Let’s get right to it:
Best Picture: mostly expected nominations. Genuinely pleased & surprised to see Her get some love. Not entirely shocked that Inside Llewyn Davis didn’t get one; my feelings have gone back and forth on that movie and while it’s good, there is just so much lacking. Philomena, somehow, got a nomination. Dallas Buyers Club got one as well, which it doesn’t deserve, but again, not unexpected. As always: if you’re going to allow up to 10 nominations, why not just nominate 10 movies? Why 9 out of 10? To pretend it’s exclusive and the year was just oh so competitive? Bullshit. Commit or go back to 5.
Who will win: 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen
Who should win: 12 Years A Slave or Gravity. Either one, but I really can’t complain as my 3 favourites of the year (Gravity, 12, Her) all got love.
Best Director: I think it’s Alfonso Cuaron and no one elses, and regardless of your feelings on Gravity (which should only be positive, but I digress) in terms of best direction of the year, it’s his, no question.
Who will win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Who should win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Best Actor: This one is a three way race that’s currently being led by Matthew McConaughey. Leo and Chiwetel are both tied for second and may split the votes, allowing for Matteo to win. A part of me thinks this could be Leo’s year; which is what we think every year but he has a The Reader/Kate Winslet and The Departed/Scorsese-sympathy vote momentum going for him. I can’t really complain about these nominations; I think Phoenix should have been recognized because he made a very unbelievable and potentially ridiculous story/role real, relatable and heartbreaking. And while American Hustle is the annoyance of this awards season, I thought Bale was fantastic, if understated somehow, in American Hustle.
Who will win: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Who should win: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Best Actress: For me, these nominations are what I expected. Sure, Emma Thompson’s exclusion is somewhat surprising but not really; it was a nomination that was being forced to happen. The major issue I have here is the Streep nomination: I love her, we love her, and I haven’t seen August Osage yet but here’s the thing: the Academy has diluted her craft and the actual quality of her work by nominating her every time she takes a shit; “well it’s Meryl, of course she got nominated” is no longer a positive statement.
Who will win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Who should win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Best Supporting Actor: I’m not mad at that Bradley Cooper nomination; he was my favourite thing about American Hustle.
Who will win: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Who should win: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Best Supporting Actress: Do I even have to share my thoughts on this? Click here for a refresher.
Who will win: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Who should win: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Tagged: oscar nominations 2014, oscars, oscars 2014
