Oscar 2014: Preview,Predictions, Preferences and Snubs.
2013 has been one of the toughest years for movie critics. It can
also be called a biographical year. Six of the nine films nominated for best
picture this year are based or inspired by true events in varying degrees.
Several of the Award season favourites which did not make the cut for the
nominations were based on true events. There is a common misunderstanding among
audiences that a feature film based on an event is often true from the first
frame to the last. But after all the movies one sees of the year gone by,
you realise that it is not so. The director/writer often make changes to
better suit a narrative or make the movie entertaining. You often want a
tragic/happy event to follow which may not necessarily be the case in real
life. If one wants to see the mirrored truth onscreen, documentaries will still
be your best bet. But the biographical films this year need to be appreciated
because they make us aware about the instances in a person/communities
life.Here is my preview for the upcoming Oscar Ceremony on March 2nd.
Best Actor in a Leading role
This year's best actor award is not going to be about the best
performance of the year,but more about the paying of dues. The front-runner so
far-Matthew McConaughey seems to be jovial and expecting his first Oscar win.I
had previously stated that sometimes challenging roles which are done right
need to be awarded. The role of a HIV patient who fights for his life has
always been looked on generously by the Academy though Tom Hanks in
Philadelphia still remains a class apart for me.But my preference is going to
be for Leonardo DiCaprio.I feel if he is not awarded this year, the Academy
runs the risk of creating another Peter O' Toole. This is not to ignore the
fact that in Wolf Of Wall Street he goes all in, more than any of his previous
performances.
My Preferences:1) Leonardo DiCaprio
2)Chiwetel Ejiofor
3)Christian Bale
Who Will Win: Matthew McConaughey
Shocking Snubs: The Oscars are not about who wins. With a
year full of so many good films and performances, it is also about giving
recognition through nominations. Joaquin Phoenix (Her),Tom Hanks (Captain
Philips) and according to many critics-Robert Redford (All is Lost) (I
haven't seen the movie so can't comment) have been ignored by the Academy.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
A year where Meryl Streep is nominated, competition is a word
which means nothing. However, despite her extraordinarily "Meryl"
performance this year, there were few which seem to deserve more. Besides,
Legends can rarely be honoured with only awards. Cate Blanchett seems to be
running clearly unopposed for her honest and staggeringly brutal performance in
Blue Jasmine.
My Preferences:1) Cate Blanchett
2)Sandra Bullock
Who Will Win: Cate Blanchett
Snubs: There was a lot said about the snub given
to Emma Thompson for "Saving Mr Banks". But the performance which I
feel should have atleast gained a nomination was Brie Larson in "Short
Term 12". I found her as effective as Cate.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
The supporting role and lead role male have a similar trend. Jared
Leto's performance in Dallas Buyers Club seems to be running as a clear
favourite. It was again a role like McCounaghey's which required effort and
overcoming challenges. But I am a vicious Michael Fassbender fan. I still
believe that his performance in Shame was worthy of a nomination in 2011. In 12
Years A Slave, his role of a merciless slave owner conflicted in his obsession
for a woman was terrifying and honest to watch.
My Preferences: 1) Michael Fassbender
2)Jared Leto
3)Barkhad Abdi
4)Jonah Hill
Who Will Win: Jared Leto
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
2012-13 has been a golden run for Jennifer Lawrence. She has
quickly established herself as a performer above all. I thoroughly enjoyed her
short but memorable performance in American Hustle. But all the nominees in
this list pale in comparison to Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave. Her
performance and reactions haunt you.
My Preferences:1)Lupita Nyong'o
2)Julia Roberts
3) June Squib
Who Will Win: Too close to call.
Best Film in a Foreign Language
Of the nominated films in this category, I have only been able to
see The Hunt and The Great Beauty. The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) is art film of the year for
me. The scale and the narration are unlike any other I have ever seen. It is
sure to be the favourite to win this category.
Best Director
A tough category to pick and choose, with legends and future
legends in the mix. Alfonso Cuaron has been the front runner for the
inexplicable experience of Gravity. I prefer Steve McQueen for his unafraid,
artistic style of directing. 12 Years A Slave has the desired impact simply
because of this visionary artist. If 12 Years is not awarded best film, there is a
high chance of Steve picking up the Oscar as per the tradition of the Academy.
