The picture above was from our new venue for our annual Oscar Party. This was our fifth year hosting it and I had a blast. The screen was huge and the chairs were comfy. I think everyone had a really good time.
I hit a new record last year getting 19 out of 24 categories correct. Let's see how I did this year.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
My prediction: Matthew McConaughey
Winner: Matthew McConaughey
Thoughts: No surprise here. McConaughey has been winning most of the other awards, too.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
My prediction: Jared Leto
Winner: Jared Leto
Thoughts: Oscar bait.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
My prediction: Cate Blanchett
Winner: Cate Blanchett
Thoughts: Good for her. Strong performance.
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
My prediction: Lupita Nyong’o
Winner: Lupita Nyong’o
Thoughts: It will be interesting to see how her career pans out. I wonder if this is just the role of a lifetime, too.
Best animated feature film of the year
My prediction: Frozen
Winner: Frozen
Thoughts: Deserved it. Another Disney classic.
Achievement in production design
My prediction: The Great Gatsby
Winner: The Great Gatsby
Thoughts: For sure. While a mediocre movie, that production design is incredible.
Achievement in cinematography
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: Yep, watch any of the behind-the-scenes filming feature and you will agree. Great camera work.
Achievement in costume design
My prediction: The Great Gatsby
Winner: The Great Gatsby
Thoughts: Again, average film. Above average costumes.
Achievement in directing
My prediction: Alfonso Cuarón
Winner: Alfonso Cuarón
Thoughts: Well-deserved. I love Cuarón.
Best documentary feature
My prediction: 20 Feet from Stardom
Winner: 20 Feet from Stardom
Thoughts: It was pretty much sweeping all of the other big awards shows.
Best documentary short subject
My prediction: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Winner: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Thoughts: Lucky guess.
Achievement in film editing
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: The one category where I think Gravity had some competition, but I figured it would get it.
Best foreign language film of the year
My prediction: The Great Beauty
Winner: The Great Beauty
Thoughts: The Italian film has been all the buzz.
Achievement in makeup
My prediction: Dallas Buyers Club
Winner: Dallas Buyers Club
Thoughts: They won on a $250 makeup budget. Incredible.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: Steve Price's score was one of my favorites of the year.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
My prediction: Let It Go
Winner: Let It Go
Thoughts: Great song. Especially when you consider that it might be about farting.
Best motion picture of the year
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: 12 Years a Slave
Thoughts: Yep, I knew this was going to be the trickiest category for me. I don't understand how a movie like Gravity can win seven various awards from editing to cinematography to sound to special effects, and then not win Best Pic. 12 Years only won two awards other than this one and one of them was for acting. Come on, Academy! Were you too scared to vote for the non-racially diverse film? This one really upset me.
Best animated short film
My prediction: Get a Horse!
Winner: Mr. Hublot
Thoughts: Wow, I'm surprised by this one. I'm sure they're all great shorts, but I figured Disney would get this one again.
Best live action short film
My prediction: The Voorman problem
Winner: Helium
Thoughts: Okay. Haven't seen any of these, so I'll just roll with it.
Achievement in sound editing
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: Yep. Great sound.
Achievement in sound mixing
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: Ditto.
Achievement in visual effects
My prediction: Gravity
Winner: Gravity
Thoughts: This was one of the easiest categories to predict. Inventive new special effects.
Adapted screenplay
My prediction: 12 Years a Slave
Winner: 12 Years a Slave
Thoughts: It sure would have been nice to see Before Midnight win something, but what can you do?
Original screenplay
My prediction: Her
Winner: Her
Thoughts: So happy Her won something! Great movie.
Prediction rate: 21 for 24 (88%) A new record!
Final thoughts: I thought Ellen was good at first with her funny opening monologue, but I quickly grew tired of her "no big deal" gags in between awards and presenters. She's a fine host, but just not an entertainer. Especially after Seth MacFarlane last year who is witty, edgy, and quite the performer. I still think there were too many boring musical acts. I get that you want to show the songs nominated, but do it quickly and all at once. No need for these multiple tired performances. I ended up winning our little Oscar prediction pool at our party again (still undefeated!), but gave the prize to the runner-up, Molly. She did her homework and looked up what some others predicted online. Smart thing to do, but you still can't beat the master! Just kidding. It was an awesome night that I am already looking forward to next year.
P.S. To see my original Oscar blog with prediction explanations, click here.
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