The Big 8

Tonight, I went to see Nebraska, which, in addition to being a very good film, was the last one I needed to see in order to complete what I call the Big 8 Oscar categories (Best Picture and Director, the two screenplay categories, and the four acting categories.)

This is a huge hurdle in my quest to be Oscar ready, and I've noticed something. To quote Princess Anna of Arendelle, for the first time in forever I think there's a clear winner in all of the acting categories, and in Best Picture and Director, too. Here's my take:

Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor: the men of the Dallas Buyer's Club

This was the performance of a career for Matthew McConaughey, which isn't necessarily enough to get you an Oscar, but this time it is. He was the best of a great bunch. And I can't believe I'm saying Jordan Catalano deserves an Oscar, but, you guys, Jordan Catalano deserves an Oscar. The only performance that came close to his was probably Fassbender's and he traumatized me too much. 

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine

Did you see this? I didn't want to. It's Woody Allen, and I am not a fan. It looked boring to me from the synopsis. It is not boring. It is fascinating. You can't look away. Cate Blanchett is off the rails and it is wondrous to watch. Meryl is the queen and Judi is the empress, but no one was better than Cate Blanchett. This is hers.

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave

Oh, you guys, oh. This performance. This performance. I am still haunted. Jennifer Lawrence’s delightful speech notwithstanding, if I had seen this movie before the Golden Globes I would have been incensed, incensed, that they gave her the award instead of Lupita. This performance is one of the most stunning I have seen on film. Not just this year, but ever. There is no discussion to be had; give her the Oscar.

Best Picture and Best Director: 12 Years a Slave, and its director, Steve McQueen

Have you seen it yet? Be prepared. It is harrowing, even more than you're expecting, and it will stay with you for a long time. For days afterward, I couldn't think of anything else. Everything about it is just about perfect, from the cast to the script (it ought to win that, too) to the pacing. A story masterfully by a talented director. I can't imagine any other film winning.

So, that's my prediction thus far. I've also completed the Film Editing and Production Design categories, but I've got 14 more categories to go. Time to delve into the documentaries. I love this time of year!