And, like a panto villain being fast-forwarded, It's crept up on us rather quickly...
NOT so quickly, however, that GregglesOnFilm has not managed to compile a cheeky list of our likely winners for the big gongs tonight.
So, if any of you were thinking of a last minute flutter (GregglesOnFilm OBVIOUSLY doesn't endorse gambling...), then here's our handy guide to who may well get to grab a golden geezer.
BEST PICTURE
This is looking like a two horse race between Gravity and 12 Years A Slave, and honestly, either film would be worthy of taking the prize, but for me, in this instance, the power of raw, unfliching emotion just marginally stumped the might of jaw dropping spectacle.
American Hustle
Captain Philips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Greggles On Film chooses '12 Years A Slave'
BEST DIRECTOR
Again, could go either way, but recently, the Academy has tended to split the two big film prizes and go with a different 'Director' to 'Picture' winner. Plus, how could you not reward an achievement as breathtaking as this undoubtedly was. Special mention though to Scorsese for making a rare comedy!
Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave)
Alexander Payne (Nebraska)
David O Russell (American Hustle)
Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Greggles On Film chooses 'Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)'
BEST ACTOR
The BAFTA went to the briliant performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, but as good as he is, OSCAR does love a good physical transformation, and McConaughey has certainly taken it to the extreme here. NOTE: If I had a vote, DiCaprio would've got mine for the electrifying, physically INSPIRED, drug crazed lunatic that is his Jordan Belfort.
Christian Bale (American Hustle)
Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Greggles On Fim chooses 'Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)'
BEST ACTRESS
Probably the easiest category to predict this year, with lots of very good performances, and one GREAT one. And also, while we're here, were they slightly scraping the barrel giving Amy Adams a Best Actress nod for this? I dunno.
Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Judi Dench (Philomena)
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)
Greggles On Film chooses 'Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)'
I wouldn't begrudge any of these guys the oscar, but for sheer prep work, and of course, bags of onscreen charm and grace- in a gift of a role- my choice has just edged ahead of the pack.
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)
Greggles On Film chooses 'Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)'
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
From dignified, understated turns, through to showy, hollywood scenery chewing, via surprising, heart wrenching agony, there's a full range on show in this category this year. I know who I fear may win, but I hope the Academy will vote with me on this one. Recently re-watched, the performance loses none of it's power.
Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
June Squibb (Nebraska)
Greggles On Film chooses 'Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave)'
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Not quite a no-brainer, but very nearly, my pick has been the makers' biggest hit in donkeys years, and a smash hit worldwide. If it doesn't win, I will change my name to Elsa.
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Ernest and Celestine
Frozen
The Wind Rises
Greggles On Film chooses 'Frozen'
Let's be honest, NOTHING this year looked quite as amazing as my choice, but all these movies had beautifully framed, cleverly lit, well composed shots throughout. The authentic 60's vibe of Inside Llewyn Davis, and the gorgeous full black and white class of Nebraska stand out.
The Grandmaster
Gravity
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska
Prisoners
Greggles On Film chooses 'Gravity'
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Another tough category, with a host of worthy winners, all. With 'Philomena' a surprise winner at the BAFTAs, against largely identical opposition as here, it seems anything could happen. Pick a card, any card...
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Greggles On Film chooses '12 Years A Slave'
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
American Hustle could be this years 'Argo'. If the Academy decide to go patriotic (It has 'American' in the title...) and reward an already over-nominated 'decent' film, then this is likely one of the categories in which it will happen. I hope the most ORIGINAL idea wins, and darn it, that's what I've gone for.
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Dallas Buyers Club
Her
Nebraska
Greggles On Film chooses 'Her'
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
This must surely be a shoe-in. Excellent work all round, but every time a new Baz Luhrmann film gets released, Catherine Martin must instinctively clear some shelf space- just in case. Anyone who has seen Gatsby can attest to the visuals-already stunning, a trademark of the director- being massively enhanced by Martins' incredible work.
American Hustle
The Grandmaster
The Great Gatsby
The Invisible Woman
12 Years A Slave
Greggles On Film chooses 'The Great Gatsby'
Here are the remaining categories, with my predictions highlighted.
BEST EDITING
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
#Gravity#
12 Years A Slave
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Broken Circle Breakdown
#The Great Beauty#
The Hunt
The Missing Picture
Omar
BEST DOCUMENTARY
#The Act of Killing#
Cutie and the Boxer
Dirty Wars
The Square
20 Feet From Stardom
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Dallas Buyers Club
#Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa#
The Lone Ranger
BEST MUSIC
William Butler and Owen Pallett (Her)
Alexandre Desplat (Philomena)
Thomas Newman (Saving Mr. Banks)
#Steven Price# (Gravity)
John Williams (The Book Thief)
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Alone Yet Not Alone (Alone Yet Not Alone)
Happy (Despicable Me 2)
#Let it Go# (Frozen)
The Moon Song (Her)
Ordinary Love (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
American Hustle
Gravity
#The Great Gatsby#
Her
12 Years A Slave
BEST SOUND EDITING
All Is Lost
Captain Phillips
#Gravity#
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Lone Survivor
BEST SOUND MIXING
Captain Phillips
Gravity
#The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug#
Inside Llewyn Davis
Lone Survivor
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
#Gravity#
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Iron Man 3
The Lone Ranger
Star Trek: Into Darkness
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
CaveDigger
Facing Fear
Karama Has No Walls
#The Lady In No. 6: Music Saved My Life#
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
Feral
#Get a Horse!#
Mr. Hublot
Possessions
Room on the Broom
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Do I Have To Take Care of Everything?
Helium
Just Before Losing Everything
That Wasn’t Me
#The Voorman Problem#
So, I hope this little guide will come in handy for last minute sweepstakes with friends, or just to see how much or little you agree with my predictions! Here's to a great OSCARS, and I hope to see you all at the cinema soon.
