Best Actor in a Leading Role
The race for Best Actor is very tight one. The nominees are Christian Bale for “American Hustle,” Bruce Dern for “Nebraska,” Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave,” and Matthew McConaughey for “Dallas Buyers Club.” All of these were great performances; however, I think that the race has really come down to DiCaprio and McConaughey, both of whom won their respective best actor award at the Golden Globes. The oldest nominee, 77 year-old Bruce Dern, may have an outside chance at the Oscar.
My Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Unlike the Best Actor race, the Best Actress race is all but over. The nominees are Amy Adams for “American Hustle,” Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine,” Sandra Bullock for “Gravity,” Judi Dench for “Philomena,” and Meryl Streep for “August: Osage County.” Cate Blanchett shined in her role in “Blue Jasmine” and delivered one of the greatest performances in recent memory. Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep and always has a chance to win, as well as Judi Dench who is the most veteran of the nominees at 79 years old.
My Prediction: Cate Blanchett
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
The category of Best Supporting Actor is crowded with good performances this year. The nominees are 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,” and Jared Leto for “Dallas Buyers Club.” Abdi has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a Somalian pirate, and has a good chance of winning. Similarly, Fassbender has also received praise for his performance. Jared Leto is another nominee with a chance to take home the Oscar. Cooper and Hill are the odd men out in this category, as they have an outside chance to take home the prize, but it is unlikely.
My Prediction: Jared Leto
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Like many of the categories this year, the race for Best Supporting Actress is close, with no clear front-runner. The nominees are Sally Hawkins for “Blue Jasmine,” Jennifer Lawrence for “American Hustle,” Lupita Nyang’o “12 Years a Slave,” Julia Roberts for “August: Osage County,” and June Squibb for “Nebraska.” June Squibb is the oldest of any of the acting nominees, at the age of 84, and was delightful in “Nebraska.” Lupita Nyang’o delivered an emotional and powerful performance that gives her a good chance at the Oscar, but Sally Hawkins and Julia Roberts also delivered great performances. Jennifer Lawrence is a popular actress, who delivers great performances, and that gives her a strong chance to win.
My Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence
Best Director
Best Director is a category that has diverse criteria, and that makes this category hard to judge. The nominees are David O. Russell for “American Hustle,” Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity,” Alexander Payne for “Nebraska,” Steve McQueen for “12 Years a Slave,” and Martin Scorsese for “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Cuaron produced a visually stunning film with beautiful cinematography. Meanwhile, David O. Russell has proven his directing ability once again with “American Hustle,” one of the funniest movies of the year, with colorful art direction and style. Alexander Payne created a characteristic movie, interesting direction and mode as well as subtly beautiful environments. Steve McQueen did a great job in creating powerful moments that stirred the audience. Martin Scorsese proved that he is still the greatest living director with yet another amazing movie to add to his repertoire.
My Prediction: Alfonso Cuaron
Best Picture
The crowded category of Best Picture is, as always, a toss up. The nominees are “American Hustle,” “Captain Phillips,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Gravity,” “Her,” “Nebraska,” “Philomena,” “12 Years a Slave,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” However, these nominees can be narrowed down to the top five, “American Hustle,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Nebraska,” “12 Years a Slave,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” “American Hustle” has received mixed reviews from critics for being funny and enjoyable, but often lacking a point or character. However, the sheer volume of awards that it has been nominated for give it a good chance to win. “Dallas Buyers Club” while receiving critical acclaim, lacks the popularity of some of the other nominees, which could hurt the movie’s chances. “Nebraska” quietly came out as one of the best movies of the year, and with the many awards it is nominated for it has a chance to take home the grand prize. “12 Years a Slave” is a favorite to win the award, with a multitude of positive reviews and the awards to back it up. Finally, “The Wolf of Wall Street” is the best movie of the year. It is hilarious and fun, featuring one the best performance by an actor this year with Leonardo DiCaprio. However, the vulgarity of the movie may prevent it from taking home the prize.
My Prediction: “The Wolf of Wall Street”