Every year, I try to see as many Oscar nominated movies as possible. Following the nomination announcement in January, the race is on! I get a little obsessive about it. I’m a Walsh after all. It’s in our genetic makeup to be constantly competing to completion. Even if it’s just a personal challenge, we want the big win. Overall, I missed seeing four of the movies (“American Sniper”, “Selma”, “Two Nights, One Day,” “Still Alice”) in the major categories. These are the most important award categories because it’s what Jen’s party ballot will be based on. And there’s money on the line. As far as movie viewership, I’m giving myself a B+. And for tonight’s wager, here are my picks…
BEST PICTURE
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Boyhood” <– I loved this movie. Cool concept. AND I hope they continued filming for a sequel.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Selma”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Whiplash”
BEST DIRECTOR
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood” <— I’m a purist. I think picture and director should go hand and hand.
Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher”
Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”
BEST ACTOR
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”
Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”
Michael Keaton, “Birdman” <– This was probably my favorite picture overall. I love the theatre aspect of it. And the cast rocked especially Keaton, Norton and Stone.
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
BEST ACTRESS
Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”
Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”
Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild” <– Sentimental pick! I loved the story and it makes me want to go hiking. I think Julianne will win… it’s Alz! She’s a fabulous actor and I saw the play.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood” <— TOUGH competition here. I believe Patty will conquer all!
Laura Dern, “Wild”
Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”
Emma Stone, “Birdman”
Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Duvall, “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood”
Edward Norton, “Birdman”
Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash” <— No doubt! Juno’s dad was ball-kicking awesome!
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Inherent Vice”
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”
Jason Hall, “American Sniper”
Anthony McCarten, “The Theory of Everything”
Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game” <– This movie was powerful and disturbing.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” <– I’m a Wes Anderson fan! And this movie was a hoot!!
Dan Futterman and E. Max Frye, “Foxcatcher”
Dan Gilroy, “Nightcrawler”
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”