The 2015 Academy Awards Predictions!

Hello fellow moviegoers!
The 87th Annual Academy Awards are tonight and there is a lot of talk about them! For the first time in a while, there aren't any obvious choices for most of the categories. There are so many people out there debating on who will win what, so I thought I might put in my two cents. Not only will I discuss who will win, but also who SHOULD win. However I will only be discussing what are considered the main categories.

The categories I will discuss are; Best Animated Feature, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture.


(I will not be commenting on Best Lead Actress due to the fact that I have only seen two of the nominated performances, and feel that I am under-qualified to make a good decision)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Nominations: Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Song of the Sea, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Should Win: The LEGO Movie

I still cannot get over the fact that The LEGO Movie was not nominated for this. That movie should have won this award! It was by far the best animated film of the year! And yes, it did still qualify for the award even though it had a few live-action scenes toward the end. There is no excuse for not even nominating it! Everything is awful!!

Will Win: How to Train Your Dragon 2
This movie would have been my next choice to win after The LEGO movie. This movie is one of the best animated sequels in a long time. It takes a lot to make a sequel to an awesome movie like the first How to Train Your Dragon, and have it be even better than the first! Definitely a well-deserved award.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nominations: Robert Duvall (The Judge),  Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Should Win: Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher)
Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher was one of the best parts in a completely performance driven film. I didn't know going into this movie the extent to which Ruffalo would be in it, and he definitely deserves more recognition than he is getting. His performance was brilliant! 

Will Win: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Unfortunately, I was not able to catch this film when it was in my local theatre, and I won't be able to see it until this coming Tuesday when it comes out on DVD. So, I can't comment too much on his performance in this film. From the bits and pieces I have seen, and what I've heard from others his performance was mind-boggling, and he deserves the Oscar.

Best Supporting Actress
Nominations: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Laura Dern (Wild), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman), Meryl Streep (Into the Woods).

Should and Will Win: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Patricia Arquette is definitely the front-runner for this award, and she very well deserves to win it! Not only did she give a great performance, but the fact that she could keep the quality of that performance on an awesome level for 12 years during filming, truly shows her dedication to this role. While I wouldn't complain if Emma Stone, or Keira Knightley won the award, there is little doubt that this award belongs to Arquette. 

Best Lead Actor
Nominations: Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)

Should and Will Win: Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Michael Keaton's performance in Birdman is definitely one of those performances that will captivate people throughout the ages. He was amazing! Keaton really knocks this role out of the park. The way he was able to transform himself not only into his lead character Riggan, but also the character in which Riggan stars in a play, and the titular Birdman. It is most certainly a well deserved award.

Best Director
Nominations: Alejadro G. Inarritu (Birdman), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennet Miller (Foxcatcher), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

Should and Will Win: Alejandro G. Inarritu
The directing of Birdman is definitely was made the film what it was. Inarritu did an amazing job directing this film. The performances he was able to get out of his ENTIRE cast was breathtaking. Also, the way the film was shot was also very intriguing because it was made to look like it was all one shot. He should definitely win the award. I wouldn't be surprised if the Oscar goes to Linklater for Boyhood though.

BEST PICTURE
Nominations: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash.


Should Win: Birdman
In my opinion Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) was definitely the best film of the year. The way it was able to look at so many different themes and hit them all exactly was excellent! The entire ensemble of the cast did such a great job! I honestly cannot put how good I thought this movie was into words!

Will Win: Boyhood
While Birdman has a very honest shot at taking home the Academy Award. Chances are, it is going to go to Boyhood. Boyhood is definitely very deserving of the award. Also, it helps that this film was actually shot over 12 years and it was able to stay consistently good the entire time. The entire way this film is constructed screams Best Picture. Even though I have fingers crossed for Birdman, Boyhood really deserves the award.

So how excited are you for the Oscars tonight? Do you agree with my picks? Who do you think is going to win? Let me know by commenting on this post! Also, I will be live-tweeting the ceremony tonight @KruzeReviews. So you should definitely check that out!

Thanks for stopping by!