If all this Oscar buzz has you feeling more upside-down than Sandra Bullock in “Gravity” — wondering what the difference is between “Philomena” and “Her” — Daily News movie critics Joe Neumaier and Elizabeth Weitzman can help. Here are their picks for Sunday’s Academy Awards.
PICTURE
“American Hustle”
“Captain Phillips”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Gravity”
“Her”
“Nebraska”
“Philomena”
“12 Years a Slave”
“The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “12 Years a Slave”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
Though “Gravity” is a one-of-a-kind movie experience, “12 Years” stands in another realm. A vote-splintering could help “American Hustle” cash in.
EW:
Will Win: “12 Years a Slave"
Should Win: “12 Years a Slave"
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
Every other contender — including a certain, astronomically successful front-runner — lacks the gravitas of “12 Years a Slave.” And the Academy has made some wise choices where it counts in recent years.
ACTOR
Christian Bale, “American Hustle”
Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
JN:
Will Win: McConaughey
Should Win: Ejiofor
Long Shot: DiCaprio
While McConaughey has the juice, Ejiofor brings depth and deliverance. DiCaprio is the real wolf in sheep’s clothing: Will Oscar voters finally get past his looks and see how good he is is?
EW: Will Win: McConaughey
Should Win: McConaughey
Long Shot: Ejiofor
McConaughey’s professional transformation hit its peak with his outstanding performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.” But no one could argue a win for Ejiofor’s wrenching turn.
ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “American Hustle”
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Sandra Bullock, “Gravity”
Judi Dench, “Philomena”
Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County”
JN:
Will Win: Blanchett
Should Win: Adams
Long Shot: Bullock
Blanchett has had this sewn up for months — but if there’s an upset, it’s Adams winning her first Oscar. As for Bullock, she’s the weight in “Gravity,” though she recently won for “The Blind Side.”
EW:
Will Win: Blanchett
Should Win: Bullock
Long Shot: Adams
If you’re betting in your office pool, put all your money on Blanchett. However, few actresses get the chance to carry a major blockbuster. Hopefully, Bullock has opened the door for more.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”
Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”
Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”
Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
JN:
Will Win: Leto
Should Win: Leto
Long Shot: Cooper
Out of nowhere, Leto gave a stunningly heartfelt turn in “DBC.” Fassbender could be a factor, but any competition will come from Cooper, an audience-friendly guy giving a crowd-pleasing turn.
EW:
Will Win: Leto
Should Win: Cooper
Long Shot: Abdi
Along with the Best Actress award, this is the night’s surest thing: Leto will almost certainly go home a winner. But Cooper rocked that perm like a pro.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”
Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”
Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”
Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”
June Squibb, “Nebraska”
JN:
Will Win: Nyong’o
Should Win: Nyong’o
Long Shot: Lawrence
The intensity Nyong’o brings to several crucial scenes in “12 Years” is undeniable. The only possible spoiler is the sexy Lawrence, the Hollywood darling who can seemingly do no wrong.
EW:
Will Win: Nyong’o
Should Win: Nyong’o
Long Shot: Lawrence
No one had heard of Nyong’o before she embodied both personal and historical heartbreak in her feature debut. Now it’s hard to imagine anyone else earning this award.
DIRECTOR
David O. Russell, “American Hustle”
Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity”
Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”
Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”
Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: Cuarón
Should Win: Russell
Long Shot: McQueen
Though Cuarón will win for making “Gravity” soar, McQueen’s guidance through America’s shame was extraordinary. However, the juicy talent here is Russell, for keeping several (screw)balls in the air at once.
EW:
Will Win: Cuarón
Should Win: McQueen
Long Shot: Russell
Cuarón gave audiences the sort of oversized cinematic experience that’s almost impossible to find today. Yet McQueen tackled an enormous subject with artistry and full-hearted intimacy, and Russell did make the year’s most captivating caper.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Broken Circle Breakdown”(Belgium)
“The Great Beauty”(Italy)
“The Hunt”(Denmark)
“The Missing Picture”(Cambodia)
“Omar”(Palestine)
JN:
Will Win: “The Great Beauty”
Should Win: “The Hunt”
Long Shot: “Omar”
“Beauty” has elegiac elegance, but this category often rewards audaciousness, making “Omar” the beneficiary.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Beauty”
Should Win: “The Great Beauty”
Long Shot: “The Broken Circle Breakdown”
The Fellini esque “Great Beauty” is a perfectly titled rush of arthouse pleasures. But “Breakdown” has many fans.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, “American Hustle”
Woody Allen, “Blue Jasmine”
Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Spike Jonze, “Her”
Bob Nelson, “Nebraska”
JN:
Will Win: “Her”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “Nebraska”
The richness of Jonze’ s screenplay makes “Her” one of the year’s true joys. The “Nebraska” script could amble in out of left field.
