UPDATE: 2015 Oscar Predictions AND WINNERS

By Dominick Ferrara V

UPDATE: This article has been updated to include the winners for each award.

This Sunday is the biggest night in Hollywood, the Academy Awards. I will be live tweeting the event (@filmwithferrara), and will be updating the site with the winners throughout the night. Some of you will be attempting to win your family or office Oscar pools, and I will try to help you guys win some cash Sunday night. Let’s do it! All predicted winners are in bold.

Best Picture:

This is one of the toughest races we have ever seen in this category, the big kahuna of awards. It has become a two horse race between the critical darling (Boyhood) and the Hollywood darling (Birdman). While Boyhood did capture the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and BAFTA for Best Picture, Birdman managed to capture the top prizes at the SAG, PGA, and DGA awards. In a close vote, BIRDMAN will capture Best Picture on Sunday night, thanks to the script, direction, acting, and technical achievements that this film gave us.

WINNER: BIRDMAN

Best Director:

While Birdman’s Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu captured the DGA, Golden Globe winner Richard Linklater (Boyhood) should come out on top for consistently getting the best out of his actors for a 12 year period.

WINNER: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Best Actor:

Despite the early heat from the legendary Michael Keaton (Birdman), I expect Eddie Redmayne’s powerful performance as Dr. Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything to capture the gold Sunday night, following his SAG, Golden Globe, and BAFTA wins.

WINNER: Eddie Redmayne

Best Actress:

This award is Julianne Moore’s to lose for her powerful performance as a linguistics professor with Alzheimer’s in Still Alice.

WINNER: Julianne Moore

Best Supporting Actor:

JK Simmons (Whiplash) is going to win. If he doesn’t there will be riots. He has won every award this year, including the SAG, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics Choice.

WINNER: JK Simmons

Best Supporting Actress:

Even though the film is called Boyhood, it’s Patricia Arquette who provides the real heart of the film. She has cleaned up every major award including SAG, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics Choice.

WINNER: Patricia Arquette

Best Original Screenplay:

While the screenplay for Birdman has cleaned up thus far, a year where the Academy will spread the wealth will give the award to Wes Anderson’s screenplay for The Grand Budapest Hotel.

WINNER: Birdman

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Graham Moore’s screenplay for The Imitation Game has cleaned up thus far, and will continue to do so, but don’t be surprised if Damien Chazelle wins for his screenplay for Whiplash.

WINNER: The Imitation Game

Best Foreign Language Film:

Poland’s Ida has cleaned up the majority of these awards this year, and should continue to do so, despite not capturing the Golden Globe. It’s cinematography nomination should give it a leg up on the competition.

WINNER: Ida

Best Animated Feature Film:

With the presumed winner not even nominated (The LEGO Movie), expect this award to go to Dreamworks’ heartbreaking How To Train Your Dragon 2, but don’t be surprised if the Academy elects not to reward a sequel, and instead awards it to the crowd-pleasing Big Hero 6.

WINNER: Big Hero 6

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

Although the work on Foxcatcher and Guardians of the Galaxy was outstanding, the old-age makeup that made Tilda Swinton not look like herself in The Grand Budapest Hotel should capture this one. Don’t be surprised if the Academy looks to award the crowd-pleasing work on Guardians of the Galaxy.

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Cinematography:

You can put money on Emmanuel Lubezki winning his second in a row for his work on Birdman.

WINNER: Birdman

Best Costume Design:

The superb costume work on Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel was grand, colorful, and beautiful.

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Film Editing:

Editing together 12 years worth of footage and putting into one film with the same look is difficult, and the Academy will award the work on Boyhood in this category.

WINNER: Whiplash

Best Original Score:

While I would love to see Alexandre Desplat’s work on The Grand Budapest Hotel or Hans Zimmer’s incredible work on Interstellar be recognized, this award will be headed to Johann Johannsson’s beautiful, moving work on The Theory of Everything.

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Original Song:

Expect this award to be headed to the song that has cleaned up thus far and has two big names on the track: Glory from Selma. John Legend and Common are too big for the Academy to deny, and the Academy will look to honor the film in some way. The major dark horse is I’m Not Gonna Miss You from Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.

WINNER: Glory, Selma

Best Production Design:

From the miniatures to the sets set up for symmetrical cinematography, the beautiful work on Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel speaks to Anderson’s style, and should go home victorious Sunday night.

WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Sound Mixing:

Without good sound, a ten minute drum solo can not have the same effect as did. This award rightfully belongs to Whiplash.

WINNER: Whiplash

Best Sound Editing:

With Whiplash not nominated, look for the Academy to reward American Sniper in this category. The sounds surround you throughout the film, and deserve to be recognized here.

