The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Oscar, tango, bravo for La La
Showbiz: Tribute to Hollywood hopes to land record haul at Academy Awards
Musical La La Land could make Oscar history tomorrow when the Academy Awards are handed out in a ceremony likely to be dominated by political speeches.
The glittering love letter to Los Angeles has been nominated for 14 prizes, tying the record set by All About Eve and Titanic, and could become the most decorated film of all time.
The record for the most Oscarwinsis jointly heldby Ben Hur, Titanic and Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King, which all scooped 11 statues.
In the wake of the Oscarssowhite controversy last year, the 2017 ceremony could see African American stars take home three out of the four acting prizes.
Viola Davis is widely expected to score the best supporting actress award for Fences, while Mahershala Ali is the frontrunner to win best supporting actor for Moonlight.
Denzel Washington could also snatch victory in the best actor category, also for Fences, nudging former favourite Casey Affleck out of pole position for his performance in Manchester By The Sea.
La La Land star Emma Stone is expected to take the best actress prize while the film is the frontrunner to scoop best picture.
It will face off against Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell Or High Water, Hidden Figures, Lion, ManchesterByTheSeaand Moonlight for the biggest prize of the ceremony.
It could be a disappointing night for British nominees, as theUKslumped to its lowest number of Oscar nominations for at least 10 years, with just 12.
Among the hopefuls this year are three actors: with supporting nods f or Naomie Harris for Moonlight and Dev Patel for Lion and a best actor mention for Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge – down slightly on the six recognised in 2016 and five in 2015. British hopes also lie with musician Sting, who is up for best original song for TheEmptyChair from Jim: The James Foley Story.
Comments about President Donald Trump and his Muslim travel ban are expected to dominate much of the ceremony.
Meryl Streep’s explosive anti-Trump speech at the Golden Globes has been regarded as opening the floodgates for political rhetoric from winners.
“Ceremony likely to be dominated by political speeches”