As we sit on the precipice of the 86th annual Academy Awards, Culture Shack looks ahead to give you predictions of the top categories. The past year has been a real bumper crop of exceptional films, leading to some really tough decisions to make with my predictions.
Best Picture
Perhaps the category I struggled to predict most, this year’s Best Picture nominees are of an extremely high standard. Nine very different films, both thematically and stylistically, I’m backing 12 Years a Slave to pick up the award.
Best Director
An award which I’d happily see collected by any of it’s nominees, I’ve plumped for Steve McQueen to win for 12 Years a Slave. If found the winner, then McQueen will be the first black recipient of the award.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
In terms of pouring themselves into a role and completely taking on a character, the Academy Award should be given to Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club. Competition is tough for the men this year, with strong performances for very powerful characters from all five actors.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
For sheer performance factor and forcing the viewer to truly believe in and invest in a character, the award in this category should go to Cate Blanchett for her turn as the titular character in Blue Jasmine.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
For this category, I really think there’s only one name worth mentioning; Jared Leto. As Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club, Leto delivers a truly breathtaking, emotional performance.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Having to reign in my inner Jennifer Lawrence fangirl and taking a subjective look at this category is difficult, and a much as I would love Jennifer to win her second Oscar, I think that the deserved winner of the category is Lupita Nyong’o.
Culture Shack 