This year's race for the Oscars has been easier than in recent years: There are no major upsets to report other than the "snub" for Barbie -2023's biggest hit came in with eight nominations. Greta Gerwig was passed over completely in the directing category.
Well, this is democracy, and votes don't go just by money. (Nobody's freaking out about last year's second-place Super Mario Bros. movie not making the big show. The Oscars are fully aware that the bigger the films they award, the better the viewership for TV broadcasts (their main money-spinner), so they plan to plunder the Barbie at every possible cost.
They'll be giving away 65 cans to the Frog with Ryan Gosling as he croons 'I'm Just Kane' (nominated for Best Song), while Billie Eilish (also nominated, a more likely winner) sings her hit 'What Was I Will you sing 'Made For'?
The ceremony is starting an hour early and is aiming to last three and a half hours. Host Jimmy Kimmel – a universally acknowledged safe pair of hands – will have a lot to do but unless they give the playoff orchestra leader an electric cattle prod, the chances of keeping the trimmed things in the Bupkeys are slim. However, what many people are not talking about.
It is likely to face significant political opposition, given the activity at the Grammys, the Independent Spirit Awards and elsewhere. Security has been "increased" around the venue, but the Oscars have said they will not interfere with the winners' speeches.
However, unless Mark Ruffalo manages to edge out Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor, it's hard to see where a militant Vanessa Redgrave-type speech is going to come. However, James Wilson, creator of The Zone of Interest, has some influence in this area.
The final predictions have been dead cert for a few weeks now; Others less than this. Everyone's had their say, including our own Peter Bradshaw, so here's one last chance to roll the dice.
Best Picture Oppenheimer, Best Actor Cillian Murphy, Best Actress Lily Gladstone, Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr., Best Supporting Actress Devin Joy Randolph, Best Director Christopher Nolan, Best Song What Was I Made For?
Best Adapted Screenplay American Fiction. Best Original Screenplay Anatomy of a Fall, Best Documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, Best Animated Film The Boy and the Heron, Best International Film The Zone of Interest.
In the US -The channel kicks off with Brunch at the Oscars at 12:00 PT/15:00 ET, then moves to live action from the red carpet show at 14:00 PT/17:00 ET. ABC begins its coverage with the Oscars red carpet show at 15:30 PT/18:30 ET, before the ceremony begins at 16:00 PT/19:00 ET. It is scheduled to end at 19:30 PT/22:30 ET.
In the UK: ITV has acquired the rights this year, with its streaming platform ITVX starting at 21:30 GMT and its broadcast channel ITV1 kicking off with Oscars Live at 22:15 GMT, In Australia: 7Bravo from 08:00 AEDT on E! Presenting red carpet coverage of. Channel 7 is airing Red Carpet Live at 9:30 AEDT, while the ceremony show starts at 10:00 AEDT.