The Young Folks Predict the 86th Academy Awards

Shane A. Bassett’s Oscar Predictions

For my entire life, I have loved Academy Awards; it’s my Grand Final, Australia’s equivalent to the Superbowl. Beamed live Down Under on a Monday morning every year I set myself up with champagne, m & m’s and lots of finger food, holding a checklist of my picks, and don’t move for the four hour telecast. Oscars is happiness for me; I even liked Letterman as a host, c’mon he was OK. Bring on, Monday.

Best Supporting Actor. 
Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper – American Hustle
Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill – Wolf of Wall Street
**Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club
Will win Jared Leto brilliant in an honest gritty performance it’s his to lose. Fassbender is a future winner while non actor Abdi is a real possible to surprise in his terrifying debut. Hill will have his time eventually and Cooper, he was top notch, but no. Should Win Jared Leto

Best supporting Actress.
Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine
**Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts – August, Osage County
June Squibb – Nebraska
Will Win Lawrence is indeed an it girl with talent she will win. I’m am indeed a Hawkins fan and Sqibb is momentous, Nyong’o astonishes in an chronic movie, she may cause the upset. It’s nice to see Pretty Woman back in the limelight too. Should Win Jennifer Lawrence

Best Directing. 
**David O’Russell – American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity
Alexander Payne – Nebraska
Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave
Martin Scorsese – Wolf of wall Street
Will Win David O’Russell, it’s down to Gravity which must have been a tedious shoot and American Hustle achieving the rare feat of a director getting 4 lead acting nominations from his cast 2 years in a row. Should WinDavid O’Russell, just.

Best Adapted Screenplay.
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
**12 Years a Slave
Wolf of Wall Street
Will Win My love of Wolf aside, 12 Years a Slave. Before Midnight will be quoted by romantics for years to come. Philomena is truly an impressive little film Should Win Wolf of Wall Street

Best Original Screenplay.
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Dallas Buyers Club
**Her
Nebraska
Will Win Her. It’s addictive. Blue Jasmine a possible worthy winner in a difficult category. Should Win Her

Best Animated Feature.
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Ernest & Celine

**Frozen
The Wind Rises
Will Win Frozen. I loved The Croods, but The Wind Rises is truly a masterpiece from Japanese legend Hayao Miyazaki. Should Win The Wind Rises

Best Actress.
Amy Adams – American Hustle
**Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock – Gravity
Judi Dench – Philomena
Meryl Streep – August Osage County
Will Win Cate Blanchett. Will do Australia proud. Closing in may be Bullock, acting mostly alone dangling in front of a greenscreen conveying dread had solid stressful impact. Should Win Aussie Cate

Best Actor.
Christian Bale – American Hustle
Bruce Dern – Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio – Wolf of Wall Street
**Chiwetel Ejiofer – 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club
Will Win Chiwetel Ejiofer. DiCaprio should have won for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape in 1993, his Golden Globe win will have to suffice for now. It will go down to a former romantic comedy king and a long-time support actor captivating in a moving lead role both pouring heart into their performances. Should Win Ejiofer to pip McConaughey at the post.

Best Picture.
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
**Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
12 Years a Slave
Wolf of Wall Street
Will Win Gravity. I loved American Hustle, saw it 4 times. Most inconceivable is Her, such as i adore this odd film. Should Win Gravity. It will take the honours behind a rampart American Hustle and it’s exploding science oven.

Honourable Mentions: I suggests only one can win of two Australians up for costume design, Michael Wilkinson – American Hustle, Catherine Martin – The Great Gatsby. The bedazzling Gatsby sure to be the victor in a tight one.  Any other year the Frozen song, Let it Go would be a certainty but rock and roll hall of famers U2 will win for their Mandela song.
Original score has my attention because of the inclusion of Star Wars maestro John Williams for The Book Thief; he has never written a bad piece of film music. Still, John may have to wait for the next Jurassic Park because the Gravity score mesmerizes.