WINNER: American Sniper

Best Visual Effects:

Despite the prestige work done on Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, no film told their story or showcased their characters through the use of visual effects better than Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

WINNER: Interstellar

Best Documentary- Feature:

Another lock, as Laura Poitras’ Edward Snowden doc, CitizenFour, will continue its sweep of documentary awards.

WINNER: CitizenFour

Best Documentary Short Subject:

The favorite here is Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, and with the potential lack of American Sniper victories, the Academy could use this as a way to recognize PTSD.

WINNER: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Best Animated Short Film:

While Feast is the favorite to win due to the exposure it received before Big Hero 6, look for The Dam Keeper and The Bigger Picture to spoil Disney’s party.

WINNER: Feast

Best Live Action Short Film:

With Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins and Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent as its stars, The Phone Call likely got the most views from the Academy, and will likely take that advantage all the way to the bank.

WINNER: The Phone Call

Who do you guys think deserves the gold? Leave your predictions in the comment section below!

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Top 10 Films of 2014

By Dominick Ferrara V

Well, it is finally time for one of the most anticipated posts I’ve ever done. Welcome to my PERSONAL top ten. This means that these aren’t necessarily the ten best films of 2014, but they are my ten favorite films of last year.

Note: There are many films that I wasn’t able to see, including THE IMITATION GAME, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, FOXCATCHER, and NIGHTCRAWLER.

Now, here are some honorable mentions:

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

This was such a fun movie, and a turn for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a HUGE way, both in story and in tone. The film is truly a spy thriller, and a good one at that.

AMERICAN SNIPER

This surprise box office hit was recently nominated for Best Picture. I felt that it was a good film, not a great one. However, Bradley Cooper’s performance and the tension built by director Clint Eastwood makes it a film worth seeing.

EDGE OF TOMORROW

This was a criminally underseen action film that was a lot of fun, with one of the best female heroes in years thanks to a great performance by Emily Blunt.

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

An excellent comic book sual that revived the franchise and included the usual good performances by Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and the especially great James McAvoy.

CHEF

Jon Favreau provides a heartwarming comedy that keeps the laughs coming and entertains the entire way through. Great celebrity cameos and incredible looking food.

Now, for the list…

10

THE LEGO MOVIE

Dir. Phil Lord and Chris Miller

This film was truly my favorite comedy of the year. It had a lot of heart and a great voice cast, led by Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, and Liam Neeson. The film also has an excellent script, written by directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. This movie got snubbed by the Academy for Best Animated Feature, and I had so much fun watching this movie. The cameos in this movie had me laughing out loud, and is absolutely the best animated film of the year, and my tenth favorite film in general. The film is currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

9

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Dir. James Gunn

I’m assuming that you have probably seen this movie, because most people did. This film went from a wild card for Marvel, their first true risk as a film studio since the original Iron Man, and an unknown property to the second highest grossing film of the  year domestically, only behind THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1. When, I talked about THE LEGO MOVIE, I talked about how much fun I had watching that film. Take that and multiply it by five, and you have GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The soundtrack is the best of the year, and the best comic book adaptation of the year. I am Groot. The film is currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

8

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Dir. Matt Reeves

This was the best blockbuster film of the year, in my opinion. The motion capture performances of Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell moved the industry forward. Matt Reeves took over for Rupert Wyatt for the second film in this reboot franchise, and delivered an excellent film, with a third on the way, also directed by Reeves. Some of the story will be forgotten, but you will remember this movie after you see it, and that’s all you can ask for. The film is currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

7

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

Dir. James Marsh

This is a very good film. The script is great, the direction is good, and the emotion rings through the entire film. What makes it a great film are the great performances of Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones as Stephen and Jane Hawking. They are heartbreaking performances, and Redmayne’s performance may win the Best Actor prize at this year’s Academy Awards, with Michael Keaton being the favorite. However, this film is an incredible love story that uses these two figures as a way to show how love can change during adversity. For that, it lands the seventh spot on my top ten list. It will hit Blu-Ray and DVD on February 17.

6

THE BABADOOK

Dir. Jennifer Kent

Some of you may be wondering what the heck this movie is. It’s an Australian horror film about a family haunted by a character in a children’s book. I don’t watch horror films, as horror films have gotten worse as time has passed. However, the unbelievable buzz on this film got me to rent it on demand for $7 (as you can at home). I was stunned to see such a low-budget horror film that was so terrifying, and had such a great message, especially for a horror film. However, the strong point of the film is the lead performance by Essie Davis, who was awarded by Best Actress by many critics associations, including the NCFCA. She gives such a strong performance, that does for females in horror films what Sigourney Weaver did for action heroines in Alien. Do whatever you can to go see this film. You can even see it from the comfort of your own home. It’s due to hit Blu-Ray and DVD on April 24.

