Arts&culture

Our movie critic picks who will—and who should—win Academy Awards this year

BY BOB GRIMM • bgrimm@newsreview.com

The Academy Awards start at 4 p.m. on March 2 on ABC. OK, so it’s time for my annual Oscar bitchfest.

Look, I guess it’s pretty hard for the Academy to get everything perfect, which by definition means picking all of the movies and performers that I would personally nominate because I am better and smarter than them.

I’m not afraid to admit I can be a smug know-it-all bastard when it comes to the movies, especially when it comes to the Oscars. I’ll tell you right up front that James Gandolfini being left off the Oscar roll call is stupidity personified. This would have been a prime example, as with Heath Ledger, of a deceased actor truly deserving a posthumous nomination for the work he did. Gandolfini was tremendous in Enough Said (as was his costar, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who also got snubbed).

Fruitvale Station, one of the year’s most powerful films, completely snubbed? You have to be kidding me. The movie and the actor at the center of it (Michael B. Jordan) deserved attention. This is a blown opportunity to put the spotlight on an important and excellent film.

Inside Llewyn Davis contained what I consider the second best performance by an actor in 2013. That performance came from Oscar Isaac, who was not only darkly hilarious throughout the film, but did his own singing and guitar playing as a bleak, negative folk singer. The Coen brothers were also snubbed, and you just don’t snub the Coen brothers when they’ve done their typically excellent work. Not in my universe, you don’t.

Finally, how the hell do you not just hire Steve Martin every year to host? As long as Mr. Martin has blood coursing through his veins, he should be the host of the damned show. Nothing against Ellen DeGeneres, who isn’t all that bad as the host. She’s just not Steve Martin, who I consider the alltime best Oscar host. Yeah, I say it every year. I feel obligated.

So, I’ll talk a little more about the snubs in their particular categories, because I just want to reiterate how right I am and how wrong everybody else is. That’s my job. Well, sort of. Actually, I don’t think I’m supposed to be such a prick, but I really am pissed off about the Gandolfini thing and no Steve Martin this year.

Best Picture

American Hustle Captain Phillips Dallas Buyers Club Gravity Her Nebraska Philomena 12 Years a Slave The Wolf of Wall Street

I like this list a little, although I would’ve nominated films like Inside Llewyn Davis, Fruitvale Station and Mud over Nebraska, Philomena and Captain Phillips. I liked those films, but I don’t consider them among the year’s best.

The Wolf of Wall Street is the best movie on this list, but it’s too dirty and doesn’t really stand a chance. Early on in the race, I would’ve predicted American Hustle, but that one seems to be falling out of favor.

As it turns out, I think the final vote will go to Gravity or 12 Years a Slave. Because I actually have to predict a winner, for that is what this article is about, I’m going with 12 Years a Slave.

Should Win: The Wolf of Wall Street

Will Win: 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor

Christian Bale (American Hustle) Bruce Dern (Nebraska) Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Oh man, leaving Robert Redford, a.k.a Mr. Sundance, off this list for his work in All is Lost is a pretty nasty, heartless snub. Everybody here did a good job, but I would’ve given a slot to either Redford, Isaac for Inside Llewyn Davis or Michael B. Jordan for Fruitvale Station over Bale or Dern.

DiCaprio deserves this so much. It’s criminal that he doesn’t have an Oscar yet, and this is his best work to date. As stated before, Wolf is just too dirty to be fully appreciated.

This is between McConaughey and Ejiofor. McConaughey will probably win. Good performance from McConaughey, but I actually liked him better in Mud. A DiCaprio win would be sweet, but it’s probably not going to happen.

Should Win: DiCaprio

Will Win: McCounaughey

Best Actress

Amy Adams (American Hustle) Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) Sandra Bullock (Gravity) Judi Dench (Philomena) Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

This list should include Adele Exarchopoulos for her breakthrough performance in Blue is the Warmest Color, but it doesn’t so I will just go ahead and say Blanchett should and will win even if Woody Allen is despicably gross.

Should and will win: Blanchett

Best Supporting Actor

Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) Bradley Cooper (American Hustle) Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street) Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

This is a Leto party … locked in. I hope he busts out his 30 Seconds to Mars hit “City of Angels” when he gets the gold, and then challenges host Ellen DeGeneres to a bare knuckled brawl in honor of his awesome participation in Fight Club. (My guess is Ellen could kick his ass.)

