Well, much of the rest of the 87th annual Academy Awards are devoted to presenting an award and seeing an acceptance speech. The sort of unique performance aspect has been tapped out. And, unlike the Grammys were the awards producers seem not to give a worth about the awards themselves; the Oscars are valued immensely.
First we have Best Original Screenplay going to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his collaborators winning for Birdman. One of three of the remaining awards that I thought would go to Richard Linklater and Boyhood. Now, Inarittu winning the award is interesting. You do have to understand, though; a movie that looks at the movie industry, or in this acting on stage, will garner the awards being presented. This being one of the better movies that look at our celebrity fixation, the awards given out are quite legitimate.
Best Adapted Screenplay went to The Imitation Game: adapted for the screen by Graham Moore. I did not put this movie amongst my best in 2014; yet I was immensely pleased with the movie itself. I of course would have preferred Paul Thomas Anderson to win. Yet, I think Graham Moore made more of a compelling acceptance speech; perhaps the best of the night. I am not sure if Mr. Moore's younger insecurities were due to his orientation or his beliefs; yet I and quite a number of others have been down that road before. I never attempted suicide, though I know the feeling of being different than others. Yet, so be it; you and I are different. So too was Alan Turing. Sadly, Alan Turing ended his life feeling alienated. It should be, and hopefully will be, different this time around.
I also want to point out the interesting choices of Eddie Murphy and Oprah Winfrey in presenting the screenwriting awards. In some respects, it is an ingenious move. Perhaps a way to showcase their importance to film and making up for not winning competitive Oscars. And yes, I think Eddie Murphy deserved to win Best Supporting Actor in Dreamgirls; why the heck did Norbit need to be released weeks before the Oscars in 2006?
This is a bit off; yet I want to discuss Best Actor and Best Actress first.
Best Actor did not go to Steve Carell or Michael Keaton. In somewhat of a surprise, it went to Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything. I have still not seen the movie, though I really should. I will say, though; Mr. Redmayne is a genuinely nice and affable person. He was one of the few elements in Les Miserables that I liked. And Eddie seemed surprised and humbled to win the award. Plus, I think the approval of Stephen and Jane Hawking to have this film be made convinced AMPAS members to vote for this performance.
Best Actress did not go to Marion Cottiald. Though she did win as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. The Oscar went to Julianne Moore in Still Alice. It is another movie I have not seen; though I might soon enough. I like Julianne Moore, and think she is one of our better actresses and amongst the coolest celebrities. I have to wonder if Ms. Moore receiving the Oscar now is to make up for not winning for better movies. This has occurred over the years to people like Al Pacino, James Coburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Stewart, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Sean Connery, Denzel Washington and others . None the less, a win is a win.
Best Director went to Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu regarding Birdman. Again, I thought Richard Linklater would win it; though Innaritu is quite a good choice. A.G.I. is one of our better and more innovative filmmakers; this was a long time coming.
And Best Picture of the Year went to Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and Birdman. By this point, it would have been awkward for Boyhood and Richard Linklater to win only Best Picture. Possibly emphasized when Ben Affleck presented Best Director; an award Mr. Affleck would have received had he been nominated. Also a bit of a tell when Sean Penn presented Best Picture. Mr. Penn teamed up with A.G.I. to make 21 Grams, one of the best films of 2003 and over the last 20 odd years.
I do think, between Birdman winning four Oscars and from last year Alfonso Cuaron winning Best Director regarding Gravity (the film winning another 5 technical Oscars); the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are willing to accept and recognize the New Wave of Mexican Cinema. I would regard the storytelling elements and visual innovations in that form of cinema to be amongst the most important in the current movie culture.
Something else to note: Mr. Innaritu has only made 5 important movies: Amores Parros, 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful and Birdman. Each one of these movies is fantastic. Babel I think is one of the best films in recent memory. I do hope to see where these Oscar wins will lead A.G.I. in future projects. And yes, the same goes for Michael Keaton; who gave a shorter thank you speech when the movie won Best Picture. What is next is anyone's guess; yet a path has been made for better works to come.
Well, that is my look and live blogging for this year's Oscars. I do have other ideas that I would like to make known and to discuss. Maybe these will not take multiple posts, even though I do commit to finish what was started. Because you may want to know what I'm thinking. What indeed is on my mind?
Well thanks to the usage of On Demand software form Verizon, I am now able to give you my continued live blog of what went on during the 87th annual Academy Awards. Mind you, we know what happened already. So this is more an opinion piece than anything else.
