Pop Altar’s Totally Shaky 91st Academy Award Predictions

image: 20th Century Fox

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Christian Bale, “Vice”

Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”

Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

While two months ago I would have slammed my money on the table for Christian Bale for his transformative turn as Dick Cheney in Vice, there’s been enough momentum for Bohemian Rhapsody as a whole that make Rami Malek the winner here. And this isn’t a decision that’s entirely politically-based. Malek owned the hell out of this role as Freddie Mercury with raw physicality, charm, and ego, and should he ascend the stage on Sunday night, it will be just as deserved as if Bale does.