My Oscar ballot last year was a nightmare. Still dazzled by the technical masterpiece that was “Gravity,” I may have let my emotions dictate who should have won what category. And though I wasn’t wrong in my love for “Gravity,” which snagged seven of its 10 nominations, I bombed just about everywhere else on the ballot. So, this year, I decided to let both my mind and heart have a say in the matter.
For the sake of brevity (and actual acumen), this column will focus on the top awards including best picture, best leads and supporting roles. Most of the technical awards, such as makeup or film editing, require a deeper expertise than I possess, so I’m just going to use what knowledge I have and make an educated guess. (Plus, I couldn’t even watch all of the foreign language nominees. Thanks, Internet.)
Below are my picks. Take them for what you will.
Above, a scene from “Birdman.” (Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best picture:
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Boyhood”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Selma”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Whiplash”
Who will win: “Birdman”
Last weekend’s win at the DGAs has more or less solidifies “Birdman” — a beautifully crafted tale of redemption and the virtue of more — as the likely winner of the Academy’s top award.
Who should win: “Boyhood”
I’m saddened to think that this lovely story — a stunning masterpiece of the journey that is childhood — came out when it did. I’m almost certain it would have been a shoe-in any other year.
Above, a scene from “Birdman.” (Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best director:
Alejandro G. Iñárritu for “Birdman”
Richard Linklater for “Boyhood”
Bennett Miller for “Foxcatcher”
Wes Anderson for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Morten Tyldum for “The Imitation Game”
Who will win: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, “Birdman”
Known more for accounting for his pleasure rather than the audience’s, Iñárritu revels in finding some treat for everyone in “Birdman.”
Who should win: Richard Linklater
Again, “Boyhood” is simply stunning, and the creative mind behind that 12-year process should be rewarded for his creation.
Above, a scene from “Birdman.” (Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best actor:
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”
Who will win: Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
For those who had to chance to watch Keaton’s powerful performance of a Hollywood has-been turned Broadway actor, this should come as no surprise.
Who should win: Michael Keaton
However, both Eddie Redmayne and Bradley Cooper surprise us, as they did with their equally powerful performances in “The Theory of Everything” and “American Sniper,” respectively.
Julianne Moore is shown in a scene from “Still Alice.” (Photo credit: Sony)
Best actress:
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”
Who will win: Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
This one was easily. Moore’s portrayal of a brilliant mind slowly losing its way because of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease was gripping and powerful.
Who should win: Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
What more can I say?
Above, a scene from “Whiplash.” (Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics)
Best supporting actor:
Robert Duvall in “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke in “Boyhood”
Edward Norton in “Birdman”
Mark Ruffalo in “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash”
Who will win: J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of the movie (music just isn’t my strong suit), Simmons shined in his role as a sadistic mentor.
Who should win: J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if Edward Norton snuck in for the win after his great performance in “Birdman.”
Above, a scene from “Boyhood.” (Photo credit: IFC Films)
Best supporting actress:
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”
Who will win: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Here’s the one category in which I have no doubt someone from “Boyhood” will take home the prize.
Who should win: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Anyone else would be shocking.
Above, a scene from “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” (Photo credit: AP photo by DreamWorks Animation, file)
Best animated feature:
“Big Hero 6”
“The Boxtrolls”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“Song of the Sea”
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
Who will win: “How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“Dragon 2” has taken every other major award for best animated feature this year. Taking the Oscar should easily be next.
Who should win: “How to Train Your Dragon 2″
As beautiful as “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” was, and as quirky as “The Boxtrolls” turned out to be, neither quite stands up.
Ralph Fiennes (left) and Tony Revolori star in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” (Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures/MCT)
Best original screenplay:
“Birdman,” written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo
“Boyhood,” written by Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher,” written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” screenplay by Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness
“Nightcrawler,” written by Dan Gilroy
Who will win: “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” screenplay by Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness
It’s about time Anderson got his due. Plus, did you see “Budapest”? It doesn’t get more original than that.
Who should win: “Boyhood,” written by Richard Linklater
I still can’t stop gushing about how amazing this movie is, but its simplicity probably will be its undoing.
Keira Knightley, Matthew Beard, Matthew Goode, Benedict Cumberbatch and Allen Leech are shown in “The Imitation Game.” (Photo credit: The Weinstein Company)
Best adapted screenplay:
“American Sniper” Written by Jason Hall
“The Imitation Game” Written by Graham Moore
“Inherent Vice” Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson
“The Theory of Everything” Screenplay by Anthony McCarten
“Whiplash” Written by Damien Chazelle
Who will win: “The Imitation Game”
An intense tell of war and drama, “The Imitation Game” is a wonderful creation based on Andrew Hodges’s 1983 biography of Alan Turing.
Who should win: “The Imitation Game”
I will say this, though: If “American Sniper” won, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least.
Below are the more technical or obscure categories and my picks for each one.
Best cinematography:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Robert Yeoman
Best costume design:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Milena Canonero
Best documentary feature:
“CitizenFour,” Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky
Best documentary short subject:
“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1,” Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry
Best film editing:
“Boyhood,” Sandra Adair
Best foreign language film:
“Leviathan,” Russia
Best makeup and hairstyling:
“Foxcatcher,” Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard
Best original score:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alexandre Desplat
Best original song:
“Everything Is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie” (Music and lyrics by Shawn Patterson)
Best production design:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” production design: Adam Stockhausen; set decoration: Anna Pinnock
Best animated short film:
“Feast,” Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed
Best live action short film:
“The Phone Call,” Mat Kirkby and James Lucas
Best sound editing:
“American Sniper,” Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman
Best sound mixing:
“Interstellar” Gary A. Rizzo, Gregg Landaker and Mark Weingarten
Best visual effects:
“Guardians of the Galaxy,” Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner and Paul Corbould
Silver Screening Reviews 