EW:
Will Win: “American Hustle”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “Nebraska”
“Hustle” is the most accessible option in this category. But “Her” is both the best and the most original.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, “Before Midnight”
Billy Ray, “Captain Phillips”
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, “Philomena”
John Ridley, “12 Years a Slave”
Terence Winter, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: “12 Years”
Should Win: “Before Midnight”
Long Shot: “Wolf”
The structure Ridley creates in the amazing “12 Years” makes him the front-runner. Winter’s wild-boy-gone-worse “Wolf” tale is the distant challenger.
EW:
Will Win: “12 Years”
Should Win: “12 Years”
Long Shot: “Before Midnight”
Should the Academy overlook “12 Years” elsewhere, surely they will honor it here.
ANIMATED FEATURE
“The Croods”
“Despicable Me 2”
“Ernest & Celestine”
“Frozen”
“The Wind Rises”
JN:
Will Win: “Frozen”
Should win: “Frozen”
Long Shot: “Ernest & Celestine”
Disney’s biggest animated hit ever will ice the competition.
EW:
Will Win: “Frozen”
Should Win: “Frozen”
Long Shot: “The Wind Rises”
As anyone with a young kid knows, “Frozen” has taken over the universe.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“The Grandmaster”
“Gravity”
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Nebraska”
“Prisoners”
JN:
Will Win: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Should win: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Long Shot: “Gravity”
The Coen brothers’ “Davis” brought 1961 New York to life. “Gravity” makes wondrous use of FX light and shadow, though, and may be a technical win.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Gravity” is set to win of course. But it would be so nice to see “Inside Llewyn Davis” go home with something.
EDITING
“American Hustle”
“Captain Phillips”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Gravity”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “Captain Phillips”
Should Win; “Captain Phillips”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
The nailbiting atmosphere to Paul Greengrass’ piracy drama owed much to its taut editing. Look for it to steal this category.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
“Gravity” — but careful editing played a big part in the ever-increasing tension of “Phillips.”
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“American Hustle”
“Gravity”
“The Great Gatsby”
“Her”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “12 Years ”
The look of “Gravity” made us feel every inch of space, and the claustrophobia of a wounded spacecraft. The historical accuracy of “12 Years” has the outside edge.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “12 Years”
Long Shot: “Gravity”
“Gatsby” sure looked grand. Though “12 Years a Slave” brought us into another era with meticulous detail.
COSTUMES
“American Hustle”
“The Grandmaster”
“The Great Gatsby”
“The Invisible Woman”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “The Grandmaster”
Should Win: “The Grandmaster”
Long Shot: “The Great Gatsby”
A generally uninspired roster finds the exotic designs of the kung fu drama getting a toehold.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”"
The fops and flappers in “Gatsby” were divine. But in “Hustle,” those wide lapels and low-cut necklines were such an integral part of the film.
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”
“The Lone Ranger”
JN:
Will Win: “Bad Grandpa”
Should Win: “Bad Grandpa”
Long Shot: “Dallas Buyers Club”
What an odd combo of nominees this is. But Johnny Knoxville sure as heck looked like a real old man. Why nominate Johnny Depp for the war paint and bird?
EW:
Will Win: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Should Win: “Dallas Buyers Club ”
Long Shot: “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”
Well, we did almost believe Johnny Knoxville was 86-year-old grandpa Irving Zisman.
ORIGINAL SONG
“Happy” from “Despicable Me 2”
“Let It Go” from “Frozen”
“The Moon Song” from “Her”
“Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
JN:
Will Win: “Let It Go”
Should win: “Let It Go”
Long shot: “Ordinary Love”
“Ordinary Love,” U2’s ballad to peace, is terrific. But “Let It Go” became an immediate, eminently listenable anthem.
