If you’re a film fan, you probably know that the 87th Academy Awards are this weekend (Sunday, February 22). I’ve got a love-hate relationship with Oscar, but it’s always fun to take a stab at predicting the winners. Below, you’ll find my picks for all the feature film categories. I’ve gone in depth with some of the more prominent awards.
Best Picture Nominees:
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Boyhood”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Selma”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Whiplash”
This is really a two-horse race between “Birdman” and “Boyhood,” though over the last few weeks, “Birdman” has pulled ahead. The film is about a has-been movie star trying to revitalize his career on stage in New York. Its idiosyncrasies and darkly comic tone, while uncharacteristic for a Best Picture winner, won’t be enough to overcome the sentiment that the Academy members have for, well, movies about themselves. (See other recent winners about show business: “Argo,” “The Artist,” and “Chicago.”) Sorry “Boyhood,” but when’s the last time a movie about normal people in normal circumstances won top prize?
What will win: “Birdman”
What might win: “Boyhood”
What should win: “Boyhood”
Best Director Nominees:
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher”
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”
As goes Best Picture, so usually goes Best Director. And I think that’ll be the case here. It’s generally safe to predict the film that’s “most” directed (or most acted, scored, etc.). “Birdman” was conceived as a series of longtakes seamlessly edited together to give the impression of one continuous shot, and I think the Academy will vote in favor of that over Richard Linklater’s less invisible technique in “Boyhood.”
Who will win: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Birdman”
Who might win: Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Who should win: Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Best Actress Nominees:
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”
Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Julianne Moore can already taste this one. She’s a respected actress, and she’s been nominated four times already. In “Still Alice,” she plays a professor with early-onset Alzheimer’s. The role’s rife with heavy, dramatic Oscar bait-iness to seal the deal.
Who will win: Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Who might win: Seriously, take Moore to the bank
Who should win: Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”…though I haven’t seen “Still Alice” or “Wild”
Best Actor Nominees:
Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Again, it’s usually fruitful to predict the “most” acted. In this case, that’s Eddie Redmayne. That he’s playing a real-life figure with a disability is the cherry on top of the Oscar sundae. These types of roles are catnip for voters. I’m a little reluctant to go against Michael Keaton, an industry vet, but Redmayne has gotten too much support from critical precursors like the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA.
Who will win: Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Who might win: Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Who should win: Michael Keaton, “Birdman”…though I haven’t seen “American Sniper”
Best Adapted Screenplay Nominees:
“American Sniper”
“The Imitation Game”
“Inherent Vice”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Whiplash”
This is a pretty weak field, but I’m going with “The Imitation Game.” It’s got eight nominations, and while it could go home empty handed, that’s not likely. The film is set during World War II, and it’s about real-life Alan Turing who cracked the Nazi code and was later prosecuted for his homosexuality. I think the social and historical significance of the story will appeal to the Academy.
What will win: “The Imitation Game”
What might win: “Whiplash,” though any of the nominees, aside from “Inherent Vice,” could spoil
What should win: “Whiplash” (Again, I haven’t seen “American Sniper”)
Best Original Screenplay Nominees:
“Birdman”
“Boyhood”
“Foxcatcher”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Nightcrawler”
This race is much stronger than Adapted Screenplay. I think the Academy will go with “The Grand Budapest Hotel” for its dense plot, list of characters and memorable dialog. Besides, Wes Anderson’s been nominated in this category a handful of times, and he’s carved out a loveable niche for himself in the industry. Voters will want to honor that.
What will win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
What might win: “Birdman”
What should win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Supporting Actress:
Emma Stone, “Birdman”
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”
Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”
Laura Dern, “Wild”
This one pretty safely belongs to Patricia Arquette. “Boyhood” ain’t going home empty-handed, and hers is a great performance. She closes strong as well, her final scene a stirring monolog about expectation and how quickly time flies.
Who will win: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Who might win: No really, take Arquette to the bank as well.
Who should win: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Best Supporting Actor Nominees:
Edward Norton, “Birdman”
Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood”
Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher”
Robert Duvall, “The Judge”
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
J.K. Simmons is a beloved character actor, he played a juicy role, he’s won every precursor under the sun, and he’s in a Best Picture nominee. Let’s just say the Academy will be playing to his tempo.
Who will win: J. K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Who might win: If it’s anyone else, they risk having a cymbal thrown at their head.
Who should win: Edward Norton, “Birdman”
Best Foreign Language Film:
“Ida”
“Leviathan”
“Tangerines”
“Timbuktu”
“Wild Tales”
What will win: “Ida”
What might win: “Wild Tales”
Best Animated Feature:
“Big Hero 6”
“The Boxtrolls”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“Song of the Sea”
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
What will win: “How to Train Your Dragon 2”
What might win: “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
Best Documentary Feature:
“Citizenfour”
“Finding Vivian Maier”
“Last Days in Vietnam”
“The Salt of the Earth”
“Virunga”
What will win: “Citizenfour”
What might win: “Finding Vivian Maier”
Best Cinematography Nominees:
“Birdman”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Ida”
“Mr. Turner”
“Unbroken”
What will win: “Birdman”
What might win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Editing Nominees:
“American Sniper”
“Boyhood”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Whiplash”
What will win: “Boyhood”
What might win: “Whiplash”
Best Production Design Nominees:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Interstellar”
“Into the Woods”
“Mr. Turner”
What will win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
What might win: “Into the Woods”
Best Costume Design Nominees:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Inherent Vice”
“Into the Woods”
“Maleficent”
“Mr. Turner”
What will win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
What might win: “Into the Woods”
Best Original Score Nominees:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Interstellar”
“Mr. Turner”
“The Theory of Everything”
What will win: “The Theory of Everything”
What might win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Best Original Song Nominees:
“Lost Stars” from “Begin Again”
“Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights”
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me”
“Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie”
“Glory” from “Selma”
What will win: “Glory” from “Selma”
What might win: “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie”
Best Sound Mixing Nominees:
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Interstellar”
“Unbroken”
“Whiplash”
What will win: “Whiplash”
What might win: “American Sniper”
Best Sound Editing Nominees:
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
“Interstellar”
“Unbroken”
What will win: “American Sniper”
What might win: “Birdman”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Nominees:
“Foxcatcher”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
What will win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
What might win: “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Best Visual Effects Nominees:
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
“Interstellar”
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
What will win: “Interstellar”
What might win: “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
What do you think is going to win at this year’s Academy Awards? Comment below!
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