Andrew's 2015 Oscar Predictions

Here we are. The Academy Awards are tomorrow night, and that can only mean it's time for my annual predictions. As has been the tradition, I will not be releasing my predictions for every single category, just the major ones. If you want to know my thoughts on one not listed here, feel free to reach out to me. 

Best Visual Effects: None of the nominees are undeserving. However, the sheer magnitude of work creating the simians for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and the snubbing (yet again) of Andy Serkis, all but guarantee that the apes will swing away with the trophy. 

Best Adapted Screenplay: Whiplash and The Imitation Game both have an equal claim to the trophy. I was slightly more enthralled by Whiplash, but I think that the story of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game is too strong not to commend. Considering this is it's best chance for a trophy, The Imitation Game will take it. 

Best Original Screenplay: Boyhood was clever, but it didn't have that much of a hook for me besides it's gimmicky production. I personally loved Birdman and it's personal journey. It's a tossup between The Grand Budapest Hotel and Birdman, but I give Birdman a boost for it's creativity.

Best Original Song: This is really the only chance to redeem themselves for the snub, so you can expect "Everything" to be "Awesome" about The Lego Movie's main theme. 

Best Animated Feature: No one really thought this would be a race until the obvious winner wasn't nominated. It's anyone's guess, but gun to my head.......Big Hero 6.

Best Cinematography: Birdman. No competition required. The magnificent attention to detail and sheer patience to achieve the film's iconic "one shot" style make it the most deserving. 

Best Director: Again. Birdman. Alejandro González Iñárritu and his vision and attention make him the on to beat. Richard Linklater and his work on Boyhood make him a close second, but I wouldn't wager on an upset. 

Best Supporting Actress: I dislike how decidely monochromatic the nominees are in the acting categories are this year, as I had enjoyed Carmen Ejogo's work in Selma more than the current crop. But given the choices, it will more than likely go to Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. Mainly due to her independence as soon as she breaks free from the losers she unfortunately paired with. 

Best Supporting Actor: This is Andrew's 100% Guarantee for 2015. This will go to J.K. Simmons for Whiplash. Just for the broad range of assertion, aggression, dominance, tranquility and warmth. He's amongst good company, but none of them are holding a candle. 

Best Actress: Not what I expected. I was thinking this would be going to Amy Adams for Big Eyes, but the Academy has not followed any expectations this year. Rosamund Pike stole the show in Gone Girl, and she is my preferred winner amongst the nominees, but the academy seems to be leaning in the direction of Julianne Moore for Still Alice and I can live with that. Moore will win. 

Best Actor: This is the race to focus on. As it's really come down to two. It's going to be Michael Keaton vs Eddie Redmayne. Audiences have clinged to American Sniper and it's star Bradley Cooper, so i'll put him as an underdog, but it's really Keaton vs. Redmayne. (I fully expected this to be Keaton vs David Oyelowo for Selma. What the hell, Academy? HE HAD THE SECOND BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR)  I did not care for Redmayne's work in The Theory of Everything as it felt as Oscar bait-y as anything i've ever seen. That's not saying he didn't work hard, but it didn't feel honest. Meanwhile, Keaton in Birdman was the best performance of the year in my mind's eye. His commitment and strength to a role that defies convention makes him my pick to win the award. Michael Keaton for the win. 

And Now Best Picture

For the second year in a row, this has come down to three different nominees. Boyhood, Birdman, American Sniper. (I was deeply moved by Selma and it's timely messages, but it just hasn't caught the academy's love. It's time for some new blood in the Academy.) Each film has a major strength. Boyhood has it's lengthy production and successful execution of a real time coming of age story. American Sniper has it's patriotic values along with the soulful journey of an American hero. Audiences have really embraced this story. Birdman has it's magnificent cinematography, deeply personal journey, and outstanding performances. Sniper is the least likely of the three to win, but I won't rule it out totally. While Boyhood was powerful, it doesn't have a totally cohesive story more than it has the appeal of it's growing pains. I am putting my money on Birdman for it's staying power. It was not only my favorite 2014 film, it's easily the best.