EW:
Will Win: “Let It Go”
Should Win: “The Moon Song"
Long Shot: “Ordinary Love”
Again, if any Academy members have young children, they’ve heard “Let It Go” on repeat for months. Though Karen O’s unexpectedly delicate “Moon Song” suited “Her” perfectly.
ORIGINAL SCORE
“The Book Thief” John Williams
“Gravity” Steven Price
“Her” William Butler and Owen Pallett
“Philomena” Alexandre Desplat
“Saving Mr. Banks” Thomas Newman
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Saving Mr. Banks”
Price’s work elevated us and got our hearts beating. The wild card here is Newman, a master of minimalism, playing off our cultural memory of “Mary Poppins” for “Banks.”
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “The Book Thief”
Price has it, but since 1968, Williams has totaled up 49 (!) nominations. Clearly, somebody over there likes him — and, perhaps, his score for “Thief.”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“The Act of Killing”
“Cutie and the Boxer”
“Dirty Wars”
“The Square”
“20 Feet From Stardom”
JN:
Will Win: “The Square”
Should Win: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Long Shot: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Stark reality versus fascinating behind-the-scenes showbiz. The latter is close to the Academy’s heart, but issues often win the day here, and “The Square” covers that.
EW:
Will Win: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Should Win: “The Act of Killing”
Long Shot: “The Square”
“Stardom” is an irresistible crowd pleaser, while “Killing” is a head-spinning chronicle of evil.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“CaveDigger”
“Facing Fear”
“Karama Has No Walls”
“The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life”
“Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall”
JN:
Will Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Should Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Long Shot: “Prison Terminal”
Real life has made “Lady” even more relevant, as the subject — the world’s oldest known Holocaust survivor — recently passed away.
EW:
Will Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Should Win: “CaveDigger”
Long Shot: “Facing Fear”
“Lady” seems a pretty sure bet. But I loved “CaveDigger,” and “Fear” tells an almost literally unbelievable story of redemption.
ANIMATED SHORT
“Feral”
“Get a Horse!”
“Mr. Hublot”
“Possessions”
“Room on the Broom”
JN:
Will Win: “Get a Horse!”
Should Win: “Get a Horse!”
Long Shot: “Mr. Hublot”
Who can resist the return of Mickey Mouse, in classic form?
EW:
Will Win: “Get a Horse!”
Should Win: “Feral”
Long Shot: “Mr. Hublot”
Surely the Academy will award the old-Hollywood tribute of “Get a Horse!” Yet the visually and thematically striking childhood nightmare “Feral” leaves the biggest impact.
LIVE ACTION SHORT
“Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me)”
“Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)”
“Helium”
“Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?)”
“The Voorman Problem”
JN:
Will Win: “Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?”
Should Win: “Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?”
Long Shot: “Helium”
A couple lives their life as a mess, in tandem. We all can relate.
EW:
Will Win: “The Voorman Problem”
Should Win: “ Aquel No Era Yo”
Long Shot: “Helium”
“Voorman” has the advantage of familiar faces (Martin Freeman, Tom Hollander) and an easy twist ending. But “Helium” works hard to tug heartstrings.
SOUND EDITING
“All Is Lost”
“Captain Phillips”
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Lone Survivor”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “All Is Lost”
Long Shot: “Lon e Survivor”
“Gravity” has tech cred. But the ricocheting war zone of “Lone Survivor” may have perked up Oscar’s ears.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “All Is Lost”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
“Gravity” will take this. But the sadly overlooked “All Is Lost,” featuring Robert Redford as a man lost at sea — in which every creak and rumble has immense meaning — deserves it.
SOUND MIXING
“Captain Phillips”
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Lone Survivor”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
Every echo and breath registered in “Gravity.” The same could be said of “Phillips,” with gunshots and bombast added. Tight, but the space drama wins.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Lone Survivor”
“Gravity” it is, but “Survivor” did memorably capture the horrific silences and shatterings of war.
VISUAL EFFECTS
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Iron Man 3”
“The Lone Ranger”
“Star Trek Into Darkness”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: None
This is “Gravity” all the way.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
We know what’ll win. If the Academy wants an alternative, “The Hobbit” is the only movie that had Orcs. And a dragon.
