BAFTA 2014 Nominations Announced

The nominations for the 2014 EE British Academy Film Awards were announced this morning.  Where is Filth and James McAvoy in this list!?

This year’s BAFTA nominees are:

Film

My money is on 12 Years a Slave for the win, but American Hustle and Philomena are in it with a chance.  Out of this lot, Captain Phillips is my actual favourite.  Surprised at the lack of Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska.

12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Gravity
Philomena

Outstanding British film

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom came out at the right time for it to thrive at awards season, but Philomena probably has the best chance here.  Where the eff is FILTH in this list!?  It is the actual best British film of the decade, nevermind the year.

Gravity
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Philomena
Rush
Saving Mr Banks
The Selfish Giant

Leading Actress

As it’s the British award, I’m betting on a British winner.  Emma Thompson is slightly a better frontrunner than Dame Judi in this case.  I personally am rooting for Emma after witnessing her amazing performance in Saving Mr Banks.

Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Judi Dench (Philomena)
Emma Thompson (Saving Mr Banks)

Leading Actor

I normally would assume every acting award should go to either Christian Bale or Tom Hanks, but in this case it’s between Bruce Dern and Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Chiwetel has the better odds, but Bruce has the better performance.  And to address the elephant in the room – where is James McAvoy’s nomination for his career defining performance in Filth!?  It is the best performance of not only the year, but his career!  And he is actually BRITISH!

Christian Bale (American Hustle)
Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips)

Supporting Actress

Probably Lupita Nyong’o who is also up for the Rising Star award.  Sally, Jennifer and Lupita are the strongest contenders.  I’m not quite sure why Oprah is nominated for The Butler.  I saw it on a plane the other day and was out cold.  Best film to take a nap to award goes to….

Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
Oprah Winfrey (The Butler)

Supporting Actor

Very happy to see Barkhad Adbi on here. His performance as a Somalian pirate in Captain Phillips is terrifying and outstanding.  To be honest, he deserves the win.  Fassbender is likeliest.  Confused about the lack of Jared Leto from his amazing Dallas Buyers Club performance which I had assumed was a shoo in.

Barkhad Adbi (Captain Phillips)
Daniel Bruhl (Rush)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra)
Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)

Director

People love Steve McQueen.  They also love David O Russell.  I would say that while it may not necessarily win best picture, Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron should be recognized for his work in this category in particular.  It is a beautiful film that could only be made by such a skilled and talented director as Cuaron.  Out of all the categories, let’s hope they get this one right!

Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips)
Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
David O Russell (American Hustle)
Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Original Film Music

Gravity is the one score that enhances the film it is scored to.  For that reason alone it deserves the win.

Adapted Screenplay

Again, it’s likely to go to 12 Years a Slave.

12 Years a Slave
Behind the Candelabra
Captain Phillips
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street

Original Screenplay

A tough call.  I would guess American Hustle will take it, but Nebraska deserves it.

American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Gravity
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska

Documentary

I only saw The Armstrong Lie out of this list.  It’s great!

The Act of Killing
The Armstrong Lie
Blackfish
Tim’s Vermeer
We Steal Secrets

Animated Film

I only saw Monsters University out of this list, and it isn’t so great.  Frozen has the best chance as it’s not a sequel.

Despicable Me 2
Frozen
Monsters University

British Short Animation

EE Rising Star

I can’t call this category, but as Lupita Nyong’o is also nominated for Best Supporting Actress, she is likely the frontrunner.  My preference is Dane DeHaan as he is outstanding in Kill Your Darlings, with his performance one of the main reasons I went to see it twice in the cinema.

Dane DeHaan
George MacKay
Lupita Nyong’o
Will Poulter
Lea Seydoux