2014 has been one of the most boring Awards season, with more than usual sore shot nominees and winners. But Oscars have been known for a few surprise nominations like the golden globes are known for the surprise wins. Like in 2012 the Beasts of the Southern Wild became a darling in nominations or when Amour gained a best picture nominee or when The Toy Story 3 picked up a Best Picture nomination. So be ready for 1 or 2 surprises.
BEST FILM- Gone Girl won’t be nominated for Best Film
1. Boyhood
2. Birdman
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. The Theory of everything
5. The Imitation game
6. Foxcatcher
7. Selma
8. Nightcrawler
9. American Sniper
The first 5 have their spot fixed. While a lot of momentum has been gained for the female director of Selma and the film itself, some problem due to late screeners are being cited. Foxcatcher has lost its steam over the past few months and could be replaced by either of the dark horses. Nightcrawler and Whiplash are also not very sure nominees. The weirdest thing would be if Into the woods managed a nod. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a foreign language film like Amour gets a nod here, but no film has the widespread acclaim as Amour.
Dark Horses-
10. Whiplash
11. Gone Girl
BEST ACTOR
1. Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of everything"
2. Michael Keaton, "Birdman"
3. Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
4. Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
5. Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler"
This being very competitive like very year, I am sure the 4th or 5th person could be somebody from the below dark Horses.
Dark Horses-
6. David Oyelowo, "Selma"
7. Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper"
BEST ACTRESS
1. Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
2. Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"
3. Felicity Jones, "The Theory of everything"
4. Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
5. Jennifer Aniston, "Cake"
Thank god for Reese Witherspoon, who is responsible for 2 of the nominations here- As producer of Gone Girl and Wild in which she stars herself.
Dark Horse-
I love Marion Cotillard and her role in Two Days and One Night has been widely acclaimed. But who will be snubbed if she gets a nod?
Amy Adams, although won Best Actress at the recent Golden Globes won't manage a nomination here at the Oscars which could be her 6th nomination in last 9 years.
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
2. Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"
3. Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
4. Ava DuVernay, "Selma"
5. Morten Tyldum, "The Imitation Game"
Dark Horse-
6. Damian Chazelle, "Whiplash"
7. Clint Eastwood, "American Sniper"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
2. Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
3. Edward Norton, "Birdman"
4. Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
5. J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"
Dark Horse-
None
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Jessica Chastain won't be nominated
1. Patricia Arquettte, "Boyhood"
2. Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
3. Emma Stone, "Birdman"
4. Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods"
5. Rene Russo, "Nightcrawler"
The 1st 3 nominees are a lock and I would like the 4th and 5th to be replaced with Chastain or Twilda or Laura Dern.
Dark Horses-
Laura Dern, "Wild"
Jessica Chastain, "A most Violent Year'
Twilda Swinton, "Snowpiercer"
Carrie Coon, "Gone Girl"
BEST ANIMATED FILM
1. "The LEGO Movie"
2. "How to Train Your Dragon 2"
3. "Big Hero 6"
4. "The Boxtrolls"
5. "Song of the Sea"
Dark horse-
The Tale of Princess Kaguya
P.s- Best Film and Actor are very competitive and I would be surprised if I got them all correct. Similarly I would be surprised if I got any in Actress or Supp Actor incorrect. I would love if I am incorrect about Supp Actress, although I fear I am not.