5

GONE GIRL

Dir. David Fincher 

David Fincher did it again in this movie. The screenplay by the book’s author, Gillian Flynn, was outstanding and was robbed for an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Ben Affleck’s performance was understated and a solid performance. Carrie Coon breaks out as Affleck’s sister, and delivers an outstanding supporting performance. Speaking of outstanding supporting performances, Tyler Perry delivers an unexpected performance as Tanner Bolt, Affleck’s lawyer. The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is very good. However, the best part of the film is Rosamund Pike’s OUTSTANDING performance as Affleck’s estranged wife. Without spoiling the film, her character goes on quite a ride throughout the film. The film is currently available on Blu-Ray, DVD, VOD, and iTunes.

4

SELMA

Dir. Ava DuVernay

This film has stirred up some controversy over the historical accuracy of Lyndon Baines Johnson’s lines. The film couldn’t use Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches due to a rights issue. Despite these issues, director Ava DuVernay and lead actor David Oyelowo deliver an emotionally heartbreaking film, and one that will be remembered for a long time. Oyelowo’s performance and DuVernay’s direction sadly were left out of the Academy Awards, but will be remembered by many for a long time. Oyelowo delivered one of the best performances of the year and completely transforms into one of the most important historical figures in American history. Also snubbed was Bradford Young’s brave and beautiful cinematography, to the point where you don’t where the camera will be next. Please go see this film while it is still in theaters.

3

BIRDMAN

Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

The top three films on this list continued to flip flop up until I published this list. For a long time, this was my favorite film of the year. The brilliant vision and direction of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the cinematography of Emanuelle Lubezki, Antonio Sanchez’s score, and the numerous great performances, especially by Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton make this one of the best films of last year and one of the most original films in many years. The confusing ending does drag it down a bit, and the general public has reacted in different ways to the film. However, if you know how Hollywood works right now, then this film officially becomes one of the best films so far this decade. It will hit Blu-Ray and DVD on February 17.

2

BOYHOOD

Dir. Richard Linklater

Yes, this movie may be a gimmick. Yes, this movie doesn’t necessarily have a plot. What this movie does have however, is beauty, in its story and in its characters. The idea of a coming-of-age tale following the same cast every year for 12 consecutive years is fascinating, and is seen through to the end. This film blew me away with just how much I see that reminds me of my childhood. The performances by Academy Award nominees Ethan Hawke and frontrunner Patricia Arquette are passionate, and show real growth as characters as the film moves along. Of course, the biggest growth takes place in the children played by Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater as they grow from youth to young adult to college student. There are, of course, emotional developments, sexual awakenings, and relationships throughout the growth of Mason, Coltrane’s character, as he grows up, as all teens experience. The lack of plot is made up for by the message that all these moments and milestones truly make up a life, and feels natural. The film is available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and has been rereleased into limited theaters just in time for the Oscars.

1

WHIPLASH

Dir. Damien Chazelle

This is the film on the list that I saw most recently, and the film that will stick with me for the longest time. The incredible performance given by JK Simmons has made him one of the best villains of the year and has made him a lock to take home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Miles Teller’s lead performance is criminally underrated, and Paul Reiser turns in another great supporting performance as Teller’s father. The script is written by the film’s director, Damien Chazelle, who was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Chazelle creates a tension that grabs your throat, and doesn’t let you go until the credits start rolling. The film starts with the sound of a drum, and immediately grabs your attention, not letting go for the entire film. This is an absolutely incredible film, and I implore you to see it however you can. The film is due out on Blu-Ray and DVD on February 24.

Thank you guys for reading through this. Feel free to leave your personal top ten of 2014 in the comment section. Also, I want to know if you guys want a classic film review series on the site.

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2015 Oscar Nominees Announced! Complete List of Nominees

By Dominick Ferrara V

The nominees for the 2015 Academy Awards were announced this morning in Los Angeles, and they are:

Best Picture

• American Sniper
• Birdman
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• Selma
• The Theory of Everything
• Whiplash

Best Director:

• Wes Anderson- The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu- Birdman
• Richard Linklater- Boyhood
• Bennett Miller- Foxcatcher
• Morten Tyldum- The Imitation Game

Best Actor In A Leading Role:

• Steve Carell- Foxcatcher
• Bradley Cooper- American Sniper
• Benedict Cumberbatch- The Imitation Game
• Michael Keaton- Birdman
• Eddie Redmayne- The Theory of Everything

Best Actress In A Leading Role:

• Marion Cotillard- Two Days, One Night
• Felicity Jones- The Theory of Everything
• Julianne Moore- Still Alice
• Rosamund Pike- Gone Girl
• Reese Witherspoon- Wild

Best Actor In A Supporting Role:

