In no particular order, here are Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday’s picks.
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) Most “blognosticators” consider this one a lock.
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) or maybe Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) or possibly Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) or maybe Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) … or possibly David O. Russell (American Hustle)
Best Picture: she says 12 Years a Slave is the obvious and most-deserving choice…but don’t be surprised if Gravity wins…or American Hustle…or maybe Nebraska could sneak in for a win.
American Hustle and Gravity lead the field with 10 nominations each. Hornaday says Robert Redford should have been nominated for Best Actor and his role in All is Lost. Another favorite of hers this year was the latest from the Coen Brothers. Their film Inside Llewyn Davis was nearly shut out, receiving just two minor nominations (cineamatography and sound mixing). Hornaday also thought Fruitvale Station by first-time director Ryan Coogler and Lee Daniels’ The Butler deserved more consideration. She was however not a big fan of Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. The 86th Annual Academy Awards will be handed out Sunday night…