You can also check out my fearless predictions below on which actors, directors and movies are going to wake up really, really happy tomorrow morning!
BEST PICTURE
For Best Picture, I expect "Boyhood", "Birdman", "The Imitation Game" and "The Theory of Everything" to get in right away. The Academy can opt to nominate up to as many as ten films in this category. I believe, with the dearth of really strong movies this year, we will likely see a full category with "The Grand Budapest Hotel" leading the next set of probable nominees. The 6th to 10th slots could probably go to "Wild", "Selma", "American Sniper", "Whiplash" and "Gone Girl".
BEST DIRECTOR
This category is Richard Linklater's Oscar to lose for his groundbreaking and deeply moving masterpiece “Boyhood”. Joining him in a ceremonial dance in this category are Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, the acclaimed Mexican master behind “Birdman”, Morten Tyldum for “The Imitation Game”, Wes Anderson for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and Academy favorite Clint Eastwood for “American Sniper”. I wish the Academy would nominate the Dardenne Brothers from Belgium for their masterful "Two Days, One Night."
BEST ACTOR
This category features one of the great Oscar contests this year. Relative newcomer Eddie Redmayne and veteran Michael Keaton are going to duke it out for their highly acclaimed performances in "The Theory of Everything" and "Birdman", respectively. Possible nominees include Benedict Cumberbatch, who was simply magnificent in "The Imitation Game", Jake Gyllenhaal, whose creepy turn in "Nightcrawler" is one the year's best. Bradley Cooper ("American Sniper") and David Oyelowo ("Selma") would contest the last spot.
BEST ACTRESS
Two years ago, in one of the junkets I attended, I told Julianne Moore that I wanted her to win an Oscar. At the time, the beautiful actress just won an Emmy. She responded with a winded answer that basically avoided addressing the subject. Today, i am very excited to predict that she will finally get an Oscar, which she truly deserves. Julianne's turn in "Still Alice" will be likely joined by previous Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon for "Wild" and hot Brits Felicity Jones "The Theory of Everything" and Rosamund Pike ("Gone Girl"). The 5th slot is a toss-up between Jennifer Aniston for "Cake" and Oscar winning French superstar Marion Cotillard for her marvelous turn in "Two Days, One Night."
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
J.K. Simmon's commanding performance in "Whiplash" carried the movie to greatness and this is one category that could either go his way or to Edward Norton, a highly respected actor who is overdue for a recognition. Edward is up for his richly textured supporting performance in "Birdman." The duo will be likely joined by Ethan Hawke ("Boyhood") and two stars from "Foxcatcher", Steve Carrell and Mark Ruffalo.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
This category is also exciting. The contest is between Patricia Arquette for her indelible performance as a single mom raising two kids in "Boyhood" and perennial nominee Jessica Chastain who could finally snag her first Oscar for her turn in "A Most Violent Year." Possible nominees are Emma Stone ("Boyhood"), Imelda Staunton ("Pride") and Rene Russo for her brilliant turn in "Nightcrawler."
This is one category that I am looking forward to this year. I have seen all the 9 shortlisted films and my favorites are: Wild Tales, Leviathan, Tangerines, Timbuktu and Corn Island but the final nominees could vary with "Ida" from Poland likely bumping off "Corn Island" from the final list. Perhaps "Force Majeure" from Sweden and "Accused" from the Netherlands could also make the list and I also will not be surprised if "The Liberator" from Venezuela makes the list, too! This category is so hard to predict but i will be very disappointed if "Wild Tales" from Argentina ends up being cut.
See you at the Oscars!
XXX
Raymond Lo
I have nothing to delete or add .. how did you read my exact predictions? .. I'll borrow our friend George Aintablian's line --- "amazing"!
ReplyDeleteOliver, I am so excited for WILD TALES!!!!
ReplyDelete