The day has finally come for the 87th annual Academy Awards. For the third year in a row, I will be watching the Oscars on the big screen at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, which has always been a fun time. This has been a difficult year to differentiate between films I want to win and films that probably will win. Even though Boyhood was the early frontrunner in the Oscar race, there has been some unexpected momentum by Birdman, which ended up winning most of the guild awards. It will definitely make for a nail biter of a night. Here are my predictions for this year. Best Picture: Boyhood
Given all the pre-Oscar awards that have been going to Birdman, there is a chance that I am shooting myself in the foot by sticking with Boyhood. However, the film did end up winning Best Pictures at the BAFTAs earlier this month, so there is still hope that Richard Linklater’s film will still end up on top. Directing: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman
A split between Best Picture and Director has been more common in recent years, so even though I’m sticking with Boyhood for Best Picture, I’ll go with DGA winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu to get the directing prize. Writing (Original Screenplay): The Grand Budapest Hotel
If there are any major awards for Wes Anderson, it will be for the writing. Writing (Adapted Screenplay): The Imitation Game
The film won the WGA award, so it’s fair to assume that it will win here. Actor in a Leading Role: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Even though it would be nice if Michael Keaton won Best Actor, Redmayne has been winning practically every pre-Oscar award and seems like a shoe-in (unless of course, his role in Jupiter Ascending turned off some Oscar voters) Actor in a Supporting Role: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
This is probably the most sure bet of the awards. Actress in a Leading Role: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
This is another sure bet. Actress in a Supporting Role: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
This one is pretty much a done deal as well. That wraps up my predictions in the major categories, here are the rest:
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Short Film (Animated): Feast
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Short Film (Live Action): Aya
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Documentary Feature: Citizenfour
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Documentary Short Subject: Our Curse
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Film Editing: Boyhood
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Sound Editing: American Sniper
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Sound Mixing: American Sniper
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Foreign Language Film: Leviathan
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Makeup and Hairstyling: The Grand Budapest Hotel
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Visual Effects: Interstellar
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Music (Original Score): The Theory of Everything, Jóhann Jóhannsson
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Music (Original Song): “Glory” from Selma
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Animated Feature Film: How to Train Your Dragon 2
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Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel
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Cinematography: The Grand Budapest Hotel
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Costume Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel