By Will Amari
Staff Writer
People are lined up at the downtown Roxy. Popcorn is popped. Soda is served. It may be cold and rainy outside, but here in the movie theater, it’s dry and warm. When the lights go down and the screen lights up, people know that it’s time to see their favorite stars perform in a film they will never forget. Oscar season is here again!
2013 has been a great year for movies. Who wasn’t shocked by the critical acclaim of Disney’s animated, “Frozen?” Or amazed by Tom Hanks’ performance in “Captain Phillips?” And let’s not forget about Matthew McConaughey’s astonishing comeback portraying Ron Woodroof in the much celebrated, “Dallas Buyers Club.” With five best director nominees and nine best picture nominated films, it’s time to reflect on some of the many memorable films of 2013.
Read on for my Oscar predictions for the four main categories; best actress, best actor, best director, and of course, best picture. Continue reading for an analysis of the Big Winners for this year’s Academy Awards.
Best actress nominees: Amy Adams in “American Hustle”, Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”, Sandra Bullock in “Gravity”, Judi Dench in “Philomena”, Meryl Streep in “August: Osage County”, June Squibb in “Nebraska”.
And the Oscar goes to: Cate Blanchett and not Meryl Streep? That’s right! Blanchett plays the neurotic socialite, Jasmine, who divorces and moves in with her blue collar sister, played by Sally Hawkins. Hers is the absolute standout performance of the year and although Meryl comes close, the Oscar truly belongs to Blanchett. The Academy would agree.
Who might win: Sandra Bullock in “Gravity”
Who definitely won’t win: Judi Dench in “Philomena”
Who I want to win: Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”
Who the Academy overlooked: Carey Mulligan in “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Best actor nominees: Christian Bale in “American Hustle”, Bruce Dern in “Nebraska”, Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street”, Chiwetel Ejiofor in “12 Years a Slave”, Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyer Club”.
And the Oscar goes to: Matthew McConaughey who transforms into his role as the emaciated Ron Woodroof, a Texas cowboy/electrician who was diagnosed with aids in the mid-1980s. In this film we are reminded that McConaughy is a true movie star who deserves to be recognized for such a stunning performance. This of course, wouldn’t be the first time, the Oscars nominated a praised actor for playing the role of an AIDs patient. Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for best actor for his role “Philadelphia” as Andrew Beckett, a young lawyer who was fired from his job because he was found out to be HIV-positive.
Who might win: Chiwetel Ejiofor in “12 Years a Slave”
Who definitely won’t win: Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Who I want to win: Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyer Club”
Who the Academy overlooked: Joaquin Phoenix in “Her”
Best director nominees: American Hustle (David O. Russell), Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón), Nebraska (Alexander Payne), 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen), The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)
And the oscar goes to: Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón). Yes, it’s more than just a sci-fi film. The story’s all told through the point of view of Sandra Bullock’s character, Ryan Stone, who gets stranded in the scary world of outer space. No director has ever portrayed fear and anxiety on screen as well as Alfonso Cuarón. This movie gets an A in special effects as well as for originality.
What might win: 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen)
What definitely won’t win: The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)
What I want to win: Gravity
Who the Academy overlooked: Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel and Ethan Coen)
The best picture the nominees are as follows: American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, 12 Years a Slave, and the Wolf of Wall Street.
And the Oscar goes to: 12 Years a Slave, produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas. This film accurately portrays the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man abducted and sold into slavery. It’s not a light-hearted popcorn movie, but a gruesome description of America’s most shameful period of history. If any film is more deserving of an oscar than all the rest, it’s this one. This is the year director and producer Steve McQueen will win the Big One. See why many call this masterpiece “The Schindlers List of today.”
What might win: Gravity
What definitely won’t win: Philomena
What I want to win: Her
Who the Academy overlooked: Inside Llewyn Davis
This is just one man’s opinion. The decisions of the Academy are often unpredictable. The answers won’t be revealed until Sunday, March 2. However, for now let’s just sit back and watch the movie.
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