Here's what I initially missed while away from my laptop on Sunday night.
Not a time goes by that I think Liam Neeson was robbed of an Oscar in Schindler's List. You see kids, before Neeson became the hard as nails grandfatherly action star; he was quite the great actor.
Adam Levine is practically everywhere. While it is not a bad thing; he may be overexposing himself. I really would hope Maroon 5 would create another pathos led work like Songs About Jane.
So the award for Best Costume Design is being shown.
The winner is not Coleen Atwood. It goes to The Grand Budapest Hotel! I am very pleased with the result.
I was right about The Grand Budapest Hotel winning Best Make-Up and Hair Design. Also well deserved.
About an hour and a half later, we return to where we left off. And it is a rousing Common and John Legend performance of Glory. Brilliant all around. I also am liking the social political concerns being made in the ceremony. Frankly, more people in different fields need to speak up on what concerns them.
Since the songs nominated have been performed, it is now time I think for another performance.
And right we are; 50 years ago, the Robert Wise film The Sound Of Music was completed. I must say, it is nice to see Dame Julie Andrews mentioning her ideas and memories on that time.
I am in awe every time Lady Gaga performs. Every time! Definitely one of the best singers to come out over the last 10 years. And she did not need a TV talent show to do it.
Now we go to Best Original Score. And it looks like Alexandre Desplat does not cancel himself out. He wins for his work in The Grand Budapest Hotel. I like how Wes Anderson is starting to be treated quite seriously with AMPAS.
Idina Menzel is presenting Best Song. And just to prove there are no hard feelings, here comes John Travolta. He is starting to remind me of Senor Cardgage. I do not know whether to laugh or feel scared.
Anyway, Glory won Best Song. Some important truths were mentioned by Common and John Legend on current human rights needed.
Well, there is going to need to be a part 3. I have quite a bit to say on who won the remaining 6 awards. By the time you and I are reading this; we have known what happened. So, in addition to my continuing running commentary on the ceremony; I will have more to say on these winners.
Kindest Regards,
Robert
PS. By the way, this is whom I am referring to as Senor Cardgage. For anyone that loved Homestar Runner, you will instantly know.
Now let us hope the next Homestar Runner cartoon is shown sooner rather than later.
I must apologize for not getting in my follow up to my Live Blogging the Oscars. Yesterday, I upgraded my cable from Optimum to Verizon. This also included the need to fix the cogs in internet connectivity. Sadly, I had the Academy Awards on DVR. From the older cable box.
The good news is The Oscars are On Demand from Verizon! Thus, perhaps tomorrow, I will live blog the remaining and missed portions of the ceremony and what went on. Of course, this now occurs knowing who won. I will get to my thoughts on the winners in a later post. In the meantime, I found some interesting analysis from the people at rogerebert.com. Also the same goes for Richard Roeper. These are great sources of information.
So, you will see more of this tomorrow with the continuation of the Live Blog on the Oscars. Just wanted to let you all know.
It is time once again for another live blog. This night, it will be the 87th annual Academy Awards. There will be a number of random thoughts coming to my head throughout the night. And it starts with the pre show at the Red Carpet! Who will appear? Who will be wearing what? Any surprises? Let's find out.
And here we start. Already numerous stars are arriving.
21 cameras?! well, we have to cover everything.
What is the over/under on nominees bringing a parent as their guest? I would say around 6.
I still think Selma needed several more nominations. David Olewoyo, Carmen Ejogo, Ava Duvernay, and even Tim Roth were robbed.
I do not know if Michael Keaton has been at a prior Oscar ceremony. Keaton's night starts here.
Price Waterhouse Coopers have arrived with the ballots.
Just to let it be known: I have not yet seen The Theory Of Everything. However, I know that several reviewers, including Richard Roeper and some at Roger Ebert .com were not too pleased. Again, I have not seen it yet.
I do hope Dakota Johnson will be involved in a movie that might fit my interests. These do not include somewhat erotic sex. She does look good tonight; and I am glad to see Melanie Griffith there too.
Jimmy Kimmel forgot to wear a tuxedo. Will he allowed in?
I should point out I did see The Wedding Ringer. There was some laughs, and a bit of heart. The sex jokes could have been turned down a notch.
Let me also say that I did not yet see Still Alice. I hear Julianne Moore is brilliant, yet the movie itself feels like a Lifetime movie-of-the-week at worst. Fortunately, not one of those abused relationships sort of movies.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris are married? I did not know that. And they have a child together.
