Best Picture: 12 Years A Slave

Derek’s Pick: 12 Years A Slave

Should Have Won: Her

Spike Jonze’s latest film starring Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, and Amy Adams was personally my favorite film of the year. Like I had stated in my predictions last year, I’m a softy when it comes to Joaquin Phoenix and the fact that he teamed up with one of the most brilliant directors of our time was truly a game changer. Phoenix had to perform incredibly emotional scenes as a monologue, and he did it so well that there were times that you were convinced that Scarlett Johansson was in the room with him. Between cinematography, original score, screenplay, production design, and the talent’s performances, I don’t see how this isn’t a top contender.

Unfortunately, this year is going to be tough for an idea that’s as original and quirky as Her to snag the Best Picture Oscar. For mainstream audiences, Her will be forever tagged as “that movie where the guy falls in love with Siri,” and it’s a shame.

12 Years a Slave took the lesson handed down from last year’s Best Picture winner, Lincoln, to heart. People love historical films, especially when they’re directed by visionary directors like Steve mcqueen. Payne is known for pushing the limits on what an audience can handle visually, as displayed through his film Shame (2011). I thought 12 Years A Slave was definitely the most important film out of the nominations because of its vivid depictions of how slaves were treated and how that’s a piece of our country’s history that’s swept under the rug. It definitely wasn’t my favorite film of year, but the Academy has been known for picking its Best Picture winner based upon the issues they address.

Brett’s Pick: 12 Years A Slave

I think that there is simply too much momentum in favor of 12 Years a Slave winning Best Picture. Gravity has a chance, but it has a lot going against it.  If it won, it would be the first 3D movie to win best picture, and the Academy members typically have gone against science fiction films in the past (E.T., Avatar, etc.).

Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave was an excellent portrayal of American slavery, and it informed audiences of the horrific inhumaneness in the United States not too long ago. This is the most important film of 2013, and it’s more visually outstanding than the other nominees, though that argument could be made for Gravity.

Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Derek’s Pick: Matthew McConaughey

Should Have Won: Leonardo DiCaprio

Until I saw Dallas Buyers Club, I always thought that Matthew McConaughey was just some bro that got lucky in Hollywood for his six-pack abs and golden locks. But he proved me wrong with this film and his other astounding performances from 2014, including The Wolf of Wall Street and the HBO series True Detective. There were parts of the film that were hard to watch, as we saw his character Ron Woodroof start to deteriorate right in front of us.

With three previous nominations under his belt, hopefully this will be Leonardo Dicaprio’s year. Between his character’s charisma, drug use and his upscale con man attitude, his performance had something for everyone to enjoy (everyone over the age of 18, at least). His graphic portrayal of big shot Wall Street executive Jordan Belfort has raised the bar for any spineless young men that work in the industry, that one day if they work hard enough, they can be just as sinister. I’m really pulling for DiCaprio this time around; the guy deserves it.

Brett’s Pick: Matthew McConaughey

Should Have Won: Leonardo DiCaprio

I’m partial to DiCaprio winning Best Actor because of the notable amount of times he’s been snubbed.  He was incredible in Django Unchained last year, and it’s a shame Christoph Waltz was picked over him for Best Supporting Actor, considering Waltz played an identical role in Inglorious Basterds. Though I’m confident that Leo will win an Oscar, I doubt it will be this year. DiCaprio gets a lot of screen time in The Wolf of Wall Street, but his character isn’t one that would typically get the victory.

McConaughey gets the nod here after receiving a Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Screen Actors Guild Award for starring in Dallas Buyers Club.  This role was a career-best for him, and his bold portrayal of a man diagnosed with AIDS is exactly the type of role that wins this category.

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Derek’s Pick: Cate Blanchett

Time and time again, Cate Blanchett has proven herself to be one of the best dramatic actresses, but her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine gave her skill a new sense of purpose. Through Allen’s direction, Blanchett was able to show her more comedic side. There wasn’t anything necessarily side splitting, but it made viewers aware that even  a dramatic actress can be funny at times. She’s been known for her role sin Lord of the Rings, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and her Oscar award winning performance in The Aviator, which were all very dramatic. If she doesn’t win this time around I would be very surprised.

Brett’s Pick: Cate Blanchett

This is probably the easiest prediction, as Blanchett was projected to win since Blue Jasmine was released back in August.  If you compare her performance to any of the other nominees, it’s clear to see that this isn’t even close.  If I had to choose a runner-up, I’d say that Sandra Bullock has next highest chance because she holds her own in a movie that relied heavily on her performance. Still, this one goes to Blanchett.

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Derek’s Pick: Jared Leto

From the talent’s perspective it seems that Jean-Marc-Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club is the powerhouse this year and Jared Leto’s performance definitively adds to that. Similar to how McCaunghey had to drastically lose 40 pounds for his role, Leto had to do the same, and the same time, becomes a cross-dressing drug addict. Ever since his morbidly depressing role in Requiem For a Dream, Leto has become very selective in the roles he takes on and it’s within good reason. This is Leto’s return to film since 2009.

Brett’s Pick: Jared Leto

Should Have Won: Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of a slave owner disturbed and deeply affected audiences.  Though the Academy likes actors who physically change drastically, Fassbender’s overwhelming abusiveness and malicious performance should not be overlooked. I don’t think he’ll win because of the momentum that Jared Leto has gained this award season, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Fassbender pulled it out.

Leto has won every major award thus far for playing a transgender AIDS patient in Dallas Buyers Club. Similarly to McConaughey’s, Leto’s physical transformation gets him an advantage, deservedly so.  His role as Rayon was perfect for him, as he delivered a fantastic and heartrending performance. I’d say it’s an 80 percent chance he wins.

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o

Derek’s Pick: Lupita Nyong’o

Before I rip into Jennifer Lawrence, I just want to make it clear that I am a fan of some of her roles, I think she has a lot of talent and she’s a great example of people pursuing their dreams in Hollywood, but, seriously? I really don’t see how she’s deserving of an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, it was by far the most sub-par performance of her most recent roles. Anyone who’s grown up on the east coast and has had a few acting classes could have done an equal performance. We should also consider the fact that she’s 23 years old and that she isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so why not just let Nyong’o have it this year?

Lupita Nyong’o’s performance was astounding, though not from the perspective of techniques, but more towards the shoes she had to fill. Nyong’o played the role of a slave women who is treated horribly by co-star Fassbender and the way her character develops throughout the story was almost too real to watch at times. I think that regardless of whether or not she walks away with an Oscar, she is definitely one of the breakout stars of 2013, similar to how Jennifer Lawrence rose to fame two years ago.

Brett’s Pick: Jennifer Lawrence

Nyong’o’s part in 12 Years a Slave was incredible, to say the least. She was amazing in every scene she was in in, but she’s also going up against Jennifer Lawrence, who’s exploded in the past year as a public figure. Nyong’o absolutely deserves the Oscar, but the ratings the program will get if J-Law gives another speech are a factor to consider. Hopefully the Academy makes the right call and gives the Oscar to the newcomer, but don’t be stunned if Lawrence comes out on top again.