Oscars 2015 predictions: Birdman vs Boyhood for Best Picture to be biggest battle of the night
JK Simmons, Julianne Moore and Patricia Arquette are almost certain to win
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s unusual that there is a genuine humdinger over what will win the Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
The race is between Birdman and Boyhood. Indeed Birdman could either soar into the Oscar night, or be pipped at the post to several prizes, including Best Actor where Michael Keaton is in a fight with Britain’s Eddie Redmayne.
Not every race is so exciting. Three of the acting prizes might as well be given out now. Step forward JK Simmons as Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash, Julianne Moore as Best Actress for Still Alice, and Patricia Arquette for Boyhood.
Best Film
Will Win: Birdman
Might Win: Boyhood
I got outfoxed at the Baftas when I predicted Birdman would pip Boyhood to the top prize on the basis that once the technicians rather than critics started giving out awards, Birdman was winning best picture at all the smaller ceremonies.
However Bafta voters send in their ballots early, and this favoured Boyhood. I’m not going to learn my lesson, and plump for Birdman.
Films nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in comparison to the number of awards they have won so far
Best Actor
Will Win: Eddie Redmayne
Might Win: Michael Keaton
Another close race, but my gut feeling is that it’s usually hard to bet against the winner of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award, which went to Redmayne this year.
Not since Sean Penn beat Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow in 2003 has SAG got it wrong. This is good news for Eddie Redmayne, who in recent months has moved ahead of Michael Keaton in the Oscar race.
Best Actress
Will Win: Julianne Moore
Unless the voters have a bout of collective amnesia, Julianne Moore will win for portraying a dementia sufferer in Still Alice.
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: JK Simmons
There will be a drum roll for JK Simmons, who plays a furious music teacher in Whiplash.
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Patricia Arquette
Mummy’s little Boyhood. Twelve years in the making and Patricia Arquette will be rewarded for her efforts at bringing up the kids single-handedly in Boyhood.
Best Director
Will Win: Richard Linklater
Might Win: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Another Birdman against Boyhood battle and this one is even harder to call than the Best Picture race.
The Director’s Guild of America plumped for Birdman director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, but in 2012 they gave the prize to Ben Affleck, who was not even nominated for an Oscar. So I’m going to go for Richard Linklater taking home the director award, as consolation for missing out on best picture.
Best Original screenplay
Will win: The Grand Budapest hotel
Might win: Birdman
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will win: Whiplash
Might win: Theory of everything
Animated Feature Film
Will Win: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Might Win: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
This race became more interesting when the Academy ignored the claims of The Lego Movie. It’s impossible to rule out another surprise but it’s likely that How To Train Your Dragon 2 will take home the big prize.
Cinematography
Will Win: Emmanuel Lubezki
Step forward Birdman's D.P Emmanuel Lubezki, currently the best in the business.
Foreign Language Film
Will Win: Ida
Might Win: Leviathan
Another close race, but I’ve always felt that Ida will win the top prize and see no reason to change my mind.
Costume Design
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Might Win: Maleficent
Film Editing
Will Win: Boyhood
Might Win: Whiplash
Make Up and Hair
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Production Design
Will Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Documentary
Will Win: CitizenFour
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