might be destroyed. The hate Green Book has generated throughout awards season is might be enough to break Twitter when Peter “I flashed Cameron Diaz" Farrelly and Nick “Muslims celebrated on 9/11” Vallelonga get on the Dolby Theatre stage to accept their award.
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close, The Wife
Media Guy Thoughts: How she didn't win for Fatal Attraction will never be explained. No other actress has ever been nominated seven times without a win. This is her seventh nom. The Academy doesn't like those kind of streaks.
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Media Guy Thoughts: At all of the Oscars events where actual voters are present, I spoke with about 40 (out of 50) who said they voted for Malek. In other words, in a sample of this size, it's as close to a lock as possible.
 |
| Amy Adams and I have six Oscars noms and two Emmy wins, combined |
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: Two wins in three years sounds about right.
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Media Guy Thoughts: She was the critical darling taking the Big Three (New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics), plus she's adored and respected. Ask one hundred critics and you will be hard-pressed to find anything but a positive story about King.
Directing
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Media Guy Thoughts: They won't give him Best Picture, but he will take this and also honors for Foreign Language Film.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Media Guy Thoughts: Spike won't win the directing honors (at least he can't say it's a white thing) so this is the shot to get him his Oscar. Get ready for the drama.
The Oscars Swag Bag
What's in the 2019 Oscars Swag Bag? Win or lose, all of the nominees are gifted swag bags filled with luxury travel packages, world-class beauty products, fine art, jewelry and even the opportunity
to give back to charities.
The "Everyone Wins" nominee gift bags were crafted by Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, who says "Every human being, regardless of career or fame, appreciates a great gift. While our 'Everyone Wins' Gift Bag is certainly not given based on need, it is put together with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible performances these talented individuals gave all of us this year.”
Here are some of the highlights:
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| One of a kind custom stained glass portrait created by glass master and artist John Thoman. |
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| Pure Organic Maple Syrup and Glamour Gourmet Gift Set: gourmet maple products with recipes. |
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| Millianna’s interpretation of pop culture and fashion is infused with inspiration from historical eras such as Elizabethan England and various art movements. The company employs women from the World Relief Spokane Refugee Organization to make their pieces which provides the women with meaningful work while they resettle in the US. |
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| Nominees (and a guest) can enjoy a luxury small-ship adventure with International Expeditions. Choose one of four: an adventure to Iceland, the Galapagos, the Amazon or Costa Rica and Panama. |
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| Proceeds from every Love Is Stronger Than Hate merchandise purchases will provide hope and healing to communities impacted by tragedy through the Stars of HOPE therapeutic arts program and the New York Says Thank You Foundation. |