87th Academy Awards Predictions

Every year I try to watch as many of the nominated films as I can. This year I think I’ve watched more films than ever before. It’s definitely been an interesting year for films. I have my picks for who I want to win (and who I think will win). Just a little over 24 hours until we see who comes out with a statue.

Best Picture

American Sniper
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)*
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash

I’ve seen all the nominees in this category but Selma and I have to say this is always the hardest category to predict a winner. My favorite of the group was by far The Grand Budapest Hotel. However I doubt it will win the category. The statue will probably go to Birdman or Boyhood. Although I found Boyhood lacked a true story and is better suited to win in other categories for it’s ambitious task of filmmaking. I found Birdman intriguing and absolutely stunning.

Actor in a Leading Role

Steve Carell in Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper in American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything*

This will be an interesting race to see who will leave with a statue. All these performances were Oscar worthy. My vote is a tie between Eddie Redmayne and Michael Keaton. The Academy seems to favor winners who portray real people so they can compare the acting to how the person is in real life. With that said, Eddie Redmayne portraying Stephen Hawking was the best performance of this type. Plus he’s been winning awards left and right for this role. But what Michael Keaton did to create this character is pretty great. Still Alice

Actress in a Leading Role

Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night
Felicity Jones in The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore in Still Alice*
Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon in Wild

There isn’t any contest in this category this year. Julianne Moore’s performance in Still Alice was head and shoulders above the rest. I really have nothing else to say but if you haven’t seen this movie yet, then definitely put it on your list.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Robert Duvall in The Judge
Ethan Hawke in Boyhood
Edward Norton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons in Whiplash*

This is another category that doesn’t seem to be a contest. J.K. Simmons in this harsh and hateful role was just so good you can’t not give him an Oscar.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Patricia Arquette in Boyhood*
Laura Dern in Wild
Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game
Emma Stone in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Meryl Streep in Into the Woods

This is probably the weakest category in a long time. I would love to see Keira Knightly win because The Imitation Game was really good but doesn’t seem to have a winning chance in any other categories but the statue will go home with either Patricia Arquette of Emma Stone.

Achievement in Directing

Alejandro G. Inarritu for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Richard Linklater for Boyhood*
Bennett Miller for Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson for The Grand Budapest Hotel
Morten Tyldum for The Imitation Game

My thought is this is where Boyhood will receive it’s acclaim for the length it took them to make this movie. I mean sticking with a story for 12 years and seeing it through to the finish line is an incredible feat.

Best Animated Feature

Big Hero 6
The Boxtrolls
How to Train Your Dragon 2*
Song of the Sea
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Seeing as this year’s biggest snub was The Lego Movie and there’s no Pixar movie in the mix of nominations, I don’t think many care about this category this year. I’m just guessing the Academy will give it to How to Train Your Dragon 2 since the first didn’t get much recognition but nothing really stands out.

Achievement in Cinematography