By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters] – On Sunday, a dark Western drama, “The Power of the Dog,” will compete against “CODA,” a family drama for the Academy Awards. The Academy Awards is free of the pandemic restrictions of last year and will see a huge Hollywood audience gather.

They are the front runners for the best movie trophy at a red-carpet Oscars ceremony, promising some plot twists. One of them is that either film would win the best picture trophy and hand it to a streaming site.

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: ) published “Power of the Dog”, while “CODA,” streamed via Apple (NASDAQ 🙂 TV+.

Two out of four awards for acting this year could go to someone of color after complaints in the past about diversity. According to awards observers, Will Smith may win the Oscar for King Richard’s first Oscar. Ariana deBose will be awarded for West Side Story’s second Oscar.

Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall will perform as comedians. It is the first time in the ceremony’s 94-year history that three women have hosted the ceremony. Beyonce will be performing, as well as Billie Eilish.

After years of falling ratings, ET (0000 GMT) will air a three-hour program that starts at 8 pm. ET (0000 GMT), will also add two awards that were determined by fan votes via Twitter (NYSE.): for favourite film and favorite scene.

It was broadcast live by Walt Disney (NYSE:) Co’s ABC will feature a moment to show support for Ukraine. Although producers want to celebrate, they cannot ignore the current crisis in Ukraine. [L2N2VR2VN]

Success in the best picture race hinges on the 9900 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members backing a gothic thriller or an upbeat story.

Nigel Smith of People magazine, movies editor, stated that the pundits said it was impossible to predict who would win. It seems that this year it is the case.

The movie “Power of the Dog” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays a cowboy who is repressed and tortures his new wife, beat all 12 nominated movies. Before “CODA”, which won top honors at the Screen Actors Guild & Producers Guild, it was considered the leading movie.

CODA is the story about a young hearing girl, who works as an interpreter for her family of deaf children but wants to go into music. CODA stands as an acronym for “child or deaf adult.”

Smith claimed that he has never spoken with anyone who does not like CODA.

Important Steps Forward

Traditional Hollywood studios could win an upset. Kenneth Branagh’s film “Belfast” is given an outside chance by awards experts. It was based on Branagh’s childhood in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” also gets an outside shot.

Smith, the “King Richard,” star is the favorite actor for his portrayal of Serena Williams’ father and tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams. Andrew Garfield, Cumberbatch, and Andrew Garfield are competitors in musical “Tick, Tick…” Boom!”

The most unpredictable actress wins. Although many experts believe Jessica Chastain’s performance as Tammy Faye Bakker the TV evangelist will be victorious, some say Kristen Stewart, former vampire from Twilight who plays Princess Diana in Spencer, is the better choice.

The Oscars are also being considered for previous Oscar winners Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Olivia Colman.

Although the acting industry isn’t as diverse this year, it is “certainly better than what was seen a few years ago with #OscarsSoWhite,” Darnell Hunt from UCLA, dean of socio sciences, said that there is an annual Hollywood diversity report. “The academy took important steps forward.”

DeBose will be the supporting actor for Anita, Afro Latina’s actress. Troy Kotsur, the “CODA” star could become history by becoming the first Deaf man ever to win an Oscar.

Jane Campion may also become the third Oscars-winning female director in “Power of the Dog.”

The Oscars returned to Dolby Theatre last year after a smaller ceremony held at a railway station. It will hold approximately three quarters of its capacity and accommodate 2,500 people. This allows for some distancing.

Eight categories, including sound and editing, will determine the winners. They will then be announced prior to the broadcast. The telecast will include their speeches. Spielberg, among others, criticized this move as an insult for film craftpeople.