With a hint of normalcy slowly taking place among the sea of covid-19 recovery, Hollywood’s biggest night will unfold as the 93rd Oscars airs live Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. This year due to covid-19 restrictions, only the nominees plus guests and presenters will be allowed to grace the red carpet and step inside Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® Hollywood, where the ceremony will broadcast on ABC.
Producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher, and Steven Soderbergh are working with their cast and crew to elevate this year’s theme of “Bring Your Movie Love” to viewers as an invitation to celebrate the pastime of movie watching among family, friends, and strangers. Read here to learn the activities scheduled around Sunday’s main event.
In honor of these prestigious films and the enormous work that went on in front of the camera and behind the scenes, I thought it would be fun to play a Glitter&Gumbo style game of Marry, Date, or Fist Bump with a few of the categories listed among the 93rd Oscars nominations.
For each category listed below, I will share a rating of Marry, Date, or Fist Bump to signify the magnitude of feelings one may endure when watching films across all genres. Movies can form a relationship attachment to our lives that can stick with us emotionally, physically, or intuitively for years to come. Therefore as a cumulative approach to uniquely sharing my unorthodox predictions, here’s how I felt about the few categories listed below.
Film Ratings:
Marry – I’m willing to fight for this film/character through thick and thin because overall, I believe it’s worth it.
Date – I don’t mind taking time out of my schedule to spend time with this film for a leisurely benefit
Fist Bump – Much appreciation as I recognize your presence and greet you with a well done
Head Nod – Complimentary greeting to the remainder of films that are within reach or eye view, in my opinion
Performance by an actor in a leading role
• Riz Ahmed in “Sound of Metal” – DATE
• Chadwick Boseman in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – MARRY
• Anthony Hopkins in “The Father”
• Gary Oldman in “Mank”
• Steven Yeun in “Minari” – FIST BUMP
When God allows you to share your gift one last time before you leave this earth, Chadwick Boseman’s role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” did just that as he gave an everlasting heartfelt emotion that sticks to your soul. Riz Ahmed is giving date vibes as he vivaciously takes us through a myriad of feelings when you lose one of your five senses. I felt a deep connection with Ahmed’s character as well. Steven Yuen in MINARI gives profound Fist Bump action as he did a great job portraying what it must feel like to be an immigrant in America searching for a better life for you and your family.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
• Sacha Baron Cohen in “The Trial of the Chicago 7” –
• Daniel Kaluuya in “Judas and the Black Messiah” – MARRY
• Leslie Odom, Jr. in “One Night in Miami…” – FIST BUMP
• Paul Raci in “Sound of Metal” – HEAD NOD
• Lakeith Stanfield in “Judas and the Black Messiah” – DATE
The performance by an actor in a supporting role is quite a challenge for me to place within a rating. Everyone in this category brought a unique perspective to their roles that spoke volumes. One thing for sure is that Daniel Kaluuya stuck his landing as Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and I am grateful for this storytelling that portrays Hampton’s life and works in a manner that is worthy for all to know and understand. Oh, how I wish Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya were not facing each other in the same category. Therefore Stanfield receives a Date status because he stood ten toes down to give us all the feels for being a man stuck between doing what is right towards your brothers and sisters versus doing what is suitable for now, to keep your head above water. Leslie Odom also did a phenomenal job as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami and stuck out as a prime jewel. Paul Raci receives a Head Nod for invaluable assistance within his role in “Sound of Metal.”
Performance by an actress in a leading role
• Viola Davis in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – FIST BUMP
• Andra Day in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” – MARRY
• Vanessa Kirby in “Pieces of a Woman”
• Frances McDormand in “Nomadland” – DATE
• Carey Mulligan in “Promising Young Woman” – HEAD NOD
This category is also challenging to rate; however, from beginning to end, Andra Day did what she had to do to embody the one and only Billie Holiday in the “United States vs. Billie Holiday” film. That final scene with Holiday lying in her hospital bed laughing, to the hilarious outtake of dancing with her beau while the credits roll did it for me. Next up is Frances McDormand, who also gave one heck of a visual experience as a nomad in “Nomadland” that impacted me emotionally. McDormand took us on a ride that made me look internally and question myself to ask, “Am I truly living or just existing?” Therefore I feel this category should go to either Day or McDormand, and I am interested in seeing the results. Of course, Viola Davis also did a phenomenal job as Ma Rainey in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and receives a Fist Bump for her impeccable role. Carey Mulligan gets a Head Nod for badass role as well.
Achievement in cinematography
• “Judas and the Black Messiah” Sean Bobbitt – DATE
• “Mank” Erik Messerschmidt – FIST BUMP
• “News of the World” Dariusz Wolski
• “Nomadland” Joshua James Richards – MARRY
• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Phedon Papamichael
The cinematography in “Nomadland” worked effectively to depict a story through a lens that captured me spiritually and emotionally. To view the ugly and beautiful aspects of roaming the country when your home becomes a place in your heart is breathtaking. “Judas and the Black Messiah” follows with a Date in cinematography as I appreciated the vital aspects of the lens to take us on a color-rich journey within the era of the Black Panther Party. “Mank” receives a Fist Bump for utilizing black & white photography to depict a story from the 1930s for a modern time audience to appreciate.
Best motion picture of the year
• “The Father” David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi and Philippe Carcassonne, Producers
• “Judas and the Black Messiah” Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler, Producers – FIST BUMP
• “Mank” Ceán Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski, Producers
• “Minari” Christina Oh, Producer – HEAD NOD
• “Nomadland” Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao, Producers – MARRY
• “Promising Young Woman” Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Emerald Fennell and Josey McNamara, Producers
• “Sound of Metal” Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche, Producers – DATE
• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Marc Platt and Stuart Besser, Producers
For the overall motion picture category, “Nomadland” receives a Marry designation followed by a Date with “Sound of Metal” and a Fist Bump for “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The “Minari” film receives a Head Nod for its impact within the film industry as well. This category is challenging to rate as well. I wish all of the nominees the best of hope as they embark on winning an Oscar for their work.
Check out the full list of nominations here as well. View the winners of these categories and more for the 93rd Oscars® when it airs live on ABC on Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. Feel free to share your Marry, Date, or Fist Bump predictions with us below too.
Glitter&Gumbo is honored to serve as credentialed press for the 93rd Oscars. We’re working virtually behind the scenes to share highlights and moments from this year’s prestigious ceremony.
For Coverage Selections View:
- Facebook/Instagram -> Glitter&Gumbo Channel for Red Carpet looks
- Twitter channel -> GlitterGumbo for nominee/presenter/ceremony updates
- Website -> GlitterandGumbo.com for the overall ceremony experience