Benedict Cumberbatch is wearing the dinner tuxedo. Black tie, white suit.
6000 pearls on Lupita Nyongo's dress. I am impressed.
Reese Witherspoon has made some valid concerns and ideals in her red carpet interview.
This is likely the third time Bang Bang has been used. Serpentine Fire should replace it.
Clint Eastwood has arrived. Emma Stone has arrived with her mother.
Taya Kyle has arrived. A nice and welcoming gesture, given the circumstances.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw look so different than when I remember them. Glad to see they are still together.
I am liking the dress Lady Gaga is wearing. She is quite the good performance artist.
When I think about it; Snowpiercer should have gotten at least one nod. Probably one of the more politically charged movies in recent memory.
Patricia Arquette seems disoriented. I hope she is not conked out or anything.
It's show time, folks!
Here he goes; Neil Patrick Harris is nailing it.
Interesting visual effects going on.
He referenced Clue!
Special appearances abound. Jack Black is making a point here, though.
So he hated Smurfs 2. It was rather bad.
And now, Best Supporting Actor. A nod to Robin Williams.
And it is J.k. Simmons. Well Deserved.
He's getting a standing ovation!
Will Simmons continue the Farmer's Insurance commercials? Why would he not?
It's just a case; nothing more.
Oh darn it; I left the vicinities for a short time and already I feel like I missed something. I do know The Grand Budapest Hotel won an award; possibly Best Make-Up and Hairstyling.
We are now up to Best Foreign Language Film.
The winner is Ida. Highly well deserved.
Do not cue the music for an award recipient. Thank goodness Pawel Pawlikowski is not taking the bait.
Shirley MacLaine is still looking important and regal at her age.
Just call it Birdman.
Why the need to do three at a time for Best Picture retrospectives?
This is awkward.
Tegan and Sara are performing! And so is Andy Samberg! And they are doing the well electronic hyper version.
Damn; Mark Mothersbaugh is performing.
Good performance. It still is not going to win the Oscar. Sorry.
A very good Lego Oscar. And whoever has it gets to keep it.
You know, I liked Bad Words. I wonder why many were indifferent.
And now we have Best Live Action Short Film.
And it goes to The Phone Call. I knew it. Mr. Kirby and Mr. Lucas are in the back rows, though? Not cool.
I am liking their speeches.
We are now onto Best Documentary Short Subject.
The winner is Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1.
I did see the Perry family's documentary on their son Evan. Heart wrenching to say the least.
I can remember when the Governor's Awards were handed out on Oscar night. There were some great tributes then.
Would it have hurt AMPAS to give these honors tonight? Any one of them, in fact?
And they are not there tonight? What gives?
I am not pleased with the camera movements for this Glen Campbell tribute. Tim McGraw sounds a little flat. Though the sentiment is needed.
An interesting Birdman parody is going on.
And now we are going to Best Sound Mixing.
The winner is Whiplash. Okay, I did not entirely expect that.
We now give you Best Sound Editing.
Winning it will be American Sniper. An interesting choice.
Looks like it is time for Best Supporting Actress.
Perhaps Jared Leto is somewhat correct about state law.
The Oscar goes to Patricia Arquette. Well Deserved standing ovation for good measure.
5 second delay. Arquette said the s word.
Good speech there. So true.
I do like Rita Ora. She is quite theatrical.
Diane Warren is wearing quite a good suit.
Now, here is Best Visual Effects.
The winner is Interstellar! Now if only it had gotten more nominations.
We now go to Best Animated Short Film.
The Oscar goes to Feast. Yes; good choice there.
Now we head to Best Animated Film. The younger kids will like this, of any age.
Winning the award is Big Hero 6. Well, I did like the movie. So this is not the worst decision to be made. Falalala:)
Though the words were well needed; there are of course limits to what one can say to achieve a public liking.
We now go to Best Production Design.
The winner is The Grand Budapest Hotel. An impressive win.
Now we are at Best Cinematography.
The Oscar goes to Emanuel Lubezki. For the second straight year. Yet very much deserved.
In memoriam. It is always a bittersweet moment. More so in the past year. I can see Meryl Streep is holding back tears. I can only guess who is remembered last.
And the last one is Mike Nichols.
I am liking this Jennifer Hudson song. Such a great performer.
Now we come to Best Film Editing.
The winner is Whiplash. Okay, but not what I wanted to see.
Is Terrence Howard alright? I would think so, maybe a bit unscripted.
Best Documentary Feature is up next.
