It is here already, the 87th Academy Awards! So, as I have done for the past few years, it is time for me to post my annual predictions. I will try to hit every category, although some of them I am not familiar with, such as Documentary or Live Short Film. For these, I will go with what the general public seems to think will win, and make my best educated guess. Remember, these are what I predict will win, not necessarily what I think should win. So let’s get started!

Best Picture

Nominees: “American Sniper,” “Birdman,”  “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game,” “Selma,” “The Theory of Everything,”  “Whiplash”

Predicted Winner: “Boyhood”

For this year, the predicted Best Picture has definitely been more uncertain than it has in the past. For example, last year almost everybody expected “12 Years A Slave” to win, due to it being not only universally acclaimed, but also because it won all of the other major awards. And this year, while “Boyhood” won the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, and many others, it missed out on the Producers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild. And many of the awards that it missed out on went to “Birdman” instead, so many people are saying that it is a toss-up between the two.

But, awards aside, let’s talk about the movies themselves. “Boyhood” is a one-of-a-kind cinematic event, having been filmed over 12 years with the same cast, and with some fantastic performances by many of them. “Birdman,” on the other hand, has its own remarkable qualities, such as the way that it was filmed as if it is one continuous take. But, years from now, which one will people remember? I’m thinking “Boyhood.” It’s the type of special movie that deserves to be recognized, and I believe that the Academy will realize that.

Best Director

Nominees:  Alejandro G. Iñárritu, “Birdman,” Richard Linklater, “Boyhood,” Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher,” Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”

Predicted Winner: Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”

Here is yet another toss-up between “Birdman” and “Boyhood.” Historically, the Best Picture winner has also won the Best Director award, although we know in past years that this is not necessarily true. Last year, for example, Steve McQueen’s “12 Years A Slave” won Best Picture, yet the Best Director award went to Alfonso Cuarón for “Gravity.” And the year before, Ben Affleck wasn’t even nominated for “Argo.” This year, though, I’m thinking that “Boyhood” will win both Picture and Director.

Linklater may have missed out on the Directors Guild award, but he also won the Golden Globe and many others. Plus, I think Linklater’s veteran status will help him here. He has been doing movies for a long time, with almost no awards to show for it. Iñárritu has been making films for a while also, and the directing in his movie may be an admirable achievement. But I really think that the Academy would prefer to award Linklater. After all, “Boyhood” was filmed over 12 years, and could have been a complete disaster, but thanks to Linklater’s direction, it is instead one of the most heartwarming coming-of-age films in years. I may be in the minority, but I’m going with “Boyhood” for this one.

Best Actor

Nominees: Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher,” Michael Keaton, “Birdman,” Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper,” “Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything,” Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”

Predicted Winner: Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”

And yet another category that is a toss-up between “Birdman” and another movie, although this time it’s not “Boyhood” (Mainly because “Boyhood” is not in the running.) This category is really between Eddie Redmayne for his performance as Stephen Hawking and Michael Keaton for playing Riggan Thomson, an old, washed-up actor who used to be known for playing a superhero (sound like anybody?). There is also the potential for an upset by Bradley Cooper, who really seemed to come out of nowhere in this category, beating out the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal for “Nightcrawler” or David Oyelowo for “Selma.” Really, Academy? You’re not going to nominate the man that played Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Anyways, that’s a conversation for another day. For this category, I’m going against “Birdman” yet again, not necessarily because Keaton doesn’t deserve it, but because of all the awards that Redmayne has beaten him out on. Though they both won at the Golden Globes, due to being in separate categories, Redmayne has subsequently beat Keaton out for both the Screen Actors Guild and the BAFTA. So is the Academy going to also follow suit, or will they instead award Keaton due to his veteran status, which they tend to like? It’s hard to say, but I’m thinking that Redmayne has just that extra edge to his role, due to the entire transformation of it (another thing the Academy likes). He not only was able to capture the physicality of Stephen Hawking, but also the charm, which must have been a very difficult thing to accomplish. Personally, I would be okay with Keaton winning, though, because as I said he is more than deserving.  I just really hope it’s not Bradley Cooper.

Best Actress

Nominees: Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night,” Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl,” Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything,” Reese Witherspoon, “Wild,” Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”

Predicted Winner: Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”

Finally! A category that is basically a sure thing. There is nothing negative to say about Julianne Moore’s performance in “Still Alice.” Portraying a mother with early-onset Alzheimer’s, she brings an emotional intensity to the role. And having been nominated a previous four times, it may finally be Moore’s chance to win. Plus, she won the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild, the BAFTA, and so on. I’d be shocked if the award goes to anyone other than her.

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees: Robert Duvall, “The Judge,”  Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher,” Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood,” J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash,” Edward Norton, “Birdman”

Predicted Winner: J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”

And yet another category that is a sure thing. (Two in a row!) J.K. Simmons has been sweeping the awards with his role as an intense jazz teacher, essentially making the film as great as it is. Also a winner of the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and many others, it’s almost a guarantee that he will take home the big prize.

