“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is probably named 20 times in this.
Written by Andrea Brazis & Jake Ryan
**this article may contain spoilers for Oscar-nominated movies**
2022 was a year filled with extraordinary movies — and some, just ordinary.
Nominations for Best Picture
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“AVATAR: The Way of Water”
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
“Elvis”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“The Fabelmans”
“TÁR”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
“Triangle of Sadness”
“Women Talking”
Our prediction
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Why?
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is like nothing that’s ever been seen before in cinema. It’s a chaotic, stressful, emotional movie that evokes one too many tears. The cast is filled with memorable actors, all of whom bring a special performance to a complicated movie.
Notably, the editing of this movie is phenomenal and we certainly can’t disregard the fact that the editors were self-taught, learning from YouTube clips. Truly, this film is hard to capture in all its glory, but please trust us when we say it’s an honest-to-God great movie that will undoubtedly be the best picture of the year.
Nominations for Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler
“Elvis”
Colin Farrell
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
Brendan Fraser
“The Whale”
Paul Mescal
“Aftersun”
Bill Nighy
“Living”
Our prediction
Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súilleabháin in “The Banshees of Inisherin”
Why?
Colin Farrell has a history of being phenomenal in every role he lands, and “The Banshees of Inisherin” is no exception. This movie holds darker tones and a deeper message than other nominated films of the year; Farrell is composed, adding a lot of character to a fairly somber part. You can feel every negative yet realistic emotion between him and Brendan Gleeson (Colm Doherty). “The Banshees of Inisherin” is an unconventional movie and Ferell’s unique performance shines through.
Nominations for Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett
“Tár”
Ana De Armas
“Blonde”
Andrea Riseborough
“To Leslie”
Michelle Williams
“The Fabelmans”
Michelle Yeoh
“Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Our prediction
Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn in “Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Why?
Michelle Yeoh gives a well-rounded performance as Evelyn, accurately portraying a wide range of emotions while acting alongside her co-stars. She quite literally does everything, and it’s all done very well. This is by no means a simple or conventional role, but she brings it to life, giving Evelyn her own pizzazz. Plus, how many other performances can you think of where the actor switches between three languages throughout the film?
Nominations for Actor in a Supporting Role
Brendan Gleeson
The Banshees of Inisherin”
Brian Tyree Henry
“Causeway”
Judd Hirsch
“The Fabelmans”
Barry Keoghan
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
Ke Huy Quan
Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Our prediction
Ke Huy Quan as Waymond in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Why?
Every movie's characters need depth. With Waymond Wang, Ke Huy Quan gives the performance of a lifetime. I don’t think of him as an actor playing a role, even now, weeks after having initially watched the film. I think of him as Waymond, the lovable husband and father who wants what is best for his family. Or, in some cases, the multiversal secret agent bent on stopping the evil Jobu Tupaki. Ke Huy Wang will pick you up, break you down, and give you a big hug to cheer you up when it’s all said and done. A well-deserved nomination.
Nominations for Actress in Supporting Role
Angela Bassett
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Hong Chau
“The Whale”
Kerry Condon
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
Jamie Lee Curtis
“Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Stephanie Hsu
Everything Everywhere All At Once”
Our prediction
Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Why?
We would be lying if we didn’t note that we went back and forth for hours between Angela Bassett and Stephanie Hsu for best supporting actress. In “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Stephanie Hsu puts on a well-rounded, emotional performance as Jobu Tupaki; her character development and personal antics only improved it. However, Angela Bassett, despite her shorter time on screen, puts on a powerful performance — the kind that sticks with you. She has a way of connecting with the audience, making them feel every heartbreaking emotion, every enraged moment that Queen Ramonda feels — and that is powerful.
Nominations for Animated Feature Film
“Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio”
“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
"The Sea Beast”
“Turning Red”
Our prediction
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
Why?
There’s phenomenal options for this category — “Pinnochio” won a Golden Globe, and “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” has glowing reviews from every major and minor movie critic across the globe. However, we think that “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” will take the title. Reviews have considered it “wholesome, heartfelt,” and honestly, it has no right being this good. I mean, come on: this is the Shrek universe that we’re talking about. Why is this silly movie about a cat with a sword making us tear up? Because it’s amazing and one of the best movies of last year, animated or not. That’s why.
Nominations for Cinematography
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”
“Elvis”
“Empire of Light”
“TÁR”
Our prediction
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
Why?
How do you relay the horrors of war? You show them. In “All Quiet on the Western Front,” cinematographer Justin Friend shows us up close and personal shots of death and destruction. The terror reflected in the eyes of the soldiers is horrifying in a way that one would only think possible from photographs of real war. The contrast between young boys, eager to fight for the glory of their nation, and grizzled men worn down from the years of close quarters trench invasions and seemingly infinite, life-threatening sprints across no man’s land, will stick with viewers long after the credits roll. That is due in no small part to the cinematography.
Nominations for Music (Original Score)
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
Volker Bertelmann
“Babylon”
Justin Hurwitz
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
Carter Burwell
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Son Lux
“The Fabelmans”
John Williams
Our prediction
“Babylon,” Justin Hurwitz
Why?
There’s something mesmerizing and addictive about jazz music — the swing, the tempo, the trill of notes followed by octave movements and staccatos. A whole new feeling emerges when rock ‘n’ roll riffs are added to these upbeat, fast-paced tunes. This is the kind of music that gets you on your feet, even at the crack of dawn. This isn’t Justin Hurwitz’s first time working with director Damien Chazelle, either. Their previous and most popular production, “La La Land,” earned glowing reviews for the tunes and legato sounds performed in the movie. We have no doubt that “Babylon'' will follow in its footsteps, earning the title of best original score.
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