Eddie Redmayne is Front and Center on "The Danish Girl" Poster

We're still on the fringe of Oscar season, but all of the contenders are beginning to fall in place. Eddie Redmayne, our most recent Best Actor winner, is already predicted by many experts to be our frontrunner.

Redmayne's back with another transformative performance, this time as Lili Elbe. Elbe was the first recipient of sex reassignment surgery in the 1920s after being a stand in for a female model in one of her wife's paintings.

Though we've discussed why Redmayne's casting over actual Trans actresses is problematic, there's no doubt in my mind the Academy will take notice. Again, Redmayne won an Oscar just a few months ago, which means a buzzy role like this is likely to provide an 'afterglow' nomination. Not to mention that the film is being directed by Academy Award Winner Tom Hooper.

The film also stars Alicia Vikander, who is being poised as the newest it girl; hot off her success with "Ex-Machina", she will also star in the newest installment of the "Bourne" series. It's also possible she will follow in Felicity Jones' footsteps and land a nomination for playing Redmayne's wife.

Take a look below at the poster for the film, which will screen at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival before being released on November 27.

Oscar Winners

I will be live-blogging throughout the ceremony. Refresh and sick with me through the night for updates and commentary on winners as they are announced.

Final Oscar Predictions: All the Categories

In just a few short hours, we’ll be able to finally put a cap on one of the most confusing Oscar races in recent history. After going months without a presumed frontrunner, “Boyhood” took the slot after winning the lion’s share of the critics’ prizes and critical acclaim. But despite its critical endorsement, something seemed off; no one seemed truly enthused about anointing Boyhood as the winner. For all of its revelatory scope (being filmed over a period of 12 years with the same actors), it’s a story we have heard dozens of times before. 

That feeling proved true, because as we moved into phase 2 (post-Oscar nominations/guild winners), it was Birdman that jumped in the driver’s seat, winning top honors from the Director’s, Actor’s and Producer’s Guilds. The only major guild award it has lost has been the British Academy Award (BAFTA) which went to Boyhood. Statistics will tell you that it’s between these two for the Best Picture win. 

But will it be a clean sweep? Will these two films dominate the ceremony? Hardly. It’s a competitive year, with a number of strong films threatening to spoil these two dog race. So, let’s a look through each category; Who will emerge the night’s biggest winner? 

BAFTA Winners: Boyhood Makes a Comeback!

"Birdman" may have sailed to frontrunner status with wins at the PGA, DGA and SAG, "Boyhood" hit the ground running at the BAFTA's, winning in Supporting Actress, Director and Picture. Birdman, on the other picked up a win with Cinematography, with Eddie Redmayne (expectedly) walking away with the Best Actor trophy. He is the favorite to win the Oscar at this point.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" also picked up some major wins; it's clear that the enthusiasm is spread between these three films; but which one is going to end up on top come Oscar time?

Take a look at the full list of winners below.

"Birdman" Poised to Win Best Picture

In what must be the most unexpected surge towards Best Picture in recent history, director Alejandro González Iñárritu picked up the big win at last night's DGA awards, fresh off of his film's wins with the PGA and SAG a few weeks ago. Though it certainly seemed like this would b Richard Linklater's trophy to lose, "Birdman" has solidified itself as the film to beat for the top prize with the Oscars in a few weeks.

Academy Award Nominations: The Whitest Oscars Since 1998

Sometimes, the critics do matter; Marion Cotillard was nominated in Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Two Days, One Night". 

"Wow" just about sums up my reaction to this year's Oscar nominations. As they always do, the Academy reminded us that they really do go their own way when it comes to what they see as 'the best'. 

Academy Award Nominations: What to Expect Tomorrow

Frontrunner "Boyhood" has a lot of momentum going into nomination day. 

We've heard from the Globes, and we're still awaiting on final decisions from SAG, the DGA, the PGA and the Broadcast Film Critics, but we finally have a consensus, at least.

Recap: Last Night's Golden Globes

Margaret Keane's best "Big Eyes" painting was in attendance at last night's ceremony.

If there's anything learned watching last night's Golden Globes, it's that the HFPA really is into doing their own thing. Several categories went in a completely different direction, awarding the underdogs in their respective races. It seems like the Globes are really trying their best to distance themselves away from the organization that nominated "The Tourist" back in 2011, especially in regards to the television categories.

"Selma" Snubbed Again at the BAFTA's

It's honestly mind-blowing to me that the year's best film is having such a hard time with awards season. Though I suppose a lot of the blame has to be placed upon distributor Paramount for the lack of screeners being released to voters, and the hackneyed release (though that apparently has to do with how late team "Selma" was in finishing the final cut of the film).

