It’s that time of year again!
The 86th annual Academy Awards are being held on Sunday, March 2. The enthusiastic and hilarious Ellen DeGeneres is back to host again this year, and there’s a wide variety of nominees. The Oscars are shinier and more golden than ever. It’s shaping up to be a great night!
It’s no secret — I’m Oscar-crazy. Every year, I look forward to discussing red carpet fashion and Oscar buzz with friends, stretching out on the couch with snacks and cheering for my favorite movies. Basically, the Oscars are my Super Bowl.
Here’s a run-down of the nominees in the top categories:
Best Picture:• American Hustle• Captain Phillips• Dallas Buyers Club• Gravity• Her• Nebraska• Philomena• 12 Years a Slave• The Wolf of Wall Street
Best Actor:• Christian Bale in ‘American Hustle’• Bruce Dern in ‘Nebraska’• Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’• Chiwetel Ejiofor in ’12 Years a Slave’• Matthew McConaughey in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
Best Actress:• Amy Adams in ‘American Hustle’• Cate Blanchett in ‘Blue Jasmine’• Sandra Bullock in ‘Gravity’• Judi Dench in ‘Philomena’• Meryl Streep in ‘August: Osage County’
Admittedly, I have not seen all the nominated movies, but I can highly recommend “Gravity,” “Her” and :12 Years a Slave.” “Gravity” was intense, to say the least. The storyline and Sandra Bullock’s acting had me engaged and on the edge of my seat. The beauty and immensity of space nearly swallowed me up where I sat.
“Her” is a film that takes place in the not-so-distant future, when humans have relationships with their nearly-human operating systems. Although this seems weird at first, who can blame the main character for falling in love super-intelligent computer with a great personality and Scarlett Johansson’s sultry voice? “Her” opens some insights into what the future might hold for us in terms of technology and love.
Finally, “12 Years a Slave” was a harrowing narrative of a free black man who was abducted and illegally sold into slavery in pre-Civil War America. The acting, particularly by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is spectacular, but be warned — this movie is not for the faint of heart. I left the theater feeling emotionally worn from the realistic cruelty that pervaded throughout the movie.
Other nominations to look for include Disney’s “Frozen” and Studio Ghibli’s “The Wind Rises” for Best Animated Film. Based on the warm reception “Frozen” has received, I think it will most likely win this category.
Jennifer Lawrence is the favorite to win Best Supporting Actress for “American Hustle.” Just a reminder, she’s been nominated three times in the last four years and she’s only 23! What a talented lady.
So remember to tune in to the ceremony next Sunday! Even if Hollywood isn’t your cup of tea, do it for Ellen. Everyone loves Ellen.