mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 Academy Awards

Continuing the grand tradition of making somewhat accurate award predictions! So it goes without saying: maybe don't take these tips to your bookies. 

BEST PICTURE

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

mama's pick :: Oh God, there's too many choices...but I think it will be Boyhood or Theory Of Everything.

BEST DIRECTOR

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

mama's pick :: I think Linklater has this one in the bag, however I find it a travesty that Ava DuVernay was not nominated.

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

mama's pick :: I love Eddie Redmayne, so I'm hoping he takes it home. His transformation into Stephen Hawking is just incredible. I mean, Hawking has said there were points in the film where he thought he was watching himself, what bigger endorsement is there than that?

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

mama's pick :: Julianne is a lock for this. I can't see anyone else stealing the win from her.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Robert Duvall - The Judge
Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
Edward Norton - Birdman
Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

mama's pick :: This is another category where I am pretty certain of the winner - J.K. has dominated this awards season, so I am left in no doubt that he'll take this home as well.

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

mama's pick :: Wow, they really are predictable this year...Patricia Arquette, easy peasy.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

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

mama's pick :: LEGO MOVIE WAS ROBBED. ROBBED!!!!! Therefore, I abstain from the vote in protest. Hmph.

All in all, I think it's a very safe year, nominations wise. Women and minorities have been criminally underrepresented, which is a disappointment to say the least.

This year, the ceremony will be hosted by the divine Neil Patrick Harris. I can only imagine the opening number he has planned, I often re-watch his Tony and Emmy opening numbers when I'm in need of a pick-me-up, they are so much fun.

As always, the plan is to liveblog here at mamamedia, but life with an infant is unpredictable, so if I'm unable to blog, I will at least be tweeting along at @mamamedia_au.

For us Aussies, the Academy Awards are televised on Channel Nine live from 12:30pm Monday. See you then!