FEATURE: Best Picture Predications (Part 2)

   As Eric stated a month ago, I am posting my predictions, too. However, when he said "soon," I don't think he thought a month, Then again, he probably did... Hopefully I'm be a little more active now that I have so much free time, which I spend watching movie or TV.
   So, here is my list. You'll notice some similar choices. That's because of two things. One, Eric and I have very close tastes. Two, it is very, very hard to predict this sort of thing without seeing half of the movies. I'm sure Eric's list will change in time, as will mine.
   (I would also like to take this time to express my hatred of the term "Oscars." Until the 2013 "Oscars," they've always been, officially, the Academy Awards. "Oscar" is just a stupid nickname! It was coined with this nickname by Academy Award librarian and Director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick. The story says that when she first saw the statue in 1931, she said that it looked like her Uncle Oscar... Well, to the list...

1. American Hustle

Director: David O. Russel (Silver Linings Playbook)
 Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro.

Why It Should Be Nominated: As Eric stated, this is based on our director and cast. High from the success of Silver Linings Playbook, Russel is bringing back a big chunk of that cast, along with additions like Bale and Adams (Both of which are well-known at the "Oscars.")

2. The Counselor

Director: Ridley Scott (Blade Runner)
 Stars: Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz

Why It Should Be Nominated: Cormace McCarthy is writing the screenplay. McCarthy is famous for writing a number of novels, which have been extremely successful in both writing and film. The Road won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2006, while No Country for Old Men won the "Oscar" for Best Film in 2007. With one of the best directors in the business, with an all-star cast. This is one to watch.

3. Gravity

Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men)
 Stars:  Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and Ed Harris

Why It Should Be Nominated: We don't often see science fiction with such "Oscar" buzz. It'll be a nice change of pace to see this in that list. And, as Eric said, it has a unique premise. Our director, Cuaron, has also shown he can handle this type of material with his movie, Children of Men.

4. Inside Llewyn Davis

Director(s): Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men)
 Stars: Justin Timberlake, Oscar Isaac, and Carey Mulligan

Why It Should Be Nominated: Firstly, one movie nominated for the "Oscar" each and every year must star John Goodman (see The Artist, Argo . Not only that, but the Coen Brothers haven't yet had a bad film. They can do everything from comedy to tragedy (see Raising Arizona, Fargo). Their films have raided the "Oscars" multiple times, receiving 33 nominations, wining 6.

 5. The Monuments Men

Director: George Clooney (The Ides of March)
 Stars: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin

Why It Should Be Nominated: John Goodman is in this one, too. Apart from that, who doesn't love a WWII movie? Hitler is the best villain in the world. With a team like this, including Bill Murray of all choices, what is there NOT to like?

6. Nebraska

Director: Alexander Payne (The Descendants)
 Stars: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keach

Why It Should Be Nominated: This one may be a bit of a strech, but Payne has proven time and time again to be an extremely talented director, who is able to bring out the best performances in his actors and create an interesting story out of the smallest of things. This could be the black sheep in the "Oscar" list in 2014.

 7. Saving Mr. Banks

Director: John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side)
 Stars: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti

Why It Should Be Nominated: Historical movies like this are always fun. Especially when it is painting a person like Walt Disney is a light we've never seen him. With Hanks playing the part of Disney, we're sure to see something special that we've come to expect in every film starring Hanks.

8. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Director: Ben Stiller (Zoolander)
Stars: Kristen Wiig, Ben Stiller, and Sean Pean

Why It Should Be Nominated: Ben Stiller is moving back into the director's seat, which he has fit very well before. He's an extremely funny, extremely talented man both in behind and in front of the camera. It'll be very much a departure from this list, but is deserving of having its own spot.

9. The Wolf of Wall Street

Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Mathew McConaughey 

Why It Should Be Nominated: Again, Eric said it best: Scorsese + DiCaprio = Success. However, something feels much, much different about this upcoming film from others between these two. It has the feeling of something lighter, like a Hugo, but then spins into something completely different like a Taxi Driver. Scorsese has always been able to bring out the very best of DiCaprio, much like De Niro. This will be the same.

There is is. Now, this is a combination of my own picks and predicted winners. That being said, talking to me in the future, my mind may have changed, but this is it, at this very moment. If I had written it a month ago (like Eric wished), it would be very different. Reviews to come soon!