PICTURE
“American Hustle”
“Captain Phillips”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Gravity”
“Her”
“Nebraska”
“Philomena”
“12 Years a Slave”
“The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “12 Years a Slave”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
Though “Gravity” is a one-of-a-kind movie experience, “12 Years” stands in another realm. A vote-splintering could help “American Hustle” cash in.
EW:
Will Win: “12 Years a Slave"
Should Win: “12 Years a Slave"
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
Every other contender — including a certain, astronomically successful front-runner — lacks the gravitas of “12 Years a Slave.” And the Academy has made some wise choices where it counts in recent years.
ACTOR
Christian Bale, “American Hustle”
Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
JN:
Will Win: McConaughey
Should Win: Ejiofor
Long Shot: DiCaprio
While McConaughey has the juice, Ejiofor brings depth and deliverance. DiCaprio is the real wolf in sheep’s clothing: Will Oscar voters finally get past his looks and see how good he is is?
EW: Will Win: McConaughey
Should Win: McConaughey
Long Shot: Ejiofor
McConaughey’s professional transformation hit its peak with his outstanding performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.” But no one could argue a win for Ejiofor’s wrenching turn.
ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “American Hustle”
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Sandra Bullock, “Gravity”
Judi Dench, “Philomena”
Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County”
JN:
Will Win: Blanchett
Should Win: Adams
Long Shot: Bullock
Blanchett has had this sewn up for months — but if there’s an upset, it’s Adams winning her first Oscar. As for Bullock, she’s the weight in “Gravity,” though she recently won for “The Blind Side.”
EW:
Will Win: Blanchett
Should Win: Bullock
Long Shot: Adams
If you’re betting in your office pool, put all your money on Blanchett. However, few actresses get the chance to carry a major blockbuster. Hopefully, Bullock has opened the door for more.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips”
Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle”
Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”
Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
JN:
Will Win: Leto
Should Win: Leto
Long Shot: Cooper
Out of nowhere, Leto gave a stunningly heartfelt turn in “DBC.” Fassbender could be a factor, but any competition will come from Cooper, an audience-friendly guy giving a crowd-pleasing turn.
EW:
Will Win: Leto
Should Win: Cooper
Long Shot: Abdi
Along with the Best Actress award, this is the night’s surest thing: Leto will almost certainly go home a winner. But Cooper rocked that perm like a pro.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”
Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”
Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”
Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County”
June Squibb, “Nebraska”
JN:
Will Win: Nyong’o
Should Win: Nyong’o
Long Shot: Lawrence
The intensity Nyong’o brings to several crucial scenes in “12 Years” is undeniable. The only possible spoiler is the sexy Lawrence, the Hollywood darling who can seemingly do no wrong.
EW:
Will Win: Nyong’o
Should Win: Nyong’o
Long Shot: Lawrence
No one had heard of Nyong’o before she embodied both personal and historical heartbreak in her feature debut. Now it’s hard to imagine anyone else earning this award.
DIRECTOR
David O. Russell, “American Hustle”
Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity”
Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”
Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”
Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: Cuarón
Should Win: Russell
Long Shot: McQueen
Though Cuarón will win for making “Gravity” soar, McQueen’s guidance through America’s shame was extraordinary. However, the juicy talent here is Russell, for keeping several (screw)balls in the air at once.
EW:
Will Win: Cuarón
Should Win: McQueen
Long Shot: Russell
Cuarón gave audiences the sort of oversized cinematic experience that’s almost impossible to find today. Yet McQueen tackled an enormous subject with artistry and full-hearted intimacy, and Russell did make the year’s most captivating caper.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Broken Circle Breakdown”(Belgium)
“The Great Beauty”(Italy)
“The Hunt”(Denmark)
“The Missing Picture”(Cambodia)
“Omar”(Palestine)
JN:
Will Win: “The Great Beauty”
Should Win: “The Hunt”
Long Shot: “Omar”
“Beauty” has elegiac elegance, but this category often rewards audaciousness, making “Omar” the beneficiary.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Beauty”
Should Win: “The Great Beauty”
Long Shot: “The Broken Circle Breakdown”
The Fellini esque “Great Beauty” is a perfectly titled rush of arthouse pleasures. But “Breakdown” has many fans.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, “American Hustle”
Woody Allen, “Blue Jasmine”
Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Spike Jonze, “Her”
Bob Nelson, “Nebraska”
JN:
Will Win: “Her”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “Nebraska”
The richness of Jonze’ s screenplay makes “Her” one of the year’s true joys. The “Nebraska” script could amble in out of left field.
