Here are my predictions for some of the Oscar 2015 categories! 
Best Picture
Will Win: Boyhood
Should Win: Boyhood
Birdman and Boyhood are battling head to head here. Birdman perhaps is more deserving, a creative piece that shrewdly dissects Hollywood. but I stand by the fact that Boyhood should win. Should we honor a film that may not be the most strongest narratively but purely for technical feats? Many feel that we shouldn’t. In this case, I think we should. You can’t deny that Boyhood managed to capture the magic and emotional resonance of time. We watch actors age before our eyes. It’s never been done before, could have easily failed, and I feel we should honor it for that. 
Best Director
Will Win: Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Birdman
Should Win: Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Birdman
Richard Linklater could easily win, but often the Best Picture winner differs from Best Director winner. The vote splits in order to honor the two films that are usually head-to-head frontrunners. (See last year, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity) While Linklater helmed a technical bravura, Iñárritu’s creative odyessy. 
Best Actor
Will Win: Michael Keaton for Birdman
Should Win: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything
This is hard. Again we have two frontrunners running head to head. I wish there could be a tie, because both are deserving. I am really starting to think Keaton will win. His long history in Hollywood gives him the edge, and this may be one of those cases where not only is the Oscar honoring the performance, but the actor’s longevity and career as well. While I think Keaton is deserving, Eddie Redmayne truly transformed into Hawking, which is no easy physical feat. I wish there was a way to honor them both, but I think Keaton will come out the winner. 
Best Actress
Will Win: Julianne Moore for Still Alice
Should Win: Julianne Moore for Still Alice
It’s her year. She deserves it. I loved Rosamund’s Amazing Amy, which is an iconic role that will be long remembered. I loved every actress in this category, and if any of them won it would be fitting. But she, and no other actress here, is no match for Moore at this point. 
Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Should Win: J,K, Simmons for Whiplash
Another lock. J.K. Simmons as the terrifying teacher was an explosive and memorable performance, the best in this category. 
Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
Should Win: Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
The only other actress in this category that I very much enjoyed was Emma Stone in Birdman, I thought she did a great job. However, Patricia Arquette’s tender performance as a single mom will take the prize. 
Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness for Grand Budapest Hotel
Should Win: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo for Birdman
I didn’t love Grand Budapest Hotel, I feel that Birdman should take this category. But I think the Oscars will finally honor Wes Anderson’s long-standing career in originality and quirkiness. I also enjoyed Nightcrawler in this category, but it’s being overshadowed by these two films. Whiplash should’ve been in this category as well. 
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win: Graham Moore for The Imitation Game
Should Win: Graham Moore for The Imitation Game
Inherent Vice was incomprehensible, American Sniper is problematic, The Theory of Everything had great performances but fairly tepid story, and Whiplash shouldn’t be in this category. The Imitation Game was an exciting, taut, and emotional story and is deserving frontrunner. 
Best Cinematography
Will Win: Emmanuel Lubezki for Birdman
Should Win: Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski for Ida
Ida‘s stark black and white with tall landscapes were gorgeous, but Birdman’s audacious style is likely to take this one. 
Best Editing
Will Win: Sandra Adair for Boyhood
Should Win: Tom Cross for Whiplash
Strange that Birdman is not in this category! Sandra Adair will likely win for editing the 12 years worth of material. However, the heart-racing editing of Whiplash, especially in the thrilling drum sequences, are worthy of honoring.
Best Original Score
Will Win: Johann Johannsson for The Theory of Everything
Should Win: Hans Zimmer for Interstellar
I’m partial to Interstellar‘s score, I loved the film and the soundtrack (especially the use of organs in the docking scene) made the entire experience overwhelmingly stunning. But Johann Johannsson’s score has been the frontrunner for this category.
Best Visual Effects
Will Win: Interstellar
Should Win: Interstellar
Interstellar will likely be honored for their reliance on less CGI to create those breathtaking space sequences.
Cinematic Visions 