Academy Awards 2018 nominees predictions: Best Picture (1st ROUND)

Waiting for my predictions for the Best Picture nominees? Well, the wait is over...!

I had to take a break from releasing my predictions because of the Fall film festival releases and (of course) because of some professional issues/duties I had to put in 1st place.

So, my first thought: variety! Yes, in spite of having 3 top contenders that are set during World War II (WWII), every movie is singular and there are some interesting (less conventional) movies trying to enter the Best Picture race.

So, the top 5 places go to Dunkirk, Darkest Hour, The Shape of Water, Mudbound and Three Billboards... not everyone's cut of tea, because some say I'm expecting too much from Mudbound when there are issues regarding its Netflix release, but I'm for the movie's quality and I must remind you there are a lot of people asking for a 5th Academy Award nominated female director (Dee Rees!). Three Billboards - a huge surprise for me, but the buzz from TIFF and first reviews suggest a critical and audiences' darling.

So, let's start:

Then, it's time for less obvious contenders and they go from a coming-of-age gay drama (Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name), to a box-office hit romantic comedy (The Big Sick), to a horror flick (Get Out), but without counting a Spielberg and a Woody Allen's upcoming dramas...

And now.... the lone contender:

#10: Wonder Wheel

Woody Allen movies tend to have a polarized reception between the AMPAS members: when the movie doesn't fit their taste, they ignore it; when the movie gets some respect, it gets recognized in the acting and screenplay categories; and when they love it, they love it madly. Last time Allen had one of his movies nominated for Best Picture, it was back in 2012 when 2011's Midnight in Paris got nominated... Will Wonder Wheel be able to fill Midnight's shoes?

For your consideration... Don't exclude these ones. From blockbusters to art-house pieces to the latest works of some of Hollywood's dearest auteurs, I believe these movies can turn into major award players / Oscar players easily:

#11: Last Flag Flying

#12: Wonderstruck

#13: Blade Runner 2049

#14: The Killing of a Sacred Deer

#15: Phantom Thread

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