In normal years, the start of June would signal an interesting point to check in on the Oscar race. Were there any summer blockbusters that could potentially make an awards play? Which early year releases have staying power? Normally, we’d have the Cannes Film Festival having established some possible players. Here in 2020, however, we have none of that, really. The movies from the first part of the year are still there, but who knows whether they’ll be given a fair shake? Plus, so many still to be released flicks (including two notable ones that I’ve already seen and am embargoed on until later this month) are X factors, in multiple ways. With all that in your mind, take these updated predictions with a major grain of salt. Still, enjoy… Here now are some sure to change predictions for the Academy Awards: BEST PICTURE 1. West Side Story 2. Mank 3. The Trial of the Chicago 7 4. News of the World 5. C’mon C’mon 6. Nomadland 7. Ammonite 8. Da 5 Bloods 9. Stillwater 10. Tenet Next in Line: 11. The Last Duel 12. The French Dispatch 13. 14. I’m Thinking of Ending Things 15. Minari 16. Promising Young Woman 17. The Eyes of Tammy Faye 18. Annette 19. On the Rocks 20. Hillbilly Elegy 21. Next Goal Wins 22. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom 23. Those Who Wish Me Dead 24. Never Rarely Sometimes Always 25. Dune 26. The Way Back 27. Respect 28. The Invisible Man 29. Soul 30. The King of Staten Island BEST DIRECTOR 1. David Fincher – Mank 2. Steven Spielberg – West Side Story 3. Mike Mills – C’mon C’mon 4. Chloe Zhao – Nomadland 5. Spike Lee – Da 5 Bloods Next in Line: 6. Paul Greengrass – News of the World 7. Aaron Sorkin – The Trial of the Chicago 7 8. Ridley Scott – The Last Duel 9. Christopher Nolan – Tenet 10. Tom McCarthy – Stillwater BEST ACTOR 1. Tom Hanks – News of the World 2. Matt Damon – Stillwater (or The Last Duel) 3. Gary Oldman – Mank 4. Joaquin Phoenix – C’mon C’mon 5. Ben Affleck – The Way Back Next in Line: 6. Bill Murray – On the Rocks 7. Adam Driver – Annette (or The Last Duel) 8. Andrew Garfield – The Eyes of Tammy Faye 9. Michael Fassbender – Next Goal Wins 10. John […]