OSCAR UPDATE - UPDATED

We saw this film yesterday, loved it, read down to best actress for my views, but I do want to say this may be , 100% top 10 , one of the worst movie posters ever, This is not a goofy buddy pic, kooky Brits doing kooky things at all . And a huge WTF to the air brushing of Dame Judi in this. They look the same age. I said to Neil on the drive home last night that Judi Dench was " brave " too allow that camera in THAT close over and over - Which is a VERY ageist thing for me to think and say, but in botoxed Hollywood it is very true. She looks very much her age in the film  - which is a WONDERFUL thing!!

Best Picture

Dallas Buyers Club OR Nebraska 

But would not be at all upset, surprised yes, upset no if Philomena won

• American Hustle
• Captain Phillips
• Dallas Buyers Club
• Gravity
• Her
• Nebraska
• Philomena
• 12 Years a Slave
• The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ACTRESS

Having not seen Phiomena yet, I am in camp..... I guess Sandra Bullock, just for the scope of the role....Cate Blanchett was very good in Blue Jasmine, I just did not like the movie all that much. But either . As far as " acting chops " go - its all Meryl - she was the wood chipper in Fargo in some of those scenes, in a good way, but I dont think they will give it to her, again.  

Forget all of this - hands down, now that I have seen them all : the award needs, should - and I am leaning towards WILL go to Dame Judi Dench. Her portrayal of a real ( and I mean nothing pejorative about any of the following adjectives ) simple, honest real woman is a master class of acting. She and Meryl Streep are the complete opposite ends of a spectrum on this one - The wood chipper verses the tea cozy - and where as Ms Streep not only keeps you at arms length with her blood spattered role, Dame Judy pulls you in - takes you along with her - allows you to love and feel for the character. 

I told Dahn last night that I rarely cry at not dog themed movies - and Neil and I both had a gasping mini breakdown at one scene in this  - I am guessing you will as well. 

Dame Judy gets #2 ( and #1 was really sort of an odd award - so she needs a " real " one )

• Amy Adams - American Hustle
• Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
• Sandra Bullock - Gravity
• Dame Judi Dench  - Philomena
• Meryl Streep  - August : Osage County

BEST ACTOR

Chiwetel Ejiofor OR Matther McConaughey - and really leaning more towards the latter, although Bruce Durn was freaking amazing in Nebraska. A hard choice. 

• Christian Bale - American Hustle
• Bruce Dern -  Nebraska
• Leonardo DiCaprio - Wolf of Wall Street
• Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave
• Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

100% should go to June Squibb, but will go to Lupita Nyong'o , and she was very good, just not in the film that much....but for her first film out she was outstanding .

• Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine
• Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
• Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave
• Julia Roberts - August: Osage County
• June Squibb - Nebraska

SUPPORTING ACTOR

I would vote for Jared Leto , but Michael Fassbender was just as scary and evil as a man can get with out being Hannibal Lecter 

• Barkhad Abdi - Captain Phillips
• Bradley Cooper - American Hustle
• Michael Fassbender - 12 Years a Slave
• Jonah Hill - Wolf of Wall Street
• Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

DIRECTOR

Hmmmm... since Gravity was ONLY in the director's mind, you would guess him, but my vote would be for Alexander Payne

• David O. Russell - American Hustle
• Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity
• Alexander Payne - Nebraska
• Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave
• Martin Scorsese - Wolf of Wall Street  

We are going to break down,  and watch the crap fest hyper masculine overdrive mess that I know Wolf of Wallstreet is - JUST to get them all in.