Hollywood’s biggest night is finally here once more. Tuxedos have been chosed, bow ties will be being tied. Dresses will have been chosen and make up will be put on. Hollywood royalty will be out in force and a select few will be clutching a golden statue once the ceremony is over.
It has certainly been an interesting year for films. We have seen con artists, abduction by Somali Pirates, one man’s fight against slavery which latest for more than 12 years, a terrifying adventure in space and one man setting up a club to help people suffering from illness. Lots of great performances from some great actors and some great directing. Some excellent music, but who is going to be the winners? I will be making my predictions below.
Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón – Gravity
The Mexican has swept the board throughout this awards season and it’s easy to see why. His film was a visual masterpiece and one that was mesmerising to watch. Although I would like to see Steve McQueen win the award, I feel that Cuaron will take it home.
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club as Ron Woodroof
Although I am hoping that Chiwetel Ejiofor takes this award home for his work in 12 Years A Slave I predict that it will be Matthew McConaughey who will win. He has transformed his career in recent years and this film in which he plays an AIDS sufferer, he gives a mesmerising performance worthy of an Oscar
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine as Jeanette “Jasmine” Francis
It will be a major surprise if Cate Blanchett is not the one holding the statute come the end of the night. She has swept the board right throughout this awards season and although I have not seen her performance, critics alike have almost unanimously given her high praise
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club as Rayon
Again, I would hope to see Michael Fassbender for his sublime work in 12 Years A Slave, I think that Jared Leto will scoop the Oscar. His performance, playing a transgender woman, was something extraordinary. He looked convincing in the role and the 30 Seconds to Mars frontman should be the winner. That being said I would love to see Barkhad Abdi take the prize as he gave a brilliant debut performance as a Somali pirate in Captain Phillips.
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle as Rosalyn Rosenfeld
This race seems to be a two way battle between Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o for American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave. Both performances were fantastic and are Oscar worthy. Yet I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be Lawrence who claims her second Oscar from only her third nomination despite only being 23 years of age.
Best Writing – Original Screenplay: Her – Spike Jonze
The concept of a man who has a relationship with a computer may seem bizarre, but Spike Jonze pulled it off with a wonderful story with another top notch performance by Joaquin Phoenix. I think Her will take the award
Best Writing – Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave – John Ridley
The story of Solomon Northup was one that was hard hitting but one that is very memorable and this film reminded the world of the true horrors of slavery and I think they will take this award home.
Best Animated Feature Film: Frozen – Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, and Peter Del Vecho
The latest Disney film is a strong favourite to win this year’s animated feature award. It is looking set to cross the $1billion mark and it would be a surprise if it was not victorious come the end of the night.
I won’t lie when I say that I have not seen any of the films in the following categories so these guesses are wild stabs in the dark:
Best Foreign Language Film: The Hunt (Denmark) in Danish – Thomas Vinterberg
Best Documentary – Feature: The Act of Killing – Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen
Best Documentary – Short Subject: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life – Malcolm Clarkeand Nicholas Reed
Best Live Action Short Film: Helium – Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson
Best Animated Short Film: Feral – Daniel Sousa and Dan Golden
Best Original Score: Gravity – Steven Price
The score for Gravity was wonderful and added to each scene in a terrific way. It added to the enjoyment of the film and I think it will be the winner.
Best Original Song: “Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – U2
“Let it Go” by Frozen is a strong favourite but U2’s hit from the Mandela biopic was a wonderful piece of music that I am predicting to win the award.
Best Sound Editing: Gravity – Glenn Freemantle
There is no sound in space, and this film captured the terror and anticipation of the film’s events brilliantly through sound. As the debris was wreaking havoc there was no noise, it was all silent.
Best Sound Mixing: Gravity – Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, and Chris Munro
Best Cinematography: Gravity – Emmanuel Lubezki
The shots that were on show in this film were first class. It made the audience feel like they were actually in outer space and I think it will take this Oscar
Best Production Design: Gravity – Andy Nicholson (Production Design); Rosie Goodwinand Joanne Woollard (Set Decoration)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Dallas Buyers Club – Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews
The effort that must have been required to turn Jared Leto into a stickly feminine transgender must have been tremendous and I think it will win.
Best Costume Design: American Hustle – Michael Wilkinson
Best Film Editing: Gravity – Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger
Best Visual Effects: Gravity – Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk, and Neil Corbould
The visual effects on show here was simply out of this world (pun absolutley intended) and I think it’s no contest that Gravity will win this award
AND LAST NOT LEAST:
The Award for Best Picture
In what has been another great year for films, these are the lucky nine films that are up for the biggest award:
American Hustle – Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, and Jonathan Gordon
Captain Phillips – Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca
Dallas Buyers Club – Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter
Gravity – Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman
Her – Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze, and Vincent Landay
Nebraska – Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa
Philomena – Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, and Tracey Seaward
12 Years a Slave – Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner,Steve McQueen, and Anthony Katagas
I think the winner will be: 12 Years A Slave
Steve McQueen’s film was a harrowing and brilliant tale of one man’s fight aganst the injustice of his imprisonment and sale into slavery. It was brilliantly told, well acted and all rund was perfectly executed. It is incredible to think that prior to this film, few had the knowledge of what Solomon Northup went through and thanks to this film, we all have this knowledge and this man’s struggle should never ever be forgotten.
Through the Silver Screen 