The Oscars Rundown – Best Director/Picture

Ok ladies and gentlemen. This is the big one. Or rather, the big two. Either way, this is the main event. In the lead up to the Oscars on February 22, 2015 we at BTG Lifestyle are predicting some of the big winners and these are the biggest of the lot. This post will focus on the best director and best picture awards.

BEST DIRECTOR

Nominees:

• Alejandro G. Iñárritu – Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
• Richard Linklater – Boyhood
• Bennett Miller – Foxcatcher
• Wes Anderson – The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Morten Tyldum – The Imitation Game

And the predicted winner is:

Tendai’s pick – Alejandro G. Iñárritu – Birdman

Nothing less than outstanding, extraordinary, and absolutely amazing work. He guided a movie that seemed continuous, smooth & constantly flowing. There were moments when you would feel that this is one scene, check the time and ponder, how this is possible. Everything seemed natural and undisturbed like a performance by an orchestra. A clash of egos – Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) and Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), infused with complexities – Sam (Emma Stone) and her father, Lesley (Naomi Watts) and Mike Shiner, coupled with inner conflict, and accompanied with the continuous shot that felt like you could never look away. Inarritu orchestrated Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in a way that should earn him an Oscar.

Dean’s pick – Alejandro G. Iñárritu – Birdman

Wes Anderson did wonders with The Grand Budapest Hotel but this award is one I feel belongs to Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Having had a hand in writing the story, Iñárritu knew exactly how he envisioned it and he brought it to screen in a way that seems so effortless and fluid. By no means upbeat or optimistic, Birdman has a unique way of seeming so real while exploring the furthest depths of surrealism. Wildly refreshing in tone and technique, Birdman grabbed me from the very first minute and wouldn’t let go and Iñárritu’s brilliant direction had everything to do with this.

Click here to view our spoiler-FREE review for Birdman.

BEST PICTURE

Nominees:

• The Theory of Everything
• Whiplash
• American Sniper
• Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• Selma

And the predicted winner is:

Tendai’s pick – Selma

This should come as no surprise and yet, it is the wildcard pick out of the nominees. Based on a pivotal moment in African American history and history of the US, Selma was close to perfect in every manner. Consistently outstanding throughout the movie in all aspects. Emotionally gripping, the story was eloquently portrayed and engaging, the overall acting was natural and consistent, and the directing could be best personified by the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Though David Oyelowo fell short for an Oscar Nomination, the movie, as a whole, was captivating and definitely deserves the Academy Award for the Best Picture of 2015.

Dean’s pick – The Grand Budapest Hotel

For me, it was a closely contested battle between this and Birdman, but I think Wes Anderson, the producers, the cast and the crew did an unbelievable job with this beautiful film. Anderson has always had a unique style, one which is very apparent in this picture. I found it difficult to look away. Everything was framed to perfection. The tone was whimsical and fun and the story was refreshing in it’s absurdity. The acting was solid, with the chemistry between Zero (Tony Revolori) and M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) instilling the heart behind the film. I can’t help but smile when thinking about the journey this film took me on. I’m so grateful, and the least I can do is say I think it should take the Oscar for Best Picture.

Click here to view our spoiler-FREE review for The Grand Budapest Hotel.

About the authors: Tendai and Dean hope you enjoyed these Oscars prediction posts. It was fun while it lasted and they cannot wait to see if their predictions will come true and who will come out on top. Stay tuned to BTG Lifestyle for the complete list of predictions so far which will be released later this week.

You can follow Dean on Twitter @deeno15 while you can catch the latest from Tendai @1_platinum