Here is an overview of some of the more prominent Academy Awards categories outside of Best Picture and the acting categories.
Animated Feature Film:
The Croods
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Wind Rises
Ernest & Celestine
Who Will Win:
Frozen. It's really no contest this year, especially with Pixar's only film Monsters University not getting nominated. Many critics are hailing Frozen as the greatest Disney animation musical since The Lion King.
Who Should Win:
This is Frozen's year. In what was easily one of the weakest years for animated film in recent history, this film was the clear stand out. I'll be honest, I haven't seen any of the nominated films outside of Frozen and The Croods, and partially that's cause this year is such a given. I'll add the note here that I've heard nothing but good things about The Wind Rises and Ernest & Celestine, I simply haven't seen them because they haven't been playing in theaters near me. It's good to see Disney Animation have an actual shot at winning this year. In the last few years, Disney Animation has arguably started to rival, if not outperform their Pixar counterpart. A list of their recent animated successes include: Bolt, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. The last film on that list easily should have won the Oscar last year.
Snubs:
Monsters University wasn't Pixar's brightest moment, but nonetheless it was a better animated film than most this year. Some critics cheered when it didn't get nominated, and I understand the sentiment. Pixar has beaten some better films simply based on name recognition these past few years. That being said, I think the best films should be nominated, and Monsters University was much better than The Croods.
The Croods
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Wind Rises
Ernest & Celestine
Who Will Win:
Frozen. It's really no contest this year, especially with Pixar's only film Monsters University not getting nominated. Many critics are hailing Frozen as the greatest Disney animation musical since The Lion King.
Who Should Win:
This is Frozen's year. In what was easily one of the weakest years for animated film in recent history, this film was the clear stand out. I'll be honest, I haven't seen any of the nominated films outside of Frozen and The Croods, and partially that's cause this year is such a given. I'll add the note here that I've heard nothing but good things about The Wind Rises and Ernest & Celestine, I simply haven't seen them because they haven't been playing in theaters near me. It's good to see Disney Animation have an actual shot at winning this year. In the last few years, Disney Animation has arguably started to rival, if not outperform their Pixar counterpart. A list of their recent animated successes include: Bolt, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. The last film on that list easily should have won the Oscar last year.
Snubs:
Monsters University wasn't Pixar's brightest moment, but nonetheless it was a better animated film than most this year. Some critics cheered when it didn't get nominated, and I understand the sentiment. Pixar has beaten some better films simply based on name recognition these past few years. That being said, I think the best films should be nominated, and Monsters University was much better than The Croods.
Directing:
David O. Russell for American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Alexander Payne for Nebraska
Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
Unless there is some major upset, this award is going to Cuaron.
Who Should Win:
Cuaron. Gravity is a near-perfect realization of Cuaron's vision. This is a very impressive list of directors working on stunning films, but it's hard to argue against Cuaron and Gravity. Not only did Cuaron direct a visually revolutionary film, he also directed a film that brought the best, physically and emotionally, out of lead actress Sandra Bullock. O. Russell and Payne are impressive directors, but their films don't have the same acute sense of vision that Cuaron's does. If Cuaron weren't in the race, the award should go to McQueen who made many strong choices in portraying the cruelty of slavery.
Snubs:
I really respect David O. Russell and Alexander Payne, but in my opinion, Spike Jonze should have been nominated for his work on the Best Picture nominated Her over everyone in this category except Cuaron and McQueen. Another impressive director this year was Destin Cretton, who directed the critically lauded Short Term 12.
David O. Russell for American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Alexander Payne for Nebraska
Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
Unless there is some major upset, this award is going to Cuaron.
Who Should Win:
Cuaron. Gravity is a near-perfect realization of Cuaron's vision. This is a very impressive list of directors working on stunning films, but it's hard to argue against Cuaron and Gravity. Not only did Cuaron direct a visually revolutionary film, he also directed a film that brought the best, physically and emotionally, out of lead actress Sandra Bullock. O. Russell and Payne are impressive directors, but their films don't have the same acute sense of vision that Cuaron's does. If Cuaron weren't in the race, the award should go to McQueen who made many strong choices in portraying the cruelty of slavery.
Snubs:
I really respect David O. Russell and Alexander Payne, but in my opinion, Spike Jonze should have been nominated for his work on the Best Picture nominated Her over everyone in this category except Cuaron and McQueen. Another impressive director this year was Destin Cretton, who directed the critically lauded Short Term 12.
Writing-Adapted Screenplay:
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
This one's a little bit of a toss up. Captain Phillips won the Writers Guild Award for this category. Critical consensus however seems to be that 12 Years A Slave is the front runner. That film wasn't even nominated for the Writers Guild Award. Another advantage that 12 Years A Slave has in this category, is that it has a much greater chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Captain Phillips does, so that could raise the film's overall profile in other categories such as this one.
Who Should Win:
I haven't read Solomon Northrup's memoir about the 12 years he spent as a slave in the South, but it is next on my reading list. 12 Years A Slave's script is written to be not just a record of events, but a portrait of Solomon Northrup's indomitable spirit. I have no idea why WGA didn't nominate it for their Adapted Screenplay award, but it was a significant error. This film should hands down win this award.
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
This one's a little bit of a toss up. Captain Phillips won the Writers Guild Award for this category. Critical consensus however seems to be that 12 Years A Slave is the front runner. That film wasn't even nominated for the Writers Guild Award. Another advantage that 12 Years A Slave has in this category, is that it has a much greater chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Captain Phillips does, so that could raise the film's overall profile in other categories such as this one.
Who Should Win:
I haven't read Solomon Northrup's memoir about the 12 years he spent as a slave in the South, but it is next on my reading list. 12 Years A Slave's script is written to be not just a record of events, but a portrait of Solomon Northrup's indomitable spirit. I have no idea why WGA didn't nominate it for their Adapted Screenplay award, but it was a significant error. This film should hands down win this award.
Writing-Original Screenplay:
Dallas Buyers Club
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
Nebraska
Who Will Win:
Again, this one is a little up in the air. Critical consensus is that American Hustle will win. The Writers Guild gave the award to Her. American Hustle again has a greater chance of winning Best Picture than Her. On the other hand, Her has gained a lot of recognition this year as arguably the most original story among the Best Picture contenders. I'm going to take a guess and say that the Academy will recognize the originality of Her.
Who Should Win:
Not only is the concept behind Her more original than the concept behind American Hustle, Her features the best writing in any film this year. The key to Her's script is that it is very dialogue heavy, and the dialogue is beautifully honest and poetic. In other hands, the story of a man falling in love with a computer OS could go very wrong. The way it is developed here shows some very heartfelt glimpses into our longings and insecurities as humans.
Dallas Buyers Club
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
Nebraska
Who Will Win:
Again, this one is a little up in the air. Critical consensus is that American Hustle will win. The Writers Guild gave the award to Her. American Hustle again has a greater chance of winning Best Picture than Her. On the other hand, Her has gained a lot of recognition this year as arguably the most original story among the Best Picture contenders. I'm going to take a guess and say that the Academy will recognize the originality of Her.
Who Should Win:
Not only is the concept behind Her more original than the concept behind American Hustle, Her features the best writing in any film this year. The key to Her's script is that it is very dialogue heavy, and the dialogue is beautifully honest and poetic. In other hands, the story of a man falling in love with a computer OS could go very wrong. The way it is developed here shows some very heartfelt glimpses into our longings and insecurities as humans.
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