Okay, so everyone needs a little help with their Office Oscar Pool every year and that's pretty much what I'm here for.... so let's get started. This year it is very difficult to predict some categories that are otherwise usually, fairly... well, predictable. However, don't worry, there are plenty of absolute no-brainers that should keep you close.
BEST ACTRESS
It's a dead heat between Cate Blanchett from BLUE JASMINE and Amy Adams from AMERICAN HUSTLE. Cate probably has the slight edge even if Amy is the only one in the category who has never won. Still, Cate has only won the supporting Oscar so this is likely her year to get the big lady. And she is pretty much the greatest working actress today. So there's that.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
It's
a three legged race between Jennifer Lawrence in AMERICAN HUSTLE, June
Squibb in NEBRASKA and Lupita Nyong'O for 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Lawrence won the Globe, Nyon'O won the SAG. Squibb is just plain awesome. Lawrence did just win last year, but going back to back is not out of the question with arguably the most powerful actress in Hollywood. Gotta go
with your gut here. Slightest of edges to Jen. PS, this is usually the first award of the night, too,
so it sets the tone for your entire pool.
ACTOR AND SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto are virtual locks for DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. They've won everything, the Globes and SAGS, so unless you want to lose, check their names on your ballot.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
I gotta go with DALLAS BUYERS CLUB here as well. Maybe BAD GRANDPA wins. After all, Johnny Knoxville was unrecognizable and HAD to fool real people. The Academy does do wonky shit like this every now and then, like give Eminem the Oscar over U2.
ANIMATED FEATURE AND SONG
FROZEN
is pretty much the darling this year, so it's very likely it nabs both
of these Oscars. If you need a second choice, U2's song for the Mandela
film is a nice alternate, and since Eminem isn't nominated, their chances are much better... Jesus, God, let's just hope Puff Diddy ain't handing out the award, though it would be hilarious if the Academy went that route just for the freaked out cutaways of Bono dreading if they did win. PS, if you're looking for an upset in the animated feature department, go with THE WIND RISES.
FOREIGN FILM
For now I'm gonna say either THE HUNT or THE GREAT BEAUTY.
DOCUMENTARY
THE SQUARE or THE ACT OF KILLING are my favorites at the moment.
ANIMATED, DOCUMENTARY, LIVE ACTION SHORTS
No CURFEW this year so your guess is as good as mine in Live Action Short, and same goes for these other two utterly unpredictable categories.
SOUND MIXING, SOUND EDITING, VISUAL EFFECTS, CINEMATOGRAPHY, SCORE
These five Oscars are going to go to GRAVITY. Put it in the books.
COSTUME DESIGN AND PRODUCTION DESIGN
I think THE GREAT GATSBY should take these two Oscars. When compared to the other films, Baz Luhrman's film truly deserves to win these two awards, BUT if you think that 12 YEARS A SLAVE or AMERICAN HUSTLE is going to win Best Picture, there's a chance Oscar will default here, so whatever you go with as your Best Picture, you could play it safe and check off that film in these two categories.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
12 YEARS A SLAVE is likely going to bring this one home.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
This is where Spike Jonze's film HER will be honored, though there's an outside chance it goes to AMERICAN HUSTLE.
PICTURE AND FILM EDITING
Over the last 30 years, it's a dead split where the winner of Best Picture also takes home best editing (15 out of 30). But in the years that Best Picture doesn't take editing, it's usually a costume drama or picks up a lot of acting awards. This year, that's probably not going to be the case (though AMERICAN HUSTLE could win two acting awards). But I think it's a good strategy to match these two awards up, so your top three choices are AMERICAN HUSTLE, GRAVITY and 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
DIRECTOR
Regardless of what wins Best Picture, Alfonso Cuaron should have this one in the bag for GRAVITY.
