Alfonso Cuaron Wins at the DGA: What Does This Mean for Oscar?

Affleck passes the torch to the director of Gravity.

In a not so surprising announcement (unlike last week's tie at the Producers Guild), Alfonso Cuaron was awarded at the Directors Guild Awards last night. It comes as no surprise, because Cuaron has been the frontrunner in this category since Gravity had been seen. Not to mention, he's won the most awards (the only major award he lost was at the NYFCC to Steve McQueen) out of every director in the category.

With the DGA behind him, it's clear to say that he will win the Oscar. But can Gravity win Best Picture?

It very well could. However, while most people will be quick to say that Gravity will win Best Picture and Director (and a shit ton of tech awards), I think that there will be a split between Picture and Director. It doesn't happen very often, but it can happen.

There is an argument that if you're voting for Cuaron, you recognize that Gravity succeeds because it's his masterpiece, and that's true. Without Cuaron, Gravity would not be the amazing experience we all know it is. But to think 12 Years A Slave is only going home with 1 Oscar (Lupita Nyong'o for Supporting Actress) just doesn't seem right to me. It would be the first predominantly black film to win Best Picture, not to mention it's a masterpiece in its own right. I would be happy if Gravity won, but I think this award belongs to 12 Years A Slave; films like this do not come around that often, and should be rewarded.

It'll be interesting to see where BAFTA goes with their Picture choice. Gravity was the film with the most nominations, so if it cleans up, that's how we'll know it's over for 12 YAS.

Full list of winners below.

Feature Film:

• Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Documentary:

• Jehane Noujaim, The Square 

Drama Series:

• Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad, "Felina"

Comedy Series:

• Beth McCarthy Miller, 30 Rock, "Hogcock/Last Lunch"

Variety/Talk/Sports- Regularly Scheduled Programming:

• Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live, "Saturday Night Live with Host Justin Timberlake"

Variety/Talk/News- Specials:

• Glenn Weiss, The 67th Annual Tony Awards

Reality Programs:

• Neil P. DeGroot, 72 Hours, "The Lost Coast"

Children's Programs: 

• Amy Schatz, An Apology to Elephants 

Commercials:

• Martin de Thurah, The Man Who Couldn't Slow Down, Hennessy VS; Human Race, Acura MDX 2014