Slackers: Keith interviews Eric on Oscar predictions, hopes and snubs

What follows is a lightly edited discussion that occurred in Slack on Saturday night, March 11. I (Keith) interviewed Eric about his view on who should win and likely will win the above-the-line Oscars.

k.adair: okay, so i watched some of the Oscar stuff this year, but not all. how much did you get through?

Eric Gifford: 31 of 39 feature films. For the first time in a while I got through all best picture. Also all acting categories. Directing, original screenplay, adapted screenplay, editing, sound, makeup, and visual effects, and animation all completed. 1-2 left on all the rest

k.adair: holy moly

Eric Gifford: A good amount of the shorts but not all of any categories.

k.adair: and you’re done? not gonna try to sneak anything in tomorrow?

Eric Gifford: No not at this point. It's not like I always care that much, but I find for some if I don't do it before the ceremony I don't care as much afterward.

Like they become dead to me and I forget about them after the show. It's unfair but there you go.

k.adair: hahaha. yeah that sounds right.

k.adair: so: good Oscar movie year? bad Oscar movie year?

Eric Gifford: I think at first I wasn't so impressed but after watching there were some really great gems. In there.

Eric Gifford: Best Picture: Everything Everywhere All At Once I think will win and I think it should. I've heard great cases for Top Gun and Avatar to get the seeing public more excited about movies in general. And Tar is really a tour de force - really amazing. But EEAAO jumping to the top of the pack is such a great story

k.adair: oh look at you cutting to the chase!!

Eric Gifford: It's won so many awards this season, it turns out, that the people who follow closely, the journalists, are tired of it winning. But to everyone else it will draw attention to this crazy film that does so many things together from a team that did SO MUCH with so little and made a film that truly slays. I may be too old to use that phrase but I've got a 12-year-old and it's fitting.

k.adair: so Everything Everywhere, huh? we caught that in theaters together — did you watch it again after that?

Eric Gifford: I haven't seen it again and I think my experience watching Tar was probably more enthralling because I had so much expectation for EEAAO. But I do think that one can capture the attention and do a lot for film and I just love a movie that like getting recognized.

k.adair: i watched it again! i liked it 3% less! but i still realllly enjoyed it

k.adair: and i’ll be hype if it wins

Eric Gifford: Yeah I think I'll actually like it more on the second viewing, but we'll see.

k.adair: But Tar…. what a flick

Eric Gifford: Yes. Oh man. I put it on at like 11 pm thinking I would watch an hour and finish later but I almost didn't blink for the next 2.5 hours. She is captivating and there is so much nuance in her performance. I think she's likley to win, though Yeoh could get it. It's tough because they are both so deserving and having a moment, but Tar is the one that should get it if I have to make a choice.

Eric Gifford: I'm not very innovative. I think Brendan Fraser will win for Best Actor in the Whale. It makes the most sense. Every performance is great, but I also would love to see Paul Mescal for Aftersun, which is a beautiful and heartbreaking film, especially because I have a 12-year-old daughter, which is a main piece of that film.

Eric Gifford: But Ke Huy Quan will get supporting actor. All the nominees are great, too, but he stands out as so dynamic. Comedy, action, drama, romance - all in that role and he takes advantage of being underestimated.

k.adair: and he’ll give a great speech

Eric Gifford: Yeah good point. That will be a great moment.

k.adair: wait wait go back to Best Actor

k.adair: did you like the movie The Whale??

k.adair: i’ve met or read no one who actually liked the movie

Eric Gifford: I really didn't know what to expect. It was Darren Aronofsky so I was like what crazy stuff is he going to throw at us. But then it's also kind of straightforward story of someone with struggles that you appreciate their character and what they've gone through.

k.adair: (i didn’t see it)

Eric Gifford: I didn't think it was a bad movie. It wasn't unexpected, which was, again, strange from that director. It's adapted from a play and that make so much sense. I think it's a good movie. I think Fraser is so heartfelt and authentic and the whole narrative around his comeback make him a shoe-in.

k.adair: what’s your favorite of the Best Actor performances tho?

k.adair: I thought Farrell was great

k.adair: oh, Mescal, you said?

Eric Gifford: I think it is Fraser. I have read one too many of these predictions so it's hard to separate from others' predictions. Colin Farrell is so great but it's not a stretch for him really. Aftersun is a better film and Mescal is a big part of the reason why, but it's really about the whole movie on that one. That's the other thing like you mention: Fraser's speech would be a culmination of a story that's been happening.

k.adair: that’s for sure — he deserves everything he’s getting right now, what a story

Eric Gifford: Yeah. Supporting actress. Would love to see Kerry Condon for Banshees. I think that would be my pick. However I also wouldn't mind a sweep for EEAAO and Jamie Lee Curtis would probably be the one they'd go with for that.

k.adair: she is my favorite part of that movie

k.adair: and i REALLY liked that movie

k.adair: oh and Barry Keoghan

Eric Gifford: Yeah. I would love to rewatch it with you and talk through it. It seemed like a frontrunner at the start of the discussions.

