by Gloria Daniels-Moss
Oh yes the award season just keeps giving doesn’t it? With the Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s amongst others out the way, now it is time for the 86th Academy Awards! And you can’t get more exciting than the Oscars when it comes to an award ceremony. Every filmmaker, actor and writer dreams of having their name called out after that envelope is open. So here are the nominations followed by my prediction of whom should go home with the trophies.
Oh yes the award season just keeps giving doesn’t it? With the Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s amongst others out the way, now it is time for the 86th Academy Awards! And you can’t get more exciting than the Oscars when it comes to an award ceremony. Every filmmaker, actor and writer dreams of having their name called out after that envelope is open. So here are the nominations followed by my prediction of whom should go home with the trophies.
First up its Best Picture -
Best Picture
12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street
My Prediction: 12 Years a Slave
The films of 2014 have whiped the floor to say the very least. From devious hustlers, to people having relationships with computers. To space thriller and heart warming dramas, this is set of class films. 12 Years a Slave seems to be the critic’s favourites and is probably the film that will walk home with this award.
Best Actor
Christian Bale (American Hustle)
Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
My Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio
Although Chiwetel Ejiofor gave a killer performance, Leonardo DiCaprio went over and above with his performance in Wolf of Wall Street. Matthew McConaughey also gave Christian Bale a run for his money when it came to weight loss! A bunch of great actors in this category but wouldn’t it be great for Leo to go with an award this time round?
Best Actress
Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Judi Dench (Philomena)
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)
My Prediction: Cate Blanchett
Again a very strong set of actresses here, but Cate Blanchett put every emotion into Woody Allen’s Jasmine. She certainly deserves to go home with this one. Amy Adams and Sandra Bullock are also worth a mention for American Hustle and Gravity.
Best Supporting Actor
Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Jonah Hill (Wolf of Wall Street)
Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
My Prediction: Jonah Hill
This has to go to Jonah Hill for his amazing performance in Wolf of Wall Street. This actor has shown us exactly what he is made of, branching away from the standard comical one liners into acting roles that are challenging. Jared Leto was also fantastic as the cross-dressing HIV sufferer, along with Bradley Cooper as the crazed FBI agent.
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
June Squibb (Nebraska)
Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
My Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence seems to be walking this one. If I am being totally honest Lupita Nyong’o had a much harder job acting put her character but I would not be surprised if Lawrence walked away with his one.
Best Director
Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)
David O. Russell (American Hustle)
Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity)
Alexander Payne (Nebraska)
Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
My Prediction: Steve McQueen
If the American population don’t go for this one, I shall be flabbergasted! Scorsese and Russell also provide us with great films this year too.
Best Picture
12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street
My Prediction: 12 Years a Slave
The films of 2014 have whiped the floor to say the very least. From devious hustlers, to people having relationships with computers. To space thriller and heart warming dramas, this is set of class films. 12 Years a Slave seems to be the critic’s favourites and is probably the film that will walk home with this award.
Best Actor
Christian Bale (American Hustle)
Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
My Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio
Although Chiwetel Ejiofor gave a killer performance, Leonardo DiCaprio went over and above with his performance in Wolf of Wall Street. Matthew McConaughey also gave Christian Bale a run for his money when it came to weight loss! A bunch of great actors in this category but wouldn’t it be great for Leo to go with an award this time round?
Best Actress
Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Judi Dench (Philomena)
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)
My Prediction: Cate Blanchett
Again a very strong set of actresses here, but Cate Blanchett put every emotion into Woody Allen’s Jasmine. She certainly deserves to go home with this one. Amy Adams and Sandra Bullock are also worth a mention for American Hustle and Gravity.
Best Supporting Actor
Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Jonah Hill (Wolf of Wall Street)
Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
My Prediction: Jonah Hill
This has to go to Jonah Hill for his amazing performance in Wolf of Wall Street. This actor has shown us exactly what he is made of, branching away from the standard comical one liners into acting roles that are challenging. Jared Leto was also fantastic as the cross-dressing HIV sufferer, along with Bradley Cooper as the crazed FBI agent.
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
June Squibb (Nebraska)
Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
My Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence seems to be walking this one. If I am being totally honest Lupita Nyong’o had a much harder job acting put her character but I would not be surprised if Lawrence walked away with his one.
