The time has come! Tonight is the 86th annual Academy Awards! For the second year in a row, I’ll be watching the ceremony live on the big screen at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema here in Toronto, in which is sure to be a fun night. There doesn’t seem to be a clear front-runner, going into the Oscars this year, and the best bet is that there is going to be a bit of a split in how the awards are divided up. However, the Oscars are always full of surprises and you never know how the night is doing to turn out. Anyways, here are my picks for this year. Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
I doubt the film is going to win many Oscars, but I think that it is still going to leave with the big prize. Directing: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity
Gravity will probably end up being the biggest winner of the night, including a well-deserved director win. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets Best Picture as well. Writing (Original Screenplay): Her
There was no film more original than Her and it should be a shoe-in for a win. Writing (Adapted Screenplay): 12 Years a Slave
It would be nice if Before Midnight won, but I doubt that would happen. Actor in a Leading Role: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
While some may have said Chiwetel Ejiofor a few months ago, McConaughey deserves recognition for his recent career resurgence. Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Leto has won practically every pre-Oscar award, so this one is a safe bet. Actress in a Leading Role: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
The only thing hurting Blanchett’s chances is the recent Woody Allen controversy, otherwise this is her time to shine. Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
While Jennifer Lawrence can easily win her second Oscar here, the signs are saying that the award will go to this breakthrough performance.
Well those are the major categories. Here are the rest of my predictions:
- Short Film (Animated): Get a Horse!
- Documentary (Feature): 20 Feet from Stardom
- Short Film (Live Action): Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
- Documentary (Short Subject): Karama Has No Walls
- Film Editing: Gravity
- Sound Editing: Gravity
- Foreign Language Film: “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Belgium
- Sound Mixing: Gravity
- Makeup and Hairstyling: Dallas Buyers Club
- Visual Effects: Gravity
- Music (Original Score): Gravity, Steven Price
- Animated Feature Film: The Wind Rises
- Production Design: The Great Gatsby
- Cinematography: Gravity
- Music (Original Song): “Let it Go” from Frozen
- Costume Design: The Great Gatsby