My Oscar Picks 2013

In November last year, Kathryn Bigelows "Zero Dark Thirty" still seemed to be the prime contender for "Best Picture". Almost every (American) critic loved it. But when the nominees were announced things changed by almost 180 degrees. Bigelow wasn't even nominated in the director's category and all the controversy surrounding her film weakened its chances. Lincoln then seemed to be the most obvious choice. But the last couple of weeks showed another unexpected trend. Ben Affleck's tense thriller "Argo" was sweeping most of the important awards including DGA, PGA, SAG and Critics Choice Award. However, Affleck is also not nominated as best director which is really odd since he got the appreciation by the Directors Guild. So if "Argo" wins best picture after all the recent buzz it would be only the fourth time that the corresponding director would not recieve a trophy. It's gonna be an interesting night this time.

So here are my guesses in all 24 categories:

Best Motion Picture of the Year

"Argo" will win deservedly.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Daniel Day Lewis will drink all their milkshakes as Lincoln.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

I would vote for Emmanuelle Riva for "Amour". But I guess the award will go to Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
This is gonna be a close race between Robert DeNiro, Tommy Lee Jones and Christoph Waltz, even though I guess Waltz would rather be a surprise. I'm going with Tommy Lee Jones.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Anne Hathaway for Les Misérables


Best Achievement in Directing

Spielberg is gonna win. Second choice would be Ang Lee. Haneke could be in for an upset maybe.


Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Somehow this could be the category for Tarantino this time. But I think his screenplay was rather undisciplined. My choice is Haneke and his screenplay for Amour which was just brillant.


Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Argo needs to win more than just one award, I guess. But this will fall to Tony Kushner for Lincoln.


Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Well, frankly I haven't seen any of these so I am going with the most popular choice: Wreck-it Ralph


Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Maybe the easiest category of the night: Amour

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Life of Pi: Claudio Miranda


Best Achievement in Editing

Argo: William Goldenberg


Best Achievement in Production Design

Lincoln: Rick Carter, Jim Erickson


Best Achievement in Costume Design

Anna Karenina: Jacqueline Durran


Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Les Misérables: Lisa Westcott, Julie Dartnell


Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Life of Pi: Mychael Danna


Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Skyfall: Adele, Paul Epworth("Skyfall")


Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

As every year, the sound mixing/editing category is hard to estimate... I have no idea to be honest.

Les Misérables: Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Simon Hayes

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Zero Dark Thirty: Paul N.J. Ottosson


Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Life of Pi: Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer, Donald Elliott

Best Documentary, Feature

Searching for Sugar Man: Malik Bendjelloul, Simon Chinn


Best Documentary, Short Subject

Not seen any of those either ...

Open Heart: Kief Davidson, Cori Shepherd Stern


Best Short Film, Animated

Paperman: John Kahrs


Best Short Film, Live Action

Curfew: Shawn Christensen