Oscars Predictions

Today is officially one of my five favorite days of the year. It's the OSCARS. Being a huge movie buff, this is basically my Christmas (especially since I'm Jewish ;)). I love the glitz and the glamour of it all. I also love the awkwardness that comes with award shows. Though the Oscars are usually the least awkward of the bunch.

For me, this year is a big year. This is the first year I have actually watched all of the Best Picture nominees and then some. I am way more educated than I have ever been. There are only two movies I haven't seen that have substantial nominations: Blue Jasmine & August: Osage County. While I am sure both are fantastic films, I just never found the time, sadly. But I will soon!

I will be live tweeting the telecast (follow me: @rach_friedman8) and I will be back tomorrow with all my opinions on who won, who/what everyone was wearing, and my favorite moments!

Below are my predictions (and opinions) for the 86th Annual Academy Awards!

Visual Effects

Gravity - Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk & Neil Corbould

Sound Mixing

Gravity - Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead & Chris Munro

Sound Editing

Gravity - Glenn Freemantle

Film Editing

Captain Phillips - Christopher Rouse

Production Design

Great Gatsby - Catherine Martin; Beverly Dunn

Makeup

Dallas Buyers Club - Adruitha Lee and Robin Matthews

Costume Design

The Great Gatsby - Catherine Martin

Cinematography

Gravity - Emmanuel Lubezki

Short Film (Animated)

Get A Horse! - Lauren Macmullen and Dorothy McKim

Short Film (Live Action)

Helium - Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson

Documentary Short

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life - Malcolm Clark & Nicholas Reed

Documentary Feature

20 Feet From Stardom

Foreign Language Film

The Hunt - Denmark

Animated Feature Film

Frozen - Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee & Peter Del Vecho

Music (Original Score)

Gravity - Steven Price

Music (Original Song)

Let It Go - Frozen; Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

12 Years A Slave - John Ridley

Philomena - Steve Coogan & Jeff Pope.

**Both of these stories were remarkable in their own way and are equally deserving. I would be content with either. Though, I do think it will go to 12 Years A Slave.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Her - Spike Jonze

Nebraska - Bob Nelson.

**Her was a beautiful and heartbreaking story, as was Nebraska. I personally loved they ending for Nebraska, but I am crossing fingers for either.

Actress In A Supporting Role

June Squibb - Nebraska

Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle

Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years A Slave

**I honestly can't make a decision to save my life in this category. For Jennifer Lawrence, her parts are the only parts I really remember from American Hustle; she was pretty fantastic. Now for June Squibb, she just tickled me pink with her work in Nebraska. She was this wonderful comedic relief which was needed and she did it in a way where you were surprised every time certain words came out of her mouth. And as for Lupita Nyong'o, her work in 12 Years A Slave was great and I do adore her as a person; I know she is the front runner, but I don't get the type 100%.

Actor In A Supporting Role

Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

Jonah Hill - The Wolf of Wall Street

**I think by now we all know Leto is going to take home the statue and it is rightfully deserved. He was quite good especially since the rest of the nominees in this category weren't anything mesmerizing. Though, truthfully, I am rooting for Hill. I have a soft spot for him and I think he brought such life to his character in Wolf of Wall Street and certainly stood his own next to DiCaprio.

Actress In A Leading Role

Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine

Judi Dench - Philomena

**Truthfully, I haven't seen Blue Jasmine. Which is weird because I am a huge Woody Allen fan, but I just never got around to it. But she has been sweeping this category all season, so all signs are pointing to her. But from the films I have seen, I'm rooting for Judi Dench. Her performance in Philomena was phenomenal. She brought so much light to what could've been such a dark, sad story.

Actor In A Leading Role

Bruce Dern - Nebraska

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street

Tom Hanks - Captain Phillips

**Yes, I know Tom  Hanks wasn't really nominated. But I thought he should be, he should have been nominated instead of Christian Bale. Though I know Matthew McConaughey will most likely win for Dallas Buyers Club, since he has been the front runner all season, I don't really get all the hype. He was great, but he wasn't that great. If I'm being honest, I am 100% on #teamLeo. I saw The Wolf of Wall Street back in December and I am STILL raving about it. I just can't get over his performance. I mean the step scene? Those three minutes alone sold me on him winning. But there is also Bruce Dern. What he did with his character in Nebraska was.. I don't even have words, and barely did his character... But for playing somewhat of a grinch he was just so lovable. And that is hard to do, but he did it flawlessly.

Directing

Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity

Best Picture

I genuinely DO. NOT. KNOW.

I'm pretty sure 12 Years A Slave will take home the big prize, but I think I'm rooting for Philomena or Her or Nebrasaka. Ugh, I just don't know. Majority of the films all hold a special place in my heart and all for different reasons, but mostly because of the individual performances.

I don't think I will know who I want until they announce it and we can judge by my reaction.