Merry Christmas to you all.
The Oscars are imminently upon us, and now all this hysteria will soon come to an end. Whether that ending results in a fever pitch of shock and awe or a calm, acknowledging nod is yet to be determined – and frankly, the result depends on which side of the Oscar fence an individual falls on.
I discussed final predictions earlier this week in the latest episode of ProjectionCast, but here now is a paper trail, an indication of my relative genius or incredible ineptitude. Last year’s close race was a barnburner that was difficult to call…but somehow this year has eclipsed it.
Bottom line: no one should trust anything.
Here’s my best, final shot. And I’ll be honest…even I feel murky about some of these…
Best Picture
Will Win: Birdman
Could Win: Boyhood
Best Director
Will Win: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Birdman
Could Win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Actress
Will Win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Could Win: Get real, people….
Best Actor
Will Win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Could Easily Win, Close As Close Gets: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Could Win: Nah…
Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Could Win: Please…
Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Birdman – Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone,
Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Could Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel – Wes Anderson
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win: Whiplash – Damien Chazelle
Could Win: The Imitation Game – Graham Moore
Best Film Editing
Will Win: Boyhood
Could Win: Whiplash
Best Cinematography
Will Win: Birdman
Could Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win: Ida
Could Win: Wild Tales
Best Animated Feature
Will Win: How To Train Your Dragon 2
Could Win: Big Hero 6
Best Documentary Feature
Will Win: CITIZENFOUR
Could Win: Virunga
Best Visual Effects
Will Win: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Could Win: Interstellar
Best Costume Design
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Slight Chance: Into the Woods
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
I’ve Felt It Since Nominations But Am Pivoting Away Now Foolishly: Foxcatcher
Best Original Score
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Very Close: The Theory of Everything
Best Original Song
Will Win: “Glory” from Selma
Could Win: “Everything Is Awesome” from The LEGO Movie
Best Production Design
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Could Win: Nothing else.
Best Sound Editing
Will Win: American Sniper
Could Surprise: Birdman
Best Sound Mixing
Will Win: Whiplash
Could Win: American Sniper
Best Animated Short
Will Win: The Dam Keeper
Could Easily Win: Feast
Best Documentary Short
Will Win: Joanna
Could Easily Win: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Best Live Action Short
Will Win: The Phone Call
Could Easily Win: Boogaloo and Graham
