AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…

It’s that time of year again. Time to grab chips, dip and friends to gather around the television for the one-night special event of what’s a hit and what’s a miss in popular cinema. The Oscars. During this red-carpet event, many actors, actresses, producers and directors enjoy a fancy night filled with shock, tear-jerking speeches and an unforgettably humorous monologue by the host Neil Patrick Harris.

But the speeches, monologue, the mess-ups and the buzz revolving around who wore are not the main focus—who leaves with the golden man trophy and title of Oscar winner is. Of the 87^th Academy Award nominations for the 2015 Oscars, many of which are extremely talented and deserving of the award, only one may hear the five words following their name “AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…”

Although there are many other awards that aren’t mentioned, here are my predictions for the winners in the most prominent categories for the award ceremony. Drumroll, please.

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR:

Nominated:

• American Sniper
• Birdman
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• Selma
• The Theory Of Everything
• Whiplash

Now this will be an extremely close call as it’s a racehorse type competition that could go in either favor of Birdman or Boyhood. Although Boyhood is depicted as an artistic innovation in cinema winning achievements from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Birdman claimed the SAG award for best cast, the Producer Guild Award (PGA), and most importantly, the Directors Guild Award (DGA). With all of this into consideration, it’s pretty significant achievement to receive an award from the DGA—it practically decides who wins and who loses. My best bet would be to root for Birdman.

WINNER: Birdman

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ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:

Nominated:

• Steve Carell in Foxcatcher
• Bradley Cooper in American Sniper
• Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game
• Michael Keaton in Birdman
• Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything

Although this is another nail-biter with an obvious choice of Michael Keaton in Birdman because if it wins Best In Picture shouldn’t the award for Best Actor in Leading Role follow suit? No. Because of Eddie Redmayne’s unbelievable performance in The Theory Of Everything as he played Steven Hawking through the autobiographical movie wooed many voters. Achieving the SAG and BAFTA, it’s safe to say that it’ll be undoubtedly shocking if Redmayne doesn’t win an Oscar.

WINNER: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything

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ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Nominated:

• Robert Duvall in The Judge
• Ethan Hawke in Boyhood
• Edward Norton in Birdman
• Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher
• K. Simmons in Whiplash

Because of achieving favor of the three major acting predictors, J.K. Simmons in Whiplash will undeniably be gracing that stage with his newly polished Oscar. It’s easy to say considering the lack of competition from the nominees listed.

WINNER: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

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ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:

Nominated:

• 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

Throughout the filming of all the movies nominated, it was clear from the start that Julianne Moore, a five-time nominee, would achieve an Oscar in a landslide. Her role in Still Alice as an early-onset Alzheimer’s patient was astounding. Besides she swept the competition by achieving SAGS, Golden Globes, AND the BAFTAS. However Felicity Jones’ performance in The Theory Of Everything was pretty remarkable, playing as Steven Hawking’s wife. Despite Jones’ performance, Moore will walk on that stage and accept her award with a, “Wow I can’t believe this.”

WINNER: Julianne Moore, Still Alice

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ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:

Nominated:

• Patricia Arquette in Boyhood
• Laura Dern in Wild
• Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game
• Emma Stone in Birdman
• Meryl Streep in Into The Woods

Considering ALL of the major acting predictors unanimously agree that Patricia Arquette’s role in Boyhood will win. Her role, touchingly humorous and real made her a contender in the nominations so I’d heavily suggest screaming out her name before they announce the winners just to show up your friends.

WINNER: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

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BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

Nominated:

• Big Hero 6
• The Boxtrolls
• How To Train Your Dragon 2
• Song Of The Sea
• The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

Although Big Hero 6 had received two of the three awards from the major predictors and made a pretty substantial mark in the box office, Hollywood seemed to take a liking to How To Train Your Dragon 2 as it won award after award at the Golden Globes. I swear I heard the name mentioned at least forty time, if I heard it once more I probably would’ve gone insane and drove to the movies to watch it again. Out of all of the nominees and the close match between Dragon 2 and Big Hero 6, Dragon 2 is definitely the frontrunner because of its previous achievements. Strangely enough The Lego Movie wasn’t nominated despite it being a fantastic choice—it definitely would’ve won if actually nominated. Just saying.

WINNER: How To Train Your Dragon 2

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ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING:

Nominated:

• Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman
• Richard Linklater, Boyhood
• Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
• Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Yet again another close one between Boyhood and its competitor Birdman, however because of the DGA being the best predictor and Alejandro G. Inarritu (Birdman) claimed this award, it’s most likely that he will claim an Oscar as well. On the contrary, rumors have it that there might be a split between Picture and Director between both films, if so then Richard Linklater (Boyhood) will be walking off that stage, Oscar in hand. Its unlikely though, might as well go with the safe bet of Birdman.

WINNER: Alejandro G. Inarritu (Birdman)

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BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

Nominated:

• American Sniper
• The Imitation Game
• Inherent Vice
• The Theory Of Everything
• Whiplash

Personally I would really prefer if The Theory Of Everything walked away with this award, mostly because of my bias towards the movie—which was fantastic if you haven’t seen it yet. However winning the BAFTA most likely wouldn’t be a win set-in-stone because of The Imitation Game’s Writers Guild Award (WGA) places it in the front running for Best Adapted Screenplay.

WINNER: The Imitation Game

Although there are a lot of different aspects that play key roles in deciding who achieves the title of 2015 Oscar holder in each specific category, the predictions made most likely will be true. That means you need to grab your friends, memorize this list and then scream out the names before the announcers to seem like you know your cinema.