Film's biggest night of the year is finally upon us as the 86th Academy Awards are held tonight at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California. Here are my predictions for who will take home the six biggest awards of the evening.
Best Picture
Nominees:
12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street
Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
Should Win: American Hustle
Nominees I've seen: 6/9 (American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Her, Nebraska, The Wolf of Wall Street)
There really is no clear unopposed frontrunner this year, but I believe 12 Years a Slave has a slight advantage over Gravity and American Hustle. 12 Years a Slave has the based on an incredible, poignant true story pedigree that Academy voters love to reward.
Best Actor
Nominees:
Christian Bale, American Hustle
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Will Win:Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Should Win: Christian Bale, American Hustle
Nominated performances I've seen: 4/5 (Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey)
Who would've thought the guy who starred in Ghost of Girlfriends Past just 5 short years ago would be up for an Academy Award and suddenly become one of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood? Matthew McConaughey made a remarkable physical transformation for Dallas Buyers Club and a all-but-guaranteed Oscar victory tonight will complete his recent rebirth as an actor.
Best Actress
Nominees:
Amy Adams, American Hustle
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Will Win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Should Win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Nominated performances I've seen: 2/5 (Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett)
Cate Blanchett should walk away with the second Oscar of her career for her powerhouse performance in Blue Jasmine and she absolutely deserves it. Few actors this year commanded the screen with as much depth and emotion as Blanchett did.
Best Supporting Actor
Nominees:
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Will Win: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Should Win: Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Nominated performances I've seen: 4/5 (Barkhad Abdi, Bradley Cooper, Jonah Hill, Jared Leto)
If I was to bet on one award for tonight, it would be Jared Leto for Best Supporting Actor. He has 100% of the momentum going into the Oscars and his role as a transgender female with AIDS is about as Oscar-friendly as any role can be.
Best Supporting Actress
Nominees:
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Luptia Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska
Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Should Win: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Nominated performances I've seen: 3/5 (Sally Hawkins, Jennifer Lawrence, June Squibb)
This is a complete toss-up between Jennifer Lawrence and Luptia Nyong'o. Nyong'o has the advantage of being a first-time nominee in a dramatic role, but I believe Lawrence's hilarious scene-stealing performance in American Hustle gives her the slight edge.
Best Director
Nominees:
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
David O. Russell, American Hustle
Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Should Win: David O. Russell, American Hustle
Nominees I've seen: 3/5 (Alexander Payne, David O. Russell, Martin Scorcese)
The simple yet effective concept and groundbreaking visuals of Gravity makes Alfonso Cuaron the clear favorite. Though I haven't seen Gravity, it's quite the achievement to make a film with only two actors on screen with such a basic plot and make it work on any level; let alone get all the high praise and awards-love that Gravity has received.
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