Whoa, I could’ve sworn I didn’t have anything planned for this weekend, but then I looked at my iCalendar — does it make me an adult if I have to schedule everything I do in a calendar? — and realized we have a Denver Restaurant Week reservation, a party and the Oscars!  Very unlike me to forget about things that basically my entire winter has revolved around.  Luckily, I realized in time to bore everyone with a lengthy post about movies 🙂  Alternately, if you don’t want to read, you could probably just skim through the pictures and get the gist of this post.

And the Oscar goes to…

Best Live Action Short

Who I Want to Win: “Helium.”  Everything, from the plot, to the visual effects to the heartbreaking bond between the two main characters had me in awe.  Because you probably haven’t seen it, I’ll just give you the gist.  A terminally sick boy becomes friends with the hospital custodian who convinces him that there’s an alternative to Heaven called Helium.  The shots of the imaginary world of Helium were incredible and the story was heartbreakingly sweet.

Who I Think Will Win: “Just Before Losing Everything.”  Okay, I’ll admit I had no idea what was going on until halfway through the film, but once it all clicked, I spent the rest of the time on the edge of my seat.  It.Was.Intense.  It didn’t touch me the way “Helium” did, but the storyline of a woman trying to escape from her abusive husband with her two children was chilling and the ending was sort of up for interpretation so I think it has the upper hand.

Best Animated Short

Who I Want to Win: “Get a Horse!”  The plot of this one — a classic Mickey saves Minnie cartoon — was maybe a little trivial, but I love that Disney paid homage to their black and white roots then moved between past and present in such a flawless way.  I think it really spoke to their ability to stay current and relate to modern times.  Plus I just found it funny and entertaining 🙂

Who I Think Will Win: “Mr. Hublot.”  Personally, I didn’t love this film, but I can see how it would appeal to others.  It had a lot going for it — futuristic animation, human emotion, a puppy — and the story was pretty touching.  I can definitely see it winning the Academy over.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Who I Want to Win: Jared Leto!  Before I saw the movie I kept hearing about how much weight Matthew McConaughey lost, but I was totally shocked to see how thin Jared Leto got!  I thought his portrayal of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club was flawless and he truly deserves to win.

Who I Think Will Win: Still Jared Leto.  Judging by the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, I think he’ll take home the gold…en Oscar.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Who I Want to Win: Sally Hawkins.  We rented “Blue Jasmine” one night and as excited as I was to watch it, I ended up feeling kind of disappointed.  Not that I didn’t think it was good (I did!), I just didn’t think it was great.  But!… I really loved Sally Hawkins’s part in the movie and I kind of liked her storyline better than Cate Blanchett’s…

Who I Think Will Win: Lupita Nyong’o.  Incredible movie, incredible story, incredible acting by Lupita, I just didn’t think her role was big enough.  I really think she could’ve had a much bigger impact if they’d deviated from the original story a little bit and given her some more screen time.

Actor in a Lead Role

Who I Want to Win: Leonardo DiCaprio!  It only recently came to my attention that Leo doesn’t have a single Oscar.  How is that even possible?!  I think he is such an incredible and committed actor.  When you see him on screen you forget he’s a big name actor and get sucked into his character.  All criticisms of “Wolf of Wall Street” aside, his performance was killer.

Who I Think Will Win: Matthew McConaughey.  And I won’t even be mad.  I’ve always thought Matthew was a cool guy but a mediocre actor.  Isn’t he just playing himself in everything?  But he totally proved me wrong in “Dallas Buyers Club.”  Well, he was still kind of playing himself in a way, but he has some serious acting chops and his portrayal of Ron Woodroof was both honest and touching.

Actress in a Lead Role

Who I Want to Win: Amy Adams.  I just love Amy.  She’s such a versatile actress and I always thinks her transformation into the character she’s playing is so flawless.  Also, her hair.  I loved her in “American Hustle” and “Her,” but I guess she’s only nominated for one of those 😛

Who I Think Will Win: Cate Blanchett.  I guess my not liking her character isn’t exactly a fair reason not to give someone an Oscar, is it?  Judging from all the other award shows, Cate will probably take this one home.

Side Note: I will probably die if Sandra Bullock wins.  Not that her performance in “Gravity” was bad but how can we give an Oscar to someone who also starred in “The Heat”?

Best Picture

Who I Want to Win: “Her.”  Of all the best picture nominees (at least the ones I saw), this was my favorite.  I loved everything about it and thought it was such an interesting look into how relationships are formed.  Plus all the futuristic stuff (um, minus the high-waisted pants…) was so cool.

Who I Think Will Win: “12 Years a Slave.”  Definitely not as pleasant as watching “Her” was, but this movie was amazing.  Despite being a movie set hundreds of years ago, the repercussions of slavery are still alive, making this film important and relevant today.  And the Academy loves being relevant 🙂

I also predict Lupita Nyong’o will be stunning, man buns will run rampant and Ellen DeGeneres will be entertaining, as always.

What was your favorite film?

What are your Oscar predictions?

Do you do anything fun during the show?  I’m all about  popcorn and that at home ballot.  Which reminds me, I should print those out at work today because our printer is in a box somewhere in our basement…