Jon Espino’s Oscar Predictions
BEST PICTURE
Will Win: “12 Years a Slave”
Should Win: “Gravity” — I really enjoyed “12 Years a Slave” (as much as I could enjoy such a brutal film), and while it’s completely Oscars-bait, I think that “Gravity” deserves it. “Gravity” was a huge gamble to begin with, and in all the ways it shouldn’t have worked, the film did. It exceeded my wildest expectations and went beyond. Also, the IMAX 3D has been one of the greatest experience I’ve ever had at an IMAX theater since I can remember.
BEST ACTOR
Will Win: Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club”
Should Win: Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club” — Even though “12 Years a Slave” is sure to sweep the Oscars, and Chiwetel Ejiofor definitely deserves recognition, McConaughey played a role that made us both uncomfortable and inspired. Not to mention the physical aspects he had to undergo for the character.
BEST ACTRESS
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Will Win: Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”
Should Win: Sandra Bullock in “Gravity” — I struggled with this one because both performances where spectacular in their own respects. Despite all the controversy with Woody Allen, Cate Blanchett is still the front-runner, but if the Academy decides to let public opinion dictate their decision, it will surely go to Sandra Bullock, who more than deserved. She was primarily the only actor in “Gravity” after all. Not an easy feat.
BEST DIRECTOR
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity”
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Should Win: Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” — The action, the tension, and the overall vision is all the outcome of Alfonso Cuaron’s love child, “Gravity”. There were innumerable ways this film could have failed, but it was Cuaron’s perfect vision that pulled it all together and took the stellar film to infinity and beyond. Pun intended
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will Win: Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyers Club”
Should Win: Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyers Club” — This is Leto’s to lose. He is almost a sure win for this Oscar, and of course he would deserve every bit of it. The thing that made “Dallas Buyers Club” such a heart-wrenchingly good film was the character dynamic between former homophobe McConaughey and sassy drag queen Leto.
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BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence in “American Hustle”
Should Win: Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years a Slave” — Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong, and everything she touches probably does turn to gold. I feel like she could murder someone and I would probably forgive her. She is obviously talented and every role she’s in is pretty damn near perfectly executed, but in this category, for this film, there are other’s more deserving. Newcomer Lupita Nyong’omore than earned this award, so let her have it JLaw.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Will Win: “12 Years A Slave”
Should Win: “12 Years A Slave” — This is an indisputable choice. There is no doubt that they won’t win. Do they deserve it? Duh.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Will Win: “American Hustle”
Should Win: “Her” — There is a very, very good possibility that “American Hustle” will win, and since David O. Russell (like Jennifer Lawrence) seems to be a crowd favorite, they will probably win. “Her” is the next best choice, but the complexity and social commentary throughout it makes it more deserving than the well-acted, but predictable “American Hustle”.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Will Win: “Frozen”
Should Win: “The Wind Rises” — Frozen is unstoppable, and it’s only exacerbated by it’s great song “Let It Go”. I loved “Frozen” and can find no flaw with it, but my heart will always be with Miyazaki’s”The Wind Rises”. I may be clouded by my emotions, but Miyazaki’s swan-song film holds a special place in my heart.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity” — Do I honestly need to give an explanation. You say it so you know this obvious, well-deserved pick.
COSTUME DESIGN
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “The Great Gatsby” — If there is one award this film deserves it is definitely this one. They nailed the decadence and style of that period.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Will Win: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Should Win: “The Act of Killing” — Both are astounding documentaries about powerful pasts and bittersweet presents, but “The Act of Killing” was just so much more hard hitting to me.
FILM EDITING
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity” — Same reasoning as cinematography: Duh.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Will Win: “The Great Beauty”
Should Win: “The Great Beauty” — This film revived the majesty that is Italian Cinema. Not since Fellini have I enjoyed an Italian film so much.
MAKE UP AND HAIRSTYLING
Will Win: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Should Win: “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” — Both make-ups are comparable in their own respects, but wouldn’t you just like to hear this movie announced as winner on live television? Chances of this film actually winning are near zero though.
ORIGINAL SCORE
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity” — Part of the majesty that was “Gravity” was not only due to the incredible visual effects, but also the amazing score. When you think about it, the film is really only 3 things: Visuals, sounds and Sandra Bullock.
ORIGINAL SONG
Will Win: “Let it Go” – Frozen
Should Win: “Let it Go” – Frozen — I’m not ashamed to say that I know all the words to this song (and some of the hand gestures). This song is still stuck in my head, and in the end isn’t that what makes up a best original song? Honorable mention would have to be the lovely “The Moon Song” from ‘Her’.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “The Great Gatsby” — As far as period pieces in these categories go, “Gatsby” will win hands down.
SOUND EDITING
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity” — Anything having to do with sound will go to “Gravity”.
SOUND MIXING
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: I’ll give you one guess… “Gravity”
VISUAL EFFECTS
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity” — Remember the three things I said “Gravity” excelled at? Yep, this is another one of those categories.
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