EW:
Will Win: “American Hustle”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “Nebraska”
“Hustle” is the most accessible option in this category. But “Her” is both the best and the most original.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, “Before Midnight”
Billy Ray, “Captain Phillips”
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, “Philomena”
John Ridley, “12 Years a Slave”
Terence Winter, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
JN:
Will Win: “12 Years”
Should Win: “Before Midnight”
Long Shot: “Wolf”
The structure Ridley creates in the amazing “12 Years” makes him the front-runner. Winter’s wild-boy-gone-worse “Wolf” tale is the distant challenger.
EW:
Will Win: “12 Years”
Should Win: “12 Years”
Long Shot: “Before Midnight”
Should the Academy overlook “12 Years” elsewhere, surely they will honor it here.
ANIMATED FEATURE
“The Croods”
“Despicable Me 2”
“Ernest & Celestine”
“Frozen”
“The Wind Rises”
JN:
Will Win: “Frozen”
Should win: “Frozen”
Long Shot: “Ernest & Celestine”
Disney’s biggest animated hit ever will ice the competition.
EW:
Will Win: “Frozen”
Should Win: “Frozen”
Long Shot: “The Wind Rises”
As anyone with a young kid knows, “Frozen” has taken over the universe.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“The Grandmaster”
“Gravity”
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Nebraska”
“Prisoners”
JN:
Will Win: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Should win: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Long Shot: “Gravity”
The Coen brothers’ “Davis” brought 1961 New York to life. “Gravity” makes wondrous use of FX light and shadow, though, and may be a technical win.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Gravity” is set to win of course. But it would be so nice to see “Inside Llewyn Davis” go home with something.
EDITING
“American Hustle”
“Captain Phillips”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Gravity”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “Captain Phillips”
Should Win; “Captain Phillips”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”
The nailbiting atmosphere to Paul Greengrass’ piracy drama owed much to its taut editing. Look for it to steal this category.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
“Gravity” — but careful editing played a big part in the ever-increasing tension of “Phillips.”
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“American Hustle”
“Gravity”
“The Great Gatsby”
“Her”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “12 Years ”
The look of “Gravity” made us feel every inch of space, and the claustrophobia of a wounded spacecraft. The historical accuracy of “12 Years” has the outside edge.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “12 Years”
Long Shot: “Gravity”
“Gatsby” sure looked grand. Though “12 Years a Slave” brought us into another era with meticulous detail.
COSTUMES
“American Hustle”
“The Grandmaster”
“The Great Gatsby”
“The Invisible Woman”
“12 Years a Slave”
JN:
Will Win: “The Grandmaster”
Should Win: “The Grandmaster”
Long Shot: “The Great Gatsby”
A generally uninspired roster finds the exotic designs of the kung fu drama getting a toehold.
EW:
Will Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Should Win: “The Great Gatsby”
Long Shot: “American Hustle”"
The fops and flappers in “Gatsby” were divine. But in “Hustle,” those wide lapels and low-cut necklines were such an integral part of the film.
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”
“The Lone Ranger”
JN:
Will Win: “Bad Grandpa”
Should Win: “Bad Grandpa”
Long Shot: “Dallas Buyers Club”
What an odd combo of nominees this is. But Johnny Knoxville sure as heck looked like a real old man. Why nominate Johnny Depp for the war paint and bird?
EW:
Will Win: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Should Win: “Dallas Buyers Club ”
Long Shot: “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”
Well, we did almost believe Johnny Knoxville was 86-year-old grandpa Irving Zisman.
ORIGINAL SONG
“Happy” from “Despicable Me 2”
“Let It Go” from “Frozen”
“The Moon Song” from “Her”
“Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
JN:
Will Win: “Let It Go”
Should win: “Let It Go”
Long shot: “Ordinary Love”
“Ordinary Love,” U2’s ballad to peace, is terrific. But “Let It Go” became an immediate, eminently listenable anthem.
EW:
Will Win: “Let It Go”
Should Win: “The Moon Song"
Long Shot: “Ordinary Love”
Again, if any Academy members have young children, they’ve heard “Let It Go” on repeat for months. Though Karen O’s unexpectedly delicate “Moon Song” suited “Her” perfectly.