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood,”  Emma Stone, “Birdman,” Laura Dern, “Wild,” Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods,” Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game

Predicted Winner: Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”

Could that be three in a row for sure things? I think it is! Arquette has also received nearly universal acclaim for her role as the mother in “Boyhood.” I read somewhere that Arquette seemed to be a representation of all frustrated mothers in the 2000’s, who try their hardest to make their kids’ futures work out, yet end up feeling desolate in their own lives. It’s a heart-wrenching thing to see, and Arquette performs beautifully. There is also the fact that she had to portray the character over the course of 12 years. That’s a remarkable quality on its own, and it’s likely what will help Arquette win the Oscar, with really no one else having much of a chance. (Take that, Meryl Streep!)

Best Original Screenplay

Nominees: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo, “Birdman,” Richard Linklater, “Boyhood,” E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, “Foxcatcher,” Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Dan Gilroy, “Nightcrawler”

Predicted Winner: Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

It’s nice to finally see the great film “Nightcrawler” being recognized for something. It’s too bad, though, that it probably won’t win. The Academy typically likes to award the most original writing in this category (after all, “original” is in the title). In the past, it has gone to such screenwriters as Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, and Spike Jonze last year for “Her.” This year, I’m thinking that the Academy will follow suit, awarding “Grand Budapest Hotel” for its quirky and entertaining story. Wes Anderson has been nominated many times in the past, yet has never won. I expect that will change tomorrow night.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Nominees:  Jason Hall, “American Sniper,” Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game,” Paul Thomas Anderson, “Inherent Vice,” Anthony McCarten, “The Theory of Everything,” Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”

Predicted Winner: Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game”

This is a tough one to call, as there is nothing that really seems to stand out among the nominees. Both “Birdman” and “Boyhood” are in the Original Screenplay categories, so they’re not a threat here. I’m thinking, though, since “The Imitation Game” is unlikely to win much of anything else, that it is here where it has the most chance. The story of Alan Turing, although great on its own, was made into a very enjoyable film. Therefore, I’m predicting it will win at least this one award.

Best Animated Feature

Nominees: “Big Hero 6,” “The Boxtrolls,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” “Song of the Sea,” The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”

Predicted Winner: “How to Train Your Dragon 2”

Lego Movie. That’s all I need to say. All across the board, it was predicted to win, yet when the nominations were announced, they weren’t even in the running. I actually thought I had heard it incorrectly. Really, Academy, you’re not even going to recognize the most innovative animated film of the year? Come on, now.

Anyways, I digress. For the remaining movies in this category, I’m predicting that the race is really between “How to Train Your Dragon 2” and “Big Hero 6.”   If “Big Hero 6” wins, then it is yet another year for Disney, and I’m really thinking that the Academy has given enough to them, for now at least. (Wait until next year, when two Pixar movies are coming!) “How to Train Your Dragon 2” won at the Golden Globes, even above “Lego Movie,” and I’m predicting that this might help it to win the Oscar. I’m still mad at the Academy, though.

Best Short Film – Animated

Nominees: “The Bigger Picture,” “The Dam Keeper,” “Feast,” “Me and My Moulton,” “A Single Life”

Predicted Winner: “Feast”

For those that went to see “Big Hero 6” in the theaters, then you also caught the short film “Feast,” a story about a dog and his love for filet mignon and spaghetti with meatballs. It’s a heartwarming, wonderful film, which rivals even the movie itself. Dare I say, I may have even shed a tear by the end. Come on, how could you not give this award to “Feast”?

Best Foreign Language Film

Nominees: “Ida,” “Leviathan,” “Tangerines,” “Timbuktu,” “Wild Tales”

Predicted Winner: “Ida”

As I mentioned earlier, I have yet to see the movies in this category, so I’m really just going on what other people have said here. “Ida” was not only nominated in this category, but also in Cinematography, which is a rare feat for a foreign movie. I’m thinking that it is just enough for them to take home the gold.

Best Documentary Feature

Nominees: “CitizenFour,” “Finding Vivian Maier,” “Last Days in Vietnam,” “The Salt of the Earth,” “Virunga”

Predicted Winner: “CitizenFour”

This category seems to be almost a sure thing. The documentary “CitizenFour,” based on the actions of Edward Snowden, has been receiving rave reviews. I’m sad that “Life Itself,” the documentary about Roger Ebert, wasn’t in the running, but oh well. With the acclaim and awards that it has already received, I’m fairly certain that “CitizenFour” will take home the Oscar.

Best Documentary Short Subject

Nominees: “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1,” “Joanna,” “Our Curse,” “The Reaper (La Parka), “White Earth”

Predicted Winner: “Joanna”

Another category that I am basically predicting based on hearsay, but I’ve heard great things about “Joanna.”