Still, the fact that BAFTA did not give the film a single nomination is a clear snub. Instead, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" showed some very robust, and unexpected strength and managed 11 nominations, the most for any film this year.

"The Theory of Everything" predictably did very well with BAFTA, while "Boyhood", "The Imitation Game" and "Birdman" continued their status as top-tier contenders.

See the full list of nominations (and commentary) below.

We're in for the Whitest, Male-ist Oscars Yet

Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne lead the several mediocre, white male-centric films destined for Oscar glory. 

After last year's Best Picture Oscar race, which including groundbreaking films such as "Gravity", "12 Years A Slave" and "Her", it's hard not to feel a sinking feeling of disappointment. 12 Years A Slave, on paper, fit into Oscar's wheelhouse, despite it's determination not to shy away from the atrocities of slavery, violence included. It was a period piece, and a biopic not to mention, it was an incredible achievement, one that Oscar couldn't look away from and still maintain it was the highest honor to receive in film.

In Gravity's case, a woman held the screen for the film's entire running time, going through her own character arc and overcoming hardship without the aid of a male character. Even "Philomela" found its way into the Best Picture race, which focused on an elderly woman grappling with being forced to give up her son by the Catholic Church. The film dealt with themes of faith, sexuality and love, and again was headlined by an 80 year old actress.

Sure, films focusing on white men overcoming hardship like "Nebraska" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" found their way into contention, but when you compare last year to this year, last year smells a little fresher. This year, you won't find films like Gravity or Philomena. Sure, there's Ava DuVernay's magnificent "Selma", but that film stands alone in a category filled with "The Theory of Everything", "The Imitation Game", "Foxcatcher", "American Sniper" and even "Boyhood". Gillian Flynn is the only woman screenwriter in contention for Best Adapted Screenplay, and of the acting contenders, Selma's David Oyelowo is the only person of color expected to receive a nomination.

PGA Nominees: Selma Snubbed

When it comes to predicting the Oscar's Best Picture line up, the Producer's Guild is the most important precursor there is. They're usually pretty accurate, though there are often 1 or 2 that miss with Oscar (last year's "Blue Jasmine", 2012's "Skyfall", 2011's "Bridesmaids").

The biggest surprise looking at this year's list of nominees, is in the inclusion of Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" and Dan Gilroy's "Nightcrawler"  and the exclusion of Ava DuVernay's "Selma". In the case of Nightcrawler, the film seems to be beloved by many; Jake Gyllenhaal's performance has received substantial acclaim and the film itself is popping up in many other Best Picture lists, but it's always been perceived as an Oscar play for Gyllenhaal and not a serious Best Picture play. American Sniper, on the other hand, has received some positive reviews (mainly for leading man Bradley Cooper) and won big with the NBR, but hasn't really popped up anywhere else. Eastwood always registers better with the Academy, however, so I guess it shouldn't be that much of a surprise.

But the fact it made it in over the universally acclaimed Selma, is shocking to me, and hopefully not telling of what's to come with Oscar. Both films have yet to expand in wide release, but have been doing very well at the box office. If anything, I think Selma will eventually edge out Nightcrawler come Oscar morning.

Despite raking in some major money over the holidays, neither Angelina Jolie's "Unbroken" or Rob Marshall's "Into the Woods" could find any love here. In the case of Jolie, her film failed to live up to the monumental expectations dumped upon it as the frontrunner from the moment it was announced. Woods, on the other hand, received some great notices, but not as a Best Picture play. That shouldn't keep it from receiving attention for Meryl Streep and the craft/tech work.

The big winner though, is "The Grand Budapest Hotel", which has been receiving just about every nod it needed to overcome its early release date, including SAG, the Globes and now the PGA. I think it has what it takes to be one of the film's with the most nominations. And "Whiplash", once seen as a vehicle for eventual Best Supporting Actor winner J.K. Simmons, could squeak in on passion as "the little indie that could". It'll be interesting to see what eventually ends up on Oscar's shortlist.

See the full list of nominees below.

Critics, Globes & SAG: What Do They Tell Us?

I can't remember the last time an Oscar race was so unpredictable; though "Boyhood" is the "critical favorite" of this year, I don't know if it's our Best Picture winner yet. "Birdman" is the film that's getting the most notices in many of the other craft categories, while "The Theory of Everything" and "The Imitation Game" are playing well for Academy members, and showed surprising strength over more ensemble-like fair such as "Into the Woods" with the Screen Actors Guild. Then there are critical favorites like "Nightcrawler" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel" that are winning traction outside of the categories they were originally predicted in. Waiting in the wings, is Ava Duvernay's MLK biopic, "Selma", which is poised to one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, not to mention, it's Academy friendly material that appeals to the zeitgeist. In other words, it's a real toss up.

