Oscar Season Surprise: ‘Moonlight’ Has Won More Best Picture Awards Than ‘La La Land’

Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” may be the front-runner to win Best Picture at this Sunday’s Academy Awards, but Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” has actually racked up more recognition during the long road of awards ceremonies hosted by guilds, critics circles, and media groups.

[...] if “Moonlight” pulls off the upset, it will be a big signal that the Academy is favoring serious, topical fare in the first Oscars of the Trump era — and an endorsement of critics who have tended to favor the coming-of-age drama.

Last year, the Oscars fell in line with most of the guild and critics awards on the acting categories, as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson, and Alicia Vikander got nearly unanimous acclaim en route to their Academy Award victories.

[...] on the list is Denzel Washington for the lead role in “Fences,” but one of his award wins is often considered a major signpost for predicting the Oscar winner: the Screen Actors Guild award.

While Affleck’s performance relied on a subtle depiction of trauma and depression, Washington had the loudest performance among this year’s nominees as the gregarious Troy Maxson in “Fences,” which is something that might appeal more to Academy voters.

Mahershala Ali has dominated the guild and critics awards for supporting actor — collecting 28 prizes in all, including the SAG Award, for his  his performance in the opening act of “Moonlight.”