Here we go again. I’ve done a repeat of my project last year and watched nearly every feature-length film in every category, and reviewed them. The only film I have been unable to see is “The Missing Picture,” one of the foreign language films. So for that category, I’m simply going to ignore it, which may or may not skew the result. We’ll see.
My reviews were quick and dirty jobs. If I do this again, I will space them out a little more and give myself more time. I’ve only had at best about 30 minutes to bang each one out, so they didn’t go into great depth which I would have liked to do. Check my “Movie Reviews” section to see my individual reviews for each movie.
And one final reminder that I will be live tweeting the Academy Awards, so follow me now. I’m told that I can be funny when I want to be.
And without further adieu:
Best Picture
My pick: “12 Years a Slave”
What will probably win: “12 Years a Slave”
Why: This was an incredibly powerful and socially important film. Like another “Schindler’s List,” it depicts a dark chapter in U.S. history and doesn’t let us forget. It grips us by the shirt collar and doesn’t let go. Difficult to watch, but important to do so, this was clearly the best film nominated in this category, I’m sure it will take home the gold.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
My pick: Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”)
Who will probably win: Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”)
Why: McConaughey will probably take it because of how he ruined his body and his health to play this role, but that would be overlooking the incredible acting job he did here. He showed major talent to really get into the head of a real life man and portray him in an accessible way that makes him identifiable and at times likeable even if he can be an ass. So, I predict that the Academy and I will be on the same page but for different reasons.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
My pick: Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”)
Who will probably win: Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”)
Why: Once again, I predict the Academy and I to be on the same page. Blanchett turned in one of the greatest performances of her career, even if I didn’t like the movie itself that much. It’s easy to see why so much buzz is surrounding her, and she seems to be a shoe-in for this award.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
My pick: Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”)
Who will probably win: Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club”)
Why: This one is close for me. It’s so easy to see why Jared Leto would win this award, and I would not complain at all if he did, giving an incredibly powerful and touching performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.” But for me, newcomer Barkhad Abdi is just slightly, barely ahead on this one. He was so good, and unexpectedly so, in “Captain Phillips,” playing the perfect unpredictable villain. Sadly, it’s highly unlikely that he will win this award, but I will not complain if Leto takes it.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
My pick: June Squibb (“Nebraska”)
Who will probably win: Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”)
Why: June Squibb was hilarious in “Nebraska” and manages to portray a character that is shocking but is also so endearing that we can’t help but love her. However, Lupita Nyong’o will probably win because of the incredibly strong performance she gives as the abused slave Patsey, a touching and sympathetic role that makes her integral to the film.
Best Achievement in Directing
My pick: Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”)
Who will probably win: Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”)
Why: When McQueen decided to pick up and adapt a relatively unknown account of slave life in the southern plantations, people must have thought he was out of his mind. But what he has given us is an incredibly moving experience that stays with us long after the film is over. From getting the best out of his actors, to incredibly blocked camera shots, and intense drama, Steve McQueen created a superb film that will leave a lasting legacy.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
My pick: “Her”
Who will probably win: “American Hustle”
Why: “American Hustle” has huge buzz surrounding it, even if it really wasn’t that good of a film. But for me, “Her” has the edge for telling such an amazing and insightful story as we examine a pure relationship as it develops and grows while the individual participants grow.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
My pick: “12 Years a Slave”
Who will probably win: “12 Years a Slave”
Why: Having been adapted from a book, “12 Years a Slave” tells one of the most compelling stories we see nominated in this category. While there is some buzz surrounding “Before Midnight,” which has a great screenplay even if it’s depressing, “12 Years a Slave” tells the better and more important story.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
My pick: “The Wind Rises”
Who will probably win: “Frozen”
Why: I have a pretty low opinion of Hollywood when it comes to how they treat animated films, so I expect a heavy sheep response and for “Frozen” to win. But for me, “The Wind Rises” is hands down the best picture in this category. It’s a beautiful if mildly controversial film, and it is also supposedly Hayao Miyazaki’s final feature-length movie, and it would be wonderful to see him go out on a high note.
