Our top ten for the Oscars

With a whopping 12 nominations, "The Revenant" tells the story of a trapper in the cold areas of North America - and is the big favorite in this year's Oscars. It would be a good choice in the category Best Picture even in the face of some strong competition.

The drama "Spotlight," about a team of journalists who uncover a pedophilia scandal involving priests, could win in this category. It was also nominated in for Best Picture - but there, all bets are on "The Revenant."

The Best Picture award does not always also go the best director. But if "The Revenant" director Alejandro González Iñárritu were not only to win Best Picture but also be honored as Best Director, it wouldn't come as a surprise.

It is impossible for "The Revenant" to win in this category, as there are almost no women in the film. However, with Cate Blanchett ("Carol"), Charlotte Rampling ("45 Years") and three other nominees, there are some really strong women in this category. Blanchett is our favorite.

Leonardo DiCaprio might actually win in this category this time. No other (Oscars) topic has been discussed as much in recent weeks. Playing the vengeful trapper in "The Revenant," DiCaprio deserves the trophy. Despite everything written about him, especially in the tabloids, he really is a good actor.

With amazing scenes brought to the big screen by camera operator Emmanuel Lubezki, "The Revenant" is a nominee here as well. Lubezki deserves an award, as does Ed Lachman for his beautiful camerawork on "Carol" (pictured).

These two might have a reason to celebrate on Sunday. The older one is the legendary Italian composer Ennio Morriccone, nominated for the soundtrack he wrote for the Western "The Hateful 8" by director Quention Tarantino. Our favorite in this category.

In this category, anything is possible. Among the nominees, "Inside Out" is the most commercially successful film. Our proposal: the enchanting "Memories of Marnie" from Ghibli, the Japanese studio. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, it tells the story of a 12-year old girl with asthma. In March, the film will appear on DVD in Germany.

The music documentary "Amy" about the short and tragic career of the singer Amy Winehouse deserves an Oscar. There is some tough competition in this category, however - like the political documentary "The Look of Silence" about the history of Indonesia.

On Sunday in Los Angeles, maybe this young man will hold an Academy Award in his hands. Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes has already won a Golden Globe for his masterpiece, the Auschwitz drama "Saul fia." The Franco-German-Turkish co-production "Mustang" also has a chance.