The 2025 Academy Awards are coming soon, with Emilia Perez leading the pack with 13 nominations. What follows closely is “Conclave” with 10 nominations, “Evil” and “Brutal” and “Completely Unknown” and “Conclave” with eight nominations each.
KTLA spoke with Scott “Movie” Manz, a well-known film critic and Hollywood insider, about the top picks in the Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actors and Best Director categories.
Interviewer: Scott, let’s start with the best photos.
Manz: After winning Best Pictures in Critics’ Choice Awards as well as Producer Guild Awards, “Anora” won Best Director at Director’s Guild Awards and Best Original Screenplay at Writers’ Guild Awards I feel that it is one. He beats the Academy Awards. “Conclave” won the best photos in Bufftas, but that’s still to lose the “anora’s” race. “Anola” for the best photos.
Mikey Madison posed for “Anola”‘s leading actress at the 78th British Academy Awards and the 78th British Academy Awards Film Awards in London on Sunday, February 16th, 2025. It’s there.
Interviewer: Will it be carried over to the best actress category?
Scott: Everyone was rooting for Demi Moore for “material.” She won the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe, but the BAFTA Award went to Mikey Madison for “Anora.” There’s a lot of overlap between BAFTAS and the Academy Awards, so it feels like Mikey Madison has a really good shot in the victory. A lot depends on who wins the SAG Awards next Sunday.
Interviewer: What about the best actor?
Scott: I feel like a “brutal person.” Adrian Brody will be his first Academy Award since winning the “Pianist” in 2002. He won BAFTA. It’s his race that will lose. He is a front runner.
Adrien Brody will win the 78th British Academy Film Awards and the BAFTA’s 78th British Academy Film Awards in London on Sunday, February 16th, 2025, with the 78th British Academy Film Awards (Joel C) Ryan/Invision/AP)
Interviewer: And the best director?
Scott: This could be a split. In recent years we have been further divided where another film has earned the best director than the best picture. I think “Anola” will win the Best Picture, but I think the Best Director will go to Sean Baker for “Anola.” He won the Director’s Guild Award. In most cases, the winner of the Director’s Guild continues to win the Best Director. But it could be Brady Corbett for “brutal.” We may be split, but I’ll go for Sean Baker and “Anora.”
Interviewer: So, a big night for “Anora”?
Scott: Yes, it’s a big night for “Anora.” There’s no more suitable movie.
Scott Manz and Caitlyn Dever will not save your FYC event at the Lynwood Dan Theatre. [Hollywood]California, May 18, 2024 (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images, a 20th Century Studio)
Scott Manz is a frequent contributor to KTLA 5 Morning News.
