We’re here folks, Oscar Sunday!
It’s almost time for all the glamour, drama, and Neil Patrick Harris. With NPH at the helm, no matter who wins or loses, we all win, and probably with a song and dance number or two (please?).
Haven’t seen all of the nominees? No worries, you can catch up with our reviews of all eight best picture nominees, and a couple of nominated animated films too, here. Go ahead, we’ll wait for you.
And without further ado, here are 2WC’s 2015 Oscar predictions:
Best Actress:
Stephanie: Julianne Moore in “Still Alice” — I haven’t seen this movie, but the buzz around it and Julianne Moore’s performance is hard to ignore. I think she’ll be making a touching acceptance speech tonight.
Zer: Julianne Moore in “Still Alice” — I have to admit, this is based purely on critics and the awards’ season so far. Oh, and it’s Julianne Moore…she’ll be taking this award home tonight.
Best Actor:
Stephanie: Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything” — If anyone is going to upset it will be Michael Keaton in “Birdman,” but I can’t imagine that will actually happen.
Zer: Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything” — I would not be surprised if the Academy gives this to Michael Keaton. Redmayne, hands down, gave the better performance, but Keaton definitely has more pull within the Academy, and at the end of the day, this is a popularity contest.
Best Supporting Actress:
Stephanie: Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood” — Calling the role supporting seems like a stretch, but you can’t deny the excellence of her performance. The win is well deserved.
Zer: Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood” — 12 years, is all I have to say. Arquette developed this character over 12 years. I think it’s safe to say that she gave one of the most cohesive and consistent performances ever recorded on film over a 12 year period.
Best Supporting Actor:
Stephanie: J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash” — I dare you to not give him this award, Academy. See how that goes for you. Yes, it’s another white guy winning an award, but J.K. Simmons deserves it. He’s wonderfully terrifying in this role.
Zer: J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash” — If you’ve see “Whiplash,” you’ll understand. There’s not a chance this award will go to anyone else.
Best Original Song:
Stephanie: “Glory” from “Selma” — I will hoot and holler, and maybe cry, if “The Lego Movie” pulls an upset with its optimistic anthem, but “Selma” will likely go home with this award.
Zer: “Glory” from “Selma” — While “Everything is Awesome” is a great song that reminds us all that awesomeness is a state of mind, it’s hard to compete with a hymn inspired by a movie about a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Best Animated Feature Film:
Stephanie: “Boxtrolls” — Honestly, I think “How to Train Your Dragon 2″ will win (unless “Frozen” pulls a surprise repeat win…I put nothing past Disney), but I have to vote for “Boxtrolls.” It’s a better movie.
Zer: “Boxtrolls” — I think there’s a really good chance that “How to Train Your Dragon 2” will win, but I have to choose “Boxtrolls,” because they should win.
Best Director:
Stephanie: Richard Linklater for “Boyhood” — In a perfect world, Mr. Linklater would win this, and someone else would win best picture, because the directing of this film is really what makes it exceptional. A more likely scenario is Alejandro G. Iñárritu wins this category for “Birdman” and “Boyhood” still wins best picture. But I’m sticking with Linklater on this one. I think it’s the right call.
Zer: Richard Linklater for “Boyhood” — How do you not give this to the director who had the vision to create a film over 12 years? Seriously. How do you do it?
Best Picture:
Stephanie: “Boyhood” — In this year’s battle of the B’s I have to go with the twelve-year commitment. If I’m playing favorites, I think “The Grand Budapest Hotel” should win, but that would be an upset of epic proportions. So, I’m going with the “critical” favorite, “Boyhood,” but with the understanding that someone better make a Harry Potter joke. They did it in 10 years with a whole cast of kids, and made 8 movies. Take that “Boyhood.”
Zer: “Boyhood” — This is a tough one. It’s hard to know which way the Academy will lean. On the one hand, we have a story about an aging Hollywood actor trying to rediscover his craft (“Birdman”). That’s a story that most of the Academy can connect with and relate too, and it makes it a strong contender. On the other hand, we have a film that got back to the basics of film making, and took the time to tell a simple, but universal story. It could go either way, but I’m going with “Boyhood.”
And just in case you skipped over the link in the intro, don’t miss our reviews of all of the best picture nominees (and a couple of animated nominees too) right here: 2015 Oscars
…bi-daily smile…
