The Young Folks Predict the 86th Academy Awards

Aaron Neuwirth’s 86^th Academy Awards Predictions

Best Picture:

Will Win – 12 Years A Slave

Should Win – Her

Her was my favorite film of 2013, so it goes without saying that I believe it should take the Best Picture prize, but realistically, it has all come down to Gravity and 12 Years A Slave.  Gravity will likely walk away with multiple Oscars, specifically in the technical categories, but I still feel that the Academy members will end up placing 12 Years A Slave as the winner of the top prize of the night.  Regardless, it is nice to not be completely sure about this for a change.

Best Director: Will Win – Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Should Win – Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Gravity is a tremendous feat any way you look at it and that largely comes down to Alfonso Cuaron managing to realize his vision on screen.  The film is impeccably made and an enormous accomplishment on a filmmaking standpoint, which is why Cauron has been awarded for his work as director every step of the way, leading up to the Oscars.

Best Actor: Will Win – Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Should Win – Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Given the string of well-received features that Matthew McConaughey has been involved in in recent years, along with his recent work on HBO’s True Detective, it seems like it has all lead up to an Oscar win for him.  It doesn’t hurt that he went through a physical transformation in order to play Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club, which Academy voters tend to like to recognize.  All that being said, I believe DiCaprio has given his best performance yet as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, so it is hard for me to not want to see that recognized, let alone his tremendous work, including previous nominations, that has led up to this point in his career.

Best Actress: Will Win – Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Should Win – Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

It seems like voting for Blanchett is one of the surest bets of the night, but it is certainly well deserved, as Jasmine is a character that I found to be fascinating in the presentation of a character who is suffering a breakdown.  Blanchett has already proven herself as a great actress, one of the best currently working, but Woody Allen’s screenplay allows her to embody a person who is funny, annoying, frustrating, and sad to watch, which is a great accomplishment, worthy of a Oscar statue.

Best Supporting Actor:

Will Win: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Should Win: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years A Slave

While not as recently prolific as Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto has certainly lived up to the similar praise that his co-star has received for his work in Dallas Buyers Club and it seems all but inevitable that he will be winning an Academy Award.  That said, I have long been a fan of all things Michael Fassbender and his work as the despicable, yet emotional complex character, Edwin Epps, is phenomenal.

Best Supporting Actress:

Will Win:  Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years A Slave

Should Win:  Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

It is hard to say I “don’t” want Lupita to win an Oscar for her fantastic work as the long suffering slave, Patsey, in 12 Years A Slave, which could only be potentially upset by another win for Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle, but I have been championing Sally Hawkins for some time.  Nyong’o certainly seems capable enough to deliver another great performance down the road, but Hawkins has proven herself as a great actor for some time and I loved the balance she provide in Blue Jasmine.

Best Animated Feature Film:

Will Win:  Frozen

Should Win:  The Wind Rises

Frozen was a wonderful accomplishment for Disney, featuring memorable ballads, a great sense of fun, and superb animation.  I fully expect and do not mind it winning an Oscar.  With that said, Hayao Miyazaki has put forth a great final feature that serves a great, animated character drama, perfectly deserving of an Oscar as well.

Best Foreign Film:

Will Win:  The Great Beauty

Should Win:  The Hunt

The Great Beauty seems to have Oscar written all over it, given its previous wins of the Golden Globe and BAFTA, along with its comparisons to the work of Fellini.  The Hunt, however, was on my Top Ten List, as I found it to be a tremendous effort all around.

Best Original Screenplay:

Will Win: Her Should Win:  Her

If there is one place Her could score some Academy love, I hope it is here.  Also, recall the Best Original Screenplay win for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which has a similar quality. Best Adapted Screenplay:

Will Win:  12 Years A Slave

Should Win:  Before Midnight

This makes the most sense for one of the Best Picture frontrunners, but I have loved Richard Linklater’s ‘Before’ Trilogy and would love to see it finally be recognized.

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