The award goes to Laura Poitras and the filmmakers of Citizen Four. I must say; this is a brave move the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are taking.
I feel like they cut off a speech from Glenn Greenwald. If that is the case, I am quite disappointed.
Well, we are of course no where near done with the night. This requires a part two.
At long last, here is the second and more interesting section of this year's Oscar nominees. As well, if I had a ballot or were a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, here is whom I would vote for.
Best Costume Design
Coleen Atwood - Into The Woods
The Grand Budapest Hotel - costumes designed by Milena Canonero
Inherent Vice - costumes designed by Mark Bridges
Maleficent - costumes designed by Anna B. Shepard
Mr. Turner - costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran
Although my preference would be for Canonero or Bridges to receive this award; I must admit it will be very difficult to topple Coleen Atwood. Ms. Atwood, even with a not great yet still well made movie like Into the Woods, has become one of the most important designers in film. This award is Coleen Atwood's for the taking.
Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins - Unbroken
Emmanuel Lubezki - Birdman
The Grand Budapest Hotel - Robert Yeoman, director of photography
Ida - Lukasz Zal & Ryszard Lenziewski, directors of photography
Mr. Turner - Dick Pope, director of photography
Even though Roger Deakins has his 12th nomination, he will not have his first win. The clear winner is Emmanuel Lubezki; having shot and filmed a movie that for the most part seems as if it was shot in one take. I was particularly impressed in the camera movements Birdman had achieved, and thus I think Mr. Lubezki is most deserving to win Best Cinematography.
Best Documentary Feature: the award going to the movie's primary filmmakers
Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy & Dirk Wilutsky - Citizen four
Wim Wenders, Laila Wanick Salgado & David Rosier - The Salt Of The Earth
Finding Vivian Maier - directed by John Maloof & Charlie Siskel
Last Days In Vietnam - directed by Rory Kennedy & Keven Mcalester
Virunga - directed by Orlando von Einseindel & Joanna Natasgera
Wim Wenders is one of the most important and influential filmmakers of our time. Yet he has never won an Oscar. Having seen The Salt Of The Earth a while back; I am hopeful Mr. Wenders will be able to finally receive his Oscar. Perhaps as a way for AMPAS to compensate for not even considering Paris, Texas and Wings Of Desire all those years ago. Citizen four could be an upset, though it is rather doubtful.
Best Song
Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond - I'm Not Gonna Miss You - Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me
Common and John Legend - Glory - Selma
Diane Warren - Grateful - Beyond The Lights
Everything Is Awesome - The Lego Movie - music and lyric by Shawn Patterson
Lost Stars - Begin Again - music and lyric by Gregg Alexander & Danielle Brisebois
This award is going to Common and John Legend, and rightly so. Like many, I am still peeved that Selma only received 2 nominations; and not any for acting, director, or technical achievement. It is cold comfort, yet it is much deserving.
Best Original Score
Alexandre Desplat - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Alexandre Desplat - The Imitation Game
Hans Zimmer - Interstellar
Mr. Turner - music by Gary Yershon
The Theory Of Everything - music by Johan Johansson
I think Alexandre Desplat should be in the vicinity to win an Oscar, particularly with respect to The Grand Budapest Hotel. Yet, Mr. Desplat being nominated twice might be a cancellation of ballots. So, I would not be surprised to see Hans Zimmer win another Oscar for his interesting score for Interstellar. Mr. Zimmer of course is much deserving of acclaim and appraisal.
Best Animated Film: awarded to the primary filmmakers
Dean Deblois & Bonnie Arnold - How To Train Your Dragon 2
Isao Takahata & Yoshiaki Nishmura - The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya
Big Hero 6 - directed by Don Hall, Chris Williams & Roy Conti
The Boxtrolls - directed by Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable & Travis Knight
Song Of The Sea - directed by Tomm Moore & Paul Young
Although I really liked How To Drain Your Dragon 2; I found the Isao Takahata movie The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya to be more interesting once I had gotten a chance to see it. Bear in mind, I am quite a fan of anime and Studio Ghibli anime in particular. Thus this cerebral film is of more qualification to receive this award.
Best Foreign Language Film: awarded to the directors
Pawel Powlikaski - Ida
Abderrahammne Sissako - Timbuktu
Zaza Ushadze - Tangerines
Leviathan - directed by Andrey Zyginiftsev
Wild Tales - directed by Damian Szifron
Having seen recently the Pawel Polwlikakski film Ida; I am certain this will deservedly win Best Foreign Language Film. I also feel it could have contended for many of the leading Oscar categories. Ida was well made and quite moving.
