Five things to look out for on Oscars night

Feb 28, 2016, 14:25

In spite of the controversies surrounding this year's Academy Awards, we are still looking forward to it. The Internet hasn't let down since the nominees were announced, with various memes and trolls begging - yes, begging - that an award be given to Leonardo Dicaprio.

That's it! I've chose to ditch "The Revenant" for "Spotlight" as my Best Picture prediction at the Oscars.

The Revenant's main challengers for Best Picture are expected to be Spotlight (+250) and The Big Short (+600), with Mad Max: Fury Road next on the list at +6600. If so, it'll be his first.

"Room" actress Brie Larson might be given the Best Actress trophy for her performance in the movie.

Moreover, the best director award has been fought between "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "The Revenant" directors George Miller and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, respectively.

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As well, Sylvester Stallone is the -300 favorite on the odds to win Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in Creed, ahead of Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) at +275.

The 89-year-old institution has launched an ambitious drive to diversify its membership, but a Los Angeles Times study shows just how much work the academy has to do if it intends to reflect the audience it serves.

Stars and activists from historically underrepresented - or almost unrepresented - groups in Hollywood are boycotting Sunday's Academy Awards over the lack of non-white nominees in the major categories for the second year in a row. Best Picture and Best Director are also up in the air.

Brutal and methodical in execution, grand and incredible in cinematography, The Revenant has been the toast of award season this year, with DiCaprio scalping nearly every awards that matter - including BAFTA, SAG Award and the Golden Globe among others.

"The Big Short", Adam McKay's scathing, scathingly amusing expose of the 2008 global financial meltdown, won the Producers Guild Award, a strong and reliable Oscar precursor.

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Spotlight actress Rachel McAdams and Jennifer Jason Leigh are also in the running. Playing the role of a developmentally disabled person, and acting beside the talented and dashing Johnny Depp, DiCaprio made his first ever Oscar nomination with this movie.

Leonardo's British co-star Tom Hardy is up for best supporting actor in a category dominated by talent from the UK. "Inside Out" wins, but Charlie Kaufman's "Anomalisa" didn't get the attention and credit it deserves.

Sam Smith has been nominated for the best original song Oscar for Writing's On The Wall, the theme to James Bond film Spectre.

Lady Gaga is scheduled to perform "Til It Happens to You", and she will be introduced by Vice President Joe Biden as part of a presentation aimed at combating sexual violence.

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I ranked "Inside Out" as among the five best films of the year, and it's disappointing it wasn't nominated for best film, instead relegated to the "best animated feature" category. Tony Rock, brother of Chris, who's this year's Oscars host, will be the master of ceremonies, and you can watch the whole thing over at Fusion. The US television network ABC will broadcast the event.