The Oscars are finally here!
It is the pinnacle of film success, apparently. Now that the other ceremonies have passed, we can hold our tentative little breaths and wonder exactly who is going to take away the coveted gong. By now, these predictions feel very much like a moot point as we all have a pretty basic idea of who is going to leave with the prize. That being said, the Oscars have had its fair share of its controversial winners and whilst last year was pretty safe, there has been some pretty random choices for an Academy glory.
We just really don’t want American Sniper to win!
So here is I’m With Geek’s predictions. And similarly with the BAFTAs, we are in a war with The Hollywood News so keep up to speed with both sides to figure out who comes out glorious (I’m With Geek won the BAFTAs)
We are all still a little bit in awe with Boyhood, as is the entire film industry. A twelve year project made real and Linklater has a lot be proud of with this film. Though Best Picture is the strongest it has been including Birdman, Selma and The Theory of Everything, there is no denying Boyhood from the prize.
Best Director – Richard Linklater for Boyhood
Following the tradition, the Best Director usually scoops up Best Picture (although, last year it felt apt to separate the categories so both technically brilliant Gravity and astonishingly brutal 12 Years A Slave could both be award.) But to carry a vision like Boyhood for over twelve years, we might as well concede that Linklater has done something terrific.
Best Actress – Julianne Moore for Still Alice
Here in Britain, we are still waiting for Still Alice. And here at I’m With Geek, we want with every fibre of our being to see home-grown Rosamund Pike win for the sociopathic role in Gone Girl. But Moore is very deserving of this accolade and it feels like an award that is very overdue (it also feels like she’s been nominated for the wrong film – Maps to the Stars anyone?)
Best Actor – Michael Keaton for Birdman
Right so, there hasn’t been a campaign race as close as Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne. One has resurged his career with an energetic, fun and completely visceral role and the other transformed unequivocally into Stephen Hawking. However, knowing the Americans have a panache for supporting their own and especially someone who is long overdue, Keaton might just snap this up. Although, we really want to hear Redmayne’s speech – he is a sweetie.
Best Supporting Actress – Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
This just simply has to go to Arquette. It just does. Who else has transformed a seemingly non role as the mother to the titular boy and made it a ferociously emotional journey? No one. Arquette just has to have her award.
Best Supporting Actor – JK Simmons for Whiplash
I’ve not spoken to anyone who didn’t leave Whiplash with Simmons’ harsh glare and high-waisted jeans seared into their brains. Simmons is a bundle of kinetic fury and it is wielded with a highly astute skill. Simmons is no doubt the sole winner here.
Best Adapted Screenplay – Graham Moore for The Imitation Game
We’re still reeling from the Gillian Flynn loss and lack of nomination here. However, if we have to pick one person who has given such a courageous soul to a screenplay, based on a book about the man himself, its 28 year old Graham Moore for The Imitation Game. Yes. 28 years old.
Best Original Screenplay – Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness for The Grand Budapest Hotel
Again, the award is split between The Grand Budapest Hotel and Birdman because both are completely scribed with fierce originality. However, Anderson seems to be the comedy darling of the year – with people still talking about his film nearly a year since it landed in cinemas. For that, we give both him and Hugo props.
It’s either this or Ida. Honestly, either could win and either are just as worthy winners but we are punting for Leviathan.
Best Documentary Feature – CITIZENFOUR
Look, every bugger else is given the award to CITIZENFOUR but I said the same thing last year about The Act of Killing and they gave it to 20 Feet From Stardom. So this is a tentative prediction but the quiet tension and the alluring story just has to win. It just has to.
Best Animated Feature – How To Train Your Dragon 2
As much as we loved Big Hero 6, and trust us, we’ve been fist bumping and saying “ba da da da da” ever since, the animation was just not as good as How To Train Your Dragon 2. Disney need to concede that DreamWorks completely owned them with the tale of Toothless the Dragon and the rise of his owner Hiccup.
Film Editing - Tom Cross for Whiplash
This genius man took something that was already good and made it great. He stripped away excess and helped Simmons become terrifying. He enthused the film with the energy that sticks with audiences as they leave the cinema. And, dear god, it was his first feature as the main editor.
Best Song – “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie
Everything is cool when you’re part of a team. Everything is awesome! When you’re living your dream.
Need I go on? Besides, I’d give my right arm to see Adam Samberg win an Oscar.
Best Original Score – Alexandre Desplat for The Grand Budapest Hotel
How Antonio Sanchez wasn’t nominated for the originality of the Birdman score, we’ll never know. Alexandre Desplat has not one but two nominations here so it just feels natural to say that he’d win the Oscar.
Best Cinematography - Emmauel Lubezki for Birdman
Visually stunning, the rambunctious Birdman was captivating with beauty.
Best Costume Design – Collen Atwood for Into The Words
I’ve said this before. And I’ll say this again. Who doesn’t want to own Meryl Streep’s witch dress from Into The Woods? That’s why we think Atwood will win!!
Green, blue, pink. There is a whole abundance of characters here in the sci-fi epic that we cannot see why it shouldn’t win. Plus, I’m pretty sure they got to work with Chris Pratt daily so life goals.
Best Production Design – The Grand Budapest Hotel
From the hotel to the prison, Wes Anderson’s symmetrical farce is thanks to the stunning job of the production team. Colourful, vibrant and wonderful.
Best Sound Editing – Birdman
“Caw!”
Best Sound Mixing – Birdman
From the drumbeat to the stage antic, capturing the explosions and the dreamscape, Birdman is such aural pleasure.
Best Visual Effects – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
The apes look like apes. The hair looks like hair. The actors are made to look like realistic monkeys. There is no reason why WETA shouldn’t win here. Unless the space landscape of Interstellar cinches another award.
Best Short Film, Live Action – The Phone Call
Made all the more powerful by the evocative performance by Sally Hawkins whilst also pulling your heartstrings, this is an incredible short film.
Best Short Film, Animated - The Bigger Picture
My throat is a little sore from shouting about this film so I’ll let it speak for itself.
Best Documentary, Short Subject- Crisis Hotline, Veterans Press 1
Sure.
What Do You Think?
Do you think these guys will win?
Or are you betting elsewhere?
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