Vegas oddsmakers and Hollywood pundits are all abuzz about the upcoming Oscars. The recent SAG awards gave us some good pointers on the acting side. But many other categories are anyone’s guess.
It all starts early in the year, when film fans often look to the Golden Globes for tips and trend spotting. While back-to-back wins can indicate an Oscar runaway, that wasn’t the case this time around.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association gave a bow to Richard Linklater’s 12-year effort, “Boyhood,” but it also loved Wes Anderson’s fun-filled romp at “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” as well as Alejandro G. Inarritu’s critical darling “Birdman.” Take note: “Boyhood,” “Birdman” and “Budapest” are the ones to watch.
On to acting. Malibu’s Patricia Arquette picked up a best supporting Globe for “Boyhood,” while the supporting acting trophy went to J.K. Simmons in the little seen film “Whiplash.”
It was a repeat performance at the Screen Actors Guild, where Arquette and Simmons walked away supporting winners.
Julianne Moore’s performance-of-a-lifetime in “Still Alice” brought her both Globe and SAG awards and she might be considered a best actress lock on Academy night.
The same might be said of Eddie Redmayne, who picked up both big prizes for playing Dr. Stephen Hawking and stands one shy of an Oscar as well.
Still, he faces fierce competition from comeback kid Michael Keaton. Keaton picked up the Globe for actor in a comedy or musical.
Over at the SAG awards, “Birdman’s” talented flock, including local Ed Norton, flew off with the best cast award, which means this critter could definitely take flight on Oscar night.
More tip-offs may be in the works this week when Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the Directors Guild.
Richard Linklater, Alejandro G. Inarritu, Wes Anderson, Clint Eastwood and Morten Tyldum are all in the running.
DGA member Elaine Perkins says this was an especially good year because of the level of production and quality of story telling. “I don’t miss gorgeous lighting if there’s a story,” she says. “These are good stories that don’t need bells and whistles. I don’t mean to take anything away from ‘Avatar,’ but they are just as rewarding.”
Perkins will be watching the awards closely, as many times a winning director will go on to grab the greatest get of all. Or maybe not. Director Ben Affleck lost out on “Argo,” but snagged the big best pic prize a few years back.
Now, could “Selma” succeed after a best director snub? Does “Sniper” have a shot at the top target, or will the academy split, finding something for everyone in “Everything?” Stay tuned.