Best Short Film – Live Action

Nominees: “Aya,” “Boogaloo and Graham,” “Butter Lamp (La Lempe au Beurre de Yak),” “Parvenah,” “The Phone Call”

Predicted Winner: “The Phone Call”

Yet another category that I know almost nothing about. I know, I’ll get around to watching these soon! But “The Phone Call” seems to be the favorite here, so far be it for me to disagree.

Best Cinematography

Nominees: Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman,” Robert Yeoman, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski, “Ida,” Dick Pope, “Mr. Turner,” Roger Deakins, “Unbroken”

Predicted Winner: Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman”

Finally, a category that I feel certain will go to “Birdman.” The film is a masterpiece of cinematography, filmed as if it is in one continuous shot, and although it should have also been nominated in the Film Editing category, I believe it is here that the Academy will be likely to award it. Hopefully.

Best Film Editing

Nominees: “American Sniper,” Sandra Adair, “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game,” “Whiplash”

Predicted Winner: “Boyhood”

This is where “Birdman” would have triumphed, though for some reason it wasn’t even nominated, so no luck there. For “Boyhood,” the tough job that the editors had was to structure a movie that takes place over 12 years, yet still make it into one continuous story. It’s literally never been done before, so I think the Academy will honor “Boyhood” accordingly.

Best Production Design

Nominees: “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game,” “Interstellar,” “Into the Woods,” “Mr. Turner”

Predicted Winner: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

It’s in categories like this that I feel “Grand Budapest Hotel” is most likely to win. The lavish, brightly colored sets of the film really made it a rewarding experience, and the fact that it was nominated in so many similar categories is evidence that the Academy thinks so as well. So, a win here is almost certain.

Best Costume Design

Nominees: “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Inherent Vice,” “Into the Woods,” “Maleficent,” “Mr. Turner”

Predicted Winner: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Another one for “Grand Budapest.” The only other contender I could see here is “Into the Woods,” which definitely had some interesting costumes (Meryl Streep’s, for example). I don’t think it’s enough, though, and “Grand Budapest Hotel” will likely win this.

Best Original Score

Nominees: Alexandre Desplat, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alexandre Desplat, “The Imitation Game,” Hans Zimmer, “Interstellar,” Gary Yershon, “Mr. Turner,” Jóhann Jóhannsson, “The Theory of Everything”

Predicted Winner: Alexandre Desplat, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Interestingly enough, I really think that this award goes to either “The Grand Budapest Hotel” or “The Imitation Game.” So, either way, it would go to Alexandre Desplat. It was hard for me to choose between the two, because both scores really propelled the films forward. While “Grand Budapest” felt majestic and fun, “The Imitation Game” was fast-paced and energetic. I’m thinking that “Grand Budapest” has just that extra edge, though, since it will likely win other awards as well. Either way, Alexandre Desplat is going to have a good night.

Best Original Song

Nominees: “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie,” “Glory” from “Selma,” “Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights,” “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” from “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me,” “Lost Stars” from “Begin Again”

Predicted Winner: “Glory” from “Selma”

Finally, an award for the very under-nominated “Selma,” which was only nominated in one other category (Best Picture). Also, a nomination for “The Lego Movie!” “Selma” will almost definitely win this award, though, but that still doesn’t make up for the Academy snubbing it in so many other worthy categories.

Best Visual Effects

Nominees: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Interstellar,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”

Predicted Winner: “Interstellar”

“Interstellar” is another movie that I felt was very under-nominated. I would consider it to be one of my personal favorites from last year, although a lot of critics didn’t think so, which may be why it is only nominated in a couple categories. Here, though, is its best chance to win. Say what you will about Christopher Nolan’s film, but even the most skeptical of critics has to admit that it’s visually stunning. The special effects are like nothing you’ve ever seen, and that sounds like a win to me.

Best Makeup & Hairstyling

Nominees: “Foxcatcher,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Predicted Winner: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Best Makeup & Hairstyling is another type of award that the Academy will likely award to “Grand Budapest Hotel.” It’s nice to see both “Foxcatcher” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” here, but I’m saying “Grand Budapest” yet again.

Best Sound Mixing

Nominees: “American Sniper,” “Birdman,” “Interstellar,” “Unbroken,” “Whiplash”

Predicted Winner: “Whiplash”

Other than J.K. Simmons’s performance, I think that this category is where “Whiplash” has its best chance. Sound Mixing is mostly (though not always) awarded to movies with great music, or to musicals in general, and for that reason, “Whiplash” is most appropriate. It is possible that it could go to “American Sniper,” though, so I’m taking a chance here.

Best Sound Editing

Nominees: “American Sniper,” “Birdman,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “Interstellar,” “Unbroken”

Predicted Winner: “American Sniper”

This is the only category (I hope) where I think “American Sniper” will win. The explosions, gun shots, and sheer noise in “American Sniper” are what made the film entertaining, even if some of the other aspects of it were flawed. This would be a very deserving win for “American Sniper.” In other categories, not so much.

So that just about concludes my Oscar predictions for this year. Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 8:30 to see how I do! Remember, Neil Patrick Harris is hosting, so it should be a fun show!