SOUND OF METAL

BEST PICTURE
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST SOUND
BEST WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

The life of an itinerant punk-metal drummer begins to unravel when he suddenly loses his hearing, and with it, his identity.

Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche

The big three have to be “Nomadland,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and “Promising Young Woman.” Personally, I would put “Sound Of Metal” in the next group, which let’s call the “upset” group. But if we’re stepping into that group, almost any of the other five films are positioned in a way that they could upset.

Bert Hamelinck | Sacha Ben Harroche

— 1st time Nominee —

Riz Ahmed

Ruben, a drummer in a metal band and recovering addict, navigates the challenges as he loses his hearing, living among a deaf community.

If I were an Academy member, my first vote would go to Chadwick Boseman. His performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was stellar and it would feel good to honor the man’s legacy. My second pick would go to Riz Ahmed, because the man nailed this role. He learned sign language and how to play the drums. That’s dedication.

RIZ AHMED

— 1st time Nominee —

Paul Raci

Running a sober living house in a deaf community, Joe helps offers guidance to Ruben as he loses his hearing.

Paul Raci is in that category of “lucky to be nominated.” Many wondered if he ever would. Thankfully he did, and I am so glad he gets that honor, after forty years in the business with zero recognition. Daniel Kaluuya is king of the mountain at the moment, and if anyone is going to upset it would more likely be Sacha Baron Cohen or Leslie Odom Jr.

PAUL RACI

— 1st time Nominee —

Mikkel E. G. Nielsen

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” is one to watch in this category. A close second would likely be “Nomadland.” To me, the editing of “The Father” was a little too erratic, so “Sound Of Metal” would fall somewhere in the middle.

Mikkel E. G. Nielsen

— 1st time Nominee —

Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michellee Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh

Best Sound has got to go to “Sound Of Metal.” Not just because “sound” is in the title, but the sound design is so damn effective. You feel like you’re in the head of Riz Ahmed’s character, hearing what he’s hearing. Whether it be the sound cutting out, the new hearing aid being turned on, or a loud party. You understand what it’s like to be someone losing their hearing. It scared the hell out of me. No other film in the category can touch that.

Nicolas Becker | Jaime Baksht | Michellee Couttolenc | Carlos Cortés | Phillip Bladh

— 1st time Nominees —

Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder
Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance

To beat out either “Promising Young Woman” or “The Trial of the Chicago 7” seems unlikely. Even then, a film like “Minari,” which also has a Best Directing nominee attached seems like it places “Sound Of Metal” toward the bottom of the barrel in the Screenplay category.

Darius Marder | Abraham Marder | Derek Cianfrance

— 1st time Nominees —