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
My pick: “The Great Beauty (La grande bellezza)”
Who will probably win: “The Hunt (Jagten)”
Why: For me, “The Great Beauty,” aside from simply being a beautiful film, is also the most complex one nominated in this category. It makes the audience think, and it also makes us want to see the film more than once to peel back its layers and look deeper. However, “The Hunt” tells a more accessible if intense story, and the film is also more accessible through Netflix at this time. Having a film readily available usually increases the likelihood that it will win.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
My pick: “Gravity”
Who will probably win: “Gravity”
Why: Simply put, “Gravity” has some of the most impressive cinematography in this category this year. From the zero gravity environments, including making the camera feel like it’s floating in zero gravity, to the combination with visual effects and the use of 3D, this film is a feast for the eyes.
Best Achievement in Editing
My pick: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Who will probably win: “American Hustle”
Why: Despite its issues, the editing in “Dallas Buyers Club” is still done very well to tell the story within the confines of the film effectively, even though it peters out near the end. The editing is also good in “American Hustle” and may be the best part of the film, but it doesn’t tell the story we get in “Dallas Buyers Club.” Still this is one award that I would not complain about going to the otherwise mediocre “Hustle.”
Best Achievement in Production Design
My pick: “The Great Gatsby”
Who will probably win: “American Hustle”
Why: Even though I didn’t like the film, “The Great Gatsby” had some amazingly designed sets that showed great imagination. However, “American Hustle” was more contemporary and reflected an era that many seem to be nostalgic for at this time, which likely gives it the edge in this category.
Best Achievement in Costume Design
My pick: “The Invisible Woman”
Who will probably win: “American Hustle”
Why: Like the Production Design category, “The Invisible Woman” was a period piece and required the costuming to go along with it, needing enormous work to bring the Victorian clothing styles to life. Like the Production Design category, “American Hustle” reflects an era many are nostalgic for, especially when it comes to clothing, which again likely gives it the edge.
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
My pick: “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”
Who will probably win: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Why: In “Dallas Buyers Club” makeup was most notably used to transform Jared Leto into Rayon, and as I mentioned in that review, he is almost unrecognizable and yet looks convincing. However, what impressed me the most was “Bad Grandpa” because the makeup not only needed to fool the camera, but it needed to fool people in real life as well, and it did that job amazingly well.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
My pick: “Gravity”
Who will probably win: “Gravity”
Why: The soundtrack in “Gravity” is simple, and yet it’s compelling. It fits the scenes so well, and it does what it’s supposed to do: it’s noticeable when you need and want to notice it, but it doesn’t pull you out and demand that you notice it over the events onscreen.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
My pick: Let It Go from “Frozen”
Who will probably win: Let It Go from “Frozen”
Why: While I wasn’t a huge fan of the film, I will admit that Let It Go is a very catchy song that sticks with you. It’s also been marketed so heavily that it’s pretty much another shoe-in for this award.
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
My pick: “Gravity”
Who will probably win: “Gravity”
Why: It wasn’t just the visuals but the sounds that needed to be created that makes the film so immersive. “Gravity” pulled this off very well, especially since it occurs in space and it’s difficult for sound to really travel, making the character of it completely different.
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
My pick: “Gravity”
Who will probably win: “Gravity”
Why: Which brings us to the Sound Mixing. Adding the sound into the movie tracks had to be done with extreme care in “Gravity” in order to keep it believable. Too much would seem out of place in an airless environment. Too little and there’s nothing to hear which would bore the audience. In “Gravity,” the sound team found the perfect mix and edited it into the movie nearly perfectly.
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
My pick: “Gravity”
Who will probably win: “Gravity”
Why: The visual effects were integral in making “Gravity” as good and visually stunning a movie as it was. Without the quality of the visual effects, the illusion of zero gravity would not be as effective and the movie would have fallen apart.
Best Documentary, Feature
My pick: “The Act of Killing”
Who will probably win: “The Square”
Why: “The Act of Killing,” while disturbing, is one of those movie that hits you and then doesn’t take its fist away. It stays with you long after it’s done. However, it may have been too dark and disturbing (and from what I understand, not as widely seen), so the award will likely go to something following more contemporary events like “The Square,” which is also more accessible being available on Netflix.
And if you’re reading this, you’re a monster for making it to the end of this article. Even I couldn’t make it this far. Congratulations!
SheldonNylander.com 