Predictions: 86th Academy Awards
The 86th Academy Awards are upon us. A very strong line-up of films and talent await their fate on Sunday night to see who is the jewel in the crown of Hollywood for the previous twelve months. We've made our final predictions on who will walk away with what and who will be left empty handed.
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
A hotly contested category that see's some of Hollywood's biggest names go head to head. This year seems to be a two horse race between Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave) and Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) with Christian Bale (American Hustle) and Leonardo Di Caprio (The Wolf Of Wall Street) seemingly looking in from the outside. BAFTA awarded Ejiofor the best actor award a few weeks back, which notably didn't have McConaughey nominated— whom the Golden Globes gave the award to. It will most likely come down to these two— with a cigarette paper separating them both. I believe McConaughey will come out on top for his consistency these past twelve months, with Dallas Buyers Club so far being his career defining role.
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Another category filled with A list talent, but as the previous two big award ceremonies (Golden Globes and BAFTA) suggested it's a tough call not awarding Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) the gong. Her performance is nothing short of excellent and has left critics in awe. It would be a huge surprise if the Academy chose a different recipient, which they have been known to do from time to time, but I can't see that happening here.
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Three men will all look at getting their hands on this award, as the Academy could go either way. Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club), Michael Fassbender (12 Years A Slave) and Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) have been the strong front-runners in the previous award ceremonies with Fassbender being the only one yet to pick up an award. Unfortunately, Fassbender will most likely be unsuccessful again as Leto is the hot favourite. His portrayal of sassy, smart talking Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club is a stand-out and memorable performance. His commitment to the role was nothing short of remarkable and he will no doubt be rewarded for his demanding efforts. As for Barkhad Abdi— what a journey for him. From applying to a TV spot that lead to the audition and now on the red carpet amongst the best in the business— he's most likely just happy to be nominated.
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) seems to be a shoo-in for best supporting actress, but is she really deserving? Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave) and Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) gave performances that equally rival Lawerence's. Nyong'o gave a heart-breaking performance that was packed with emotion and Hawkins was equally great alongside Blanchett in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine. If it was down to me, I'd be choosing between those two, but I can't see the Academy going against the grain. This will be Lawrence's to lose.
BEST ADAPTED AND ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Best Adapted Screenplay could be an interesting one. John Ridley's 12 Years a Slave would be the obvious choice, but Philomena has received widespread acclaim and could come away victorious.
Best Original Screenplay will most likely go to American Hustle but Spike Jonze's Her is a highly original piece of writing and would go down very well with many screenwriters in Hollywood if it were to win.
BEST DIRECTING
Another top heavy list of nominees, but is there any other winner here apart from Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)? Cuaron has picked up the best director at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and the Directors Guild of America Awards. The latter has awarded the director who has gone on to win the Oscar for a considerable number of years— I can't see that streak being broken. On the other hand, Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave) is the only real threat to Cuaron. McQueen has made a timeless masterpiece that will no doubt be just as important in 20 years.
BEST PICTURE
All nine nominees are great films, but a group has split away from the pack (Gravity, 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle). Gravity boasts huge strides in visual effects. It's a breathtaking experience and truly one of the finest achievements in cinema, visually. American Hustle is more style over substance, but does have a Oscar friendly narrative and a cast that will fair it well. 12 Years A Slave on the other hand is a story that is full of raw emotion, heartache and an undying sense of never giving up in the face of adversity. 12 Years A Slave is a decade defining film and I believe will be given the honour of Best Picture.
The OTHER CATEGORIES...
Frozen will most likely win Best Animated Feature in a fairly poor year for animation. Frozen has made a bucket load of money at the box office and still has a strong presence with the paying public.
Emmanuel Lubezki will be awarded Best Cinematography for his outstanding achievements in Gravity and Best Editing will most likely go to Gravity too. Expect Gravity to bag a lot of technical awards like Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.
Best Documentary may well be a two-way fight between The Act Of Killing and 20 Feet From Stardom— but The Act Of Killing may have too much in the way of critical aplomb to be beaten.
Best Production Design is an interesting category as all nominees (American Hustle, Gravity, The Great Gatsby, Her and 12 Years A Slave) all have strong cases to win— so flip a coin. It's categories like these that help films stack up on awards.
Best Make-Up boasts only three nominees with 12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club being the likely winners. But don't rule out Bad Grandpa— that make-up team done a fine job with Johnny Knoxville.
Best Original Score has went to Gravity at the BAFTAs but Saving Mr. banks has a chance in this tight category. As for Best Original Song, expect Karen O. (Her) from New York rock band the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs battling it out with Pharrell Williams (Despicable Me 2), could be interesting.
