This year’s Academy Awards was a testament to the amazing films that were made in 2013 and the best example of that is being able to root for absolutely every film and never feeling bad regardless of the win. Of course there were categories that I was strongly cheering for, like “12 Years A Slave” in Best Picture and “Her” in Best Original Screenplay. With both of those winning, I am completely content with this year’s Oscars. Ellen DeGeneres was an amazing host and I was pleasantly surprised by her comedy work within the crowd of celebrities. The musical performances were also well done, with Idina Menzel giving me goosebumps with her performance of “Let It Go”.
Last year, after completing the Oscar Challenge 100%, I ended up picking 17 out of 24 categories correctly. This year, only the second year of completely the Oscar Challenge 100%, I actually improved, picking 20 out of the 24 correctly. Thinking that “American Hustle” would at least win one award after 10 nominations, I picked it to win Best Costume Design, which Catherine Martin won for “The Great Gatsby” and most deservedly. I also missed Best Live Action Short and Best Animated Short. Lastly, I missed Best Documentary Feature, thinking the more impressive “The Act Of Killing” would win over ordinary documentary “20 Feet From Stardom”. In the end, I feel like every one was well represented, history was made, and the 2013-2014 Oscar Season has come to a close.
Best Picture
“12 Years A Slave”
Best Actor In A Leading Role
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Best Actress In A Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years A Slave”
Best Animated Feature
“Frozen”
Best Cinematography
“Gravity”, Emmanuel Lubeszki
Best Costume Design
“The Great Gatsby”, Catherine Martin
Best Directing
Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”
Best Documentary Feature
“20 Feet From Stardom”
Best Documentary Short
“The Lady In Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Best Film Editing
“Gravity”, Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger
Best Foreign Language Feature
“The Great Beauty”, Italy
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
“Dallas Buyers Club”
Best Music (Original Score)
“Gravity”, Steven Price
Best Music (Original Song)
“Let It Go” from “Frozen”
Best Production Design
“The Great Gatsby”, Catherine Martin
Best Short Film – Animated
“Mr. Hublot”
Best Short Film – Live Action
“Helium”
Best Sound Editing
“Gravity”
Best Sound Mixing
“Gravity”
Best Visual Effects
“Gravity”
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“12 Years A Slave”, John Ridley
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
“Her”, Spike Jonze
20 / 24 (-4)
Congrats! My usual was always 9 correct, but this year I got 14 correct! “Mr. Hublot” was the biggest surprise win for me.