• Robert Duvall- The Judge
• Ethan Hawke- Boyhood
• Edward Norton- Birdman
• Mark Ruffalo- Foxcatcher
• JK Simmons- Whiplash

Best Actress In A Supporting Role:

• Patricia Arquette- Boyhood
• Laura Dern- Wild
• Keira Knightley- The Imitation Game
• Emma Stone- Birdman
• Meryl Streep- Into the Woods

Best Foreign Language Film

• Ida
• Leviathan
• Tangerines
• Timbuktu
• Wild Tales

Best Original Screenplay:

• Birdman- Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo
• Boyhood- Richard Linklater
• Foxcatcher- Max Frye and Dan Futterman
• The Grand Budapest Hotel- Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness
• Nightcrawler- Dan Gilroy

Best Adapted Screenplay:

• American Sniper- Jason Hall
• The Imitation Game- Graham Moore
• Inherent Vice- Paul Thomas Anderson
• The Theory of Everything- Anthony McCarten
• Whiplash- Damien Chazelle

Best Animated Feature Film: 

• Big Hero 6
• The Boxtrolls
• How To Train Your Dragon 2
• Song of the Sea
• The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Best Cinematography:

• Birdman- Emmanuel Lubezki
• The Grand Budapest Hotel- Robert Yeoman
• Ida- Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lynzewski
• Mr. Turner- Dick Pope
• Unbroken- Roger Deakins

Best Film Editing:

• American Sniper
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
•  The Imitation Game
• Whiplash

Best Production Design:

• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• Interstellar
• Into the Woods
• Mr. Turner

Best Costume Design:

• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Inherent Vice
• Into the Woods
• Maleficent
• Mr. Turner

Best Original Score:

• Alexandre Desplat- The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Alexandre Desplat- The Imitation Game
• Johann Johannsson- The Theory of Everything
• Gary Yershon- Mr. Turner
• Hans Zimmer- Interstellar

Best Original Song:

• “Lost Stars”- Begin Again
• “Grateful”- Beyond the Lights
• “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”-Glenn Campbell: I’ll Be Me
• “Everything Is Awesome”- The LEGO Movie
• “Glory”- Selma

Best Visual Effects:

• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Interstellar
• X-Men: Days of Future Past

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

• Foxcatcher
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Guardians of the Galaxy

Best Sound Mixing:

• American Sniper
• Birdman
• Interstellar
• Unbroken
• Whiplash

Best Sound Editing:

• American Sniper
• Birdman
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
• Interstellar
• Unbroken

Best Documentary Feature:

• Citizenfour
• Finding Vivian Maier
• Last Days In Vietnam
• The Salt of the Earth
• Virunga

Best Documentary Short Subject:

• Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
• Joanna
• Our Curse
• The Reaper
• White Earth

Best Live Action Short Film:

• Aya
• Boogaloo and Graham
• Butterlamp
• Parvenah
• The Phone Call

Best Animated Short Film:

• The Bigger Picture
• The Dam Keeper
• Feast
• Me and My Moulton
• A Single Life

I will post an entire article either tomorrow regarding my snubs and surprises, including Gone Girl, Marion Cotillard, The LEGO MOVIE, Selma, and American Sniper. Come back tomorrow and check it out!

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Oscar Rankings: January 6, 2015

By Dominick Ferrara V

Hello, everybody! Happy New Year to all! I apologize for the lack of posts, but I have been really busy lately. We’re getting into the swing of things with my Oscar Rankings in all the top categories.

Best Picture:
1. Boyhood
2. Selma
3. Birdman
4. The Imitation Game
5. The Theory of Everything
6. Whiplash
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
8. Gone Girl
9. Nightcrawler

Best Actor:
1. Michael Keaton, Birdman
2. Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
3. David Oyelowo, Selma
4. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
5. Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler

Best Actress:
1. Julianne Moore, Still Alice
2. Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
3. Reese Witherspoon, Wild
4. Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
5. Jennifer Aniston, Cake

Best Director:
1. Richard Linklater, Boyhood
2. Alejandro Inarritu, Birdman
3. Ava DuVernay, Selma
4. David Fincher, Gone Girl
5. Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Best Supporting Actor:
1. JK Simmons, Whiplash
2. Edward Norton, Birdman
3. Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
4. Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
5. Robert Duvall, The Judge

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
2. Emma Stone, Birdman
3. Meryl Streep, Into The Woods
4. Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
5. Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Game

Best Original Screenplay:
1. Boyhood
2. Birdman
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. Selma
5. Foxcatcher

Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. The Imitation Game
2. Gone Girl
3. The Theory of Everything
4. Wild
5. Unbroken

This will be a weekly Tuesday series until the Oscars. My related top 10 list of 2014 will come next week, after I see Boyhood and Selma.

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