Allyson Johnson’s Oscar Predictions
Best Picture
Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Matthew McConaughey
Should Win: Chiwetel Ejiofor
At the start of Oscar season I never would have wagered that Ejiofor would be the dark horse but there you have it. Yes, McConaughey has been having a stellar run of it these past two years but Dallas Buyers Club is not the best acting this year has to offer and isn’t even the best that McConaughey has had to offer in his acting renaissance. This belongs to Ejiofor and the tremendous work he put into his role as Solomon.
Advertisement
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Will Win: Cate Blanchett
Should Win: Adele Exarchopoulos
Yes I know this is cheating but I’m still smarting over how many outstanding performances were looked over this year and Exarchopoulos most of all. None of the performances nominated touch the work that she did in Blue is the Warmest Color.
Advertisement
Best Actor is a Supporting Role
Will Win: Jared Leto
Should Win: Barkhad Abdi
Leto did was asked of him-nothing more. I wouldn’t be surprised if Abdi pulled an upset after his BAFTA win and would be crazy happy if he did.
Advertisement
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Lupita Nyong’o
Should Win: Lupita Nyong’o
I know that Jennifer Lawrence and her Hollywood darling status still have her high in the possibilities but I hoping that Nyong’o and her performance will trump IT girl status.
Best Director
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron
Should Win: Alfonso Cuaron
It was a directors vehicle-from the ground up Cuaron instilled his magic into the film and the absolute ingenuity lends itself to the films monumental beauty.
Cinematography:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: Inside Llewyn Davis
The entire opening shot and the road trip sequences at night all showcase just how stunning the cinematography was for Llewyn Davis.
Costume Design:
Will Win: American Hustle
Should Win: The Grandmaster
Documentary Feature Film:
Will Win: The Square
Should Win: The Act of Killing
I liked The Square more but The Act of Killing introduces a new form of storytelling to a familiar medium.
Best Foreign Film:
Will Win: The Great Beauty
Should Win: The Great Beauty
Fellini light and people ate it up-for good reason. Lovely film.
Film Editing:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
Make-Up & Hairstyling:
Will Win: Dallas Buyers Club
Should Win: Dallas Buyers Club
Music-Original Score:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: Gravity
Steven Price is on a role with great scores-check out the last 15 minutes of the movie to remind yourself of how it influences the mood.
Music-Original Song:
Will Win: Frozen “Let it Go”
Should Win: Frozen “Let it Go”
Has any nominated song turned into such a phenomenon in recent years?
Production Design:
Will Win: American Hustle
Should Win: Her
Sound Editing:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: Gravity
Sound Mixing:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: Inside Llewyn Davis
Visual Effects:
Will Win: Gravity
Should Win: Gravity
Adapted Screenplay:
Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
Should Win: Before Midnight
The last third of Before Midnight is a master class in how to write a good argument. Before Sunset is still my favorite of the three but the writing is absolutely extraordinary. The writing isn’t 12 Years a Slaves strong suit.
Original Screenplay:
Will Win: Her
Should Win: Her
It needs to win something!
Advertisement
