Editor's Verdict for the 2014 Oscars
The Following list of nominees, spread across 24 categories, was announced on January 16th, 2014. The 86th Annual Academy Awards night would be hosted by Ellen Degeneres on Sunday, March 2nd, 2014.
1). Best Motion Picture of the Year
American Hustle (2013)
Captain Phillips (2013)
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Gravity (2013)
Her (2013)
Nebraska (2013)
Philomena (2013)
12 Years a Slave (2013)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Editor’s verdict: This year there are only nine nominees instead of the usual ten.
Coen Brothers’ brilliant musical, Inside Llewyn Davis, could easily have been
the tenth. But, the Academy never really fails to disappoint! In the end, it’s
going to be a tough fight between 12 Years a Slave and Gravity with
the former having a slight edge. American Hustle and Nebraska are
going to be this year’s dark horses. But, given the Academy’s lack of love for
road movies, American Hustle is at a distinct advantage here.
2). Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading
Role
Christian Bale, American Hustle (2013)
Bruce Dern, Nebraska (2013)
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
(2013)
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Editor’s verdict: Believe it or not, Leonardo DiCaprio has never been
closer to the coveted statuette. But, he will have to lock his horns with
Chiwetel Ejiofor who has way too many factors working to his advantage. And
then there is my personal favorite, Matthew McConaughey, who, along with Bruce
Dern, has emerged as a real dark horse. Having delivered a series of thumping
yet neglected performances over the last three years or so, a thing that the
Academy really adores, McConaughey is riding high; it would take some doing to
halt his juggernaut. Ultimately, it’s DiCaprio’s award to lose.
3). Best Performance by an Actress in
a Leading Role
Amy Adams, American Hustle (2013)
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine (2013)
Sandra Bullock, Gravity (2013)
Judi Dench, Philomena (2013)
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County (2013)
Editor’s verdict: Amy Adams, for all my money, will walk away with the coveted
statuette. The nominations for both Meryl Streep and Judi Dench
only appear to be honorary. So, while Sandra Bullock may have an outside
chance, the real treat for Adams is most likely to come from one Cate
Blanchett.
4). Best Performance by an Actor in a
Supporting Role
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips (2013)
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle (2013)
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Editor’s verdict: Michael Fassbender is my favorite to win. Alas, he has way too
many factors working against him! The role of a sadistic plantation honor
who prides himself in being a "nigger breaker” and who repeatedly rapes
his female slave just doesn’t seem right to be bestowed with an honor,
especially given the Academy’s tacit pledge to appear politically correct in
the eyes of the world. Another strong contender is Jonah Hill but he too, like
Fassbender, seems to be walking on thin ice in this regard. This leaves Barkhad
Abdi and Jared Leto as the favorites with the latter having a slight
edge. But, it would be remiss of me to overlook Bradley Cooper who, over the
last couple of years, has emerged as an Academy favorite.
5). Best Performance by an Actress in a
Supporting Role
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine (2013)
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County (2013)
Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle (2013)
June Squibb, Nebraska (2013)
Editor’s verdict: It’s going to a fight between two young guns, Lupita
Nyong'o and Jennifer Lawrence. While the other nominations more or less seem
like a formality, both Julia Roberts and Sally Hawkins may still have an
outside chance. Lawrence looks all set to walk away from the 86th Annual
Academy Awards a two-time Oscar winner.
6). Best Achievement in Directing
Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity (2013)
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
David O. Russell, American Hustle (2013)
Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street
(2013)
Alexander Payne, Nebraska (2013)
Editor’s verdict: This one is going to be a closely fought contest between Alfonso
Cuarón and Steve McQueen. My heart says McQueen while my mind says Cuarón. And
if ever there was a dark horse it’s Alexander Payne. But, then David O. Russell
cannot be ruled out, for during the last few years he has emerged as an Academy
favorite. Not to mention that with a film like American Hustle, Russell seems
to have rekindled the American cinema of old.
7).Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly
for the Screen
American Hustle (2013): Eric Singer, David O.
Russell
Blue Jasmine (2013): Woody Allen
Her (2013): Spike Jonze
Nebraska (2013): Bob Nelson
Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Craig Borten,
Melisa Wallack
Editor’s verdict: Spike Jonze and Woddy Allen seem to be locking horns for this
one with Bob Nelson having an outside chance.
8). Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material
Previously Produced or Published
Before Midnight (2013): Richard
Linklater
Captain Phillips (2013): Billy Ray
12 Years a Slave (2013): John Ridley
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Terence Winter
Philomena (2013): Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope
Editor’s verdict: John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) appears like the most likely
winner. Though, he may face some competition from Terence Winter (The Wolf of
Wall Street).
9). Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
The Croods (2013)
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
Frozen (2013)
The Wind Rises (2013)
Editor’s verdict: Well… this one is a sort of a blind spot for me as I have yet to
watch a majority of them. My wild guess would be Frozen.
10). Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012): Felix Van
Groeningen (Belgium)
The Missing Picture (2013): Rithy Panh
(Cambodia)
The Hunt (2012): Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark)
The Great Beauty (2013): Paolo Sorrentino
(Italy)
Omar (2013): Hany Abu-Assad (Palestine)
Editor’s verdict: The Great Beauty hands down. Sorrentino’s film, a masterwork of cinema, is a force to reckon with. It would have been fitting had Academy also
nominated it for the Best Motion Picture of the Year. The Hunt and Omar may have
an outside chance.
11). Best Achievement in Cinematography
Gravity (2013): Emmanuel Lubezki
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Bruno Delbonnel
Nebraska (2013): Phedon Papamichael
Prisoners (2013): Roger Deakins
The Grandmaster (2013): Philippe Le Sourd
Editor’s verdict: It would be a neck and neck fight between Inside
Llewyn Davis and Gravity. If sanity finally prevails, the former will reign
supreme.