Let's see who is up and who is down after the busy week.

Golden Globe Nominations

See the full list of Film nominees below.

21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations

Full nomination list (and reactions) below.

Theory of Everything is too Conventional for its Own Good

Both Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne have been on the brink of career breakthroughs for several years now. Jones won acclaim for her naturalistic performance in 2011's "Like Crazy", which failed to nab her substantial awards attention, and any success with meaty roles. Redmayne has been apart of several high profile projects, namely 2012's "Les Miserables" which, I believe almost nabbed him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

So, it makes no sense then that 2 actors on the verge of mainstream success team up in a buzzy, high-profile biopic detailing the relationship between the brilliant Stephen Hawking and his incredibly strong (now ex) wife Jane. Directed by James Marsh, the film has enjoyed much acclaim, especially for Redmayne's performance. which requires a vast amount of physical commitment from the young actor.

But despite the Oscar buzz, "Theory of Everything" is far from relevatory, and in fact, is just an ordinary biopic.

Oscar Contenders: Who is Up and Who is Down?

"American Hustle" racked up 10 nominations last year, and you can attribute that to buzz 100%. By the time nomination ballots were filled out, the film had been anointed as the frontrunner by the New York Film Critics Circle (the first major group to hand out awards). The NYFCC blatantly changed their awards date to be the first, before the Los Angeles critics and before the National Board of Review, but this was no accident. It's universally accepted that the group wanted to establish their impact as an organization, and they did by shoving American Hustle firmly into the race. They gave the film Best Picture, Screenplay and Supporting Actress honors, with director David O. Russell coming in 2nd to Steve McQueen, and Amy Adams placing 2nd to Cate Blanchett. The film had a strong early reception from industry insiders, all of which had taken place before anyone of importance had actually seen the film.. and thus it walked away with 10 Oscar nominations. But when voters and audiences sat down to watch the film, the reception had become more divisive. In the end, it walked away with 0 Oscars of those 10 nominations. This is an example of how buzz and hype can build your film up, but also how it can tear you down.

Hype now dominates the Oscar race. What films have the most hype? What are people on the internet talking about? Which films are being talked about the most? Following a film's buzz is arguably the best way to guess where its Oscar standing is. It's been about a month since we last sat down and looked at the Oscar race. Several high profile contenders have been released since, but have they stuck their landing? Let's see where they stand. 

The Calm Before the Storm: Where are we in the Oscar Race?

"Boyhood", "The Imitation Game", "The Theory of Everything", "Birdman", "Foxcatcher" and "Gone Girl" all look like Best Picture nominees, but who is leading?

The Oscar race is a fickle thing; the slightest bit of negative buzz can all but deter a film on the winning track to implosion. Your buzz can never peak too early, and your release date can't be too far away from the end of the year. Sure, you can skip the festivals (New York, Cannes, Venice, Telluride) but you better have a hell of a box office success story, or Meryl Streep playing a Holocaust victim in a film backed by Harvey Weinstein if you want to secure some major nominations.


At this point last year, we had "Gravity" breaking box office records, and "12 Years A Slave" had won the top prize at the Toronto Film Festival; these were undisputed frontrunners. It was going to come down to these 2 (and it did, with some heat from "American Hustle"). I can honestly say that as of right now, I have no idea what film will win Best Picture; we don't really have a front runner.

Some Takeaways From TIFF & Telluride

Both the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals have become feverishly important events in the Oscar race, especially in recent years. Though some winners peak early in the year (for example, 2011's Best Picture winner, "The Artist" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival), more and more often it seems that Telluride and (especially Toronto) are 2 of the biggest places to build buzz.

It should come as no surprise then, that in the near aftermath of these 2 festivals, several contenders have built enormous amount of buzz, buzz that should very well carry them over the finish line.

Though the People's Choice Award (Toronto Film Festival's highest honor) has yet to be announced, here are some things we've learned over the last few days as films have had their premieres:

Oscar Race: Turning Up the Heat

The end of the summer is upon us, and with the Venice Film Festival just around the corner (starting on the 27th and ending on the 6th of September), we're really about to get in the thick of Oscar season.

Of course, the summer has been dominated (mainly) by buzz; none of the films that are being predicted to be heavyweights in the season have premiered to the masses yet, except for Richard Linklater's "Boyhood" (more on that later). Of the films predicted to do well this season, even fewer have had premieres at all ("Whiplash" had Sundance, "Foxcatcher" had Cannes, "Birdman" will open Venice in a week's time); we've mainly been restricted to pictures, hearsay and trailers.

So, where does that leave us now?