It’s that time of year again, following this weekend’s Golden Globes everyone is focused on the Oscars! The ceremony is set for February 24th, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane, from Family Guy and Ted. I’ve decided to list the nominees for each category, followed by my own personal opinions. I did not include every category, as some of them I have no opinion on (I’m looking at you sound mixing, makeup and hair-styling, etc.). Feel free to leave your own opinions in the comments!
BEST PICTURE
- Amour
- Argo
- Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Django Unchained
- Les Misérables
- Life of Pi
- Lincoln
- Silver Linings Playbook
- Zero Dark Thirty
It seems that Lincoln is poised to win, based upon the overwhelming number of nominations that it received. The only other possible winners, in my mind, are Argo, which is unlikely, since Ben Affleck was snubbed in directing, and Zero Dark Thirty.
Actor In A Leading Role
- Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
- Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
- Hugh Jackman – Les Misérables
- Joaquin Phoenix – The Master
- Denzel Washington – Flight
One of the most boring competitions in a long time, the nominees all did a great job, but Day-Lewis will win hands down. Although it is possible that since everyone assumes he will win, nobody actually voted for him, which would become the biggest upset in history.
ACTRESS In A Leading Role
- Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty
- Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook
- Emmanuelle Riva – Amour
- Quvenzhané Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Naomi Watts – The Impossible
Really a two woman race, it’s between Chastain and Lawrence, equally likely to go to either. I’d give the edge to Chastain, given her strong performances in recent years apart from this film, she has the experience Lawrence lacks.
ACTOR In A Supporting Role
- Alan Arkin – Argo
- Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook
- Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master
- Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln
- Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained
A unique category, where every nominee has won an Oscar, it can really only go to Hoffman, Jones, or Waltz. I believe Waltz will win, but if Lincoln wins for Best Picture, Jones will undoubtedly win.
ACTRESS In A Supporting Role
- Amy Adams – The Master
- Sally Field – Lincoln
- Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables
- Helen Hunt – The Sessions
- Jacki Weaver – Silver Linings Playbook
An interesting race, it’s really between Field and Hathaway. Again, if Lincoln rolls, winning Best Picture, Field will win. However, in nearly every other situation I would give the edge to Hathaway, who really deserves it.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
- Brave
- Frankenweenie
- ParaNorman
- The Pirates! Band of Misfits
- Wreck-It Ralph
An interesting category, particularly that Pirates was nominated instead of Hotel Transylvania. I believe that Frankenweenie and ParaNorman will fill the same niche, ruining each other’s chances. It is between Brave and Wreck-It Ralph, I believe Wreck-It Ralph will win and deserves it. However, Brave may win, riding the Pixar name to success.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
- Anna Karenina – Seamus McGarvey
- Django Unchained – Robert Richardson
- Life of Pi – Claudio Miranda
- Lincoln – Janusz Kaminski
- Skyfall – Roger Deakins
These films are all really exceptional in cinematography, and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them win. That being said, Life of Pi will most likely win, garnering many nominations (none of which for acting).
DIRECTING
- Amour – Michael Haneke
- Beasts of the Southern Wild – Benh Zeitlin
- Life of Pi – Ang Lee
- Lincoln – Steven Spielberg
- Silver Linings Playbook – David O. Russell
Seeing that Affleck was snubbed in this category, despite winning the Golden Globe for directing, this race is much less interesting than it should be. It will go to Spielberg, no doubt. It is possible that Haneke can win, if the Academy is feeling artsy, but Spielberg deserves it.
VISUAL EFFECTS
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- Life of Pi
- Marvel’s The Avengers
- Prometheus
- Snow White and the Huntsman
This race is not much of a competition. Life of Pi is likely to roll in this category, although The Hobbit winning would be a pleasant surprise, as I feel that it was unfairly criticized by critics.
WRITING – Adapted Screenplay
- Argo
- Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Life of Pi
- Lincoln
- Silver Linings Playbook
WRITING – Original Screenplay
- Amour
- Django Unchained
- Flight
- Moonrise Kingdom
- Zero Dark Thirty
This screenplay Oscar is much less competitive, as Django Unchained is likely to win. However, Zero Dark Thirty can win, and will if it surprises in Best Picture.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
- Amour – Austria
- Kon-Tiki – Norway
- No – Chile
- A Royal Affair – Denmark
- War Witch – Canada
Not even a competition, Amour wins. Period. On a side note, I think it’s ridiculous that Amour is nominated for Best Picture as well, assuring its win in this category.
MUSIC – Original Score
- Anna Karenina
- Argo
- Life of Pi
- Lincoln
- Skyfall
Life of Pi is likely to take home the Oscar here, with Lincoln providing the only other competition. I would love to see John Williams win again, for Lincoln, but it isn’t very realistic.
MUSIC – Original Song
- “Before My Time” from Chasing Ice
- “Everybody Needs A Best Friend” from Ted
- “Pi’s Lullaby” from Life of Pi
- “Skyfall” from Skyfall
- “Suddenly” from Les Misérables
It’s sad to see that this category doesn’t have any animated films, which have dominated original song for years. that being said, Skyfall is likely to take this, without much competition. I do love “Everybody Needs A Best Friend” though, and would love if it wins, although it doesn’t deserve to.
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