Best Director
Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)
David O. Russell (American Hustle)
Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity)
Alexander Payne (Nebraska)
Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
My Prediction: Steve McQueen
If the American population don’t go for this one, I shall be flabbergasted! Scorsese and Russell also provide us with great films this year too.
Best Adapted Screenplay
John Ridley (12 Years a Slave)
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater (Before Midnight)
Terence Winter (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Billy Ray (Captain Phillips)
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope (Philomena)
My Prediction: Terence Winter
The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the best penned scripts over the last decade. At no point did a line feel out of place or boring. Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope seem to be getting a lot of cred for Philomena, but the Wolf wins every time for me.
Best Original Screenplay
David O. Russell and Eric Singer (American Hustle)
Bob Nelson (Nebraska)
Spike Jonze (Her)
Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack (Dallas Buyers Club)
Woody Allen (Blue Jasmine)
My Prediction: Spike Jonze
Her is a film that directly challenges humans constant addiction to modern technology ad where we could all possible end up in the not so distant future. Jonze does a tremendous job of this and provides us with a most original screenplay to say the very least. David O. Russell and the guys behind Dallas Buyers Club also deserve a mention.
Best Foreign Film
Denmark, The Hunt
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown
Italy, The Great Beauty
Palestine, Omar
Cambodia, The Missing Picture
My Prediction: The Hunt
The Hunt was a stunning foreign film and Mads Mikkelson gave a great performance. A film that was popular amongst critics however The Great Beauty is also a favourite.
Best Documentary Feature
20 Feet from Stardom
The Act of Killing
Dirty Wars
The Square
Cutie and the Boxer
My Prediction: The Act of Killing
A documentary that showed us that these things do happen and they are real. Sometimes in film we forget and we automatically think everything is just a construction and it isn’t really happening. The Act of Killing reminds us that the harsh times these Indonesian death squad leaders dealt with was very much real. A very compelling documentary and it would be great for something like this to take home an Oscar.
Best Animated Feature
The Wind Rises
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Croods
Ernest & Celestine
My Prediction: The Wind Rises
Because Miyazaki is simply a genius. I do have this horrible feeling that Studio Ghibli may get pushed out of the way by Disney though!
John Ridley (12 Years a Slave)
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater (Before Midnight)
Terence Winter (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Billy Ray (Captain Phillips)
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope (Philomena)
My Prediction: Terence Winter
The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the best penned scripts over the last decade. At no point did a line feel out of place or boring. Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope seem to be getting a lot of cred for Philomena, but the Wolf wins every time for me.
Best Original Screenplay
David O. Russell and Eric Singer (American Hustle)
Bob Nelson (Nebraska)
Spike Jonze (Her)
Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack (Dallas Buyers Club)
Woody Allen (Blue Jasmine)
My Prediction: Spike Jonze
Her is a film that directly challenges humans constant addiction to modern technology ad where we could all possible end up in the not so distant future. Jonze does a tremendous job of this and provides us with a most original screenplay to say the very least. David O. Russell and the guys behind Dallas Buyers Club also deserve a mention.
Best Foreign Film
Denmark, The Hunt
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown
Italy, The Great Beauty
Palestine, Omar
Cambodia, The Missing Picture
My Prediction: The Hunt
The Hunt was a stunning foreign film and Mads Mikkelson gave a great performance. A film that was popular amongst critics however The Great Beauty is also a favourite.
Best Documentary Feature
20 Feet from Stardom
The Act of Killing
Dirty Wars
The Square
Cutie and the Boxer
My Prediction: The Act of Killing
A documentary that showed us that these things do happen and they are real. Sometimes in film we forget and we automatically think everything is just a construction and it isn’t really happening. The Act of Killing reminds us that the harsh times these Indonesian death squad leaders dealt with was very much real. A very compelling documentary and it would be great for something like this to take home an Oscar.
Best Animated Feature
The Wind Rises
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Croods
Ernest & Celestine
My Prediction: The Wind Rises
Because Miyazaki is simply a genius. I do have this horrible feeling that Studio Ghibli may get pushed out of the way by Disney though!
Film Editing
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
12 Years a Slave
My Prediction: Gravity
Out of all the above, Gravity really stood out when it came to its edit.