Best Original Screenplay
Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo - Birdman
Richard Linklater - Boyhood
Foxcatcher - screenplay by E. Max Frye & Dan Futterman
Night crawler - screenplay by Dan Gilroy
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his co writers might be able to win this Oscar; considering Birdman went through numerous ideas that would not be found in a conventional movie. I would much more prefer Richard Linklater to receive this Oscar, however. Once again, the uniqueness of Boyhood is quite prevalent for movies in 2014. Wes Anderson may need to wait a bit longer.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson - Inherent Vice - from the Thomas Pynchon novel
Damian Chazelle - Whiplash - from Chazelle's initial short movie
Chris Kyle, Jim DeFelice & Scott McEwen - American Sniper - adapted for the screen by Jason Hall
The Imitation Game - screenplay by Graham Moore from the Andrew Hodges biography Alan Turing: The Enigma
The Theory Of Everything - screenplay by Anthony McCarten from the Jane Wilde Hawking memoir Traveling To Infinity: My Life With Stephen
As odd as it may seem, Paul Thomas Anderson has never won on Oscar. Not for Sydney, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood or The Master. If for adapting Thomas Pynchon to the big screen, Anderson would be deserving to win. Yet, Damian Chazelle did expand upon his student film to detail the hard life of a jazz musician. So I would not be surprised if Chazelle's expansion of Whiplash receives the Oscar. My preference of course would be for Paul Thomas Anderson; clearly one of the best filmmakers alive today.
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall - The Judge
Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
Edward Norton - Birdman
Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash
As remarkable as Hawke, Norton & Ruffalo were in their respective films; J.K. Simmons damn well nailed it in Whiplash. In point of fact, I think this role of Simmons' might be looked at by up and coming filmmakers and actors at how best to, as they say, chew the scenery.
Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette - Boyhood
Laura Dern - Wild
Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game
Emma Stone - Birdman
Meryl Streep - Into The Woods
This is a two person race between Patricia Arquette and Emma Stone. In the end, I believe Ms. Arquette will deservedly receive her Oscar, in a role that while not physically transforming is an evolutionary role in ideas and stature. I was amazed and continue to be awed at Ms. Arquette's talents.
Best Actor
Steve Carell - Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper - American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton - Birdman
Eddie Redmayne - The Theory Of Everything
This is a two person race between Steve Carell and Michael Keaton. I am guessing Mr. Keaton will win an Oscar for basically playing a highly exaggerated version of himself and his Batman character. It is an award which will be much admired by his peers.
Best Actress
Marion Cottiald - Two Days, One Night
Felicity Jones - The Theory Of Everything
Julianne Moore - Still Alice
Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon - Wild
This should, I hope, go to Marion Cottiald. She has become one of the most interesting and versatile presences in film, allowing a movie to be become far more interesting just by being in it. Please do not be alarmed that the movie is in the French language. It is a well made and excellent film in every way possible.
Best Director
Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Birdman
Richard Linklater - Boyhood
Bennett Miller - Foxcatcher
Morten Tyldum - The Imitation Game
Bennett Miller might not win considering Foxcatcher did not receive a best picture nod. That leaves either Anderson, Gonzalez Inarritu, or Linklater. I think and am confident Richard Linklater will receive Best Director. And about damn time too.
Best Picture - awarded to the producers
Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Raines & Jeremy Dawson - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Bradley Cooper, Andrew Lazar & Peter Morgan - American Sniper
Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Lisa Bruce & Anthony McCarten - The Theory Of Everything
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, John Lesher & James W. Skotchdople - Birdman
Richard Linklater & Cathleen Sutherland - Boyhood
Oprah Winfrey, Christian Colson, DeDe Gardner & Jeremy Kleiner - Selma
The Imitation Game - produced by Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky & Teddy Schwartzman
Whiplash - produced by Jason Blum, Helen Easterbrook & David Lancaster
While The Grand Budapest Hotel, Birdman, Selma and Whiplash were amongst the best movies in recent years; there can only be one Oscar winner. And that movie is Boyhood. In a way, Boyhood deserving to and likely winning Best Picture is a career achievement award for Richard Linklater; easily one of the most original and interesting filmmakers of his era. To devote 12 years to tell a story of a young man from grade school to first year at the University of Texas is quite the feat.
