The 86th Annual Academy Awards feature a few good battles: Jennifer Lawrence vs. Lupita Nyong’o for Best Supporting Actress, U2 vs. Pharrell vs. “Frozen” for the Original Song title and the three-way Best Picture race between “12 Years a Slave”, “American Hustle”, and “Gravity” that will still be raging until the final envelope opens on Sunday. But if these Oscars are going to be remembered for surprises, here are five upsets that could happen: (Note – these are not necessarily my predictions in these categories)
Golden Globe and Critics Choice Best Actor in a Comedy recipient Leonardo DiCaprio could pull-out a surprise victory in the Best Actor category for “The Wolf of Wall Street”. And maybe it’ll come thanks to “Saturday Night Live”. Last year, SNL hosts Lawrence, Christoph Waltz, and Anne Hathaway all took home trophies. While Leo only made his appearance on the show hosted by “Wolf” co-star Jonah Hill, his “Titanic” bit may put him over the top. Hill, however, has no shot for Supporting Actor.
There are only three Best Makeup and Hairstyling nominees. Too many people (and voters) disliked “The Lone Ranger”, which is why it can’t win. “Dallas Buyers Club” is the most critically acclaimed of the nominees, but is still not a traditional choice in this category. So, could voters choose “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”, simply based on the title or that younger voters liked the raunchy Johnny Knoxville comedy, or everyone just wants to hear the word “jackass” read after the phrase: “And the Oscar goes to…”? Hey, it got nominated!
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope‘s emotionally charged screenplay for “Philomena” earned them an Adapted Screenplay win at the BAFTAs. However, “Captain Phillips” took the WGA, and John Ridley’s script for “12 Years a Slave” earned the Critics Choice. If the Academy is going in a “12 Years” direction, it’s the obvious choice here. However, they may want to give a little love to the inspiring dramedy.
A non-Best Picture nominee hasn’t taken the Original Score award in over a decade. But for “Saving Mr. Banks”, this is composer Thomas Newman‘s 12th career nomination, and he has never won. Maybe the Academy will throw the Disney drama a little love for not nominating Emma Thompson for Best Actress, and ignoring it for Best Picture.
Finally, while it’s nominated for six Oscars, “Nebraska” very well could have zero wins when the night is over, except in this scenario: Since “Gravity” will undoubtedly grab several of the technical awards, maybe one could go for the beautiful black-and-white Cinematography in Alexander Payne’s marvelous dramedy.