Oscar season is among us and the big event is today. Every year has proven which movie is superior in particular categories and every year surprises the viewers. This year’s selection of movies have made it especially hard to decide which movie will take it all. But before any of us find out, these are my selections for some of the major categories in this years Oscars.

Best Actor Nominees:

Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea

Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge

Ryan Gosling for La La Land

Viggo Mortensen for Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington for Fences

With last year being one of the biggest wins due to Leonardo DiCaprio finally winning, this year has also proven the well-known actors keep on providing top-notch performances. But with all these performances I feel as if Denzel Washington was the most superior. He executed a very complex and stern character that captures the era of the 50’s so accurately.

Best Actress Nominees:

Isabelle Huppert for Elle

Ruth Negga for Loving

Natalie Portman for Jackie

Emma Stone for La La Land

Meryl Streep for Florence Foster Jenkins

For the Best Actress category, Meryl Streep has been known to be nominated almost every year at the Oscars but I feel that the winner will be Emma Stone. Emma Stone has recently been working with acclaimed directors that have made her shine with great performances and her execution in La La Land is just another example. She sings her heart out and dances like a natural, while also containing her acting skills.

Best Directing Nominees:

Denis Villeneuve for Arrival

Mel Gibson for Hacksaw Ridge

Damien Chazelle for La La Land

Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea

Barry Jenkins for Moonlight

Directors have always been an interest of mine, the stories they have of going through the production and the hardship they endure appeal to me. But with this years nominees it’s especially hard deciding who will win. But it will either go to Barry Jenkins for directing a movie so timely and important (Moonlight) or Denis Villeneuve for making a mind-bending sci-fi classic (Arrival). Maybe even Damien Chazelle, for creating a grand-scale musical that recreated the genre (La La Land).

Best Picture Nominees:

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

This year’s Best Picture category makes it exceptionally hard to choose, because they are all very different and own distinct features that make them all special in their own way. But the movie I would favor to win is Arrival. Arrival is a sample of smart film-making, the story is new and the premise is fresh. The acting is top-quality and it’s a prime example of a modern masterpiece.