2014 Oscars: Best Director predictions (7/10/13)

In a perfect world, Richard Linklater would have this category locked up. Which is truly unfortuante, for his chances of winning anything for his work on Before Midnight are slim. Alas, we still have five contenders that I imagine will do well as nominees.

1. Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street
It is truly miraculous to see one of the best directors ever to still be working. Wolf of Wall Street looks hilarious and exciting, and has Scorsese written all over it.

2. George Clooney, The Monuments Men
When ex-nominee/ex-Batman is directing with an ensemble cast like this, he is bound to get a nomination, maybe a win.

3. Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
The Coen Bros. received nominations for their work on True Grit. With their latest pic a film stronger than True Grit, they will probably also be nominees.

4. Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
With Foxcatcher being my predicted Best Picture w
inner, I might as well predict the director as a nominee. Maybe he will win, maybe he won't.

5. Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Do I think Gravity will even receive a Best Picture nomination? No. But Cuaron has a visual style that has been well known due to his work with Children of Men. This time, he will receive that elusive nomination. With the film also opening the Venice fest, we will see soon enough how good his latest is.

Check back soon for more predictions!

2014 Oscars: Best Actress predictions (7/10/13)

Time for another big category, and this year, this category is up in the air (again). However, predicting will not hurt at all.

1. Naomi Watts, Diana
The long overdue Naomi Watts will finally win... hopefully. A lot of this depends on the film' quality. Right now I'm expecting a film rating of 65%-70% on RottenTomatoes.

2. Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Every year Meryl Streep makes a movie, she must be noted as a potential nominee. Her performance has actually been seen by a small audience, and the reception so far is good. Let's see how much cynicism the Academy can handle.

3. Kate Winslet, Labor Day
Every time Kate Winslet make a movie, she also must be recognized as a potential contender. This time, she is directed by Jason Reitman, a man who can usually make Oscar-worthy performances. The again, Young Adult was unfairly snubbed out of Best Actress and Supporting Actor.

4. Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
Maybe I am bias. But I think that if there was any contender that has not been a nominee in this category, it ought to be Julie Delpy, with a performance displaying high range and in a film that will most likely receive love from the older Academy members/hipster ones.

5. Nicole Kidman, Grace of Monaco
Last year Nicole Kidman almost became a surprise nominee for the little-seen The Paperboy. However, her chances at a nomination look significantly higher, as she is playing former leading lady Grace Kelly, and is also backed by the Weinstein Company. However, can she pull off Grace Kelly (I'm not sure that she can, personally).

Check back soon for more nomination predictions!

2014 Oscars: Best Actor predictions (7/6/2013)

Oscar season's begin is just more than a month away, with Venice starting in late August. Still, there is a certain amount of time to still do Oscar prognostication!

1. Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Leo has been consistently snubbed for nominations, including his most recent work in Django Unchained. Again, he has Scorsese directing him, and I think this time he might win.

2. Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks is pure Oscar-gold. This film has a distinct advantage due to him being the distinct star of the film, and his likability will be guarantee value on the campaign trail. Then again, he has won two time before, so... I have him as second most likely.

3. Steve Carrell, Foxcatcher
Steve Carrell is one of recent comedy's shining stars, but that will only make his portrayal of schizophrenic John DuPont only more surprising. Bennett Miller, the director, is also 2-for-2 when it comes to Best Actor nominations, and even leading to a win for Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Capote.

4. Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Matt McConaughey is having an extremely incredible hot streak in films lately. He was in Jeff Nichols' Mud, and was the best part. He hasn't done a rom-com since 2009! Either way, this film is already recieving publicity due to McConaughey's extreme weight-loss as AIDS activist Ron Woodruff.

5. Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Oscar Isaac is a true character actor, and this will be a guaranteed breakout role for the actor. The trailer portrays his growly singing and his poor condition. It is a guaranteed contender for CBS Films. I think this film will make a big impact on the campaign trail, so Oscar Isaac will be swept up with the film.

I also would like to mention Bruce Dern's work in Nebraska, a role that might fare better in the Supporting Actor category.

Frances Ha (2013)- Once Upon a Time in New York (3½ Stars)

Noah Baumbach succeeded in making one of the weirdest and darkest films of the past few years when he made the masterful The Squid and the Whale. His latest effort, Frances Ha, is certainly weird, but it is also uplifting and entertaining.