My 2013-2014 Oscar Predictions – Part 3: The Story Aspects

The third part of the predictions involves the storytelling through screenplays, editing, and then I threw in cinematography and the music categories just so they fit somewhere. Lets take a look!

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
American Hustle, Written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell
Blue Jasmine, Written by Woody Allen
Dallas Buyers Club, Written by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack
Her, Written by Spike Jonze
Nebraska, Written by Bob Nelson

This may be a long shot, but I think they’re going to actually go with the weirdest story concept of the bunch.  I believe that Spike Jonze is going to take the statue home for Her.  He took home the Golden Globe, so why not the Oscar too?

Prediction: Her

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ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Before Midnight, Written by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy
Captain Phillips, Written by Billy Ray
Philomena, Written by Jeff Pope & Steve Coogan
12 Years a Slave, Written by John Ridley
The Wolf of Wall Street, Written by Terrence Winter

I do like to see Before Midnight here, and it probably should win based on how it was able to so convincingly create this complex relationship.  (But I do wonder, what is it adapted from?) However, I think that 12 Years a Slave is the most likely winner since it is also a strong contender for BP.

Prediction: 12 Years a Slave

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CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Philippe Le Sourd – The Grandmaster
Emmanuel Lubezki – Gravity
Bruno Delbonnel – Inside Llewyn Davis
Phedon Papamichael – Nebraska
Roger A. Deakins – Prisoners

Deakins nominated yet again, alas I do not believe he will get his win this time either.  Its gonna be pretty ahrd for them not to give the award to the masterfully filmed and beautiful Gravity.

Prediction: Gravity

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FILM EDITING:
Jay Cassidy & Kevin Tent – American Hustle
Christopher Rouse – Captain Phillips
John Mac McMurphy & Martin Pensa – Dallas Buyers Club
Mark Sanger & Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity
Joe Walker – 12 Years a Slave

Okay, I honestly don’t know.  Two of these movies I have yet to see, so I can’t personally speak to their editing.  American Hustle, good movie though it is, still had some bloat to the story.  Gravity is likely going to clean up on the technical awards, but I’m not sure this one will be included in the bunch.  Captain Philips managed to keep a lot of tension throughout the entire movie. so it has a good chance.  On the other hand, 12 Years a Slave is likely a front runner for best picture, and editing is a big part of the overall movie experience. Umm… I think I’ll go with that line of reasoning.

Prediction: 12 Years a Slave

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ORIGINAL SCORE:
John Williams – The Book Thief
Steven Price – Gravity
William Butler & Owen Pallett – Her
Alexandre Desplat – Philomena
Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

This doesn’t seem like a powerhouse year for scores, but I really hope Gravity wins.  I know its a long shot, since its a bit more atmospheric rather than orchestral, but I’m not sure which of the others to pick, so I may just go with it.  From what I’ve heard of the 12 Years score, I’m surprised its not here.

Prediction: Gravity

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ORIGINAL SONG:
“Alone Yet Not Alone” from Alone Yet Not Alone
Music by Bruce Broughton; Lyric by Dennis Spiegel
“Happy” from Despicable Me 2
Music and Lyric by Pharrell Williams
“Let It Go” from Frozen
Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
“The Moon Song” from Her
Music by Karen O; Lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze
“Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Music by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen; Lyric by Paul Hewson

The obvious choice is Let It Go from Frozen, since that movie won a lot of people over.  And yet U2’s Mandela song is going to be tempting for Academy voters, especially since Mandela’s recent passing.  And after just listening to all the nominees, I have to say that the Frozen song is pretty uninspired.  I think this one may belong to the more meaningful U2 tune.

Prediction: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom