The Academy is made up of mostly old, white men, which makes a lot of sense. I’m not saying the Oscar nominees aren’t diverse at times, but this year they seem to be a little on the light side. Despite all of that, the Oscars matter for some strange reason. I’m here to predict the 2015 Oscar winners in the major categories, in case you’re making bets on these bad boys. On top of that, I’ll also tell you who I’m rooting for, and who got snubbed (if there is anyone that got snubbed) from where I’m sitting.
Film Editing
American Sniper
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Whiplash
Who’s going to win? Birdman
Who am I rooting for? The Grand Budapest Hotel
Who got snubbed? Gone Girl
The scenes in Birdman are so seamlessly put together that it feels like one long take, making the film more intimate and real. However, it’s still cinematic and visually appealing, and not at all like a documentary. Birdman should take home the statue; however, I’m rooting for The Grand Budapest Hotel because it’s a beautifully edited film, which is expected from Wes Anderson. Every tick, every shot, and every transition in The Grand Budapest Hotel elevates the story and the familiar feel-good vibes of a time long ago.
Best Actor
Steve Carell – Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper – American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton – Birdman
Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything
Who’s going to win? Michael Keaton
Who am I rooting for? Michael Keaton
Who got snubbed? Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler and David Oyelowo in Selma
Keaton was amazing in Birdman in so many levels. He’s funny, suicidal, intense, zany, loopy, and sentimental; sometimes all in one scene. He pulls off such a complex character with ease, and really makes Riggan Thompson memorable (so memorable that I didn’t have to look up his character’s name). On top of that, Keaton’s a veteran actor that finally got another leading role in a movie that soaked in a big spotlight. He knocked it out the park and into outer space. Oh yeah, he was also Batman, so he also has that going for him as well. Eddie Redmayne could win, but probably not.
Best Actress
Felicity Jones – The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore – Still Alice
Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon – Wild
Marion Cotillard – Two Days, One Night
Who’s going to win? Julianne Moore
Who am I rooting for? Rosamund Pike
Who got snubbed? Jennifer Aniston in Cake
Julianne Moore has always been one of my favorite actresses to watch, and it seems that it’s finally her time to win an Oscar. She gives a heartbreaking, inspiring performance in Still Alice, playing a linguistics professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As usual, she gives a genuinely sincere performance that places you in the character’s shoes. I’m rooting for Rosamund Pike because her character in Gone Girl is beautifully insane, infecting you to the bone. She embodies an ideal evil that all men fear. Bravo. Moore takes it in this category though.
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall – The Judge
Ethan Hawke – Boyhood
Edward Norton – Birdman
Mark Ruffalo – Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons – Whiplash
Who’s going to win? J.K. Simmons (duh)
Who am I rooting for? Ethan Hawke and Edward Norton
Who got snubbed? Everyone in this category because Simmons is going to win.
The guy is pounding through the awards shows, racking up the wins and adding to his bling. Simmons is the man to beat, hands down. Ethan Hawke was amazingly sincere in Boyhood, and Edward Norton was hilarious in Birdman (his first nomination since American History X in 1998!), but it seems that Simmons is just too much of a powerhouse to lose to anybody in this category. No complaints here though, he’s a tremendous actor.
Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette – Boyhood
Laura Dern – Wild
Keira Knightley – The Imitation Game
Emma Stone – Birdman
Meryl Streep – Into the Woods
Who’s going to win? Patricia Arquette
Who am I rooting for? Emma Stone
Who got snubbed? Tilda Swinton in Snowpiercer
Patricia Arquette gives a stellar performance as the single mom trying to raise her kids as best she can. She portrays a mom that any child should appreciate, but probably doesn’t. Arquette is somewhat of a lock in this category with the only real competition being Keira Knightley or Emma Stone. Stone is solid in Birdman, but there is one scene that she absolutely triumphs in that makes her my favorite. If you watched the movie, you’ll know what scene I’m talking about.
Directing
Alejandro Inarritu – Birdman
Richard Linklater – Boyhood
Bennett Miller – Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Morten Tyldum – The Imitation Game
Who’s going to win? Richard Linklater
Who am I rooting for? Richard Linklater and Alejandro Inarritu
Who got snubbed? Ava DuVernay
Richard Linklater made a film that took 12 years to complete, and he managed to put together an unforgettable piece of cinema that covers the lessons and lost years of growing up. Linklater’s style isn’t flashy; he simply tells his story in a sincere way that really inspires you to reflect on the intricacies of life. Boyhood will be a film to remember, and it will age like fine wine (the good kind too). Inarritu is equally amazing, but I feel the Academy will go on and award the more linear film.
Adapted Screenplay
American Sniper
The Imitation Game
Inherent Vice
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash
Who’s going to win? The Imitation Game
Who am I rooting for? Gone Girl (even if it’s not nominated) or American Sniper
Who got snubbed? Gone Girl
The Imitation Game will probably take this one, as it’s losing Best Picture and probably won’t win in any other major categories. I can also see Whiplash winning, and it would go good with J.K. Simmons’ Best Supporting Actor win (yes, I’m that sure he’ll take it). Anyways, I would’ve been rooting for Gone Girl, but it’s obviously missing from this ensemble.
Original Screenplay
Birdman
Boyhood
Foxcatcher
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Nightcrawler
Who’s going to win? Boyhood
Who am I rooting for? Boyhood and Birdman
Who got snubbed? A Most Violent Year
Realistically, it’s a tie between Boyhood and Birdman; however, I think Boyhood will take it home because it’s the more straight forward story, as I’ve mentioned before. The Academy usually plays it safe, so Birdman being inventive and a little more out there will be at a disadvantage. Both screenplays are heartfelt, humorous, and inspiring pieces of work. I say cut that statue in half and give it to both writers.
Best Picture
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash
Who’s going to win? Boyhood
Who am I rooting for? Boyhood and Birdman
Who got snubbed? Gone Girl
Richard Linklater is an amazing filmmaker with a talent for capturing the big picture in a natural manner. This film is simply amazing for it’s simplicity of showing the coming-of-age story from a perspective that’s never been more true. It’s a unique film that shouldn’t go uncrowned. A close second would be Birdman, seeing as it’s also a complex piece of art that’s a breath of fresh are in the world of cinema. Selma is tied with Birdman as a big maybe as well because it’s an Oscar type of film, and it didn’t get Best Actor or Best Director nominations. My best guess is that Boyhood is taking home the big prize, but Birdman is right behind it.
Throw an Oscars party and make some bets to see who can most accurately guess the preferences of old, white men that watch movies. The 87th Academy Awards will take place on February 22, 2015.
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