films

2014 Academy Awards Super Spectacular Hooray Blowout Blog Post

Sunday, March 2nd will be the 86th annual Academy Awards – a show where rich people get together to congratulate themselves for being awesome and rich. But, it is entertainment. I tend to consider myself a bit of a film connoisseur, or a movie buff (whichever term you understand). I usually don’t agree with most of the awards that are given at this ceremony, mostly because it’s usually more about politics than actual film. So when I write a post like this where I intend to make predictions on which film or actor will win their respective award, I have to divide my thoughts into two categories: those that I think will win, and those that I think should win – because so often those are different. Now in the case where those two categories are indeed different, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I think that the film/person that will win doesn’t deserve to win. Sometimes it does, though.

The problem is, very often (especially in the Best Picture category) the award is given to the film/person that seems “important”. Important because of some social issue, or political stance, or what have you. Now usually these are still quality films/performances, but the statement that is made does not mean that it is the best of the year. Too often films are made and performances are given as “Oscar bait” – meaning the purpose of making the film, or of an actor taking a role, was simply an attempt to win an Academy Award. There was no intrinsic artistic thought put into the process; those are usually the films that make a true statement – the ones that keep the integrity intact. But I’m rambling…to make a point…relevant to this year’s awards. You’ll see.

On with the show. I will cover just the categories that I consider to be the “major” categories, which are:

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Actor/Actress

Best Supporting Actor/Actress

Best Original Screenplay

Best Adapted Screenplay

My qualifications for analysis on these categories are that I have seen each film represented in each category, with the exception of “Before MIdnight”, in the best adapted screenplay category.

So, let’s go from the bottom up:

 

Best Adapted Screenplay

Nominees:

Will win: 12 Years a Slave

Should win: Captain Phillips

For me, Captain Phillips took what could have been a one-sided good vs evil story and turned it into a thought provoking, intelligent story that makes you question where you draw the line in the proverbial sand. 12 Years a Slave will win though, for reasons I will explain later.

 

Best Original Screenplay

Nominees:

Will win: her

Should win: her

There is no question on this one. This is one of the most original, beautiful pieces of work ever put to film, and if the Academy doesn’t recognise it, there is a very good chance I will stop paying any attention to this show from now on. This must win.

 

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees:

Will win: Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave

Should win: June Squibb – Nebraska

This is a toss up for me between June Squibb and Sally Hawkins. I think they both deserve their nomination and could easily win, but if I have to pick one over the other, I give the edge to Squibb because her performance is a light among some less than acceptable performances in Nebraska. However, this is the year of the slave, so the award will go to Lupita Nyong’o. Her performance is wonderful, and she does deserve her nomination. I just think she was outdone by the two previously mentioned actresses. Also, I find it shameful that Scarlett Johansson was not nominated for her brilliant, unseen performance in her. She could have easily replaced Jennifer Lawrence in this category.

 

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees:

Will win: Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

Should win: Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips

Abdi’s performance in Captain Phillips was a little shocking to me, and he won me over as the film wore on. I felt more emotion for him than I did even for Mr. Hanks. But, I don’t think he has a chance against Leto. I honestly was not all that impressed with Leto’s performance, but a trans-gender AIDS junkie is the stuff of Oscar legend. He has it in the bag.

 

Best Actress

Nominees:

Will win: Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Should win: Amy Adams – American Hustle

The Academy does love them some Woody Allen – scandal and all. Cate Blanchett does a terrific job in Blue Jasmine, and I don’t see any way she won’t win…UNLESS – dun dun duuuuuuuuunnnn….. There is some guilt over American Hustle. For a film to be nominated for screenplay, directing, all four acting categories and best picture and not win anything – that’s a shame. For me, if American Hustle has any chance at taking home an award, it’s in this category. Possible upset?? Doubt it. But Amy Adams does deserve it as much as Blanchett. Good lord if Streep wins I may have a breakdown. I like her and all, but at what point does it become just plain old fashioned nepotism?

 

Best Actor

Nominees:

Will win: Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

Should win: Joaquin Phoenix – her (not nominated)

Travesty is the most fitting word for this. Phoenix wasn’t nominated, so for me that discounts the entire category. No disrespect to the fine performances by those that were nominated, but Joaquin Phoenix should have been nominated and should win. Bitterness aside, McConaughey did an amazing job here, pulling a Christian Bale and transforming himself physically for a role. That usually means an Oscar win. Both DiCaprio and Ejiofor are possible upsets, but I just don’t see it happening.

 

Best Director

Nominees:

Will win: Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

Should win: Spike Jonz – her (not nominated)

Another case where I feel the Academy overlooked her. Spike Jonz has crafted an amazing, memorable film with few flaws, but he isn’t exactly a prolific director so the Academy doesn’t give him much credit in this field. Alfonso Cuaron has also crafted an amazing, memorable film with few flaws, and I do believe that he will be rewarded for his effort here. Gravity is one of those once in a lifetime experiences, and it could have easily been mishandled by a less competent director. He does deserve the win, since Jonz wasn’t nominated. I also like David O. Russell here, because I think that he did an expert job at creating a kinetically paced comedy/drama/crime film that could have been cheesy, but wasn’t.

 

Best Picture

Nominees:

Will win: 12 Years a Slave

Should win: her

You shouldn’t be surprised at either of my choices here. As I said before, this is the year of the slave. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way at all, I am just referencing the domination of the film 12 Years a Slave. And because I feel that it will win Best Picture, I see no way that it wouldn’t also win for Best Adapted Screenplay. I mean if it’s the best picture, how is that same film not the best screenplay? Seems logical. This is straight up Hollywood here. As good a film as 12 Years is (and it is), at least 3 of the nominees for Best Picture are better. But 12 Years is one of those aforementioned “important” films, so it must win. Gravity has a shot, but I think Cuaron winning for Best Director is the only love it will get (other than special effects, obviously). All this aside, I cannot say enough about the film her. This is in my mind by far the best film of 2013. I don’t want to give any type of synopsis on it for fear of selling it short. Everyone should watch it, as it is a film which redefines film as art, in my humble opinion.

That about covers it. If you have anything to say about my choices – agree or disagree – feel free to leave a comment below.

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