Bust out your crystal balls as we are revealing our predictions of tonight’s Academy Awards. The categories are tough so we are going to break down the Big Six: picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor and supporting actress. Love them or hate them, this is who we think is taking home gold.
BEST PICTURE: ’12 Years a Slave’
The three clear front runners are ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Gravity’ and ‘American Hustle’. Both ‘Years’ and ‘Hustle’ were big winners at the Golden Globes back in January which could indicate a showdown between the comedy and drama. But if the box office has any say in the awards, then ‘Gravity’ is flying high as the film took in twice as more than ‘American Hustle and ’12 Years a Slave’ combined.
BEST ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio – ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
Two juggernauts for this category are Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey. Both actors have had high profile wins this season and hope to turn that into Oscar gold. The Academy does tend to award drastic body transformations like say, losing a bunch of weight for a role (I’m looking at you Hathaway). which could lead McConaughey to the podium. However, DiCaprio is long overdue for an award. So much so that there are thousands of internet memes and jokes about him. Check out a few here. With DiCaprio giving perhaps the best performance of his life in one of the most talked about movies of 2013 is why he is definitely my pick.
BEST ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett – ‘Blue Jasmine’
Cate Blanchett is the clear favorite by critics in this category in the film that audiences didn’t see. She could lose votes with Woody Allen’s controversies. That could give five time nominee Amy Adams enough votes to steal the gold and give her her first Academy Award. Although I would hand it to Cate just because of her buzzed acceptance speech at the Golden Globes. Watch it here.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jared Leto – ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
This category usually honors seasoned actors but Jared Leto has won this category at every awards show. After a six year absence from the screen, he came back strong as a transgendered AIDS patient. Of course I do think they should just give it to Bradley Cooper just for the curls alone.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Lupita Nyong’o – ’12 Years a Slave’
Jennifer Lawrence is the obvious juggernaut in the category. On top of being the most down to earth star and America’s darling, she has already picked up a BAFTA, A Golden Globe and a Critics Award this award season. This is her third nomination in four years and becomes the youngest person to receive 3 noms by 23. However she did just win last year and the academy has only ever given back to back Oscars to five people. Nyong’o received universal praise for her first feature role fresh out of drama school. She has been present at all of the awards shows and been this years stunner on the red carpet. She has been fresh in everyone’s mind which secured my vote for best supporting actress.
BEST DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuarón – ‘Gravity’
Hands down best director will go to Alfonso Curaón for ‘Gravity’. Usually the best director also wins best director but this year they are expected to be split. The film took four grueling years to make and proved to be visually stunning and critically acclaimed. Its impossible for him not to win considering hes already swept the category this award season.
