Here are the nominees for...

    I just posted the 'talk & comment' post on Monday, so today I'll just cut to the chase. Tomorrow we find out who the nominees are. That will narrow things down. 
   I know I said no talking but Saturday - SAG awards. I did my research and the last 9 winners at the SAG best actor categories went on to win the Oscar. Also in other categories the guys are pretty predictive as there is a huge overlap in the members of the SAG and the Oscars acting categories nomination voting groups.
   You might find some surprises, and I agree there is a slim chance for some of them. But I just have a hunch about some of them, and I learned the hard way not to ignore that.
   Here are the nominees in the categories I felt like predicting. Also a couple comments on each.

Best Picture:
- 12 Years a Slave
- American Hustle
- Gravity
- Nebraska
- Her
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Dallas Buyers Club
- Captain Phillips

I feel there might be 8 nominees this year. If there are 9 then Saving Mr. Banks. If 10 (not going to happen) then Inside Llewyn Davis. 
If I were to say the winner's name it would be 12 Years a Slave. Just seems strong at the moment.

Winner: 12 Years a Slave
Possibly: American Hustle


Best Director:
- Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
- Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
- David O. Russel (American Hustle)
- Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips)
- Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

I don't see a surprise in my crystal ball, but it's not like it's ever working so.. But still these were arguably the best directed movies this year. Some excitingly, some creatively, and some - I have no idea, i guess momentum. As much as I would like to see Steve McQueen grab a win for his extraordinary direction, it might go to Cuaron and that's who I'm betting on. As for possible spoilers my first guess is Spike Jonze for "Her". Then maybe Alexander Payne for "Nebraska", and if the Academy feels like surprises then Ryan Coogler for "Fruitvale Station" (We know they love beginning artists).

Winner: Alfonso Cuaron
Possibly Steve McQueen

Best Actor:
- Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
- Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
- Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
- Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station)
- Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips

Now I know.. DiCaprio and Redford. I loved both performances but snubs are part of the Academy. And Jordan is the hunch. It's not likely but that's what they said about Benh Zheitlin last year. If anyone is the odd one it's Jordan. In his place I would have gone with DiCaprio, and then Redford. But I'll stay with my hunch.
As for winning I think it's Ejofor's to loose. And if loose then to McConaughey.
Whoever wins the SAG will be my No1 prediction as best actor. 

Winner: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Possibly: Matthew McConaughey


Best Actress:
- Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
- Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
- Judi Dench (Philomena)
- Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks)
- Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

This is the five that only two weeks ago everybody agreed on. Then the Globes came and it changed. But I must remind you all that the Globes were announced after the balloting for Oscar ended. No momentum after the win for Adams had an impact on whatever happens tomorrow. So of course if anyone's out then Adams jumps in. But i stay with our little "over 40 club".

Winner: Cate Blanchett
Possibly: Judi Dench (loosing attention though)


Best Supporting Actor
- Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
- Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
- Daniel Bruhl (Rush)
- Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
- Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)

I am not sure about the last slot. It might be taken by Gandolfini or Bradley Cooper instead. But I'm going for a little surprise and choose Hill. As for the winner I think this is the surest thing except for Best Actress.Jared Leto takes it home. Although we know the drill, might be a winner snub. Might it be Fassbender? Also what I think might happen is that Jonah Hill gets nominated, but the DiCaprio also gets in. Sort of a feeling. Anyways that's that for now.

Winner: Jared Leto
Possibly: Michael Fassbender


Best Supporting Actress
- Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
- Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
- Oprah Winfrey (Lee Daniels' The Butler)
- June Squibb (Nebraska)
- Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)

I think that this is the category that doesn't plan to surprise although I wouldn't be surprised if Margot Robbie sneaked in for her Hollywood debut. She is an Aussie and nails the Brooklyn accent in the movie. Pretty impressive. But my 5 is what i mentioned. I don't see Octavia Spencer here.
As for the final outcome I see Lupita Nyong'o. This category loooves heartbreaking debuts. And we all know that the Academy doesn't really like awarding anybody 2 years in a row. After all J-Law's performance wasn't all that great. Last time when the had to give a consecutive win was Tom Hanks in 1995 for Forest Gump. But let's be honest, he was an obvious choice and as for here... I'm staying with Lupita.

Winner: Lupita Nyong'o
Possibly: Jennifer Lawrence

That's it, see you tomorrow after the nominations are announced.