Written by Matt
Well it’s that time of the year again, everyone. A bunch of tiny, golden, naked guys are about to be handed out to some very talented people. And with it comes endless office Oscar pools and opinionated internet writers to help you win them. So here’s my official prediction for the year’s biggest awards. And, because SOMEHOW the Academy left me out of the voting this year, I’ll include the person or film I would have voted for.
Best Picture
- Amour
- Argo
- Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Django Unchained
- Les Miserables
- Life of Pi
- Lincoln
- Silver Linings Playbook
- Zero Dark Thirty
Who will win:
Argo. About a month ago, Lincoln seemed like a lock for Best Picture, until Argo started sweeping award shows left right and centre. Now the momentum is totally in Argo‘s favour, and the general consensus is that it’ll take home the golden statuette.
Who I’d vote for:
Beasts of the Southern Wild. It may not be the most exciting, thrilling or emotional films nominated. But Beasts was able to do some incredible things on a shoestring budget. It’s beautiful visuals, impeccable acting and magical story stretch the medium of film and make for the most underrated film of the year. That being said, I wouldn’t be mad if Argo, Life of Pi or Django won either.
Best Director
- Michael Haneke, Amour
- Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Ang Lee, Life of Pi
- Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
- David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Who will win:
With the absence of Ben Affleck, Spielberg is a lock for best director. I’d argue, and I think many would agree, that the nominations for this category were completely boned by the Academy, but I digress.
Who I’d vote for:
Ang Lee. It’s very difficult to direct an actor alone in a life boat in front of a green screen. Throw a tiger, either real or CGI, into the mix and you have a pretty incredible challenge. I just hope the Academy recognizes that.
Best Actor
- Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
- Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
- Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
- Denzel Washington, Flight
Who will win:
Daniel Day-Lewis. There’s really no doubt about this one.
Who I’d vote for:
Daniel Day-Lewis. I’d definitely agree with the Academy on this one. Day-Lewis was incredible in Lincoln. I can’t think of anyone else who would be able to play one of America’s most beloved presidents with such grace and power.
Best Actress
- Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
- Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
- Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
- Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
- Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Who will win:
Jennifer Lawrence. It’s been Jennifer’s year. She’s hit it big with the Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook, plus a strong award season so far, and it all adds up to some golden hardware for Catniss.
Who I’d vote for:
Jessica Chastain. I was blown away by her performance as Mia, the CIA operative obsessed with catching Osama Bin Laden. But it’s close between her and Quvenzhane Wallis, but really only because I’d love to see a 9 year-old on the Oscar stage.
Best Supporting Actor
- Alan Arkin, Argo
- Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
- Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
- Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
- Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Who will win:
Tommy Lee Jones. This is probably the closest category, with three past winners (Tommy Lee Jones, Waltz and De Niro) in the running for the prize. But Tommy’s portrayal of radical abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens seems like the safe Academy pick.
Who I’d vote for:
Christoph Waltz. He took home this award for Inglorious Basterds three years ago, and he was just as good, if not better, in Django.
Best Supporting Actress
- Amy Adams, The Master
- Sally Field, Lincoln
- Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
- Helen Hunt, The Sessions
- Jackie Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Who will win:
Anne Hathaway. This is another lock, might as well give her the statuette now.
Who I’d vote for:
Sally Field. Field handled Mary Todd Lincoln’s debilitating mental health impeccably. Not many actresses could do the same.
