My Picks for the 2014 Academy Awards

For the first time in a few years, there have been two really great films in the running for the Best Picture category at the Oscars. I really enjoyed Argo and I was pleased that it won the Best Picture last year, but I'm not sure that its greatness will necessarily stand the test of time.

My selections for the 2014 Academy Awards are hampered by the fact that I haven't seen a few of the key movies, including Her, Nebraska and Philomena, but I have picked out my favourites in several of the major categories. It was hard to choose between 12 Years a Slave and Gravity because each is extremely impressive in a very different way. Ultimately, I think the former should win Best Picture and I hope the award doesn't go to American Hustle instead, which I liked but which isn't a truly great film. I hope Cuarón gets the recognition he deserves for Gravity, but David O. Russell could well end up seizing victory, especially after narrowly missing out for Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter. It was also nice to see Before Midnight getting a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay, although I'm not entirely sure what it was adapted from — there was a lot of improvisation, so perhaps that contributed.

I had a tough job choosing between Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club and Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave in the Best Actor category; I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio should win for The Wolf of Wall Street, but the Academy may just feel that it's finally his time. Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett surely has the Best Actress category sewn up, right (unless the Academy members have seen The Monuments Men and baulk at her "French" accent). I think new-to-the-big-screen Lupita Nyong'o should win Best Supporting Actress, but can she stop the seemingly unstoppable Jennifer Lawrence? I guess we will see on Sunday night.

Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave [seen 6/9]
Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity [seen 4/5]
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey,  Dallas Buyers Club [seen 4/5]
Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips [seen 5/5]
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine [seen 3/5]
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave [seen 3/5]
Best Adapted Screenplay: Before Midnight [seen 4/5]
Best Original Screenplay: American Hustle [seen 3/5]

Oh, and speaking of the Oscars, isn't this infographic showing the dresses worn by all the Best Actress Oscar winners awesome?

Courtesy of: Mediarun