JAMES KING'S "DON'T BET YOUR HOUSE ON IT!" OSCAR PREDICTIONS
In light of Oscars week, James King gives his predictions on what will be grabbing not only the Oscars headlines but also the prestigious Academy Awards themselves.
Best Actor
Who I think will win: Michael Keaton, Birdman. There's a huge amount of affection for the return of crazy Mike and the industry voters always love a movie about movies.
Who I'd like to win: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything. Eddie shows he's a master of metamorphosis but maybe his recent (very bad) film Jupiter Ascending tarnished his image too much to get the gong?
Best Actress
Who I think will win: Julianne Moore, Still Alice. Another great JM performance, effortlessly absorbing as a 50 year old suffering with early onset Alzheimer's.
Who I'd like to win: Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl. Julianne doesn't need any more accolades! Rosamund, however, moved into the A-List with her unforgettable turn as psycho Amy and surely deserves some love.
Best Director
Who I think will win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood. The legendary indie helmer gave movie-making a new vocabulary with his laidback, 12 years-in-production, documentary-ish Boyhood.
Who I'd like to win: Damien Chazelle, Whiplash. Every nominee is deserved but newcomer Damien made a masterpiece from the unlikely premise of two musicians and their drive for perfection - all in just 19 days. That's got to be worth something.
Best Picture
Who I think will win: American Sniper. At the start of the year, few were bothered with this Clint Eastwood military biopic. Now as it dominates the box-office and the headlines, it's reaching its peak at just the right moment. A dark horse, yes - but timing is everything.
Who I'd like to win: Boyhood. Some say it's not really about anything. But give yourself over to its casual pace and you'll find real beauty in its story of an everyday childhood.