The Oscars are taking place tonight in LA’s Dolby Theatre, and in preparation we take a look at which films are set to dominate the awards.
The nine films selected in the best picture category have widely been hailed as the strongest in recent years, featuring a huge selection of films ranging from drama, comedy and sci fi, among others.
One of the strongest competitors is space film Gravity, which is nominated in every single technical category and is almost certain to pick up a few, if not all, of these awards. Director Alfonso Cuarón is the favourite to take the best director award, but it faces some stiff competition for best picture.
It’s main rival will be 12 Years a Slave, and the best picture award seems like it will be a tussle between these two. Steve McQueen is also Cuarón’s closest rival for the best director win, though I think the latter will take it. And after his BAFTA win a couple of weeks ago, Chiwetel Ejiofor is a contender for best actor, if only on the outskirts.
It will take a lot for anyone to topple Matthew Mcconaughey’s powerhouse performance in Dallas Buyers Club, and an Oscar win will be a perfect peak to the ‘mcconaissance’ that’s been occurring in his career of recent years. The film could easily do the double and take best supporting actor as well, as an equally powerful turn is given by Jared Leto. Apart from the acting categories, the film is a bit of an underdog, and doesn’t stand much of a chance of taking best film, which is a shame as it’s my personal favourite.
Her is another thoroughly interesting and well made effort that also sadly doesn’t stand much of a chance. It could take a screenplay award, but probably won’t be one of the big success stories of the night. The same goes for Nebraska, which has nods for best film, actor, supporting actress and director, but is unlikely to take any.
The Wolf of Wall Street‘s Leonardo DiCaprio is the closest rival to Matthew Mcconaughey for best actor, but it seems unlikely he’ll take it. And Martin Scorsese has long been an Academy favourite, and they do like a veteran, however it just doesn’t feel like his year.
Captain Philips may take a couple of awards, but probably won’t feature in the major categories. Its best bet is supporting actor for BAFTA winner Barkhad Abdi, but again, he didn’t previously have to compete against half of the mighty Dallas Buyers Club duo.
Philomena could see Steve Coogan and co picking up an award for best adapted screenplay, and they do have Academy favourite (and national treasure) Judi Dench on board. However, it’s doubtful that anyone will be able to come to close to Cate Blanchett’s exquisite turn in Blue Jasmine. The film itself was nothing special, but her performance was spectacular.
There’s been something of a backlash against David O’Russell’s American Hustle recently, with critics saying it’s a bit too light and fluffy to be film of the year. I personally don’t have a problem with something a bit more fun and comedic taking the award, and I’d like it to win a few. Though it’s nominated in all four acting categories (the same as O’Russell’s Oscar favourite Silver Linings Playbook last year) I don’t think Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper have much chance at all. It’s best bet is Jennifer Lawrence in the supporting actress category, though she does face stiff competition from 12 Years a Slave’s Lupita Nyong’o.
If you fancy making it a late one, Red Carpet coverage will begin on Sky Movies Oscars and Sky Living tonight from 11:30pm, while the show itself (hosted by Ellen DeGeneres) will air live on Sky Movies from 1:30am.