Nominations for the Oscars are out and, just for the hell of it, here’s my guesses as to what will win in the major categories. Just to be clear, I haven’t seen every films that’s been nominated (I still haven’t found a spare ten days to watch The Irishman for example) but that’s not going to stop me taking a punt on the following:

BEST PICTURE – 1917

I’d like Jojo Rabit to win, but I don’t think it will and, having seen 1917 on the weekend, I’ll be surprised if that doesn’t pick up the Oscar.

DIRECTING – ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD

It’s Tarantino or Mendes for me, but I think Tarantino will win out.

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – JOAQUIN PHOENIX – Joker

I had big problems with Joker and honestly don’t think it’s all that, but there’s no denying that Phoeniz threw himself into the role. I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t win this.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – BRAD PITT – Once upon a Time…in Hollywood

Brad Pitt was excellent in …Hollywood, wonderfully understated and yet held the screen every time he was on it.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE – CYNTHIA ERIVO – Harriet

I haven’t seen any of the films nominated in this category so this is a total guess.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – SCARLETT JOHANSSON – Jojo Rabbit

Mainly because Jojo Rabbit was a bloody good film and Johansson deserves this for her part in it.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) – LITTLE WOMEN – Written for the screen by Greta Gerwig

Maybe they’ll give this to Gerwig as a sop for not being nominated for Director?

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) – KNIVES OUT – Written by Rian Johnson

Despite my big reservations with what he did with Last Jedi, there’s no denying that Knives Out was a damn good film with an excellent script.