CLEVELAND, Ohio – Sunday’s 89th Academy Awards could be historic.
That’s because “La La Land,” nominated for a record 14 Oscars, has a chance to tie or overtake “The Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King,” “Titanic” and “Ben-Hur” for the most awards won at a single ceremony. The current record is 11.
At this point, it’s not really a case of if “La La Land” will win several major awards, but just how many the musical film can take home?
Best Picture
Biggest competition: “Moonlight” is a stunning film that hasn’t received any kind of backlash. Voters might see it as the little movie that could, especially after last year’s #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
Will “La La Land” win? Yes. It’s is a love letter to Hollywood that will be rewarded much like “The Artist” was.
Best Director
Biggest Competition: Three of the past four years, the Academy has split Best Picture and Director between films. That could happen again if the voters are torn between “La La Land” and “Moonlight.”
Will “La La Land” win? Probably. In those aforementioned three times, Best Director went to a director who really put together a technical/visual achievement.
Best Actor
Biggest competition: This has become a two horse race between Casey Affleck (“Manchester by the Sea”) and Denzel Washington (“Fences”).
Will “La La Land” win? Nope. I suppose there’s a chance for a massive love affair with “La La Land” that earns Ryan Gosling a win. But that’s a longshot.
Best Actress
Biggest competition: Isabelle Huppert (“Elle”) has won her fair share of awards this season. Then there’s Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”), who you can never rule out.
Will “La La Land” win? Yes. Emma Stone is fantastic in “La La Land” (despite what haters say) and the Academy has awarded Best Actress to young performers in Best Picture nominees as of late.
Best Original Screenplay
Biggest competition: “Manchester by the Sea” is simply a better screenplay, while “The Lobster” seems like a fun underdog.
Will “La La Land” win? We think so. “Moonlight” being in the Adapted Screenplay category paves the way for “La La Land.” Though, this may also be the only place voters will reward “Manchester by the Sea.”
Best Original Score
Biggest competition: No one, really.
Will “La La Land” win? Yes. A musical film that’s nominated for Best Picture? This is an easy win.
Best Original Song
Biggest competition: Itself. It’s easy to forget that two of “La La Land’s” 14 nominations come in 13 categories, making it harder to obtain the record.
Will “La La Land” win? Of course. “City of Stars” is the top song here, followed closely by “La La Land’s” other nominated tune “Audition.” And while Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” really wants to be Pharrell’s “Happy,” it isn’t.
Best Sound Editing
Biggest competition: “Hacksaw Ridge.” This award usually goes to an action-oriented film.
Will “La La Land” win? Probably not. You can’t rule out “La La Land’s” simply having the momentum to beat everyone else. But this is a an action movie award.
Best Sound Mixing
Biggest competition: “Hacksaw Ridge” or “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
Will “La La Land” win? Yes. Music-driven films do better in the “Mixing” category (See: “Whiplash” and “Les Miserables”).
Best Production Design
Biggest competition: “Hail Caesar!” simply because period pieces tend to do well.
Will “La La Land” win? “La La Land” gets this one. It’s very reminiscent of “The Great Gatsby” in production and that film won in 2013.
Best Cinematography
Biggest competition: “Moonlight” has the most stunning look of any movie this year.
Will “La La Land” win? Yes, because “Moonlight” doesn’t have enough to overcome a Best Picture favorite whose best scene is an amazing shot of the L.A. landscape.
Best Costume Design
Biggest Competition: “Jackie.” Natalie Portman’s look alone as Jackie Kennedy makes this movie the favorite.
Will “La La Land” win? Nah. “La La Land” really isn’t about costumes. So a win here would simply mean the movie’s Oscar love fest is unstoppable.
Best Film Editing
Biggest competition: The editing decisions made in “Moonlight” are downright brilliant and really push the film along.
Will “La La Land” win? Yes. Somehow a movie whose best scene is a continuous shot will win best editing. Go “La La Land!”
Final total: 10 wins. Close to tying the record, but not quite.
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