Every year, when I write about the Oscars here at the Rye Record, you may find yourself thinking one or more of the following: Who is this guy? What makes him such an expert? I know more about the Oscars than him!
In 2020, you have a chance to prove it. I’m taking on all comers in a game we’re calling “Beat the Expert.”
Here are my bonafides: I’ve written about the Oscars for The Atlantic, The Guardian, and The Economist. For the fifth time in six years, I’ll be giving a public lecture at the Smithsonian on the history of the Oscars in February. I win my friends-and-family Oscars pool pretty much every year.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t win. Especially lately, the Oscars seem to delight in breaking their own traditions. They used to say a film can’t win Best Picture without being nominated in the Best Director category. Last year, “Green Book” proved it was possible. For 34 years, no Best Picture winner had ever failed to get nominated for Best Editing. Then “Birdman” did it in 2014. Best Supporting Actress used to be the most unpredictable category, leading to surprise winners like Marisa Tomei (“My Cousin Vinny”) and Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite”). But the overwhelming favorite has now win for 12 years in a row.
To win your Oscar pool, you used to only have to know your history. Now you have to be able to predict the future, which means your guess is as good as mine.
Submit your ballots in the following categories to Nick Jovanovich at njovanovich@ryerecord.com by February 7.
In addition to the personal satisfaction, the winner will also receive a gift card to a fantastic Rye restaurant. I’ll reveal my ballot, along with – if applicable – the winning ballot shortly after the ceremony on February 9.
Good luck!
Eligible Categories
Picture
Director
Actor
Actress
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actress
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Foreign Language Film
Animated Feature
Documentary
Cinematography
Production Design
Costumes
Original Score
