Article compiled by Jordan and Eddie on 20/02/2015
A muted response has greeted this year’s Oscar nomination field and rightfully so, as in many respects this years nominations have seemingly been the safe bets and many unique films have been left out in categories they seemed destined to compete in.
There were a few genuine surprises (Lego Movie’s snub) and some pretty big over achievers, namely in this case Wes Anderson’s well-made and fun jaunt The Grand Budapest Hotel (seriously though, is it a 9 Oscar Nominations worthy film? Some would suggest not). While films like that and the overrated Boyhood lapped up nominations other likely films such as Gone Girl (seriously how did this miss out on adapted screenplay?), Interstellar, Selma and Nightcrawler either struggled for nominations or reaped in a few token nominations.
It really does seem as though this year’s race is between Birdman and Boyhood and perhaps even the aforementioned Grand Budapest Hotel but we guess you never know, there could be some major upsets brewing in what we can only hope is an entertaining and on song ceremony.
As always, happy reading and happy watching!
Jordan’s Overview –
Most happy about?
The great toy advertisement that is the Lego Movie missing out on Oscar’s love, as well as Michael Keaton reaping recognition for his finest hour and (and perhaps most of all) another Ghibli film in competition – good luck The Tale of the Princess Kaguya!
Most unhappy about?
Streep.
Streep, Streep, Streep, Streep, Streep.
Her character name is “The Witch” for goodness sake.
Biggest Surprise?
Eddie wholeheartedly disagrees with the love shown for Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (he wrote the above introduction), and given I’ve been a staunch critic of his for a long time so should I, but in this instance I’ll be humble enough to declare I actually admire this film quite a bit and though surprised it garnered the equal highest nominations I’m happy about it.
The world needs more F. Murray Abraham.
Biggest Snub?
Kevin Smith’s mammal horror masterpiece Tusk of course…
Lucky to be there?
Clearly Streep and Into the Woods got lost on their way to the Razzies.
Eddie’s Overview –
Most happy about?
Birdman love and Interstellar’s token nominations
Birdman is a hugely entertaining film and its star Michael Keaton is a well-respected and long serving actor that deserves to once more see success. While Interstellar deserved more recognition, I will take its 5 nominations as credit for a movie that showed other blockbusters how it’s done.
Most unhappy about?
Meryl Streep and no Nolan love
Without wanting to be a broken record – how on earth does Streep continue to be nominated! It seems as though people see her name on the ballot and just pick her, my goodness can the Streep love please stop!
Poor old Christopher Nolan just doesn’t seem to luck out with the Academy and his high thinking, technically marvelous movies continue to not be rewarded the way in which other counterpart’s project would be.
Biggest Surprise?
Carrell in for Best Actor and The Lego Movie missing out
Steve Carrell looks great in Foxcatcher but from all reports it seems as though his turn is more support than lead and in a field that featured many worthy nominees his place seemingly has stopped others from a chance at glory.
The other major surprise was the non-inclusion of the Lego Movie in the Best Animated Film category. A frontrunner up until nominations were announced something is surely amiss for this favourite to have missed out.
Biggest Snub?
No Nolan for directing, Lego Movie snub and Jake Gyllenhaal missing out for Nightcrawler
Nolan and The Lego Movie have been spoken about but what about poor old Jake Gyllenhaal? The man has put in 3 award worthy turns in Enemy, Prisoners and Nightcrawler yet missed out on all. Will Southpaw be the film that sees him garner some well-earned glory?
Lucky to be there?
Meryl Streep
Please Meryl, take a year off and let someone else be nominated, cheers.
NOMINEES and PREDICTIONS –
Best Picture
People really seemed to love seeing Mason grow up in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, will the good will see it win the ultimate prize?
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Theory of Everything Dark Horse: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Eddie – Winner: Boyhood Dark Horse: Birdman
Best Director
Arthouse king to Oscar Winning director? Wes Anderson may just claim top prize in 2015
Alejandro González Iñárritu “Birdman”
Richard Linklater “Boyhood”
Bennett Miller “Foxcatcher”
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Wes Anderson Dark Horse: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Eddie – Winner: Richard Linklater Dark Horse: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Best Actor
Former Batman Michael Keaton seems like frontrunner for his awesome turn in Birdman
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”
Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”
Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Eddie Redmayne Dark Horse: Michael Keaton
Eddie – Winner: Michael Keaton Dark Horse: Eddie Redmayne
Best Actress
One of the safest bets of the night will be on Julianne Moore for her turn in indie flick Still Alice
Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”
Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”
Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Julianne Moore Dark Horse: Reese Witherspoon
Eddie – Winner: Julianne Moore Dark Horse: Reese Witherspoon
Best Supporting Actor
After years of “bit parts” J.K Simmons looks set to become an Oscar winner thanks to his blistering role in Whiplash
Robert Duvall, “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood”
Edward Norton, “Birdman”
Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: J.K Simmons Dark Horse: Mark Ruffalo
Eddie – Winner: J.K Simmons Dark Horse: Edward Norton
Best Supporting Actress
Yep that is Meryl Streep, why was she nominated? Because she’s Meryl Streep silly!
