I like how the 2017 Best Director Oscar race is shaping up. It is quite interesting in terms of which directors have been getting attention thus far. There are some surprises, I think, which leaves the Oscar race more open than it initially seemed to be.
Best Director
- Damien Chazelle – La La Land
- Barry Jenkins – Moonlight
- Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
- Martin Scorsese – Silence
- Denis Villeneuve – Arrival
Will Win: Damien Chazelle
If we look at the Golden Globes as a general guide, then this race is wide open. Tom Ford and Mel Gibson could sneak into this category. Denzel Washington has a good shot of getting in as well (although I think the Academy will assume a Best Actor nod will be enough, especially given the sparse direction in Fences).
Chazelle, Jenkins, and Lonergan seem like obvious choices. Villeneuve and Scorsese could be swapped out with one of the other contenders. Hell, Pablo Larrain or David Mackenzie could sneak in. Either way, someone’s getting snubbed.
As always, thanks for reading!
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—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)
CineFiles Movie Reviews 