The 2014 Oscars have few surprises (+ Full Winner List)

Tonight’s Oscars might not have had many surprises but it was enjoyable. Ellen Degeneres brought some humour in her opening monologue but nothing over the top. The best moment of her opening was when she hinted flat out brought up Academy racism by saying that if 12 Years a Slave didn’t win Best Picture, then they were all racists. Some may be none too pleased with that comment but I absolutely loved it. Good news? It won.

Ellen’s running gag of the night was when she talked about ordering pizza. The surprise was about half an hour later when a couple pizzas actually showed up. It was great to see Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey walking around helping to hand out pizzas and paper plates. Also interesting seeing them all eating off paper plates in those fancy outfits. Later on, Ellen went around with Pharrell’s hat getting cash from Harvey Weinstein, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and others to cover the pizza costs. I wonder what she did with that money? Also wonder what she did with Lupita Nyong’o’s lip gloss…

In the end, I’d say it was a successful evening. Most of my picks won, with the only disappointment being for best actor. Will Ellen host again? We don’t know yet but I wouldn’t be upset about it. She seemed to infuse a youthfulness into the show which had been missing in the past few years. Then again, I also wouldn’t say no to a Jim Carry hosting gig.

Best picture — “12 Years a Slave”
Best director — Alfonso Cuaron — “Gravity”
Best actor — Matthew McConaughey — “Dallas Buyers Club”
Best actress — Cate Blanchett — “Blue Jasmine”
Best supporting actor — Jared Leto — “Dallas Buyers Club”
Best supporting actress — Lupita Nyong’o — “12 Years a Slave”
Best original screenplay — “Her” — Spike Jonze
Best adapted screenplay — “12 Years a Slave” — John Ridley
Best animated feature — “Frozen”
Best foreign feature — “The Great Beauty” (Italy)
Best music (original song) — “Frozen”: “Let it Go” — Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Best music (original score) — “Gravity” — Steven Price
Best cinematography — “Gravity” — Emmanuel Lubezki
Best costume design — “The Great Gatsby” — Catherine Martin
Best documentary feature — “20 Feet From Stardom”
Best film editing — “Gravity” — Alfonso Cuaron, Mark Sanger
Best makeup and hairstyling — “Dallas Buyers Club” — Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews
Best production design — “The Great Gatsby” — Catherine Martin and Beverley Dunn
Best visual effects — “Gravity”
Best sound mixing — “Gravity”
Best sound editing — “Gravity”
Best short film, live action — “Helium”
Best short film, animated — “Mr. Hublot”
Best documentary short — “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life”

Oscars 2014 — Best Animated Short

Classic Disney resurfaces with Get a Horse!, the short film before Frozen including original Mickey Mouse voiced by Walt Disney. Despite the incredible beauty of Feral, there’s a slim chance anything will beat Disney’s 3D entry.

1. Get a Horse! – A look back at classic Disney. Mickey, Minnie, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow venture together until Peg-Leg Pete gets in their way. In one of the best uses of 3D, this is a sure bet to win.
2. Feral – One of the most uniquely beautiful animated shorts of the year, a wild boy found in the woods is brought into civilization where he is alienated due to his coping strategies.
3. Mr. Hublot – This withdrawn man must deal with having to share his home with the intrusion of Robot Pet.
4. Room on the Broom – A witch allows multiple animals on her broom when a dragon attacks.
5. Possessions – Dazzling Miyazaki-like imagery triumphs as a man comes across a small shrine where things come to life due to spirits in the area.