Oscar Predictions: December Update

BEST PICTURE

American Hustle
The Butler
Captain Phillips
*Gravity*
Her
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska
Saving Mr. Banks
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf Of Wall Street

Okay, things are getting serious! I added The Butler because Harvey Weinstein needs at least one movie in the Best Picture race. Also, I replaced Philomena with Nebraska because the latter has more buzz than the former. I guess we’ll have to wait for the Globe nominations to see if Wolf Of Wall St. is going to be a definite player. As for the win, since 12 Years hasn’t exactly been sweeping the guilds, I’m gonna throw all my support behind Gravity.

BEST DIRECTOR

*Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity*
John Lee Hancock, Saving Mr. Banks
Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave
Spike Jonze, Her
David O. Russel, American Hustle

The run time and reported violence in ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’ leads me to believe that it won’t be a serious oscar contender. Cuaron still has the upper hand here, especially after two consecutive guild wins.

BEST ACTOR

*Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years A Slave*
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Matthew McConaughey, The Dallas Buyers Club
Joaquin Phoenix, Her
Robert Redford, All Is Lost

I know a majority of voters are picking Bruce Dern over Joaquin Phoenix. I know that Dern is probably the sensible pick, but I can’t help but hope for Pheonix. This category is going to be difficult, but I’m going with Ejiofer. If 12 Years wins he can follow along for the ride, and if 12 Years fails he can take it as a consolation prize.

BEST ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
*Sandra Bullock, Gravity*
Judi Dench, Philomena
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks

I could easily add Amy Adams to the lineup, but is the academy really going to make her 5/0 with her nominations? As for the win, I’m going to stick with my guns on Bullock. I know Cate Blanchett is sweeping the guilds, but when it rains, it pours. And Gravity is going to pour. Do you know what i’m talking about? Because I don’t.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Michael Fassbender, Twelve Years A Slave
Will Forte, Nebraska
*Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks*
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

These five seem like good choices to me. I was this close to putting Bradley Cooper over Forte. Now, I know that Jared Leto is the favorite right now, but his film is unlikely to get a Best Picture nomination. So, I don’t think he’s going to win. Not when Tom Hanks is playing Walt Disney.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
*Lupita Nyong’o, Twelve Years A Slave*
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
Octavia Spencer, Fruitvale Station
Oprah Winfrey, The Butler

Replaced who will be the contender for August: Osage County Lawrence is getting great notices. But seriously. I knew from the moment I saw this that Lupita Nyong’o was going to win an Oscar. Oprah, don’t you have enough?

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

August: Osage Country
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
*12 Years A Slave*
The Wolf Of Wall Street

2013 is the one year where Adapted Screenplay is a weak category and Original Screenplay is infinitely stronger. 12 Years will triumph here.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

American Hustle
Gravity
*Her*
Inside Llewyn Davis
Saving Mr. Banks

This is leaving off movies like Nebraska, Blue Jasmine, and Fruitvale Station. Man, this category is impressive. I personally think that Her will be a big contender, so I’ll give it the win here.

BEST FILM EDITING

Captain Phillips
*Gravity*
Her
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf Of Wall Street

A movie of visual awesomeness stands in a good position to win Editing.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

All Is Lost
*Gravity*
Nebraska
Inside Llewyn Davis
12 Years A Slave

Somehow, I feel comfortable with this set of nominees, particularly with the winner.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

The Butler
The Great Gatsby
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug
Saving Mr. Banks
*12 Years A Slave*

I’ll say 12 Years takes this, but it’s gonna be close.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

American Hustle
*The Great Gatsby*
The Invisible Woman
Saving Mr. Banks
12 Years A Slave

If Jane Eyre got a nomination two years ago, I don’t see why a little known film directed by Ralph Fiennes can’t score a nod. I’ll go for Gatsby on this one.

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP

The Butler
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug
*12 Years A Slave*

12 Years has the best chances here.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

*Gravity*
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug
Iron Man 3
Pacific Rim
Star Trek Into Darkness

Gee i wondeR whAt moVIe will win The academY award

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

The Book Thief
Captain Phillips
*Gravity*
Saving Mr. Banks
12 Years A Slave

Life Of Pi’s win last year makes Gravity the front contender. Plus, you would think that a movie with a score like this would be a surefire winner. But then again, this didn’t win and this wasn’t even nominated. And yes, I just gave you links to my three favorite movie soundtracks

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Amen,” All Is Lost
“For The First Time In Forever”, Frozen
*“Let It Go”, Frozen*
“Young And Beautiful”, The Great Gatsby
”The Moon Song”, Her

I’ve heard some good things about Let It Go, but I refuse to listen to the song before I watch the movie.

BEST SOUND EDITING

*Captain Phillips*
Gravity
Rush
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf Of Wall Street

Captain Phillips seems like the obvious winner in this category.

BEST SOUND MIXING

Captain Phillips
*Gravity*
Her
Inside Llewyn Davis
The Wolf Of Wall Street

As does Gravity in this category.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

The Croods
Ernest & Celestine
*Frozen*
Monsters University
The Wind Rises

The overwhelmingly positive reviews for Frozen caused me to change my prediction. I plan on seeing it soon.