BAFTA Predictions 2014

Best Film

12 Years a Slave

American Hustle

Captain Philips

Gravity

Philomena

Who should win: 12 Years a Slave

Who will win: 12 Years a Slave

It’s basically one of the most important films ever made and if you haven’t seen it yet, then stop what you’re doing and watch it. It’s not just excellent acting, it Steve McQueen’s best film to date. And not only should it win, I have faith that it will. 

Snubs: Since the BAFTAs have a shorter list than the Oscars, there’s a lot of room for snubs. In my opinion any film, I don’t care which, could replace American Hustle which is an incredibly mediocre film compared to some of the greats released this year. 

Best Director

Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

David O Russell – American Hustle

Paul Greengrass – Captain Philips 

Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

Martin Scorsese – the Wolf of Wall Street

Who should win: Steve McQueen

Like I’ve already said, it’s not only his best work yet but it’s also the best work of the year. He’s one of the greatest and most important directors of this generation. That said, if he doesn’t win it (and I don’t think he will), he eventually will. 

Who will win: Alfonso Cuaron

He seems to be taking it at the moment, which is cool with me because Gravity, from a directorial point of view, is fantastic.

Snubs: Either Spike Jonze or the Coen Brothers could have easily taken David O Russell’s place.

Leading Actress

Amy Adams – American Hustle

Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Emma Thompson – Saving Mr Banks

Judi Dench – Philomena

Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Who should win: Cate Blanchett

Who will win: Cate Blanchett

Although the film in which she stars is created by a completely awful man, she is completely fantastic in it and she seems to be winning across the board. Since it’s the BAFTAs though, I could see a tiny chance of Judi Dench getting it. 

Leading Actor

Bruce Dern – Nebraska

Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

Christian Bale – American Hustle

Tom Hanks – Captain Philips 

Leonardo DiCaprio – the Wolf of Wall Street

Who should win: Chiwetel Ejiofor 

Do I really have to write more about how incredible that film is?

Who will win: Chiwetel Ejiofor or Leonardo DiCaprio

Seeing as Matthew McConaughey isn’t nominated (which is weird as he seems to be first in line for the Oscar), I can see it going to Ejifor or DiCaprio.

Supporting Actor

Barkhad Abdi – Captain Philips 

Bradley Cooper – American Hustle

Daniel Bruhl – Rush

Matt Damon – Behind the Candelabra

Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave

Who should win: Michael Fassbender

DO I REALLY HAVE TO WRITE MORE ABOUT HOW INCREDIBLE THAT FILM IS?

Who will win: Probably Michael Fassbender

Snubs: It really seems like the BAFTAs aren’t big fans of Dallas Buyers Club, because where is Jared Leto’s nomination? Considering he is winning literally every award for his role it doesn’t make sense that he isn’t nominated here. Also, no Jonah Hill?

Supporting Actress

Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave

Oprah Winfrey – the Butler

Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Who should win: Julia Roberts or Lupita Nyong’o

Look, I really want to make a case for Julia because she has done her career best work this year and her performance actually makes more sense in the Leading Actress category. Then again, Lupita is so so excellent.

Who will win: Lupita Nyong’o.

Seriously, just watch or rewatch 12 Years a Slave. 

Rising Star Award

Dane DeHaan

George MacKay

Lupita Nyong’o 

Will Poulter

Lea Seydoux

Who should win: Anyone

Who will win: Will Poulter 

Since it’s the British public that vote, I can see Will Poulter winning as most remember him from when he was in Son of Rambow back in 2007. Also, he was the best part of We Are the Millers. 

Snubs: To be fair, the five chosen have all done good, interesting work recently but nominations for Greta Gerwig, Miles Teller, Michael B Jordan and Brie Larson wouldn’t have gone amiss. 

Beth Johnston

BAFTA Predictions

It's that time of year again - the time to don the little black dress, down several glasses of champagne and practice looking gracious and pleased when you don't win something. Or, for us normal people, it's the time of year again to sit on the sofa with a jumbo bag of popcorn, cooing over Keira Knightley's dresses. And what would an awards ceremony be without some predictions? Here are our nominations for tonight's BAFTA ceremony.

Best Film
Argo
Les Misérables

Life Of Pi

Lincoln

Zero Dark Thirty

What I want to win: I’ve only actually seen two of these films, but I feel that I know them all so well that I’m able to pass judgment on them without having to see them. So, Argo please. I’m sure I’m among the millions of people who never thought they’d be writing these words, but Ben Affleck’s gone from strength to strength in his directing career. This film was tight, captivating, and full of drawn-out scenes filled with so much tension that I thought I’d end up screaming in the cinema. Plus, it’s based on a true story, and we all know how much Awards voters love that.

What will win: It’s a tie between Lincoln and Les Mis. BAFTA tend to favour British films, plus it’s directed by previous award-winner Tom Hooper, so it stands a pretty big chance. But, saying that, Lincoln has the most nominations, plus, well, it’s directed by Spielberg, stars Daniel Day-Lewis and is a historical epic. Need I say any more?

Snubs: Well, where to start? Beasts of Southern Wild, which has received a suprising amount of Oscar nominations, has been severely snubbed here, as has Moonrise Kingdom, which has received a shameful one nomination from both Oscar and BAFTA. Why do you hate cute indie films guys? Django Unchained and Seven Psychopaths both should’ve been nominated, but everyone knows that they would never win. From this year’s nominations it’s clear that BAFTA favours heavy, “based on a true story” (wherever possible) films over imaginative indies, or violent films with a comical side. Sorry, do I sound a little bitter?

Grace Barber-Plentie

Best Director
Michael Haneke - Amour
Ben Affleck - Argo
Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained
Ang Lee - Life Of Pi
Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty

Who I want to win: I don't feel passionately that SO AND SO DEFINITELY DESERVES TO WIN but I think I'd like to see Lee or Tarantino win the most out of those nominated.

