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MANILA, Philippines – This year’s Oscar race sees a strange cross between high-budget blockbusters and small-sized productions, but even with Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave being a predictable favorite, it’s possible we’ll see some startling surprises come awards night.
Best Picture
It’s worth noting that only 3 of the 9 nominees aren’t rooted in real world events, but even those that prefer fiction over fact still capture a profound sense of truth. But when it comes down to the Academy’s grand prize, 12 Years a Slave takes the crown when it comes to truth-telling. It would be a clear upset if American Hustle or The Wolf of Wall Street were to take the top prize, but Gravity is easily the closest contender against Steve McQueen’s film on slavery. Though 12 Years a Slave may not be as technically groundbreaking as Gravity, 12 Years does tackle themes that the Academy would be remiss not to recognize.
What Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
What Could Win: Gravity
What I Want to Win: 12 Years a Slave
Nominees
- American Hustle
- Captain Phillips
- Nebraska
- Philomena
- Dallas Buyers Club
- 12 Years a Slave
- Gravity
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Her
Best Director
There’s definitely some top tier talent in this year’s lineup of nominees, but outside of David O’ Russell (American Hustle) and Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street), the other filmmakers aren’t Academy Awards regulars. Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), of course, is a favorite, given his film’s performance in the other shows. The Academy might also give a well-deserved nod to Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) for putting together a film that arguably redefined the cinematic experience.
Who will win: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
Who could win: Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
Whom I want to win: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
Nominees
- David O. Russell for American Hustle
- Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
- Alexander Payne for Nebraska
- Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave
- Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) may have given an electrifying performance, but there’s tough competition in Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) in the running. Bruce Dern (Nebraska) winning would be an exciting, though well-deserved, upset, particularly as a nod of recognition as the oldest actor in the category. But McConaughey is still the clear favorite to win here, especially after transforming completely to play the street-smart AIDs patient Ron Woodroof, undoubtedly the best part of Dallas Buyers Club.
Who will win: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Who could win: Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Whom I want to win: Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Nominees
- Christian Bale for American Hustle
- Bruce Dern for Nebraska
- Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street
- Chiwetel Ejiofor for 12 Years a Slave
- Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club
Best Actress
Giving Meryl Streep (August: Osage County) another Oscar seems only redundant at this point, but Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) is in prime position to make sure that doesn’t happen. Blanchett’s transformation into the delusional and self-destructive Jasmine is what makes up a majority of Woody Allen’s film. Still, it would be hard not to recognize Amy Adams’ performance as con artist Sydney Prosser in American Hustle. Sandra Bullock (Gravity) walking away with a prize would be a definite upset.
Who will win: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Who could win: Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Whom I want to win: Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Nominees
- Amy Adams for American Hustle
- Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine
- Sandra Bullock for Gravity
- Judi Dench for Philomena
- Meryl Streep for August: Osage County
Best Supporting Actor
The Best Supporting Actor category is lined with some obvious choices, but the inclusion of Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) rocks the otherwise predictable boat when it comes to the nominees. But despite Abdi’s captivating performance as a Somalian pirate, his lack of acting credentials might ultimately hurt his chances for the trophy. On the other hand, Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) is favored to win. But physical transformations aside, Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) is just as deserving of the accolade, playing a villainous slave master with nuance that made him more than the film’s indignant antagonist.
Who will win: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
Who could win: Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
Whom I want to win: Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Nominees:
- Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips
- Bradley Cooper for American Hustle
- Michael Fassbender for 12 Years A Slave
- Jonah Hill for The Wolf of Wall Street
- Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club
Best Supporting Actress
Without a doubt, Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) is favored to take the trophy, regardless of her screen time in the movie as the battered slave, Patsey. Although it seems clichéd to give out awards to victimized characters, there is an unmistakable force to Nyong’o’s performance, despite her having only a few scenes in the film. Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and June Squibb (Nebraska) are the closest challengers to Nyong’o’s win, but even they appear to place a far second and third.
Who will win: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
Who could win: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Whom I want to win: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
- Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine
- Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle
- Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years A Slave
- Julia Roberts for August: Osage County
- June Squibb for Nebraska
– Rappler.com
Zig Marasigan is a freelance screenwriter and director who believes that cinema is the cure for cancer. Follow him on Twitter at @zigmarasigan.
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