Best Song
"Alone Yet Not Alone" (Alone Yet Not Alone)
"Happy" (Despicable Me 2)
"Let It Go" (Frozen)
"The Moon Song" (Her)
"Ordinary Love" (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
My Prediction: “Let it Go”
“Let it Go” is a song that will get stuck in your head for days, weeks after you have seen Frozen. The rest in the category were good, but for that reason I think Disney should get this one.
Best Original Score
John Williams (The Book Thief)
Steven Price (Gravity)
Alexandre Desplat (Philomena)
Thomas Newman (Saving Mr. Banks)
William Butler and Owen Pallett (Her)
My Prediction: Thomas Newman
Newman simply added magic to this already fairy-tale like film. Steven Price is also a very worthy contender.
Best Cinematography
Philippe Le Sourd (The Grandmaster)
Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity)
Bruno Delbonnel (Inside Llewyn Davis)
Roger Deakins (Prisoners)
Phedon Papamichael (Nebraska)
My Prediction: Gravity
Without such outstanding cinematography, Gravity wouldn’t have been half as powerful. Lubezki’s hard work shall hopefully pay off!
Costume Design
American Hustle
The Grandmaster
The Great Gatsby
The Invisible Woman
12 Years A Slave
My Prediction: The Great Gatsby
Capturing the 20’s perfectly, Gatsby fitted right into its suits and tasselled dresses on screen. American Hustle could be stiff competition though.
Makeup and Hairstyling
The Lone Ranger
Dallas Buyers Club
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
My Prediction: Dallas Buyers Club
Considering the subject matter of Dallas Buyers Club; providing Leto with various wigs and bright eyeshadow, to creating the very gaunt look given to McConaughey. This team did a great job.
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
12 Years a Slave
My Prediction: Gravity
Out of all the above, Gravity really stood out when it came to its edit.
Best Song
"Alone Yet Not Alone" (Alone Yet Not Alone)
"Happy" (Despicable Me 2)
"Let It Go" (Frozen)
"The Moon Song" (Her)
"Ordinary Love" (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
My Prediction: “Let it Go”
“Let it Go” is a song that will get stuck in your head for days, weeks after you have seen Frozen. The rest in the category were good, but for that reason I think Disney should get this one.
Best Original Score
John Williams (The Book Thief)
Steven Price (Gravity)
Alexandre Desplat (Philomena)
Thomas Newman (Saving Mr. Banks)
William Butler and Owen Pallett (Her)
My Prediction: Thomas Newman
Newman simply added magic to this already fairy-tale like film. Steven Price is also a very worthy contender.
Best Cinematography
Philippe Le Sourd (The Grandmaster)
Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity)
Bruno Delbonnel (Inside Llewyn Davis)
Roger Deakins (Prisoners)
Phedon Papamichael (Nebraska)
My Prediction: Gravity
Without such outstanding cinematography, Gravity wouldn’t have been half as powerful. Lubezki’s hard work shall hopefully pay off!
Costume Design
American Hustle
The Grandmaster
The Great Gatsby
The Invisible Woman
12 Years A Slave
My Prediction: The Great Gatsby
Capturing the 20’s perfectly, Gatsby fitted right into its suits and tasselled dresses on screen. American Hustle could be stiff competition though.
Makeup and Hairstyling
The Lone Ranger
Dallas Buyers Club
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
My Prediction: Dallas Buyers Club
Considering the subject matter of Dallas Buyers Club; providing Leto with various wigs and bright eyeshadow, to creating the very gaunt look given to McConaughey. This team did a great job.
Makeup and Hairstyling
The Lone Ranger
Dallas Buyers Club
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
My Prediction: Dallas Buyers Club
Considering the subject matter of Dallas Buyers Club; providing Leto with various wigs and bright eyeshadow, to creating the very gaunt look given to McConaughey. This team did a great job.
Production Design
American Hustle
Gravity
The Great Gatsby
Her
12 Years a Slave
My Prediction: Her
Gatsby was BAFTA’s winner, but Jonze’s Her will blow you away when it comes to creating a futurist setting. The pastel pallets used alongside exciting gadgets embody a world which is not quite our own, but certainly could be.