Eric Gifford: No question that there is top-notch skill on every part of that film.

k.adair: poor Jenny the donkey

Eric Gifford: Directing will go the Daniels - What a feat! So much fun and, again, I love recognizing these two crazy guys and where they came from.

Eric Gifford: But Todd Field is the mature master of the bunch and just as deserving.

Eric Gifford: Original Screenplay is the same dynamic between EEAAO and Tar.

k.adair: it’s interesting— i think Everything Everywhere has big millennial vibes — it’s so gonzo and over the top and referential

k.adair: they definitely directed the hell out of it

Eric Gifford: Yes exactly. And it will probably win original screenplay.

k.adair: and then when the rush stops, and they just talk to each other

k.adair: woof

k.adair: so great

k.adair: faves that didn’t get nominated?

k.adair: my favorite movie last year was pretty easily Nope

k.adair: i can’t believe it got SHUT OUT

Eric Gifford: Oh yeah. That was an excellent one that would've been worthy of a best picture nod over something like triangle of sadness or women talking (Though Women Talking would be my pick for adapted screenplay)

k.adair: it’s just such a complete picture

k.adair: and it’s really CRYPTIC

Eric Gifford: Inu-Oh was on the shortlist for animation, I think, and was super innovative and so I would've liked to see that in there.

k.adair: ah, i didn’t catch that one

Eric Gifford: I only watched it because I thought it would be nominated. Truman and I had fun watching that together.

Eric Gifford: I would've loved to see The Menu get a screenplay nomination! So tight and so funny. I loved it and I think it was excellent.

k.adair: i totally agree — tight is a good word

Eric Gifford: Louis Armstrong's black and blue was a great documentary I think deserved a nomination in that category.

k.adair: i adored Decision to Leave — what’d you think of that one?

Eric Gifford: I never saw it! It's on my list.

k.adair: Oh no!!

k.adair: don’t let that one be dead to you

Eric Gifford: It was short-listed in the discussions for best picture I think. Many thought it was deserving.

k.adair: including me!

k.adair: i’d probably go

1. Nope
2. Tar
3. Decision
4. Everything Everywhere
5. Top Gun

k.adair: as far as last year

k.adair: ugh

k.adair: probably stick Banshees above Top Gun

Eric Gifford: That's a good list. And All Quiet On The Western Front is quite a feat. The music and the cinematography. It has become the potential dark horse that may take the Best Picture at the last minute.

k.adair: that would be a twist

k.adair: you gonna watch the ceremony???

k.adair: i know you don’t always — you like Jimmy Kimmel?

Eric Gifford: I just saved it on YouTube TV. Whether live or speed through after the kids go to bed, I would like to. Too bad you're not here to do it!!

k.adair: i know, jeez

k.adair: i told you that I have deep family stuff about the oscars

k.adair: my mom would watch the entire thing, with the red carpet stuff

k.adair: so i watched it all thru the 90s

k.adair: and 00s

k.adair: when people say it’s bad tv, it probably is — but it’s just part of my fabric

k.adair: Kim tolerates it

Eric Gifford: Ahhh I forgot about that. That's funny. I might turn it on with the kids perhaps, I'm not sure. Yeah, I most get a little embarrassed watching it with others because it's easy to roll your eyes at all the "magic of cinema" stuff but I'm kind of there for it shrugs.

k.adair: RIGHT

k.adair: ME TOO

Eric Gifford: 🙌

k.adair: okay last question, since you scare-quoted “magic of cinema”

k.adair: did you see Babylon?

Eric Gifford: I love Chazelle and will always be there for him after Whiplash, but that one is beyond my line for content so if/until it comes on VidAngel or is streaming somewhere I can skip appropriately I probably won't.

k.adair: lolol you are a better man than me

Eric Gifford: But it's got all the signs of what would pull me in no matter what everyone else says

Eric Gifford: Did you watch it?

Eric Gifford: No judgement. I want to, it just seemed difficult to maneuver

Eric Gifford: And often it sounds worse than it really is

k.adair: yeah, actually— it’s mostly just the first gonzo sequence that needs a careful hand

Eric Gifford: Got it.

k.adair: and maybe some of the end?

k.adair: but it hinges on a very Oscars-y sequence!

Eric Gifford: Ok well I didn't ask you much about your takes but you put it in there. Anything more that stands out from your part? Hot takes? Missed opportunities?

k.adair: hrmmmmmmmm

k.adair: nah — justice for Jordan Peele

Eric Gifford: 👏

k.adair: NIGHT

Eric Gifford:  Good night 😉

k.adair: midnight here, jeepers