My Oscar Predictions

It's hard to believe it's that time of year again, but here are my predictions for the 86th Annual Academy Awards, or Oscars. The nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 16th for the March 2nd telecast on ABC.

Here are my predictions for the top 6 categories, subject to change.

Best Picture

Gravity
12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
The Wolf of Wall Street
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Saving Mr. Banks
Her
Dallas Buyers Club

Possibilities:

Inside Llewyn Davis, Blue Jasmine,  Lee Daniels' The Butler, Philomena, August: Osage County

Director

Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
David O. Russell, American Hustle
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips

Possibilities:

Woody Allen, Joel & Ethan Coen, Spike Jonze, Martin Scorsese, Lee Daniels

Best Actor

Chiwetel Eijofor, 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Possibilities:

Robert Redford, Christian Bale, Joaquin Phoenix, Forest Whitaker

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
Amy Adams, American Hustle

Possibilities:

Meryl Streep, Brie Larson, Kate Winslet, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Best Supporting Actor

Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Daniel Bruh, Rush
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle

Possibilities:

James Gandolfini, Jonah Hill, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hanks

Best Supporting Actress

Lupita N'yongo - 12 Years a Slave
Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
June Squibb - Nebraska
Julia Roberts - August: Osage County
Oprah Winfrey - Lee Daniels' The Butler

Possibilities:

Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Garner, Margo Martindale