And The Winner Is...

87^th Academy Award Predictions

This Sunday, February 22^nd, the mother of all awards shows is airing on ABC. The Oscars bring the best of Hollywood together to celebrate the art of filmmaking. This year, like many others, the Oscars have accumulated some eclectic performances and films. From an award winning physicist to a washed up actor; An “Amazing Amy” to a hiking woman. A film about a courageous solider to a film about a jazz student and his sadistic teacher. All of these nominees deserve to be recognized, but only one can walk away with a golden statue. Here are some of our predictions for the 87^th Academy Awards.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner—Jason Hall for American Sniper

With the buzz surrounding this film and Clint Eastwood not being nominated for Best Director, something tells me that the Academy isn’t going to let American Sniper walk away with nothing. Jason Hall (Paranoia) brought to light what a lot of the soldiers in Iraq thought of the world around them and shed a little light on a hero that just wanted to serve and protect his country.

Should Win-- Damien Chazelle for Whiplash

Based on a short film from Chazelle, Whiplash is a wonderful look into the psyche of determined Jazz student and what he is willing to put up with to become great. Look for more of my thoughts on this overlooked film.

Best Original Screenplay

Winner/Should Win—Richard Linklater for Boyhood

As I mentioned in our predictions for the Golden Globes, Linklater showed immense patience and resolve to write and direct a film over a span of 12 years. His hard work and dedication should be rewarded, starting with the amazing script. Boyhood gives a new light into the trials and tribulations of just growing up and becoming an adult.

Best Supporting Actress

Winner—Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)

Coming off of her Globes win, Arquette has becoming the heavy favorite to walk away with the Oscar. Rightfully so, Arquette plays a mother of two children that is doing all she can to provide. Arquette plays the mother figure quiet well and shows the audience a strong willed woman.

Should Win—Emma Stone (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance))

Ms. Stone is just another crazy character in a film filled with eccentric characters. The difference with Stone in this film, however, is she is a product of her environment. The daughter of a popular actor growing up, Sam (Stone) tries anything to get noticed. Stone gives Sam just a touch of sweetness so that the audience can relate to her.

Best Supporting Actor

Winner/Should Win—J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Not since R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket has a “teacher” pushed someone so far beyond the limits. Simmons plays Fletcher, a vicious Jazz teacher that seeks nothing but perfection. Simmons has made a career of being a character actor, but this is his time to shine. Simmons deserves this award and I hope the Academy see it too.

Best Animated Feature

Winner—Song of the Sea

Every year Oscar likes to pull one over on us all with surprise picks from any category. In 2002, Denzel Washington won Best Actor over Russell Crowe and four years later Crash won Best Picture. This year How to Train Your Dragon 2 won at the Globes (and Lego Movie was viciously snubbed), but I think this year Song of the Sea will be the surprise winner. Sea is a beautifully traditional animated film with a wonderful message.

Should Win—Big Hero 6

The animation company that all other animation companies strive to be has given us an animated feature based (very loosely) on a Marvel comic book. This film has the tear-jerking moments and the big laughs that every Disney animated feature is known for. 6 is about following your dreams and doing what you can to honor those that you love. Thought this was better than Dragon 2 anyway.

Best Director

Winner—Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

Along with his Original Screenplay win, Linklater is looking like the heavy favorite to walk away with this golden statue as well. 12 years in the making…that is patience.

Should Win-- Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance))

Iñárritu did amazing things with his cast and even more amazing things with the camera. Iñárritu gave us a look into the life of an aging actor and the cracked people that surround him, all while using “one” take. To get the actors to hit those exact queues was remarkable and getting the audience to fall in love with that forgotten actor once again was awesome.

Best Actress

Winner—Julianna Moore (Still Alice)

Like Patricia Arquette, Moore is coming into this award show with a Globe already in hand for her performance in a leading role. Moore gives an outstanding performance of Alice, a middle aged woman dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Moore is an amazing actress that, in my opinion, doesn’t get enough credit for her beautiful work.

Should Win—Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)

I’m still rooting for Ms. Pike and her take on Amy Dunne. Pike is creepy and sociopathic in David Fincher’s adaptation. The great thing about Pike’s performance is that Pike makes Amy seem justified in her actions and that somewhere deep down inside Amy she knows that she isn’t crazy. Glenn Close has competition in the psycho film ladies department.

Best Actor

Winner—Eddie Redmayne (Theory of Everything)

Another Globe winner, Redmayne shines a new light on world famous physicist, Stephen Hawking. Redmayne is incredible in this film by showing the world his love for science and for his first wife Jane.

Should Win—Michael Keaton (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance))

As I mentioned in my Globes predictions, Keaton gives the most realistic performance in this year’s Oscar Actor class. Keaton plays Riggan Thomson, a forgotten actor trying to become relevant again. Keaton does a great job projecting Thomson’s inner thoughts into action. Plus, this win would help Keaton become relevant again.

Best Picture

Winner—Boyhood

Hey, why not? This film (in my eyes) has walked away with everything else that it has been nominated for. 12 years! Let’s see if anyone else comes close to that kind of commitment again. This film is deserving of this award, not just because of the time frame it took to make the film. It really is a beautiful coming-of-age story that shines brightest at the heart.

Should Win--Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Winning Best Picture (Comedy) at the Globes was no fluke. The film is a wonderful look into our need to feel accepted and wanted by everyone and anyone. Who knows that want more than aging actors/celebrities? Stacked with a great cast and directed by an up-and-comer, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) should walk away with this golden statue.

Added bonus: I really had a hard time picking the Best Picture, all of these film were amazing. Taking away all of the political hoopla that surrounded it, American Sniper was a great film that shows a man that really just wanted to protect his country. Theory of Everything did give us that new side of Hawking, but most of all (like Walk the Line) it shown love that many of us probably haven’t seen before. In my deepest dreams, I hope that Whiplash is this year’s Crash. One of those winners from way out in left field that gets people to take mind of small independent films. Selma shows a flawed Martin Luther King, Jr, but allows the audience to realize that even though he may have had faults, King was an inspiring leader. The Imitation Game and The Grand Budapest Hotel were astonishing films as well, but sadly the Academy only picks one, so must I.

Let me know what you all think of my predictions. How far off the mark am I?