Another matter too: when he was alive, Roger Ebert had a series of essays devoted to what he deemed The Great Movies. Were Ebert still alive, I have little doubt this would immediately go into the pantheon of Great Movies. Waking Life was already on there, and it was possible Bernie might have made it too. In short, this is not only of the best movies in recent years; Boyhood may well be amongst the best to be made. Mr. Linklater should now be ranked up there with many of the great filmmakers in bringing this to life. I cannot wait for his next film.
Well, that is whom I hope and believe will and should win Oscars this year. None the less, I do wonder what you might think of these movies and the nominees. If you are able to, please leave a comment on this article; the interactivity would be of interest to many. Do remember to have a Google or G Mail account to have all things be verified.
Talk to you all tomorrow,
Robert
PS. Remember when Maroon 5/Adam Levine were considered edgy? Remember the first time you heard anything off of Songs About Jane?
Do you remember those days? Well, Pepperidge Farm remembers.
I must apologize for not bringing forth the rest of my Oscar predictions for tonight. The laptop needed software to be updated. I did however do something in my next step in becoming more involved with social media. Yes, it is true: I made a photo meme.
And it is taken from a photo of Brian Williams. I do know this is going against the grain in what I might find humorous. However, I thought of something both funny and different to generate this idea. I already posted this on my Facebook account. I thus now share it with others on this blog.
I mentioned before that the only true judges Brian Williams will face is his family. Perhaps with their standing by him, a corner will be turned. That is A corner, not The corner. If it must be done, I will explain the punch line later.
Here are some of the lesser known but equally important categories that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences give Oscars to each year. For myself, if I had a ballot, this is what I think would be the top of my ballot to receive the award.
Best Live Action Short Film:
Aya
Boogaloo & Graham
Butter Lamp
Parvarneh
The Phone Call
Having seen The Phone Call on YouTube a while back; I believe it will and deserves to win the Best Short Film Oscar. It has Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent in the movie. Do take a look if you can.
Best Documentary Short Subject:
Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Joanna
Our Curse
The Reaper
White Earth
I had gotten a chance to see Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 a while back on HBO. It is my hope that this short film can win an Oscar; continuing the sterling efforts HBO has done in their documentary division.
Best Animated Short Film:
The Bigger Picture
The Dam Keeper
Feast
Me & My Moulton
A Single Life
I was amazed at the creativity Feast presented; considering the lack of consistent dialogue and relative brevity. I do believe Feast deserves to win, and will win the Oscar.
Best Sound Editing:
American Sniper
Birdman
The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies
Interstellar
Unbroken
I am hoping Interstellar wins at least one Oscar; as I think it needed to have been nominated for far more awards than was given. I would not be surprised if Birdman wins this category however. It is essentially a two film race.
Best Sound Mixing:
American Sniper
Birdman
Interstellar
Unbroken
Whiplash
The sound mixing on Whiplash was quite unique and was, pun intended, instrumental in making the movie succeed. It should be given the award for sound mixing, though a close second would go to Interstellar. Birdman also has a shot at this. My preference though would be for Whiplash to win this.
Best Production Design:
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Interstellar
Into The Woods
Mr. Turner
The production design in The Grand Budapest Hotel was, I think, crucial for the film to be as interesting as it was . Wes Anderson has a clear visual outlook that I think will deservedly pay off with an Oscar in this category. I should say that Interstellar's production design was not that far behind. I rather liked it. This is also a two film race here.
Best Make-Up and Hair Styling:
Foxcatcher
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Guardians Of The Galaxy
All three choices would be well deserving. And while I would choose Guardians Of The Galaxy amongst the three in this category; I think the Oscar will go to The Grand Budapest Hotel, due in large part to its usage in a non action film where the visual is as important as the human touch.
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
Interstellar should by all means win this award, and I think it just might. None the less, I was impressed with Guardians Of The Galaxy in its character effects becoming as lifelike as could be. Yet, Interstellar blew all others out of the water.
Best Film Editing:
American Sniper
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Whiplash
The amount of editing Sandra Adair had done in assembling Boyhood would be tasking for an amateur. To assemble 12 years of filmmaking into a smooth transition over time without being obvious in the approach is astounding. Boyhood will deservedly win Best Film Editing.
These are the categories that are more on the specialized and technical side of filmmaking. There are still another more individualized 15 categories that people are now and will still be talking about long after the award ceremony takes place. I will have more on the leading awards to be given out in a short time.
One other thing that is off the subject. A baseball player should not be apologizing for entertaining us. We should be apologizing to a baseball player for asking for much and giving little to nothing in return. We ask for our wants in the world of sports, and yet never see the side of those doing the dirty work for us. Are we not entertained?
