It’s almost time for Hollywood to reveal their thoughts on the best of the best they had to offer in 2013. With only two real shoe-ins, this is a tighter Oscar race than we’ve seen in years. Here are my picks and gripes.
Best Film
Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
Gravity is a tough contender, but I think the two will split film and director.
Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
In a year of imaginative and powerful films, nothing quite compares to this meticulously crafted, absolutely visceral period piece.
Snubbed: Inside Llewyn Davis
There’s no question the Coen brothers’ immersive character study should have taken Philomena’s spot on the best picture list.
Best Director
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Last year, Ang Lee took the directing statuette for his technical achievement on Life of Pi. Cuaron’s film is clearly superior and required even more craftsmanship with the technical aspects of directing.
Should Win: Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Through McQueen’s proved masterful at drawing performances, staging an epic, and giving dusty old history more immediacy than any other film this year, I think voters will favor Cuaron’s technical achievement.
Snubbed: Spike Jonze, Her
Director is a tough race this year, and in a category full of geniuses, it’s hard to say whose spot Jonze should take. But for crafting a beautiful love story set in an unerringly crafted near-future, and doing so without a hint of cynicism or derivation, I’d have given him Scorsese’s slot.
Best Actor
Will Win: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Though he’s truly wonderful in this biopic, McConaughey’s gold will come as a reward for turning in a lifetime of lazy rom-coms in favor of wonderful characters in high caliber, low budget films.
Should Win: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Unfortunately, McConaughey’s achievement will come at the cost of a phenomenal talent’s most blistering and brilliant performance yet, and hands down the best lead turn from a lead actor this year.
Snubbed: Joaquin Phoenix, Her
Tender and heartbreaking without overt sentimentality, Phoenix’s performance as a man in love with his operating system deserved notice. Even though Leonardo DiCaprio’s turn was great – hell, he’s one of the front runners in the category – I’d have given his spot to Phoenix.
Best Actress
Will Win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Should Win: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
She owned this film from its opening credits. This was an exercise in genius.
Snubbed: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Enough Said
Her natural comic timing and charm buoyed a lovely film, and her performance deserved Sandra Bullock’s spot on the list.
Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Leto brings tenderness and not a hint of stereotype to the belt-buckle-and-cowboy-hat biopic. His beautifully dimensional performance is the second surest bet on this list.
Should Win: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Fassbender’s turn as plantation owner Edwin Epps is more fearless an honest than anything he’s done, or anything else we saw this year.
Snubbed: Daniel Bruhl, Rush; James Gandolfini, Enough Said
I’d give either of these underappreciated performances Jonah Hill’s spot on the list.
Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Should Win: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Jennifer Lawrence will give her a run for her money, but I think the Academy will reward Nyong’o for her otherworldly turn as the character who reminds us that the injustice survived even after Solomon Northup found his freedom.
Snubbed: Scarlett Johansson, Her
Johansson did more with just her voice than most performers did with everything they had, and while Sally Hawkins was characteristically wonderful in Blue Jasmine, Julie Roberts gave a career performance in August, Osage County, I’d give Johansson either of their spots.
Join me this Sunday night, March 2nd, when I host the Drexel Theater’s 16th Annual Red Carpet Bash to tally how well my picks fare. Doors open at 6:30 for the 8pm Academy Award telecast. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. For more information, visit www.drexel.net.
A full slate of movie reviews is available on my website www.maddwolf.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @maddwolf and like me on Facebook at facebook.com/MaddWolfColumbus.