This year’s Oscar contest is proving to be yet another tight race – with only one winner.  In the best actor category, there is Denzel Washington as a brutal father in “Fences,” Andrew Garfield as a soldier with honor in Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge,” and Viggo Mortensen’s patriarchal hippie father in “Captain Fantastic.”  Casey Affleck’s outstanding performance in “Manchester by the Sea” may prove to be a spoiler for Ryan Gosling’s performance in “La La Land.” That may be the only barrier to “La La Land” making a clean sweep of the awards.

The best actress contest includes Natalie Portman in “Jackie,” Emma Stone in “La La Land,” Ruth Negga in “Loving,” Meryl Streep in “Florence Foster Jenkins,” and Isabelle Hupert in Paul Verhoeven’s gritty “Elle” in the final spot. I think this one will go to the darling of the night, Emma Stone in “La La Land.”  I do, however, think Natalie Portman was amazing in “Jackie.”

The cinematography category may determine if “La La Land” makes a big sweep of the Oscars.  Linus Sandgren wove a gorgeous color palette throughout the movie.  The major spoiler in this category might be Rodrigo Prierto for Martin Scorsese’s “Silence.” Also nominated are “Lion,” “Arrival” and “Moonlight.”  I have a feeling this year’s Oscars will be like the year “Mad Max: Fury Road” swept up all the technical categories.

Art direction is the next technical category with “La La Land” in the running.  It shares the category with “Passengers,” “Jackie,” “Hail, Caesar!” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”  “La La Land” will undoubtedly win. It looks like a lovely night for this joyful tale.