My Preferences:1) Steve Mcqueen
2) Alfonso Cuaron
3) Martin Scorsese
Who Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron
Best Picture
1)American Hustle: David O Russell's smart and funny take on
con jobs with a highly adept cast provides a thrilling ride, adding yet another
feather to the director's illustrious cap. Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence
are a must see.
2) Captain Philips: Paul Greengrass's Captain Philips is a
reminder on why Tom Hanks is a great actor. A fast paced action thriller based
on a true event makes for an unlikely Oscar favourite. But Tom Hanks carries
the film through with a terrific supporting cast. His performance in the last 5
minutes of the film will always stay with you.
3)Dallas Buyers Club: Dallas Buyers Club talks about the early
days of the AIDS epidemic and how one man who is diagnosed with HIV and given
30 days to live goes on to live for 7 more years. Matthew McConaughey and Jared
Leto as we have never seen them before, deliver their finest work till date.
4)Gravity: One of the best cinematic experience of
the past decade gives a bold statement on why watching movies in a theater is
still the best option even in the age of Netflix and On-Demand service. Alfonso
Cuaron creates a cinematic experience which will transport you to Space. Sandra
Bullock gives a mesmerizing performance without ever just letting the effects
and cinematography take all the credit for the film.
5)Her: Spike Jonze's Her talks about something so
real that it could have misfired if not for his steady direction and amazing
script. Jonze offers us a glimpse of our technology dependent future involving
human emotions. Joaquin Phoenix blends into his character to give a true portrayal
of love and loneliness in our time.
6) Nebraska: Nebraska offers us a look into the life
and trials of an old man as he looks for redemption for his mistakes and
regrets alongwith his son. Alexander Payne provides a witty and humorous take
on old age and the bond parents share with their children with a strong
performance by Bruce Dern.
7)Philomena: Steve Coogan (writer and actor) offers us
an effective dramedy with thespian Judi Dench in another film dealing with the
true story of an old woman seeking to find her child ,taken away from her when
she was a teenager. Philomena is both-funny and heartbreaking.
8)12 Years A Slave: Based on the true story of a free man who
was forced into slavery in America,12 Years offers an insight into one of the
darkest periods of human history. McQueen is unabashed in his portrayal of the
exploitation and injustice which was prevalent in America. A strong cast lead
by a harrowing performance by Chiwetel delves into the human shame to ask the
question-How could mankind ever live like this?
9) The Wolf Of Wall Street: Martin Scorsese's Wolf offers a comic take
at the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort. Made with an uncompromising fervour
with few things too extreme for few viewers, Scorsese wants us to laugh at the
characters as well as ourselves in the eternal pursuit of greed. Leonardo
DiCaprio and Jonah Hill give a full throttled performance in this joyride of a movie.
This movie is for the ages like all of Scorsese's movies.
My Preference: I think American Hustle is this year's
Argo. It is fictional yet based on a true event so it escapes any scathing
criticism and is a comedy which rarely offends anyone. I was satisfied with the
movie but it was not the best comedy of the year neither the best con movie. To
remain politically correct, the Academy may choose it. My preference is for 12
Years A Slave. Powerful visuals alongwith deeply impacting performances make this an instant classic. The question is not whether some of the brutality
shown actually happened. The question is-is it important? As I stated earlier,
movies on true events help us ask our own question to things we might have been
previously unaware of.12 Years A Slave is an important film like Schindler's
List. It needs to be lauded for its flawless execution and spirit based on
something so grotesque.
1) 12 Years A Slave
2) Gravity
Snubs of the Year: As I said previously, there were too many
good films this year for any single award season to give them their proper due.
Fruitvale Station, Short Term 12, Spectacular Now made a deep impact on me. But
one movie which I was really moved by and thought needed recognition was
Prisoners. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal were deserving of nominations in
this well designed thriller alongwith a best picture/director nomination.
Oscars are prestigious. But they don't certify legends. The
audience and the craft does. My preferences may not win. But their performances
are something I will always cherish as a part of me. That is what good cinema
is. It is alien at first and then it's a part of you. Happy Viewing!
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