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Laura Dern, “Wild”
Emma Stone, “Birdman”
Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”
Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Laura Dern Dark Horse: Keira Knightley
Eddie – Winner: Patricia Arquette Dark Horse: Laura Dern
Best Animated Film
Disney’s box office hit Big Hero 6 could count itself an Oscar winner come the nights end
“Big Hero 6”
“The Boxtrolls”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“Song of the Sea”
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Dark Horse: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Eddie – Winner: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Dark Horse: The Boxtrolls
Best Original Screenplay
The creepy Foxcatcher with a near unrecognizable Steve Carrel is a strong player in this years awards
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Max Frye and Dan Futterman, “Foxcatcher”
Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Dan Gilroy, “Nightcrawler”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: Foxcatcher
Eddie – Winner: Boyhood Dark Horse: Birdman
Best Adapted Screenplay
While it’s patriotic to it’s core, American Sniper may just be powerful enough to claim this award
Jason Hall, “American Sniper”
Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game”
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Inherent Vice”
Anthony McCarten, “The Theory of Everything”
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Imitation Game Dark Horse: The Theory of Everything
Eddie – Winner: Whiplash Dark Horse: The Imitation Game
Best Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman”
Robert D. Yeoman, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lynzewski, “Ida”
Dick Pope, “Mr. Turner”
Roger Deakins, “Unbroken”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: Birdman
Eddie – Winner: Birdman Dark Horse: Unbroken
Best Costume Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Inherent Vice”
“Into the Woods”
“Maleficent”
“Mr. Turner”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: Inherent Vice
Eddie – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: Into the Woods
Best Documentary Feature
“Citizenfour”
“Last Days in Vietnam”
“Virunga”
“The Salt of the Earth”
“Finding Vivian Maier”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Citizenfour Dark Horse: The Salt of the Earth
Eddie – Winner: Citizenfour Dark Horse: Finding Vivian Maier
Best Documentary Short Subject
“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1”
“Joanna”
“Our Curse”
“The Reaper”
“White Earth”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Joanna Dark Horse: Our Curse
Eddie – Winner: The Reaper Dark Horse: Joanna
Best Film Editing
“American Sniper”
“Boyhood”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Whiplash”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Whiplash Dark Horse: Boyhood
Eddie – Winner: Boyhood Dark Horse: Whiplash
Best Foreign Language Film
“Ida”
“Leviathan”
“Tangerines”
“Wild Tales”
“Timbuktu”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Ida Dark Horse: Tangerines
Eddie – Winner: Ida Dark Horse: Leviathan
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Foxcatcher”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Foxcatcher Dark Horse: Guardians of the Galaxy
Eddie – Winner: Foxcatcher Dark Horse: Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Original Score
Alexandre Desplat, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Alexandre Desplat, “The Imitation Game”
Hans Zimmer, “Interstellar”
Gary Yershon, “Mr Turner”
Jóhann Jóhannsson, “The Theory of Everything”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: Mr Turner
Eddie – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: The Imitation Game
Best Original Song
“Everything Is Awesome” by Shawn Patterson, “The LEGO Movie”
“Glory” by Common and John Legend, “Selma”
“Grateful” by Diane Warren, “Beyond the Lights”
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond, “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me”
“Lost Stars” by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois, “Begin Again”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Everything is Awesome Dark Horse: Glory
Eddie – Winner: Glory Dark Horse: Everything is Awesome
Best Production Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Interstellar”
“Into the Woods”
“Mr. Turner”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: The Imitation Game
Eddie – Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel Dark Horse: Into the Woods
Best Animated Short Film
“The Bigger Picture”
“The Dam Keeper”
“Feast”
“Me and My Moulton”
“A Single Life”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: A Single Life Dark Horse: The Dam Keeper
Eddie – Winner: A Single Life Dark Horse: The Bigger Picture
Best Live Action Short Film
“Aya”
“Boogaloo and Graham”
“Butter Lamp”
“Parvaneh”
“The Phone Call”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Aya Dark Horse: Parvaneh
Eddie – Winner: Butter Lamp Dark Horse: Aya
Best Sound Editing
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
“Interstellar”
“Unbroken”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Birdman Dark Horse: American Sniper
Eddie – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: American Sniper
Best Sound Mixing
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Interstellar”
“Unbroken”
”Whiplash”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Whiplash Dark Horse: Birdman
Eddie – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: Unbroken
Best Visual Effects
“Captain America: Winter Soldier”
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
“Interstellar”
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
Predictions –
Jordan – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: Guardians of the Galaxy
Eddie – Winner: Interstellar Dark Horse: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
How does this overview compare to your thoughts? Are you happy/unhappy with this years nominees? Let us know in the comments below!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Haven’t officially picked mine yet, although most will fall in line with many of the picks you both had, as well as the ones everybody else believes. The only one I fully disagree with right now, is in Original Score. I don’t believe that Hans Zimmer will win. I’ve actually heard all five, thank you Spotify! and can understand why “The Theory of Everything” has done so well in this category. But, then again, there’s a reason we call them surprises. This could be it here. We see it in other categories, from awards ceremony to awards ceremony, all the time, why not this year and in this category?
