Oscar Nominees

The Nominees for the 86th Annual Academy Awards

http://oscar.go.com/nominees

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

Lone Survivor - B

Rated R, 121 minutes

Riveting, intense "Lone Survivor" tells the wrenching story of Navy SEALS

Mark Wahlberg

The powerful new military film "Lone Survivor," based on the true story of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell (played by Mark Wahlberg), is a brutal film to experience and watch yet one that will stay with you after the theater lights come up. Lutrell (Wahlberg) and his fellow Navy Seals (Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch), SEAL Team 10, are dispatched to kill a dangerous, notorious Taliban leader in Afghanistan in a mission known as Operation Red Wings, but they are ambushed and only Luttrell lives to tell the story. Directed with an intense realism by Peter Berg ("The Kingdom") and written by Berg, based on Luttrell account of the events in his book "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10," it's a wrenching, absorbing film that's memorable for the memorable, believable action scenes, handled with skill by Berg. Bloody, extremely violent and sad, "Survivor" is a tale that isn't for everyone, and while Luttrell is certainly a hero for his actions, some may be unable the graphic violence and bloodshed. The film's first act is a bit slow, followed by the ambush scene, and then the extremely difficult final act as Luttrell is truly the lone survivor from this botched operation. All the men, Wahlberg, Kitsch, Hirsch and especially Foster, deliver strong performances in a film that's already been rightfully garnering acclaim. If enjoy war films and don't mind the blood and intensity, then "Lone Survivor" is a must-see to honor these fallen heroes.

Wes's Grade: B

The Legend of Hercules - D

Rated PG-13, 99 minutes

This empty 3D version of Hercules makes for a dull "Legend"

Kellan Lutz as Hercules

The movie gods have not smiled down on the latest version of one of their own, "The Legend of Hercules," a handsomely mounted but feeble film with little to offer by eye candy, which may be enough for some. After Hercules (Kellan Lutz), demigod son of Zeus, is betrayed by his royal step-father (Scott Adkins), he must battle his way back from exile and slavery to depose the king. Directed and co-written by Renny Harlin, who became famous with "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger" and has done little of value since then, and starring one of the handsome bit played from "Twilight," the bland but buffed bu Lutz, it dumbs down the Greek gods considerably with an overload of action, special effects and a ridiculously muddled story even for something like this. Lutz is likable and the pacing and action sequences are decent, but there's little to offer, which comes as no surprise that a shiny piece of Hollywood junk is released at this time of year. You've seen this done before and much better, even the recent versions of "Clash of the Titans," by no means a classic, was far more watchable than this. If you want some eye candy and little else, then "The Legend of Hercules" is certainly up your alley, but otherwise this is a Red Box rental.

Wes's Grade: D

Her - B+

Rated R, 119 minutes

Joaquin Phoenix

Intriguing, affecting "Her" a truly modern romantic comedy

Part romantic comedy, part drama, and a small infusion of science-fiction, the new movie "Her" is an oddly soulful, well-acted take on contemporary romance. Directed, written and produced by Spike Jonze ("Being John Malkovich") it's one of the more original, satisfying films of the year. Set in Los Angeles in the near future, the movie tells the story of a withdrawn, depressed writer named Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with his computer's highly advanced operating system (voiced by Scarlet Johansson). Sweet, funny and unconventional, with "Her" director and writer Jonze has created a touching, often fascinating but somewhat one-sided tribute to modern romance. In Jonze's handsome, crisp portrait, romance occurs between human and machine, though both may become increasingly frustrated by the limitations that each face, and can the machine, as advanced as it may be, truly and sincerely love you back? We probably know the answer to that, but it's often fun to watch, and Jonze's futuristic touches can be intriguing (with phones and computers interacting seamlessly) and odd (why do all the men wear such oddly retro fitting i.e. high waisted slacks?).  However, the casting in "Her" is close to perfect and it helps the film work beautifully, with the sci-fi oddness of it all taking a back seat to the relationships. Phoenix gives another of his slightly off-kilter but charming perfromances, while the breathy Johannson is just as touching in a voice-only role. Amy Adams shines once again in a supporting role as one of Theodore's long-standing friends with issues of her own, Chris Pratt ("Parks and Recreation") is also ingratiating as one of Theodore's co-workers, while Jonze himself gets in some funny lines as a foul-mouthed, pint-sized alien in one of Theodore's cool 3D games (also a nice touch). "Her" is an unconventional romance for sure, and it all ends in a bittersweet but poignant way. It's premise is borderline thin, as if it knows its own limitations, with little place to go, particularly in its last act, but Phoenix and Johannson's voice have good chemistry throughout and that more or less carries the film. Expect more accolades to come for this different but entertaining film. Definitely worth a look.

