Now that the nominations for this year's Oscars have been released, the analysis and predictions can begin in earnest.
There's been a few surprises to say the least, particularly in the Best Picture category, with Beasts Of No Nation effectively shut out from the major categories. Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Room both had a strong showing, however The Revenant scored the most nominations with 11.
Here's our predictions across all the major categories...
BEST PICTURE
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight
Without a shadow of a doubt, this has to be one of the toughest categories to call in recent years. Every film is a strong contender, however there are few we can cross off at an early stage. Bridge of Spies and The Big Short definitely won't win, nor will The Martian and (sadly) Brooklyn. Mad Max: Fury Road, as much as we loved it, probably win out either. It's a three-way tie between The Revenant, Room and Spotlight. Considering The Revenant won out in the Golden Globes, it's the favourite to win here as well. However, Room and Spotlight could easily take it the gong as well. Gun to head? Probably The Revenant.
BEST ACTOR
Bryan Cranston - Trumbo
Matt Damon - The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant
Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl
This has got to be Leonardo DiCaprio's year. It just has to be. Granted, were it any other year and DiCaprio's performance wasn't in contention, we'd be calling it for our own Michael Fassbender and Steve Jobs. Leonardo DiCaprio HAS to win it this year; he's just gotta.
BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - Carol
Brie Larson - Room
Jennifer Lawrence - Joy
Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn
Brie Larson's the heavy favourite to win here, we think. Her performance in Room was that strong, there's very little doubt she won't walk away without an Oscar. In the highly unlikely event that she doesn't win, Jennifer Lawrence is the next line with Saoirse Ronan placing in third. Again, that's unlikely - Larson's got this sewn up.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale - The Big Short
Tom Hardy - The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone- Creed
Again, like the previous category, Sylvester Stallone's the strongest candidate here to win. Mark Ruffalo, although he's great in Spotlight, is an odd choice. The film was more an ensemble piece than anything else. Mark Rylance is a brilliant actor, but giving him an award for Bridge of Spies? Definitely not. Tom Hardy's the next in line to win if Sylvester Stallone doesn't take it, but there's almost no chance of that happpening.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara - Carol
Rachel McAdams - Spotlight
Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs
It's great to see Rachel McAdams get a nomination in here for Spotlight, in what was a film dominated by male performances. However, Kate Winslet's Polish twang is going to win out for her here. Jennifer Jason Leigh, as well, is rightfully nominated and was the best thing about The Hateful Eight - although that's really not saying much.
BEST DIRECTOR
Adam McKay - The Big Short
George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu - The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson - Room
Tom McCarthy - Spotlight
As much as a sin it is to go against our own countryman, we'd love to see George Miller win here. It's not going to happen, mind, but George Miller deserves some recognition for the incredible work he did in Fury Road. However, when we come back to reality, it's a two-way tie between our own Abrahamson and Iñárritu. If Room doesn't win in Best Picture, Abrahamson will win here.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There
Inside Out's the clear favourite to win here, although Anomalisa may sneak in. Shaun The Sheep hasn't a prayer and, sadly, nobody's seen the other two nominations. Inside Out's a comfortable winner here.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Big Short
Brooklyn
Carol
The Martian
Room
Room's the likely winner, followed by either The Big Short or Carol. More than likely, however, we'll see Emma Donoghue will come away with a statuette here - and rightfully so. Room really was one of the best screenplays of this year, adapted or otherwise.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton
It's great to see Inside Out get a nomination outside of Best Animated; we originally envisioned it sweeping its way into the Best Picture category. Not so, unfortunately. As to who'll win, it's anybody's guess. It really is a tough category to call, although the most likely is probably Spotlight or Ex Machina. Hopefully, Spotlight will come away with something here.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Sicario
If The Revenant wasn't in the running here, we'd put Sicario out as the most likely winner. However, the sight of Leonardo DiCaprio being buried alive following a vicious bear attack won over too many people for it not to win. Hope it was worth it, man.
