Saturday, February 21, 2015

Fat Jesus' Preview and Predictions For The 87th Annual Academy Awards


Ahh it's this time of year again, it's time for The 2015 Oscars, or if you like to be more formal, The 87th Annual Academy Awards! The biggest night of the year for film, whether you think every award given out is rigged or not. Like last year, I've compiled a list of some of the categories and given a little bit of thought into each category, as well as a few predictions for each one and some random thoughts about everything. You can also comb through my blog and read reviews of all the Best Picture Nominees, if you so choose. Without further adieu, here's my thoughts and predictions for this year's show. If you wanna follow along with my live thoughts, once the show starts, check out @FatJesusReviews on Twitter! Thank you kindly in advance for reading!


Best Picture
American Sniper
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash

Thoughts
Compared to last year, this category is actually really good overall. I only gave three of the films a "bad" rating, 'American Sniper,' 'The Imitation Game' and 'The Theory of Everything,' and they got seven out of ten a piece. 'Boyhood' and 'The Theory of Everything' have been racking up tons of awards leading up to the show. While all films, despite other opinons or mine, are pretty critically acclaimed.  My personal favorite of the bunch is 'Boyhood' followed by 'Birdman,' 'Whiplash' and then 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' As long as it doesn't go to 'American Sniper' I'm not going to be too picky this year.

Who I Want To Win
'Boyhood'
'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'

Who Will Win
'Boyhood'
'The Theory of Everything'


Best Actor (Leading)
Steve Carell- 'Foxcatcher'
Bradley Cooper- 'American Sniper'
Benedict Cumberbatch- 'The Imitation Game'
Michael Keaton- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Eddie Redmayne- 'The Theory of Everything'

Thoughts
This category is pretty stacked. Despite lackluster films, Eddie Redmayne and Bradley Cooper are fantastic in their respective roles in 'American Sniper' and 'The Theory of Everything.' Steve Carell is haunting and creepy in 'Foxcatcher,' but I don't think he has any sort of chance at winning. Same goes with Benedict Cumberbatch and his role in 'The Imitation Game.' My personal favorite of the bunch is Michael Keaton's performance in 'Birdman.' To me he's far and away the best in the category.

Who I Want To Win
Michael Keaton- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'

Who Will Win
Eddie Redmayne- 'The Theory of Everything'


Best Actress (Leading)
Marion Cotillard- 'Two Days, One Night'
Felicity Jones- 'The Theory of Everything'
Julianne Moore- 'Still Alice'
Rosamund Pike- 'Gone Girl'
Reese Witherspoon- 'Wild'

Thoughts
Yikes, this is a weak bunch for best actress. Julianne Moore is getting praise from a slow film I could not for the life of me get into ('Still Alice'). Felicity Jones was fantastic in an otherwise, only alright film. I never got around to 'Wild' but I've heard great things about Reese Witherspoon's performance in it. I absolute loved Marion Cotillard and Rosamund Pike in their respective films 'Two Days, One Night' and 'Gone Girl.' Cotillard carried a minimalist film from Belgum, while Pike gave a hair-raising performance in a great Fincher flick. If one of these two take it, that'd be awesome but I'd be willing to bet it goes to Jones or Moore.

Who I Want To Win
Marion Cotillard- 'Two Days, One Night'
Rosamund Pike- 'Gone Girl'

Who Will Win
Felicity Jones- 'The Theory of Everything'
Julianne Moore- 'Still Alice'


Best Actor (Supporting)
Robert Duvall- 'The Judge'
Ethan Hawke- 'Boyhood'
Edward Norton- 'Birdmman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Mark Ruffalo- 'Foxcatcher'
J.K. Simmons- 'Whiplash'

Thoughts
'The Judge'? I have no desire to watch this film. Sorry, Academy. Where the hell is Tony Revolori for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'? Yeah, give me him instead. Otherwise this is a stellar list of nominees. Mark Ruffalo was great in 'Foxcatcher' and would be high on my list if other films didn't happen this year. This is probably the hardest category for me to think out. Ethan Hawk's performance in 'Boyhood' is much better than I think most think. Edward Norton in 'Birdman' is a great hot mess you can never look away from when he's on screen. While the J.K. Simmons half of Simmons/Teller from 'Whiplash' is nothing short of astounding. Give it to any of those three, just watch though, Duvall will get it for some reason, haha.

