With no great new movies out in January and a loaded February docket, we are taking a break from typical reviews to take a look at next month’s Oscar awards. I will look at the major categories and break down the field, along with my prediction of who will win, as well as who I feel should win the award.

Best Supporting 

Actress:

In what is expected to be one of the most competitive awards of the night, a case can be made for each actress. While Kate Winslet won the Golden Globe in a similar field for her work in “Jobs,” Rooney Mara has gained lots of steam for her stunning performance in “Carol” as an aspiring photographer seduced by an older woman.

Not to be counted out is Jennifer Jason Leigh’s memorable performance in “The Hateful Eight.” In the end, I think the Academy will go with the more controversial role, but I feel Kate Winslet’s performance in “Jobs” was too good to overlook.

Who Will Win: Rooney Mara

(“Carol”)

Who Should Win: Kate 

Winslet (“Jobs”) 

Best Supporting 

Actor:

In a field that is just as crowded as the actresses, in the end it comes down to two performances. Sylvester Stallone was able to turn back the clock and inspire in his reprising performance as Rocky Balboa in “Creed,” while Tom Hardy finally got the recognition and praise he deserved as John Fitzgerald in “The Revenant.”

Stallone is a studio favorite and legend in his own right, and will win the award due to the fact he can give incredible performances as the same character 40 years later.

However, Tom Hardy was the best performance in a film that included Leonardo DiCaprio.

Who Will Win: Sylvester

Stallone (“Creed”)

Who Should Win: Tom 

Hardy (“The Revenant”)

Best Leading Actress: 

With heavy hitters such as Jennifer Lawrence in “Joy” and Cate Blanchett in “Carol,” it might come as a surprise to most that neither are favored to win.

The big favorite is rising star Brie Larson in “Room.” Better known for starring in Amy Schumer’s summer comedy “Trainwreck,” Larson captivatingly portrays a loving mother going to great lengths to raise and protect her son while living in a little room. While Lawrence flashed her usual brilliance in “Joy”, this award is Larson’s to lose and for good reason.

Who Will Win: Brie Larson 

(“Room”)

Who Should Win: Brie 

Larson

Best Leading Actor:

This award is the reason most people will be tuning in Feb. 28, to see if Leonardo DiCaprio will finally win his coveted Oscar. Most experts believe it is finally his time, and he will be the one giving the acceptance speech.

Between a powerful performance and the commanding respect for DiCaprio, it would take a major upset for Leo to not get his Oscar. While I greatly enjoyed Michael Fassbender in “Jobs,” it is long overdue for DiCaprio to get his Oscar, and his performance in “The Revenant” was truly gripping.

Who Will Win: Leonardo 

DiCaprio (“The Revenant”)

Who Should Win: Leonardo

DiCaprio (“The Revenant”)

Best Picture: 

Since its November release, Tom McCarthy’s investigative drama “Spotlight” has received high praise but has seen rising competition from bigger studio films. While all are great films, “The Martian” suffers from being labeled a comedy, “Mad Max: Fury Road” a summer action flick, and “The Big Short” was overshadowed at Christmas time.

In the end, “The Revenant” is this year’s “Birdman,” and for a second straight year Alejandro G. Iñárritu wins Best Picture.

What Will Win: “The 

Revenant”

What Should Win: “The 

Revenant”