As a film buff, I find winter my favorite and least favorite time of year. Throwing the remote at my TV, sobbing into my cat’s fur and tear-jerking awards speeches that go on a little too long, the Oscars.
According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars is an annual award ceremony dedicated to recognizing the talent, hard work and dedication that goes into filmmaking. Ranging from 24 categories, such as the prominent and popular Best Actor in a Leading Role, to the more obscure Best Adapted Screenplay. Each category spans across five nominees, with Best Picture being an exception, having 10.
And this year, I have a lot to say. From snubs to actors I had to Google – buckle up.
Anyone who knows me at all knows I love musical theater. When the second part of Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of “Wicked” was released in November, I was first in line to buy my ticket. And I loved every single second of it.
So, to say I was surprised when the nominations came out, and “Wicked: For Good” didn’t receive even one, and wasn’t nearly as loved as its predecessor, would be an understatement.
I’m not unbiased in my love for “Wicked.” Look, I’m in theater, so I know better than most people how much effort goes into a good production. There’s a lot of blood, a lot of sweat and a lot of tears, especially for an adaptation as large-scale as “Wicked.” Seeing all of that effort go unrecognized physically hurts something inside me.
Thankfully, my feelings towards the Oscars aren’t all doom and gloom. While I am disappointed about “Wicked: For Good,” I am absolutely thrilled for Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.”
Earning 16 total nominations, “Sinners” has become the most nominated film since the awards debuted in 1929.
As someone who is African-American, I love to see casts and crews made up mainly of people of color. Seeing actors like Michael B. Jordan, playing main characters Elijah and Elias, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, who played Annie and Delta Slim respectively, nominated for the highest honor an actor can receive makes me wonder if change is coming for the currently white and male-dominated industry.
This change can be seen in director Maggie Kang’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” Becoming the first K-Pop song to be nominated for an Oscar, Best Original Song.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters.” was absolutely everywhere this year. The hype has yet to falter, with the voice actors of the fictional band HUNTR/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami going on to perform at the 2026 Grammys, and going as far as to win Best Song Written for Visual Media.
In an industry where being a white male is the norm, I love seeing creators like Coogler, Jordan, Mosaku and Kang opening the gates for people who look like them. Paving paths for the ones they’ve inspired just by being themselves.
All of that considered, I have a lot of predictions of my own. For one, there’s no doubt in my mind that “Sinners” will win Best Picture, with Jordan following suit and winning Best Actor in A Leading Role. Actress in a Leading Role is definitely Emma Stone’s, for her performance in “Bugonia.” “K-Pop Demon Hunters” won’t be walking away empty handed either.
Overall, with recording beating nominations and many firsts to come, I definitely think the 98th Oscars will be one to remember.
