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Since the Oscars will air on Sunday, February 26, the Critic and the Referee decided to say “Happy Valentine’s Day!” by predicting the winners in this year’s major categories and by giving you their own favorites in those categories. Do they get it right? Listen to this episode, then tune in to the festivities on the 26th to find out. Also, do they agree or disagree with the Academy’s nominees and the odds-on favorites? At times, their responses to that question are explosive, indeed. Finally, we return to providing a “Did You Know?” segment, just in time for a recent TV return, and a “Pick of the Week” that’s in honor of two worthy Oscar-nominated acting performances. Enjoy our Valentine’s Day treat!

The Major Categories

BEST PICTURE

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

DIRECTING

Denis Villeneuve, Arrival
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

Arrival
Fences
Hidden Figures
Lion
Moonlight

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

Hell or High Water
La La Land
The Lobster
Manchester by the Sea
20th Century Women

Did You Know?

This popular actress was born on Valentine’s Day and stars in the upcoming “All Eyes on Me” and 2018’s “Black Panther.” Who is she?

Pick of the Week

These two Oscar-nominated performances:
Meryl Streep in “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Viggo Mortensen in “Captain Fantastic”

Highlighted Nominees: Available for Rent

Arrival: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Captain Fantastic: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Florence Foster Jenkins: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Hacksaw Ridge: (available on 2/21) iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Hell or High Water: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
The Lobster: iTunes, Amazon Prime, Netflix
Loving: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Manchester by the Sea: (available on 2/21) iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix
Nocturnal Animals: iTunes, Amazon Video, Netflix

Highlighted Nominees: In Theaters

20th Century Women
Elle
Fences
Hidden Figures
Jackie (Available to Buy on 2/21)
La La Land
Lion (Available to Buy on 3/7)
Moonlight (Available to Buy Now)