Wes's Grade: B+

August: Osage County- B+

Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep

Rated R, 119 minutes

Dark, funny "August: Osage County" brilliantly mines family dysfunction

The superbly acted, poignant dark dramedy "August: Osage County" is filled with many hilarious yet disturbing moments of family dysfunction. Those moments may make you cringe but you'll never look away in the talky but rarely dull movie based on Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize-winning 2007 stage play of the same name. Barbara (Julia Roberts), Ivey (Julianne Nicholson) and Karen (Juliette Lewis) are all brought home to Osage County, Oklahoma when their father Beverly, an award-winning poet (Sam Shepard) mysteriously dies, leaving them to pick up the pieces with their unstable, drug-addicted mother Violet (Meryl Streep) and her loud-mouth sister Mattie Fay (Margo Martindale). The funny, entertaining but downbeat "August: Osage County" is memorably brought to life by director John Wells ("The West Wing") and Letts, who also pens the screenplay and a large, stellar A-list cast. The winning performances from all involved, particularly Roberts and Streep, who go at it full force and will likely be (once again) nominated for their powerful performances. Streep is most sublime here as the addicted woman who is a terrible mother yet loves her children through the extensive amount of cruelty and meanness she shows; Roberts, as the strongest older daughter Barbara, is essentially playing a younger version of Violet trying to forge a different path from her mother's, also gives one of her best performances to date. Watch for Dermot Mulroney, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper and Misty Upham who round out the talented cast and all of whom get in a good scene or two. Problematic is that none of the characters are exactly redeemable, except for Cooper's, and some of the bickering goes on too long, though it's admittedly fun to watch (particularly the scene in which Roberts literally tackles Streep to the floor fighting for pills). "August: Osage County" is memorable for the superb performances and yes it's definitely recommended, but it's certainly not a feel-good movie.

Wes's Grade:  B+

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - B-

Rated R, 84 minutes

Unoriginal but tense "Marked Ones" serves up more found footage-style scares

Watch out for these people lurking in the basement!

The first "Paranormal Activity" film kicked off the found footage-style of horror film in 2009, though none has matched the scares or originality of that film. The latest outing, the fifth and a latino-flavored spinoff of sorts, continues the scares and while it's nothing new, there are a few healthy jumps that should please the fans of this film series. This outing is set in June 2012 in Oxnard, California. After a woman in their apartment complex mysteriously dies, Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) and Hector (Jorge Diaz) go to investigate. They discover items associated with black magic rituals, even some missing tapes, and things start getting very strange after Jesse discovers a weird bite on his arm. Directed and written by Christopher B. Landon, "Little House on the Prairie" star Michael Landon's son, this is Landon's first outing as director in this series after having written three of the other "Paranormal" sequels, it continues to mine more scares, and admittedly there are a few creepy ones scattered throughout the film. The most memorable ones include one with a well-known toy and another that literally shatters a whole room; yet, what's most sublime (and predictable) about the "Paranormal" movies is how they can serve up the scares so cheaply and quickly, peppered with a few nifty special effects and an unknown cast, coming to a very intense climax that ties the rest of the films together and opens up yet another chapter. On the downside, the found footage-style grew tiresome after the first film, so you will have enjoy these scares amidst all the usual camera shakes. "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones" is really for die-hard fans of this series and those who enjoy a few scares with their movie, and on that note it will likely be another big hit. For the rest of us, we're moving on to something new.

Wes's Grade: B-