Sound Editing
All is Lost
Captain Phillips
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lone Survivor
My Prediction: Gravity
The sound in this space thriller was just as important as its direction. Such brilliant sound gave Gravity a very powerful atmosphere and most importantly these guys thought about how it would sound in space and completely nailed it.
Sound Mixing
Captain Phillips
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lone Survivor
Inside Llewyn Davis
My Prediction: Gravity
Just as Sound Editing, the mixing in Gravity between diegiet and non-diegiet sound created a tense and spectacular soundtrack.
Visual Effects
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Iron Man 3
The Lone Ranger
Star Trek Into Darkness
My Prediction: Gravity
Although the guys behind The Hobbit always do and will do an amazing job, Gravity seems to be winning over and above them this year. Gravity’s effects were groundbreaking and considering they told Curoan they this couldn’t be done, I think he did a pretty good job of proving them that it can and to an astounding degree.
Short Film, Live Action
Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
Helium
Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?)
The Voorman Problem
My Prediction: The Voorman Problem
Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander start in this dark but extremely funny short film. Freeman as Dr. Williams is a real treat and the film overall is really quite accomplished.
Short Film, Animated
Feral
Get a Horse!
Mr. Hublot
Possessions
Room on the Broom
My Prediction: Get a Horse!
Get a Horse! Is a short film portrays Disney’s old style of animation of their mascots Mickey and Minnie mouse, yet we see the other end of the spectrum with outstanding 3D. This is a magical short film and shows Disney at its best.
Documentary Short Subject
CaveDigger
Facing Fear
Karama Has No Walls
The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall
My Prediction: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved my Life
This film is artistic and well crafted. A great little documentary with a compelling story.
And that’s it guys! The Oscars will take place on Sunday 2nd March. Let’s see how my guessing goes shall we?
Let us know your thoughts on the nominations and who you think deserves to take these ones home this year.
The Lone Ranger
Dallas Buyers Club
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
My Prediction: Dallas Buyers Club
Considering the subject matter of Dallas Buyers Club; providing Leto with various wigs and bright eyeshadow, to creating the very gaunt look given to McConaughey. This team did a great job.
Production Design
American Hustle
Gravity
The Great Gatsby
Her
12 Years a Slave
My Prediction: Her
Gatsby was BAFTA’s winner, but Jonze’s Her will blow you away when it comes to creating a futurist setting. The pastel pallets used alongside exciting gadgets embody a world which is not quite our own, but certainly could be.
Sound Editing
All is Lost
Captain Phillips
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lone Survivor
My Prediction: Gravity
The sound in this space thriller was just as important as its direction. Such brilliant sound gave Gravity a very powerful atmosphere and most importantly these guys thought about how it would sound in space and completely nailed it.
Sound Mixing
Captain Phillips
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lone Survivor
Inside Llewyn Davis
My Prediction: Gravity
Just as Sound Editing, the mixing in Gravity between diegiet and non-diegiet sound created a tense and spectacular soundtrack.
Visual Effects
Gravity
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Iron Man 3
The Lone Ranger
Star Trek Into Darkness
My Prediction: Gravity
Although the guys behind The Hobbit always do and will do an amazing job, Gravity seems to be winning over and above them this year. Gravity’s effects were groundbreaking and considering they told Curoan they this couldn’t be done, I think he did a pretty good job of proving them that it can and to an astounding degree.
Short Film, Live Action
Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
Helium
Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?)
The Voorman Problem
My Prediction: The Voorman Problem
Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander start in this dark but extremely funny short film. Freeman as Dr. Williams is a real treat and the film overall is really quite accomplished.
Short Film, Animated
Feral
Get a Horse!
Mr. Hublot
Possessions
Room on the Broom
My Prediction: Get a Horse!
Get a Horse! Is a short film portrays Disney’s old style of animation of their mascots Mickey and Minnie mouse, yet we see the other end of the spectrum with outstanding 3D. This is a magical short film and shows Disney at its best.
Documentary Short Subject
CaveDigger
Facing Fear
Karama Has No Walls
The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall
My Prediction: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved my Life
This film is artistic and well crafted. A great little documentary with a compelling story.
And that’s it guys! The Oscars will take place on Sunday 2nd March. Let’s see how my guessing goes shall we?
Let us know your thoughts on the nominations and who you think deserves to take these ones home this year.
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