I reckon me picking Zimmer was just personnel mate ha as was all my picks for Interstellar. I found his score incredibly unique and epic as well as perfectly coinciding with much of that films imagery but the score for Theory was quality no doubt. E
E
I absolutely understand choosing because of person reasons. Zimmer’s score probably does sound much better when heard with the film, and it probably makes more sense too.
I’ll have to come up with my predictions. I don’t want Boyhood to win. I also thought it was overrated. And I’m incredibly disappointed that Jake Gyllenhaal was snubbed and Gone Girl didn’t receive more nominations. Sunday night will be interesting!
I just hope our man Keaton can come up trumps 🙂 and yeh the less love for Boyhood the better.
E
I sure hope so! We’ll find out soon enough.
Looking forward to it Bec, I feel like this is one of the more up in the air years compared to recent showings.
E
Very true. I don’t know what to expect!
Reblogged this on Eclectic Pursuits.
Cool picks. Although Birdman looks great it really bothered me the way it treated its women. I’ll be bummed Boyhood doesn’t win because it was the movie that made me think the most about my life. Here are my picks http://54disneyreviews.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/my-oscar-predictions/
I think boyhood has a great chance of some major awards.
E
Hope so. It’s my favorite
I really think Nightcrawler as a whole was shafted. As was A Most Violent Year. And I cannot believe David Oyelowo missed out on a best actor nomination. I think I can live with any of the nominees winning any of the categories as long as American Sniper wins nothing because it was hooooooooooooooorrible. And Meryl Streep… honestly all she did was spin around and shriek!
Can’t wait to see A Most Violent Year, Chandor is a great director. Haha so glad you agree on Meryl, she has actually become truely annoying.
E
‘Nightcrawler’ and ‘A Most Violent Year’ were totally shunned! Poor form Academy!!
‘A Most Violent Year,’ has sadly been overlooked, caught it at a media screening last week, loved it! I haven’t picked my winners as yet, but I think this year it’s tricky, could easily go to any film! We’ll see on Monday I guess :p
It’s strange Year didn’t get more love, perhaps it wasn’t campaigned hard enough.
E
Interesting predictions. I am rooting for the Imitation Game and Ida particularly.
I think Game might almost be shunned completey, maybe a chance in,screenplay.
E
Especially with the Boyhood and the Bird Man but a hope is a hope.
I would give best picture to Only Lovers Left Alive but I’m just weird.
Very interesting reading here. For me the two biggest ‘snubs’ were The Babadook (my favourite film of 2014) and Nightcrawler (my second favourite film of 2014), though unlike you guys I really liked Boyhood and would rather it win in Best Picture over Birdman (because I know that Whiplash, while it deserves better, will likely be overlooked).
One gripe I have with this post though: I think your definition of what a ‘dark horse’ is may be a little off. Usually a dark horse is something that could win which people won’t see coming. Saying Birdman is a dark horse in the Best Picture category, for example, isn’t really applicable because it is the outright favourite anyway. For me Best Picture is a straight fight between Birdman and Boyhood, though I’d put Whiplash as a dark horse – as a win that most people wouldn’t see coming.
You can read what my overview here: https://oneofthem1s.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/film-awards-season
Nightcrawler was a massive snub no doubt and I know both of us wish we could of enjoyed the Babadook more than what many others seem to have.
I would not be overly surprised to see Whiplash win, I think it has more of a chance than as you say people see coming as a heap of people loved it.
E
well, you guys were more right than I was in my predictions–so congrats! i just didn’t like birdman at all, and was very surprised to see it do so well, although i shouldn’t be surprised because hollywood loves moves about hollywood. agree with the streep thing, too. i didn’t think she did even a passable job in into the woods. great post guys. thanks.
Cheers Jamie! I would suggest it was one of my worst years predicting but I was quite happy to see the love shared. I have sadly not yet seen Birdman but agree that Hollywood loves movies about itself, just see the awful the Artist ha.
E
I don’t know anything about Meryl Streep, but I hate her more and more each year because she gets nominated no matter what she’s in.
Oh man – she could not even be in a movie one year and they would find a way to nominate her.
E