The Oscars are here once again, and for once, I’ve seen a majority of the nominated films – excluding American Sniper, Into the Woods, Gone Girl, Wild, and The Judge, among others. So without further ado, I’ll tally up my picks and we’ll see who comes out on top.
Birdman – Best Picture, Cinematography, Director, and Sound Mixing – I’m mostly in for Birdman, considering the near flawlessness of the project. Sure, Boyhood took 12 years to shoot, but compare that with a meta movie critiquing Broadway and superhero movies that plays out in nearly one (slyly edited) take … and Birdman comes out on top in my book.
The Theory of Everything – Best Actor – The formula to win an Oscar is simple: play a character with a physical handicap. Well, it didn’t win John Hawkes an award for The Sessions, but considering how Redmayne is steamrolling the Best Actor wins, he’s got it locked in. I wouldn’t be upset of Michael Keaton came from behind to snatch a win.
Whiplash – Supporting Actor, Editing, and Adapted Screenplay – JK Simmons is a lock for Supporting Actor, the montages and fast cuts won me over for Editing, and why not for the Adapted Screenplay win?
Still Alice – Best Actress – Julianne Moore has this win locked in, much like Eddie Redmayne. My second-place choice, however, would be Marion Cotillard for Two Days, One Night.
Boyhood – Supporting Actress – Patricia Arquette has it locked in, too.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Original Score, Production Design, and Original Screenplay – I personally preferred the Budapest score over the Imitation Game score (seeing as Desplat has a nomination for both). The Eastern European/toybox nature was the most unique – apart from the glorious pipe organs of Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar score. As for Production Design and Original Screenplay? It’s Wes Anderson, so it fits.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Makeup and Hairstyling, and Visual Effects – I’m pulling for Guardians mostly for all the practical effects work that went into the film – along with the CG Groot and Rocket.
Additionally, some of the smaller categories (Sound Editing, Documentary Feature, Original Song, Costume Design, and Animated Feature) could very well be toss-ups. I’m pulling for Citizenfour in Documentary Feature, but it may be too polarizing for the Academy. Colleen Atwood is a shoe-in for Costume Design for Into the Woods, but I could see it going to the period piece Mr. Turner. Cartoon Saloon was previously nominated for The Secret of Kells, which may mean that Song of the Sea isn’t favored, but I’m not too sure of the front-runner How to Train Your Dragon 2. While Selma was royally snubbed, I’m holding out hope that it can at least take Best Song for “Glory”. And Sound Editing will most likely go to Interstellar – along with Sound Mixing, too, but one can hope for a split.
If you want to follow along, I’ll be live-tweeting the proceedings as the night wears on.
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