2015 Oscar Predictions: Daniel Kibbe’s Top Picks
Best Picture
What will win: Boyhood
Possible upset: Birdman
The nominees: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash
This category could really go either way: Boyhood and Birdman have an equal chance, with the former winning the L.A. critics award as well as the Golden Globe for Best Picture, while the latter has picked up the Producer’s guild award, the Screen Actor’s guild ensemble award, and the Director’s guild award. It’s a split race that’s hard to predict.
Best Actor
Who will win: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything
Possible upset: Michael Keaton for Birdman
The nominees: Steve Carell for Foxcatcher, Benedict Cumberbatch for The Imitation Game, Bradley Cooper for American Sniper, Michael Keaton for Birdman, Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything
Another tough choice, but The Academy tends to pick actors who play characters with physical disabilities, and Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking does that excellently. Keaton was an early favorite for most pundits, so he could maybe sneak in somehow.
Best Actress
Who will win: Julianne Moore for Still Alice
Possible upset: No One
The nominees: Marion Cotillard for Two Days One Night, Felicity Jones for The Theory of Everything, Rosamund Pike for Gone Girl, Julianne Moore for Still Alice, Reese Witherspoon for Wild.
It’s Moore’s award to lose and, really, I can’t see anyone else winning. This one is a shoe-in.
Best Supporting Actor
Who will win: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Possible upset: no one
The nominees: Robert Duvall in The Judge, Ethan Hawke in Boyhood, Edward Norton in Birdman, Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher, J.K. Simmons in Whiplash
Much like Best Actress, Simmons is a sure fire choice. There’s no way he won’t win.
Best Supporting Actress
Who Will win: Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
Possible upset: Emma Stone for Birdman
Arquette has won all the precursor awards, and this is most likely her’s to lose. However, if Birdman ends up winning really big, it could pull off a major upset in this category.
Best Director
Who will win: Richard Linklater for Boyhood
Possible upset: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for Birdman
Much like the Best Picture race, Director is split between Boyhood and Birdman in the same way. Could Inarritu take home Director while Boyhood takes picture? Or maybe vice versa? Maybe Boyhood will take it all — either way, it’s a tough decision to make.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Who will win: The Imitation Game
Possible upset: Whiplash or American Sniper
The Imitation Game’s recent win at the Writer’s guild awards bodes well, but the widespread love for Whiplash or American Sniper could push them to the win.
Best Original Screenplay
Who will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Possible upsets: Boyhood or Birdman
Grand Budapest has done well at pre-cursor awards, and The Academy loves Wes Anderson, but if the two Best Picture juggernauts have enough steam, they could take this one.
Best Film Editing
Who will win: Whiplash
Possible upset: Boyhood
Best Cinematography
Who will win: Birdman
Possible upsets: Mr. Turner
Birdman has this one in the bag, as its (admittedly) impressive use of steadicam and editing makes the film look like a single, continuous shot. Mr. Turner, Mike Leigh’s painterly period piece could pull off a major upset, however, as it won a special award for its cinematography at the Cannes Film Festival.
Best Costume Design
Who will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Possible upsets: Into the Woods
Best Make-Up and Hairstyling
Who will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Possible upset: Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Sound Mixing
Who will win: Whiplash
Possible upset: Birdman
Best Sound Editing
Who will win: American Sniper
Possible upset: Interstellar
Best Visual Effects
Who will win: Interstellar
Possible upset: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Best Original Song
Who will win: “Glory” from Selma
Possible upset: “Everything is Awesome” from The LEGO Movie
Best Original Score
Who will win: Interstellar
Possible upset: The Theory of Everything
Best Production Design
Who will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Possible upset: Interstellar
Best Documentary
Who will win: Citizenfour
Possible upset: Virunga
Best Foreign Language Film
Who will win: Ida
Possible upset: Leviathan
Best Animated Film
Who will win: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Possible upset: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Best Animated Short Film
Who will win: Feast
Possible upset: The Bigger Picture
Best Live Action Short Film
Who will win: Parvaneh
Possible upset: Aya
Best Documentary, Short Subject
Who will win: Joanna
Possible upset: White Earth
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