Who will win: Despite all the hype around Argo (as well as my own prejudice against Matt Damon's best friend), Ben Affleck feels like a safe bet for Best Director and I would be very surprised (and a little bit glad if I'm being truthful here) if Affleck didn't win. It just feels like this is his year to flounce away with a lot of the top awards. The films with the most nominations are Lincoln (11), Les Miserables (9), and Life of Pi (9), but strangely enough, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hopper haven't been nominated for Best Director this year - so Life of Pi's popularity this year makes me feel like Ang Lee is probably still a contender for the award, especially as he managed to make a film based on a book that many people claimed was completely unfilmable.

Snubs: I'm not particularly outraged that Hooper and Spielberg weren't nominated, but to be honest, I was expecting Paul Thomas Anderson to get a nomination for The Master this year.

Shayane Lacey


Leading Actress

Emmanuelle Riva - Amour
Helen Mirren - Hitchcock
Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard - Rust and Bone

What I want to win: My kind heart would like to see Emmanuelle Riva win for her heartbreaking role in Amour, especially at the end of a long career. On the other hand, I’d love if Jennifer Lawrence won because OH BOY, she was fantastic in Silver Linings Playbook. But y’know, it’s only the beginning of her career: it’s not like if she doesn’t win now, she never will!

What will win: I kind of feel like this one will go to Jessica Chastain, based purely on how well she is doing awards-wise.

Snubs: HUSHPUPPY! Seriously, Quvenzhané Wallis (A name that the copy and paste button was created for) is a revelation and at the age of nine has achieved more than I ever will. Surely she could have taken the place of Dame Helen? Also, no Naomi Watts?

Beth Johnston


Leading Actor
Ben Affleck - Argo
Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln
Hugh Jackman - Les Misérables
Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

Who I want to win: Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of my indignation at Christoph Waltz only being nominated for Supporting Actor AGAIN. Aside from that, Joaquin Phoenix wholeheartedly deserves this award. The Master is an astonishing film simply filled to the brim with breathtaking performances. Phoenix's performance is be hard to watch during most of the film, purely because he wholeheartedly commits to playing such a broken and complicated character. The audience is left unsure of whether to pity or hate this character, and I consider that to be a sign of a good actor.

Who will win: It's a three horse race here - either Lincoln sweeps the board and Daniel Day-Lewis (not entirely undeservedly) wins yet another trophy, the BAFTA board want to vote British and Hugh Jackman wins, or, controversially, Bradley Cooper manages to charm everyone.

Snubs: It does feel deeply insulting to nominate Django Unchained for everything but leading actor, especially as Jamie Foxx does deliver a pretty damn good performance as the titular "silver-tongued devil". Continuing the J-theme, the constantly over-looked John Hawkes added yet another strong performance to his list as a polio-ridded journalist keen to lose his virginity, but alas, was completely overlooked across the awards board.

Grace Barber-Plentie


Supporting Actor
Alan Arkin - Argo
Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained
Javier Bardem - Skyfall
Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master
Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln


Who I want to win: Things are getting tricky here, mainly because this, Leading Actor and Supporting Actress are the only three categories where I've seen all but one of the films nominated! (yes, you guessed it, I still haven't seen Lincoln.) I think I'm tied between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christoph Waltz here, as their performances were, as usual, exceptional. However, despite my deep loathing of Skyfall, Javier Bardem and his extraordinary hair was its only redeeming feature.

Who will win: It's a tie between Bardem as I'm positive that Skyfall has to win something, and Lee Jones if Lincoln goes on a rampage tonight.

Snubs: Leo DiCaprio smashed his hand open in Django Unchained to get an Oscar, and isn't nominated for anything. You've gotta feel for the poor guy.

Grace Barber-Plentie


Supporting Actress
Amy Adams - The Master
Anne Hathaway - Les Misérables
Helen Hunt - The Sessions
Judi Dench - Skyfall
Sally Field - Lincoln

Who I want to win: I always forget that Amy Adams is a "proper" actress as the first film I saw her in was Enchanted, therefore I was pleasantly surprised at how brilliant she was in The Master. I will also grudgingly accept Anne Hathaway winning as, while I'm not her biggest fan, her twenty minutes in Les Mis were probably the most decent section of it.

Who will win: It's gotta be Hathaway, right?

Snubs: For once, I can't think of anyone.

Grace Barber-Plentie

Cinematography 
Anna Karenina - Seamus McGarvey
Les Misérables - Danny Cohen
Life Of Pi - Claudio Miranda
Lincoln - Janusz Kaminski
Skyfall - Roger Deakins

Life of Pi is both what I think deserves to win and my prediction for what will win Best Cinematography - but I think that Skyfall is definitely in with a chance to win as well and I don't feel that Miranda is enough of a safe bet for the award to completely rule out Deakins. 

Shayane Lacey

Rising Star
Elizabeth Olsen
Andrea Riseborough
Suraj Sharma
Juno Temple
Alicia Vikander

This is a pretty awesome award as it’s the only publicly voted award throughout award season: however, it can be terribly fan biased i.e. Kristen Stewart in 2010 – all the other nominees are much more deserving.

Who I want to win:  I would like to see it go to Elizabeth Olsen purely for being the only Olsen capable of acting, but also for her performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Who will win: I can see Juno Temple taking this one: she’s been around for years now and her teeny role in The Dark Knight Rises has given her some more exposure to mainstream audiences. Also, her hair is the best.

Snubs: I’m kind of surprised Ezra Miller wasn’t nominated and I would have loved Rebel Wilson to get some love because she completely stole Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids.

Beth Johnston