Oscar Sunday is Finally Here

The most exciting day of award season is here everybody, happy happy Oscar day. If you are a television and film junkie like me you live for award season. And even though the Oscars usually bore you to tears you sit through it because you care. With Ellen DeGeneres slated as the host you know it is bound to be fun. With twenty four awards to be given out tonight I am here to talk about eight of them. I am very passionate about these eight categories and have my plans for if my favourites win or lose, and the way most of the shows are going my favourites are probably going to lose.

Best Picture:

• American Hustle
• Captain Phillips
• Her
• Dallas Buyers Club
• Gravity
• Nebraska
• Philomena
• 12 Years A Slave
• The Wolf of Wall Street

For the first time this year I decided to attempt to watch all of the films nominated for Best Picture. Out of this list of nine, I managed to watch 7. I have not seen Nebraska or Philomena. I think 12 Years A Slave is one of the best films to ever come out of Hollywood in the past 10 years. It told a true story, and was gritty, compelling and heart-wrenching. The cast ensemble is outstanding, Lupita Nyong'o is a rising star, and Steve McQueen is a visionary. It has not been getting the love that it deserves in my opinion. If things do not go my way, which I will be shocked if they do, I will accept Gravity or The Wolf of Wall Street as well. If American Hustle wins, I will riot in the streets.

Best Actor:

• Christian Bale (American Hustle)
• Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
• Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
• Chiwetel Elijor (12 Years a Slave)
• Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

It's Leonardo DiCaprio's time to shine. This needs to happen, I need it to happen. Leo needs it to happen, the world needs it to happen and Tumblr needs it to happen. Leo carried the film, the content was extreme and his performance was incredible. As a long time Leonardo fan he has been snubbed before by the Academy but he is the clear choice. Don't get me wrong, I loved Chiwetel in 12 Years a Slave and he has been getting snubbed left right and center. As for Matthew McConaughey, I adore the man, I think he is a great actor, but he was not what sold the film for me. Alright? Alright? Alright? Give the Oscar to Leonardo, thank you.

Best Actress:

• Amy Adams (American Hustle)
• Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
• Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
• Judi Dench (Philomena)
• Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

This female category is full of talent and one of the only categories where I am indifferent to who wins. My front runner for the win is Amy Adams. Though my disdain for American Hustle is extreme, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence kept me awake. Amy has been killing it this year, she was also my favourite part of Her. So if she wins I will be extremely happy. I believe Cate Blanchett might walk away a winner tonight, though I have not seen Blue Jasmine, I hear she is excellent. So we shall see.

Best Supporting Actor:

• Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
• Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
• Michael Fassbender (12 Years A Slave)
• Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)
• Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Jared Leto for the clean sweep please and thank you. This category is filled with talent and exceptional performances, but it was Jared Leto who gave the performance of a lifetime. He was the major draw for me in Dallas Buyers Club and I cannot put into words how much is performance moved me. Rayon forever.

Best Supporting Actress:

• Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
• Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
• Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave)
• Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
• June Squibb (Nebraska)

If Lupita does not win I will shut down. Her performance was exceptional and for her first feature film, I was blown away. She played such a fragile character in such a fractured time era. She deserves all the awards, love and success in the world. I literally have nothing more to say other than GIVE HER THE DAMN OSCAR. Please.

Directing

• David O. Russell (American Hustle)
• Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
• Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave)
• Alexander Payne (Nebraska)
• Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Besides having Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as the leading actors made this movie amazing was its directing and cinematography. In a category for the most talented directors in Hollywood, I believe Alfonso Cuaron will take this one. I would however be ecstatic if McQueen pulled out with this one. So we shall see what happens tonight.

Writing - Adapted Screenplay:

• Before Midnight (Written by: Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke)
• Captain Phillips (Screenplay by: Billy Ray)
• Philomena (Screenplay by: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope)
• 12 Years a Slave (Screenplay by: John Ridley)
• The Wolf of Wall Street (Screenplay by Terrance Winter)

Roll Johnny Roll. 12 Years a Slave was phenomenal, like I said before it was gritty and heart-wrenching. The dialogue was outstanding and the way everything flowed together always kept me on the edge of my seat. John has been getting nothing but praise for his writing, so let's hope the streak continues tonight.

Writing - Original Screenplay

• American Hustle (Written by: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russel)
• Blue Jasmine (Written by: Woody Allen)
• Dallas Buyers Club (Written by: Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack)
• Her (Written by: Spike Jonze)
• Nebraska (Written by: Bob Nelson)

In the perfect world American Hustle would not walk away with this award. The world is not perfect so I think my prediction and wish is completely skewed but I will stick with it. Dallas Buyers Club again was an amazing film, it dealt with such an interesting and difficult situation during an era where this was common. I think they handled the situation with truth and honour. I would love for them to pull off the upset.

I honestly wonder out of the eight I chose how many will walk away with a little Oscar for their mantles. I am hoping to go at least 5 for 8 but Hollywood seems to worship American Hustle, so I will probably be miserable. I hope you enjoy the awards tonight and good luck to your favourites. May the Academy be with you.