It’s that time of year again! Awards season is coming to a close and with it comes one of the most anticipated award shows of the year: The Academy Awards! With a wide variety of film types and hosted by the legen–wait for it–dary Neil Patrick Harris, this year’s Oscars is sure to be entertaining but could be a bit predictable too. Previous award shows, such as the Golden Globes and the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, have already established the frontrunners in each category. Will this lack of competition make for a yawn-worthy show, or will a few upsets emerge to shake up the awards? Tune in February 22nd to find out!
In the meantime, here is my short list of Oscar predictions featuring whom looks like they have the greatest shot at winning, and whom I believe should win regardless of their hype. I am not even going to attempt to claim that I am a film critic of any kind, but I chose my favourites based off of entertainment value and quality of performance.
Best Picture
Nominees:
· American Sniper
· The Imitation Game
· Birdman
· Selma
· Boyhood
· The Theory of Everything
· The Grand Budapest Hotel
· Whiplash
Who will win: Boyhood
Who I want to win: Boyhood or The Imitation Game
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
· Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
· Bradley Cooper (American Sniper)
· Benedict Cumberbath (The Imitation Game)
· Michael Keaton (Birdman)
· Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
Who will win: Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Who I want to win: Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) or Steve Carell (Foxcatcer) – Carell is the biggest long-shot but who wouldn’t want to see Michael Scott win an Oscar?!
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
· Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night)
· Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
· Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
· Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
· Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
Who will win: Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
Who I want to win: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
· Robert Duvall (The Judge)
· Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
· Edward Norton (Birdman)
· Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher)
· J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Who will win: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Who I want to win: Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
· Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
· Laura Dern (Wild)
· Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game)
· Emma Stone (Birdman)
· Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
Who will win: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Who I want to win: Emma Stone (Birdman)
Best Director
Nominees:
· Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman)
· Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
· Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher)
· Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
· Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)
Who will win: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
Who I want to win: Richard Linklater (Boyhood) – If anyone else wins this category it would be a huge upset. 12 years in the making for an astonishing film is enough to secure Linklater’s golden man.