Who I Want To Win
Ethan Hawke- 'Boyhood'
J.K. Simmons- 'Whiplash'

Who Will Win
Ethan Hawke- 'Boyhood'
J.K. Simmons- 'Whiplash'


Best Actress (Supporting)
Patricia Arquette- 'Boyhood'
Laura Dern- 'Wild'
Keira Knightly- 'The Imitation Game'
Emma Stone- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Meryl Streep- 'Into the Woods'

Thoughts
I actually kind-of like this category more than the Best Actress category. Again, I haven't seen 'Wild' so I can't comment on Laura Dern's performance. I quite liked all the other nominees in the category. It's Meryl Streep and her performance throughout the entirety of 'Into the Woods' kept the film alive for me. Keira Knightly had a very sweet and emotional role in 'The Imitation Game' that I dug. Emma Stone in 'Birdman' was a great compliment to Norton and Keaton throughout the entire film. While watching Patricia Arquette throughout 'Boyhood' was just a treat. Streep is always the answer at the Academy Awards, but I really hope Arquette or Stone take this.

Who I Want To Win
Patricia Arquette- 'Boyhood'
Emma Stone- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'

Who Will Win
Meryl Streep- 'Into the Woods'
Patricia Arquette- 'Boyhood'


Best Animated Film (Feature)
Big Hero 6
The Boxtrolls
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Song of the Sea
The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Thoughts
I don't know what 'Song of the Sea' is, but even if I had seen it, it would have been hard to top 'Big Hero 6' and 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya' for me. On a side note, why the hell is 'The LEGO Movie' not nominated here? Is it because of 'Song of the Sea?' Is it because of 'How to Train Your Dragon 2?' I still think 'How to Train Your Dragon' was much better than the sequel. 'The Boxtrolls' is fine, but I put it on the level with HTTYD2. 'Big Hero 6' is a beautiful looking film, with a fun story and great animation. 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya' is one of the most mesmerizing and emotional animated films I've ever seen. Knowing just when to poke at your heart through the story, art or dialogue, it is the best, saddest film you'll see.

Who I Want To Win
Big Hero 6
The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Who Will Win
Big Hero 6
The Tale of Princess Kaguya


Best Director
Wes Anderson- 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Alejandro González Iñárritu- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Richard Linklater- 'Boyhood'
Bennet Miller- 'Foxcatcher'
Morten Tyldum- 'The Imitation Game'

Thoughts
Last year, Spike Jonze won for what is quickly becoming one of my favorite films of all time, 'Her.' This year the field is a little more tight for me. Wes Anderson's direction of 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' was a whimsical and fun journey to a colorful world. Richard Linklater brought an unheard of and one of a kind film, filmed over the course of 12 years in 'Boyhood.' All while Alejandro González Iñárritu gave us a fantastic film, 'Birdman,' made to look like a seamlessly executed one shot. Bennet Miller and Morten Tyldum are just kind-of there. Sorry, guys. Linklater looks to be the favorite, but Iñárritu and Anderson deserve a ton of credit if they don't win. I really do like all three.

Who I Want To Win
Alejandro González Iñárritu- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Richard Linklater- 'Boyhood'

Who Will Win
Alejandro González Iñárritu- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Richard Linklater- 'Boyhood'


Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Jason Hall from 'American Sniper' by Chris Kyle- 'American Sniper'
Graham Moore from 'Alan Turing: The Enigma' by Andrew Hodges- 'The Imitation Game'
Paul Thomas Anderson from 'Inherent Vice' by Thomas Pynchon- 'Inherent Vice'
Anthony McCarten from 'Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen' by Jane Wilde Hawking- 'The Theory of Everything'
Damien Chazelle from 'Whiplash' (his own short film)- 'Whiplash'

Thoughts
The writing categories are two of great ones in my eyes. Without good, or even half-decent writing, a film goes nowhere. See all 'Transformers' live action films. All of the adapted screenplay's are fine. Thought I haven't read (or seen in 'Whiplash' case) the source material, you can tell how a movie is shaped just by watching it. One of the best of the bunch here is 'The Theory of Everything,' purely because it brought out the best of the leads, Redmayne and Jones. Even though it falters in the second act for me. The other stand-out is 'Whiplash.' Because making the phenomenal film that it turned out to be, from a short, is a pretty cool feat when you think about how films are made.

Who I Want To Win
Anthony McCarten from 'Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen' by Jane Wilde Hawking- 'The Theory of Everything'
Damien Chazelle from 'Whiplash' (his own short film)- 'Whiplash'

Who Will Win
Jason Hall from 'American Sniper' by Chris Kyle- 'American Sniper'
Anthony McCarten from 'Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen' by Jane Wilde Hawking- 'The Theory of Everything'


Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
Alejandro González Iñárritu (and others)- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Richard Linklater- 'Boyhood'
E. Max Frye and Danfutterman- 'Foxcatcher'
Wes Anderson and Hugo Guiness- 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Dan Gilroy- 'Nightcrawler'

Thoughts
Wow, this original screenplay list is stacked with juicy goodness. 'Foxcather' which was supposed to be a biopic, I loved this, angered the person it was based off of so much, he went on a crazy rant. 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' is an amazing adventure into a completely unique world, that is set in our real world. 'Birdman' takes us into the mind of an aging former superhero movie star as he tries to reinvent his career on Broadway. 'Boyhood' takes us into the life life of a family, who over the course of 12 years, grows up before our very eyes. Finally 'Nightcrawler' gives us a dark look into the underbelly of Los Angeles and the lengths people will go to to make a name for themselves. Give it to 'Nightcrawler' please, but I'm betting 'Boyhood' takes it.

