Oscars 2014

The Oscars are rolling around again, and this time I thought I'd weigh in on the best pictures, and certain other key catagories. Avoiding all the politics of the lobbying and previous award ceremonies, this is a collection of what I truly think. Feel free to comment on my predictions and let me know yours in the comments below.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

“The Grandmaster,” Philippe Le Sourd

“Gravity,” Emmanuel Lubezki

“Inside Llewyn Davis,” Bruno Delbonnel

“Nebraska,” Phedon Papamichael

“Prisoners,” Roger A. Deakins

A tough choice in this first category. Whilst I expect Gravity will win due to it's mesmerising visuals, it's difficult to ascertain how much of an influence the cinematographer had to the film, given it's huge level of pre and post-production. Prisoners atmosphere envelopes the film, and lighting, framing and slow camera movement really help this thriller slowly increase to a vice like pressure.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

“The Croods”

“Despicable Me 2”

“Ernest & Celestine”

“Frozen”

“The Wind Rises”

Frozen is the obvious choice. Disney subvert their own typical storyline to wonderful effect. Great songs and stunning visuals, this is likely to go down as another modern Disney classic.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”

Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”

Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”

Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”

June Squibb, “Nebraska”

Bringing some of the biggest laughs throughout, Jennifer Lawrence pushes into new territory for herself as an actress. Playing a sassy, loud and yet relatable character, her screen presence is commanding and she lights up any scene she is in.

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”

Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”

Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”

Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

A complete unknown up against many Hollywood veterans, Barkhad Abdi's performance is both terrifying and yet easy to sympathise with. He conveys such a spectrum of emotion through his gruesome actions and dialogue that the film holds together and keeps the tension up. It would be easy to dismiss him as just playing to his culture's stereotype - this is obviously a mistake. A wonderful actor who has done a fantastic job given how little experience he has had on screen before.

LEAD ACTRESS

Amy Adams, "American Hustle"

Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"

Judi Dench, "Philomena"

Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County"

Sandra Bullock, "Gravity"

A category I immediately have issue in, as the true winner was not even nominated. Emma Thompson's performance in Saving Mr Banks was a delight to watch. Of the nominated actors, Judi Dench was... well dench. She revels in playing a tough Welsh lady with strong convictions and bristling with character. I expect that Cate Blanchett will walk away with the prize on the night, and to be fair, I missed Blue Jasmine so it may well be an incredible turn.

LEAD ACTOR

Christian Bale, "American Hustle"

Bruce Dern, "Nebraska"

Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"

Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

This is a close fought category. McConaughey seems to be leading the pack, but I think Chiwetel Ejiofor took on a difficult role and held the film together. He conveyed a great deal of emotion even though for the most of the film we just watched his character suffering and being victimized. DiCaprio also gave a very strong performance that surprised me, and Tom Hanks in both Captain Philips and Saving Mr Banks has been grossly overlooked. I would have cut Christian Bale out of the running in this category in favour of Tom Hanks. 

 

DIRECTOR

Alfonso Cuarón, "Gravity"

Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave"

Alexander Payne, "Nebraska"

David O. Russell, "American Hustle"

Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street"

The category I care about the most, I think that there is almost no contest here. Whilst some adore Steve McQueen, I found his film to be lacking in story, his direction often making me very aware I was watching a film, and a film trying it's best to force a negative emotion out of me. Casting was also an issue, as the all stars took away some of the authenticity for me, and made me again, very aware I was watching a film and not getting lost in the story or emotion. David O. Russells film surprised me. Usually I'm not his biggest fan, but American Hustle was an enjoyable and fun ride, but I had a few issues with it's pacing. Martin Scorsese's film was mad, loud and both sickening and shameless at the same time. I enjoyed it quite a lot, however it too had pacing issues and I think needed a little more weight behind the consequences of Jordan Belforts actions. Gravity on the other hand was a technical masterpiece, and what Alfonso Cuarón pulled off was mesmerising. The story is simple yet effective. What impressed me more was just the scale of production, the innovative work required to make it happen, and the vision to see all the elements and even edit it, before anything had been shot. A gamble, that definitely paid off. This was the film that stunned me the most this year, and it gave me shivers like the first time I saw The Matrix or Jurassic Park. A new level of visual storytelling.

BEST PICTURE

"12 Years a Slave"

"American Hustle" 

"Captain Phillips" 

"Dallas Buyers Club" 

"Gravity"

"Her" 

"Nebraska"

"Philomena"

"The Wolf of Wall Street"

One of the strongest years ever, and yet without one film that blows the others away. For me, there are five films that all deserve a shot at the big award. American Hustle, with it's style, it's panache, terrific performances and great ending surprised me. Captain Philips was both gripping, tense and enthralling. Gravity had stunning visuals, a new level of cinema, and a story that managed to hold it together even with only one character for most of the film. Philomena is an extremely underrated film, based on truth that both moves, shocks and informs you. The Wolf of Wall Street is an accomplishment in that it even got made, that it's a mad film and unlike anything else ever made.

For me, I think I actually enjoyed Captain Philips the most, but it is such a close race. I am surprised Prisoners is not nominated, nor The Way Way Back, which is another favourite of mine.