Oscar Nominations - Predictions and Wish Lists

This year's Academy Award nominations will be announced early Thursday morning!  Here are my predictions for the six top categories, as well as the nominees that I would pick if I were in charge.

Best Supporting Actress

Predicted nominees:

• Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
• Helen Mirren, Trumbo
• Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
• Joan Allen, Room
• Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

I would nominate:

• Angela Bassett, Chi-Raq
• Hattie Morahan, Mr. Holmes
• Phyllis Smith, Inside Out
• Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
• Sarah Paulson, Carol

Best Supporting Actor

Predicted nominees:

• Christian Bale, The Big Short
• Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
• Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
• Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
• Sylvester Stallone, Creed

I would nominate:

• Emory Cohen, Brooklyn
• John Cusack, Chi-Raq
• Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
• Matthias Schoenaerts, Far from the Madding Crowd
• Michael Shannon, 99 Homes

Best Lead Actor

Predicted nominees:

• Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
• Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
• Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
• Matt Damon, The Martian
• Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

I would nominate:

• Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
• Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes
• Jacob Tremblay, Room
• Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
• Tom Hanks, Bridge of Spies

Best Lead Actress

Predicted nominees:

• Brie Larson, Room
• Cate Blanchett, Carol
• Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
• Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
• Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

I would nominate:

• Brie Larson, Room
• Cate Blanchett, Carol
• Cate Blanchett, Truth
• Nina Hoss, Phoenix
• Rooney Mara, Carol
• Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

(Yes, there are six—it was a tie!)

Best Director

Predicted nominees:

• Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
• George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
• Ridley Scott, The Martian
• Todd Haynes, Carol
• Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

I would nominate:

• Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
• Roy Andersson, A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
• Spike Lee, Chi-Raq
• Todd Haynes, Carol
• Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Best Picture

Predicted nominees:

• The Big Short
• Bridge of Spies
• Brooklyn
• Carol
• Mad Max: Fury Road
• The Martian
• The Revenant
• Room
• Spotlight
• Straight Outta Compton

I would nominate:

• Brooklyn
• Carol
• Chi-Raq
• 99 Homes
• A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
• Phoenix
• The Revenant
• Room
• Spotlight
• Tangerine