Who I Want To Win
Dan Gilroy- 'Nightcrawler'

Who Will Win
Richard Linklater- 'Boyhood'


Best Music (Original Song)
"Everything is Awesome"- 'The LEGO Movie'
"Glory"- 'Selma'
"Grateful"- 'Beyond the Lights'
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You"- 'Glenn Campbell: I'll Be Me'
"Lost Stars"- 'Begin Again'

Thoughts
I have no clue who's gonna win, but I really REALLY want it to be "Everything is Awesome" from 'The LEGO Movie.' Here's all the tracks.


Who I Want To Win
"Everything is Awesome"- 'The LEGO Movie'

Who Will Win
"Glory"- 'Selma'


Best Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Robert Yeoman- 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Łukasz Żal and Ryszard Lenczewski- 'Ida'
Dick Pope- 'Mr. Turner'
Roger Deakins- 'Unbroken'

Thoughts
No matter the film, if it doesn't have at least one shot that makes me go, "Wow, that's cool," you're going it wrong. If I ever going over the editing category, I'd give this to 'Birdman' all the way. But this is cienmtography and I wanted to give props to not only 'Birdman,' but 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' here. Not only is it a fun, charming and eccentric film, it's one that looks absolutely beautiful from start to finish. There was never a scene that didn't look good and that's hard to say of a lot of films. Never mind the fact I haven't seen the other films nominated here, so I'm not that informed, the clear cut choices have to be the two best picture nods, right?

Who I Want To Win
Robert Yeoman- 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Who Will Win
Emmanuel Lubezki- 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Robert Yeoman- 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'


Best Costume Design
Milena Canonero- 'The Grandbudapest Hotel'
Mark Bridges- 'Inherent Vice'
Collen Atwood- 'Into the Woods'
Anna B. Sheppard- 'Maleficent '
Jacqueline Durran- 'Mr. Turner'

Thoughts
'Into the Woods' is a great example of a film that got everything right in their costumes. Maybe not the entire film from start to finish, but the costumes on display throughout, for each character, is amazingly good and detailed. Not to be out done in the slightest, the most stylish film of the year 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' I'm now calling it that, even if no one else does. Much like 'Into the Woods', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel's' costumes are spot on for each character. Full of vibrant colors that accent the spectacular world to a tee. I won't be mad if either of these win. 'Inherent Vice' is fine, but not on the level of those two up there.

Who I Want To Win
Milena Canonero- 'The Grandbudapest Hotel'

Who Will Win
Milena Canonero- 'The Grandbudapest Hotel'
Collen Atwood- 'Into the Woods'


Best Visual Effects
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Guardians of the Galaxy
Interstellar
X-Men: Days of Future Past

Thoughts
This is by no means a big award, I just wanted to write about superhero films and the fact that I keep putting off actually watching 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.' Let's be honest here, 'Interstellar' is probably the front runner just because it's not a superhero film. I mean it looks fine, but was it really that eye-popping? 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' had some of the best set pieces in a superhero film ever and the same can be said at 'X-Men: Days of Future Past.' Going with that, the Quicksilver scene in X-Men is still up there as one of the best film scenes all year. 'Guardians of the Galaxy' looked good throughout, the CGI and overall effects were on-point (my favorite film of 2014). I want Guardians or X-Men to win, but I'd bet it go to a non superhero film in 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' or 'Interstellar.'

Who I Want To Win
Guardians of the Galaxy
X-Men: Days of Future Past

Who Will Win
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Interstellar


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Random Thoughts

I would have much rather had Ralph Fiennes in the Best Actor Category than Steve Carell. This coming from a mega-fan of 'The Office.'


I said this before and I'll say it again, 'The LEGO Movie' should have a nomination over 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' or 'The Boxtrolls' for Best Animated Feature. 

I'm watching 'Leviathan' tonight and and we'll see if I can get to 'Ida' for Best Foreign Language Film. Kinda irked 'Two Days, One Night' didn't get a nod here, it was really good. 

Alexandre Desplat was nominated for two separate films in the Best Music, Original Score category. I hope he wins for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' but not 'The Imitation Game.'

I do want 'Foxcather' to win for Best Makeup and Hair Styling. Any movie winning here though is fine by me since the other two nominees are 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.


'Citzenfour' is the only documentary I've even heard of, so it won't win.

'Feast' is far and away the Beat Animated Short, mostly because it's the only one I've seen. Also because it's legitimately a great and emotional short. Go watch this if you can.


That 'Too Many Cooks' didn't get nominated for Best Live Action short is still a travesty. 


Finally, does anyone really care about Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing? If you do, more power to ya.

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