ORIGINAL SCORE
“The Book Thief” John Williams
“Gravity” Steven Price
“Her” William Butler and Owen Pallett
“Philomena” Alexandre Desplat
“Saving Mr. Banks” Thomas Newman
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Saving Mr. Banks”
Price’s work elevated us and got our hearts beating. The wild card here is Newman, a master of minimalism, playing off our cultural memory of “Mary Poppins” for “Banks.”
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Her”
Long Shot: “The Book Thief”
Price has it, but since 1968, Williams has totaled up 49 (!) nominations. Clearly, somebody over there likes him — and, perhaps, his score for “Thief.”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“The Act of Killing”
“Cutie and the Boxer”
“Dirty Wars”
“The Square”
“20 Feet From Stardom”
JN:
Will Win: “The Square”
Should Win: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Long Shot: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Stark reality versus fascinating behind-the-scenes showbiz. The latter is close to the Academy’s heart, but issues often win the day here, and “The Square” covers that.
EW:
Will Win: “20 Feet From Stardom”
Should Win: “The Act of Killing”
Long Shot: “The Square”
“Stardom” is an irresistible crowd pleaser, while “Killing” is a head-spinning chronicle of evil.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“CaveDigger”
“Facing Fear”
“Karama Has No Walls”
“The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life”
“Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall”
JN:
Will Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Should Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Long Shot: “Prison Terminal”
Real life has made “Lady” even more relevant, as the subject — the world’s oldest known Holocaust survivor — recently passed away.
EW:
Will Win: “The Lady in Number 6”
Should Win: “CaveDigger”
Long Shot: “Facing Fear”
“Lady” seems a pretty sure bet. But I loved “CaveDigger,” and “Fear” tells an almost literally unbelievable story of redemption.
ANIMATED SHORT
“Feral”
“Get a Horse!”
“Mr. Hublot”
“Possessions”
“Room on the Broom”
JN:
Will Win: “Get a Horse!”
Should Win: “Get a Horse!”
Long Shot: “Mr. Hublot”
Who can resist the return of Mickey Mouse, in classic form?
EW:
Will Win: “Get a Horse!”
Should Win: “Feral”
Long Shot: “Mr. Hublot”
Surely the Academy will award the old-Hollywood tribute of “Get a Horse!” Yet the visually and thematically striking childhood nightmare “Feral” leaves the biggest impact.
LIVE ACTION SHORT
“Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me)”
“Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)”
“Helium”
“Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?)”
“The Voorman Problem”
JN:
Will Win: “Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?”
Should Win: “Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?”
Long Shot: “Helium”
A couple lives their life as a mess, in tandem. We all can relate.
EW:
Will Win: “The Voorman Problem”
Should Win: “ Aquel No Era Yo”
Long Shot: “Helium”
“Voorman” has the advantage of familiar faces (Martin Freeman, Tom Hollander) and an easy twist ending. But “Helium” works hard to tug heartstrings.
SOUND EDITING
“All Is Lost”
“Captain Phillips”
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Lone Survivor”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “All Is Lost”
Long Shot: “Lon e Survivor”
“Gravity” has tech cred. But the ricocheting war zone of “Lone Survivor” may have perked up Oscar’s ears.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “All Is Lost”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
“Gravity” will take this. But the sadly overlooked “All Is Lost,” featuring Robert Redford as a man lost at sea — in which every creak and rumble has immense meaning — deserves it.
SOUND MIXING
“Captain Phillips”
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Lone Survivor”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Captain Phillips”
Every echo and breath registered in “Gravity.” The same could be said of “Phillips,” with gunshots and bombast added. Tight, but the space drama wins.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “Lone Survivor”
“Gravity” it is, but “Survivor” did memorably capture the horrific silences and shatterings of war.
VISUAL EFFECTS
“Gravity”
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
“Iron Man 3”
“The Lone Ranger”
“Star Trek Into Darkness”
JN:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: None
This is “Gravity” all the way.
EW:
Will Win: “Gravity”
Should Win: “Gravity”
Long Shot: “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
We know what’ll win. If the Academy wants an alternative, “The Hobbit” is the only movie that had Orcs. And a dragon.
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