Do not, under any circumstances, look to me for help with your March Madness basketball pool, either on the women’s or the men’s side. My brackets were dead in the first two hours of play. However, if you have a ballot waiting in your inbox to participate in an Oscar pool, that’s my wheelhouse. Here’s your annual cheat sheet.
Best Picture 
Belfast
CODA
Don’t Look Up
Drive My Car
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
This is likely the tightest race of the night, with a toss-up between CODA and The Power of the Dog. I’m throwing my vote to The Power of the Dog.
Directing
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Ryûsuke Hamaguch, Drive my Car
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Steven Spielberg, West Side Story
Given her wins at other awards shows this season, this is as close to a gimme as you’ll get, with the possible exception of International Feature Film.
Actress in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Penélope Cruz, Parallel Mothers
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Kristen Stewart, Spencer
Colman would have a strong shot if she hadn’t picked up a statuette recently (for a FABULOUS turn as Queen Anne…if you haven’t seen The Favourite, get it in your queue.) This year, however, you’re best to choose Chastain.
Actor in a Leading Role
Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick…Boom!
Will Smith, King Richard
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Smith is a strong favorite, though oddsmakers have Garfield climbing. My head says Smith. My heart says…Cumberbatch. WHAT TO DO? Sigh. Since it’s a pool, I’ll pick Smith. But I’ll toast Cumberbatch. I’d really like to see him win.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Judi Dench, Belfast
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Aujanue Ellis, King Richard
Actor in a Supporting Role 
Ciarán Hinds, Belfast
Troy Kotsur, CODA
Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog
J.K. Simmons, Being the Ricardos
Kodi Smith-McPhee, The Power of the Dog
This is a tight one between Troy Kotsur and Kodi Smith-McPhee. The ensemble cast of CODA won the SAG, however, which may be the nudge that shifts the odds to Kotsur.
Original Screenplay
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Adam McKay and David Sirota, Don’t Look Up
Zach Baylin, King Richard
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza
Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, The Worst Person in the World
This is a hotly contested race. I think it’s a close call between Belfast and Licorice Pizza. Every Academy expert has a different reason for why one or the other will win…or why The Worst Person in the World could potentially play spoiler. If you have a favorite, you may as well go with it.
Adapted Screenplay
Siân Heder, CODA
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car
Jon Spaihts, Denis Velleneuve, and Eric Roth, Dune
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog has momentum here, but the spoiler could be Drive My Car. Choose your favorite.
Animated Feature
Encanto
Flee
Luca
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Raya and the Last Dragon
Documentary Feature
Ascension
Attica
Flee
Summer of Soul
Writing with Fire
Flee could be the upset winner here, but I’m going with the odds-on, feel-good favorite: Summer of Soul.
International Feature Film
Drive My Car
Flee
The Hand of God
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
The Worst Person in the World
This should be a solid pick. If there’s an upset, it would be The Worst Person in the World.
Cinematography
Dune
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story
Another tight race. Dune, The Power of the Dog, and West Side Story all have buzz. Take your pick. I’m going with Dune.
Film Editing
Don’t Look Up
Dune
King Richard
The Power of the Dog
Tick, Tick…Boom!
Tough call here between Dune and The Power of the Dog. I’m throwing my money behind Dune.
Costume Design 
Cruella
Cyrano
Dune
Nightmare Alley
West Side Story
Makeup and Hairstyling
Coming 2 America
Cruella
Dune
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
House of Gucci
If your pool has these two categories, pick up two easy wins for Costume Design and Makeup and Hairstyling. Both are heavy favorites.
Original Score
Don’t Look Up
Dune
Encanto
Parallel Mothers
The Power of the Dog
Hans Zimmer FTW.
Original Song
“Be Alive” – King Richard
“Dos Oruguitas” – Encanto
“Down to Joy” – Belfast
“No Time to Die” – No Time to Die
“Somehow You Do” – Four Good Days
Sound
Belfast
Dune
No Time to Die
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
Belfast could be the surprise win here, but I’m checking the box for Dune.
Production Design
Dune
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story
Oddmakers and buzz have Dune here, but Nightmare Alley’s gorgeous 1930s carnival could be the upset.
Visual Effects
Dune
Free Guy
No Time to Die
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Documentary (Short Subject)
Audible
Lead Me Home
The Queen of Basketball
Three Songs for Benazir
When We Were Bullies
Top picks here are Audible (a football documentary) and The Queen of Basketball. I’m going with the Queen (hey, I write romance novels about royalty.) However, if you saw and loved Audible, you wouldn’t be going out on a limb to pick it.
Short Film (Live Action)
Ala Kachuu – Take and Run
The Dress
The Long Goodbye
On My Mind
Please Hold
Short Film (Animated)
Affairs of the Art
Bestia
Boxballet
Robin Robin
The Windshield Wiper
Looking for a 2022 Printable Oscar Ballot? Here are two options:
Vanity Fair (look for the “Printable Ballot” box on the left side of the page)
Good luck!