12). Best Achievement in Editing
12 Years a Slave (2013): Joe Walker
American Hustle (2013): Alan Baumgarten, Jay
Cassidy, Crispin Struthers
Gravity (2013): Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger
Captain Phillips (2013): Christopher Rouse
Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Martin Pensa, John
Mac McMurphy
Editor’s verdict: Gravity is the most likely winner. Captain Phillips has an
outside chance.
13). Best Achievement in Production Design
12 Years a Slave (2013): Adam Stockhausen,
Alice Baker
American Hustle (2013): Judy Becker, Heather
Loeffler
Gravity (2013)
The Great Gatsby (2013): Catherine Martin,
Beverley Dunn
Her (2013): K.K. Barrett, Gene Serdena
Editor’s verdict: My vote would go to The Great Gatsby. American Hustle looks like
the favorite.
14). Best Achievement in Costume Design
American Hustle (2013): Michael Wilkinson
The Great Gatsby (2013): Catherine Martin
12 Years a Slave (2013): Patricia Norris
The Grandmaster (2013): William Chang
The Invisible Woman (2013): Michael O'Connor
Editor’s verdict: I would pick either of The Great Gatsby or The Grandmaster. But,
it looks like a straight competition between American Hustle and 12 Years a
Slave.
15). Best Achievement in Makeup and
Hairstyling
Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Adruitha Lee, Robin
Mathews
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013): Steve
Prouty
The Lone Ranger (2013): Joel Harlow, Gloria
Pasqua Casny
Editor’s verdict: The Lone Ranger deserves to win this one. Dallas Buyers Club,
however, would be the favorite.
16). Best Achievement in Music Written for
Motion Pictures, Original Score
The Book Thief (2013): John Williams
Gravity (2013): Steven Price
Her (2013): William Butler, Andy Koyama
Saving Mr. Banks (2013): Thomas Newman
Philomena (2013): Alexandre Desplat
Editor’s verdict: Either of Gravity or Her.
17). Best Achievement in Music Written for
Motion Pictures, Original Song
Despicable Me 2 (2013): Pharrell Williams (
"Happy")
Frozen (2013): Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert
Lopez ("Let It Go")
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013): Bono,
Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Brian Burton ("Ordinary
Love")
Alone Yet Not Alone (2013): Bruce Broughton ("Alone
Yet Not Alone")
Her (2013): Karen O ("The Moon
Song")
Editor’s verdict: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is the most likely winner.
18). Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Gravity (2013): Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri,
Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013):
Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Michael Semanick, Tony Johnson
Captain Phillips (2013): Chris Burdon, Mark
Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith, Chris Munro
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Skip Lievsay, Greg
Orloff, Peter F. Kurland
Lone Survivor (2013): Andy Koyama, Beau
Borders, David Brownlow
Editor’s verdict: My favorite to win would be Inside Llewyn Davis, but Gravity is
at a distinct advantage given its popularity.
19). Best Achievement in Sound Editing
All Is Lost (2013): Steve Boeddeker, Richard
Hymns
Captain Phillips (2013): Oliver Tarney
Gravity (2013): Glenn Freemantle
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013):
Brent Burge
Lone Survivor (2013): Wylie Stateman
Editor’s verdict: Either Gravity or Captain Phillips.
20). Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Gravity (2013): Timothy Webber, Chris
Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013):
Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, Eric Reynolds
Iron Man 3 (2013): Christopher Townsend, Guy
Williams, Erik Nash, Daniel Sudick
The Lone Ranger (2013): Tim Alexander, Gary
Brozenich, Edson Williams, John Frazier
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013): Roger Guyett,
Pat Tubach, Ben Grossmann, Burt Dalton
Editor’s verdict: My vote goes to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,
but Gravity appears to be the most likely winner.
21). Best Documentary, Feature
The Act of Killing (2012): Joshua Oppenheimer,
Signe Byrge Sørensen
Cutie and the Boxer (2013): Zachary
Heinzerling, Lydia Dean Pilcher
Dirty Wars (2013): Rick Rowley, Jeremy Scahill
The Square (2013): Jehane Noujaim, Karim Amer
20 Feet from Stardom (2013): Morgan Neville
Editor’s verdict: It’s a no-brainer for me… it has to be The Act of Killing.
Note: I am not really equipped at this point
in time to give my opinion on the following three categories… and I regret the
same.
22). Best Documentary, Short Subject
Cavedigger (2013): Jeffrey Karoff
Facing Fear (2013): Jason Cohen
Karama Has No Walls (2012): Sara Ishaq
The Lady In Number 6 (2013): Malcolm Clarke,
Carl Freed
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private JackHall (2013): Edgar Barens
23). Best Short Film, Animated
Feral (2012): Daniel Sousa, Dan Golden
Get a Horse! (2013): Lauren MacMullan, Dorothy
McKim
Mr Hublot (2013): Laurent Witz, Alexandre
Espigares
Possessions (2012): Shuhei Morita
Room on the Broom (2012) (TV): Max Lang, Jan
Lachauer
24). Best Short Film, Live Action
Aquel no era yo (2012): Esteban Crespo
Just Before Losing Everything (2013): Xavier
Legrand
Helium (2013/II): Anders Walter
Do I Have to Take Care of Everything? (2012):
Selma Vilhunen
The Voorman Problem (2013): Mark Gill
References:
Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your valuable thoughts are highly appreciated!
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Precise compilation :-)
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ReplyDeleteLeonardo deserves the best actor award!!!!! :)
Indeed, he does!!!
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