By Ian Bonham

Ok, the dust is settled (for now) and we have the Oscar nominations for 2016. Trying to predict which way the voting will go is, for me, like trying to herd a bunch of cats. Movies that really don't deserve votes can get them because they address 'issues', and movies that do deserve votes purely on their cinematic merit lose out.

Here let’s take a look at the main categories and I will explain where my tick would go. This is not about trying to predict the actual awards, but based on my viewings, where I 'think' they should go. Please do feel free to have your say in the comments section below :)

Original Song

"Earned It," 50 Shades Of Grey | "Manta Ray," Racing Extinction | "Simple Song #3," Youth | "Til It Happens to You," The Hunting Ground | Writing's On the Wall" Spectre

For me this has got to be “Writing's on the Wall” by Sam Smith. A very different song to Adele's 'Skyfall' but perfectly suited to a Bond film that was evocative of the past as they sorted out the rights and brought back S.P.E.C.T.R.E.

Cinematography

Carol | The Hateful Eight | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Revenant | Sicario

This is a difficult one, choosing between “Fury Road” or “The Revenant” basically. “The Revenant” has spectacular photography, simply stunning, but then so does “Fury Road”. My vote would have to go to “Fury Road” however, because along with stunning photography, the fact they shot it whilst hanging off the back of a truck travelling at 70 miles an hour takes some guts.

Costume Design

Carol | Cinderella | The Danish Girl | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Revenant

This is another one where I am really torn, as all the nominations are particularly strong. I waver toward “Cinderella” because they got beautiful costumes without making them look panto. I find I would eventually vote for “The Danish Girl” though because they made Eddie Redmayne look stunning and convincingly handled the transition.

Animated Feature

Anomalisa Boy And The World | Inside Out | Shaun The Sheep Movie | When Marnie Was There

“Shaun the Sheep Movie”. It's an Aardman movie, do you need any more reason? Oh, it's also brilliant!

Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short | Tom Hardy, The Revenant | Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight | Mark Rylance, Bridge Of Spies | Sylvester Stallone, Creed

I think Sly bagged this one, because his performance in “Creed” was utterly sublime. Not a line I ever thought I would find myself writing about Stallone.

Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight | Rooney Mara, Carol | Rachel McAdams, Spotlight | Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl | Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

I'd be voting for Alicia Vikander here. She was completely brilliant in “The Danish Girl”, and I admit I would be allowing her performance in “Ex Machina” to influence me also.

Film Editing

The Big Short | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Revenant | Spotlight | Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Unlikely to win it, but for me this would be “Star Wars : TFA”. The editing style was fresh, but also had a completely Star Wars feel to it; it was very clever.

Production Design

Bridge Of Spies | The Danish Girl | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Martian | The Revenant

I would go with “Fury Road” again here, because the design of everything was just stunning. Really eye-wateringly stunning. Look at the cars, go on, just look at them!!

Original Screenplay

Bridge Of Spies | Ex Machina | Inside Out | Spotlight | Straight Outta Compton

This is highly likely to go to “Straight Outta Compton”, but my vote would be going to “Ex Machina” for a script that really got you thinking about where computers are heading and stood out in a batch of movies recently about artificial intelligence.

Original Score

Bridge Of Spies | Carol | The Hateful Eight | Sicario | Star Wars: The Force Awakens

No question here, “Star Wars : TFA”.  It might be nearly 40 years old, but if you didn't have a tear in your eye when John Williams' fanfare kicked in, you have no soul. #Fact.

Best Director

Adam McKay, The Big Short | George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road | Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant | Lenny Abrahamson, Room | Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Alejandro G. Iñárritu for “The Revenant”. Everyone else can just go home now. I was torn between giving it to George Millar for “Fury Road”, as “The Revenant” is going to win big and Millar deserves recognition for a spectacular film, but deep in my heart I know it has to go to Iñárritu.

Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol | Brie Larson, Room | Jennifer Lawrence, Joy | Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years | Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Sadly I don't think there is a strong line up here, and I am angry Alicia Vikander is not in here because arguably she was the lead in “The Danish Girl” and would have won it. I think my vote would go to Jennifer Lawrence though as she was terrific in “Joy”.

Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo | Matt Damon, The Martian | Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant | Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs | Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

This is a tough one. Cranston, Damon, DiCaprio and Redmayne are all deserving here. I would vote Redmayne, but he got my 'vote' last year for “The Theory of Everything”. This year I am going to have to vote DiCaprio for “The Revenant” because he was just astonishing in that movie. 

Best Picture

The Big Short | Bridge Of Spies | Brooklyn | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Martian | The Revenant | Room | Spotlight

So, the big one! I am struggling between “Fury Road” and “The Revenant” again. Both incredible examples of movie making, and I wish they could share the award. There can only be one winner though, and for me, having re-watched “Fury Road” it has to go to “The Revenant”. Sorry George Millar, but Iñárritu just sneaks past you on this one. There are two Max sequels on the way however, so maybe next time...?

So there you go, that's how I would be voting. The actual ceremony will take place on the 28^th February and you can see how badly the Academy disagree with me! 2015 has been a real treat for film fans, and we would love your thoughts in the comments below. Do you agree with my choices or heartily disagree?

In the meantime let’s get ready for 2016 to really kick in, as the upcoming slate of films looks to be thoroughly entertaining, with something for everyone...