OSCARS 2014: Final Predictions

Artwork: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Artwork: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Chris Luckett

The biggest night  of the year for movies is almost upon us. It’s the time of year to gather with friends, grab a ballot, and fight to the death over whether you think Leonardo DiCaprio could beat Matthew McConaughey in votes or if American Hustle stands a chance of taking the top award from 12 Years a Slave or Gravity.

If you feel lost as to what to fill in for your Oscar predictions at your office pool or a friend’s Oscar party, don’t fret. Here’s my helpful guide to what to mark down this year for each category.

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OSCARS 2014: A Look at the Screenplay Nominees

Photo: Columbia Pictures

Photo: Columbia Pictures

(This is Part 1 of a five-part series looking at the Oscar nominees in the eight major categories. For Part 2, click here.)

Ten movies’ screenplays are nominated for Academy Awards each year: five original screenplays and five screenplays adapted from another source. This year’s nominees included all nine Best Picture nominees, as well as the third movie in Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, and offer tighter races than in most years. Continue reading

OSCARS 2014: The State of the Race (So Far)

Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Chris Luckett

The 86th Academy Awards are just four weeks away, but it’s often in the last month before the Oscars that the tide can turn and upsets come about. (This time last year, Lincoln was expected to win Best Picture, not Argo. Two years before that, the same thing happened between The Social Network and The King’s Speech.) Much can change between now and March 2. For now, though, here’s how 2014’s Oscar race is shaping up. 

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