My Oscar ballot (2017)

I've posted what I think will happen in the Oscars tonight. Now for my personal choices. I will be abstaining in three categories where I have not seen at least two of the nominees, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Animated Feature and Best Documentary Feature, as I have not seen enough of the nominees to vote.

BEST PICTURE: La La Land

I am a fan of musicals, and my two favorites, Singin In The Rain and Umbrellas of Cherbourg, are both major influences on this film's look and tone. I also love how director Damien Chazelle took the joy of musicals and placed in the emotions of the reality. In a strong list of nominees, this for me is an easy choice.

BEST ACTOR: Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

I would be fine with any of the nominees, actually. It is a strong list. But Garfield impressed me the most. For most of the film, which is a bit routine, he nobly plays the strength required to stay a pacifist but still serve his country. But he secures my vote for how he plays gaining strength through faith in the climactic sequence where he saves many lives. His body language, total exhaustion yet determination, shows a power which wins my vote.

BEST ACTRESS: Emma Stone, La La Land

I loved the quiet strength of Ruth Negga's performance. Stone wins my vote for believably playing the highs and lows of pursuing acting stardom, and especially for the climactic explosion of emotion in her performance of "Audition" where she maps out why she does what she does.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

I will also be happy if Mahershala Ali wins. But Bridges had the most effect on me, as he quickly establishes in his laid back tone that he is smarter than every one in the room, picks apart the main characters' plan, and yet also plays the genuine emotion when the violence hits too close to home.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Viola Davis, Fences

I would have voted for her in the category where she belongs, Best Actress. One of our great actors in the performance of her year, and the emotional heart of the film, this is a really easy choice.

BEST DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle, La La Land

For the same reason I am voting for best picture.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Hell or High Water

An impressive uses of the tropes of cops and robbers and the old west to offer a criticism of the economics of today.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Moonlight

I loved the intelligence of Arrival's screenplay, but the character study of Moonlight, also offering a criticism of the economics of today while also the lack of opportunity in the inner city for the main character to explore his homosexuality, hit me harder emotionally.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: La La Land

For the use of color and light and the way it calls back the musicals of the past.

BEST COSTUMES: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The costumes and sets created a world in a way that no other did this year, a world which looks like a past that didn't happen, given the infusion of magic.

BEST SOUND MIXING: Arrival
BEST SOUND EDITING: Arrival

For me, the sound of Arrival was more critical to its success than any other film this year.

BEST EDITING: La La Land

Cutting together a musical yet remaining invisible is a tough, tough achievement.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: The Jungle Book

The animals look real to me.

BEST MAKEUP: Star Trek Beyond

For the creation of the character of Jaylah alone.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

See costumes.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" from La La Land

This is the emotional climax of the film, so I prefer it to the other La La Land song.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: La La Land

The other two score albums I bought this year -- Moana and Sing Street -- were not nominated. When a musical really soars, it is a testament to its music. the use of jazz to give this a subtly different flavor fits the themes and gives it life.