As for me, I would pick Fassbender or Hill over Leto, and I truly believe James Gandolfini deserved a posthumous slot for his beautiful work in Enough Said, but you knew that already.

Should win: Fassbender

Will Win: Leto

Best Supporting Actress

Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) June Squibb (Nebraska)

I fell in love with the voice of Scarlett Johansson in Her, and honestly believe she deserved a slot here. I also believe Carey Mulligan deserved a nod for Inside Llewyn Davis.

Still, my year-end pic for this category was Lawrence, and I’m sticking with it. She took American Hustle into the stratosphere when she was on screen. That movie wasn’t nearly as great when her character was off doing other things.

Should and will win: Lawrence

Best Director

David O. Russell (American Hustle) Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) Alexander Payne (Nebraska) Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Scorsese deserves it, but Cuaron did a bang up job on Gravity. He’ll get the Oscar, and Marty will need to feign happiness when the camera is on him.

Should Win: Scorsese

Will Win: Cuaron

Best Animated Feature

The Croods Despicable Me 2 Ernest & Celestine Frozen The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises is a masterpiece. Since Hayao Miyazaki claims it’s his last, I think it’s the favorite to win over an otherwise boring crowd.

Should and will win … I guess: The Wind Rises

Will Win

Best Cinematography: Gravity Best Costume Design: The Great Gatsby Best Documentary: The Square Best Documentary Short: Facing Fear Best Film Editing: Gravity Best Foreign Language Film: Omar Best Makeup: Dallas Buyers Club (but this should go to Bad Grandpa!) Best Score: Gravity Best Original Song: “Ordinary Love” (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) Best Production Design: Gravity Best Animated Short Film: Possessions Best Live Action Short: Helium Best Sound Editing: Gravity Best Sound Mixing: Gravity Best Visual Effects: Gravity Best Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave Best Original Screenplay: American Hustle

It’ s happening in

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START YOUR GARDEN

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UNCORKED & UNPLUGGED

Uncorked & Unplugged is an annual wine tasting and live music fundraiser to benefit the Nevada Health Care Association’s Perry Foundation. Sa, 3/1, 5-8PM, $45 presale; $55 day of event. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

KIDS KLUB: HOW TO MAKE A SURVIVAL BRACELET

Join the Scheels Camping Experts to learn how to make a survival bracelet. M, 3/3, 6PM, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

CHIRUNNING INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR

Learn about this revolutionary approach to proper running and walking that helps develop safe and effective life-long fitness programs. W, 3/5, 6:30-8PM and W, 5/7, 6:30-8PM, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

WINTER PRUNING OF FRUIT TREES

Presented by Michael Janik. Learn how to correctly prune fruit trees. Proper tools and techniques will be covered. Free, but a donation of a canned food is welcome for the Food Bank. Sa, 3/8, 11AM & 1PM, free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

Jean Peters guides this class for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE TACTICS

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CONVERSATION CORNER

Washoe County Library presents a series of English language learning sessions. The group will practice speaking English around various scenarios that the average person encounters. W, 4:30-6PM. Free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB

The book club meets the first Saturday of each month. Call to find out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The African Children’s Choir is a large choir made up of children ages 7 to 12 from several African nations. F, 2/28, 7PM, $20-$30. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

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MIDNIGHT FIRE DUO

F, 2/28, 8:30PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

ROSIE LEDET AND THE ZYDECO PLAYBOYS

Sa, 3/1, 8PM, $25. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

ACOUSTIC WONDERLAND CONTEST FINALE

The winners of the Acoustic Wonderland contest will be chosen on Sunday, 3/2 at 7PM (must be present to win). Su, 3/2, 3PM, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

THREE DOG NIGHT

From 1969-1974, nobody had more Top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night. F, 3/7, 8PM, $59. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

ERIKA PAUL

Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

THE KARAOKE BAR

Wi-Fi Jukebox. Karaoke starts at 9PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. doors 6PM. Happy hour from 6 to. F-Su through 12/31, No cover. The Karaoke Bar, 2140 Victorian Ave. (775) 313-2772

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659

KARAOKE

Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677

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