The trio that saved our downtown cinema forecasts the Oscars

And the Oscar goes to… The Testament of Ann Lee!

You won’t hear that at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, but you would if Rachel Baker, Annie Galvin, and Lindsay Meck had their way. The three Charlottesville women facilitated the sale of the Violet Crown Cinema to an LLC last year, preserving the property as a movie theater when it seemed likely to be turned into a housing project. (Es Vedra Cinemas in Austin, Texas, leases the property and will continue to operate the theater and restaurant.)

The “Violet Triumvirate,” as they call themselves, come from journalism and media backgrounds, and they relish seeing films on the big screen—and the Academy Awards season is a special time of year for the trio.

It can also be a time of disappointment and sour surprises when your favorites don’t get Academy recognition. “I think that we can say [of Testament] that’s one of our favorites, if not our favorite,” says Baker. “And it was totally wiped out. It’s not up for any Oscars, it didn’t get any nominations.”

The overlooked musical is a portrait of the founder of the Shaker sect and her attempt to create a utopian community in 18th-century New England, and stars Amanda Seyfried in the title role. “She was robbed,” says Meck.

They also have strong opinions when it comes to the films that did get nominated.

“I am a One Battle [After Another] fan,” Meck admits. “Like, a strong One Battle fan.”

“My five-word review of One Battle is: ‘Dumb movie, very well made,’” says Galvin. “And my husband and I can’t talk about it anymore … because he really likes it.”

Galvin’s favorite movie of the year is Come See Me in the Good Light, a chronicle of the poet Andrea Gibson, nominated for Best Documentary. Galvin discovered it at last year’s Virginia Film Festival.

“It was a full theater,” she says. “My friend brought a box of tissues, kind of as a joke, because she just knew it was going to be really emotional, and we were just handing tissues out. … I don’t know this person, but I’m giving her a tissue and we’re both literally crying at the same time. And it was such a perfect movie to see with other people.”

In the Best Actor category, Meck sees two strong candidates: Wagner Moura of The Secret Agent and Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme. “I think they’re really both compelling performances.”

When it comes to making predictions, Baker says it’s often a clash between the brain choice and the heart. Pegging Chalamet as likely, she would love to see Ethan Hawke take the Oscar (for his role as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon).

“I loved Blue Moon; the perfect Violet Crown movie,” Galvin says. “I feel like, especially in dark times, it’s just fun to get super-invested in something.” She notes that having discussions, “little mini storms and conflicts,” is fun and more important than the awards.

“Well, this year, you know, Hamnet is kind of becoming the villain,” Baker says. “And I’ve decided that I’m back. I’ve gone all the way around. And now I love Hamnet again.”

“You want to root for the underdog,” Meck says. 

“Yeah, I want to root against the people who are rooting against it,” Baker says, adding that her preferences are Marty Supreme, Sinners, and Sentimental Value.

Meck has mixed feelings about Hamnet. “I saw it at the Violet Crown and it was completely full, every seat. And everyone was sobbing—except for me. And that was such an uncomfortable feeling. I was like, ‘Did I miss something?’” Even so, she has high praise for Best Actress nominee Jessie Buckley and says it is unbelievable that Paul Mescal is not up for Best Actor.

“Jessie Buckley is a lock for me in Hamnet,” Meck says. “It’s hard to imagine someone giving more to a role than that.”

“For supporting actress, I think it’ll be Teyana Taylor [One Battle After Another],” says Baker. “I would be amped [for anyone on that list] if their name was called, especially maybe Wunmi Mosaku—her performance in Sinners was just incredible. So, maybe she would be my top heart pick, but I would be happy with any of them winning.”

Violet Crown Cinema staff picks:

“In any other year, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Marty Supreme would be the uncontested best piece of art to come out. The fact that all three were released in the same year is a testament to how 2025 has been the best 12-month stretch for cinema in over a decade.” Cade Wiberg, supervisor

“My wife and I have made it a tradition to watch all of the Best Picture nominees each year. This year feels especially meaningful because many of the films explore fatherhood, and we’re expecting our first child. She says I’m exactly like Leo in One Battle After Another—and I don’t think it’s because we bear any resemblance.” Mitchell Waranch, supervisor

“My top three of the year are all up for the top honor, with my No. 1 film, Sinners, having a great shot, [but] I am disappointed that The Testament of Ann Lee got completely snubbed.” Brian Carlson, hospitality manager

“The nominees this year, by and large, tend to be sad, dark, and unendingly beautiful with their themes of loss,
oppression, and flawed humanity. I’ve watched all the Best Picture noms and I think I can resolutely state that, with the exception of F1, they are all superior to Love Story (1970) and Crash (2004).” Cameron Polson, general manager