On Feb. 24, Seth McFarland will bring his humor to the stage and the best in the movie industry will be honored by the Academy during the 2013 Oscars. Last year, the Academy awarded many of the biggest categories to an innovative silent film. The Artist won best picture, director and actor en route to a night of utter domination. However, 2012 gave us a new slate of films that stack up well against the Oscar favorite, Lincoln. Below, Ssjrem and I will give the nominees for the major Academy Awards, our predictions of who will win and who we think should win.

Best Animated Short Film

“Adam and the Dog”

“Head over Heels”

“Paperman”

“Fresh Guacamole”

“Maggie Simpson in ‘The Longest Daycare'”

DUKEMICH

Ordinarily this wouldn’t be a category that I would recognize as major, but when I saw Wreck-It Ralph, the animated short “Paperman” was shown before the film. It was spectacular and deserves some sort of recognition. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What Should Win: “Paperman”

What Will Win: No idea. I haven’t seen any of the others, but I’d love to see “Paperman” win.

SSJREM

Much like dukemich, this a category to which I usually pay little attention, but “Paperman” was good enough that it warrants a mention.

What Should Win: “Paperman”

What Will Win: Like Dukemich, I haven’t seen the others, but it’d be cool if”Paperman” won.

Best Original Screenplay

Michael Haneke– Amour

Quentin Tarantino– Django Unchained

John Gatins– Flight

Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola– Moonrise Kingdom

Mark Boal– Zero Dark Thirty

DUKEMICH

When a Quentin Tarantino movie comes out, it should probably always win best original screenplay. Tarantino defines this award with his spectacular unique writing. Django Unchained is no different. However, I fear the Academy won’t feel the same. I wouldn’t be against Zero Dark Thirty or Flight taking home this award.

Who Should Win: Quentin Tarantino– Django Unchained

Who Will Win: Mark Boal– Zero Dark Thirty

SSJREM

Quentin Tarantino is an absolutely masterful writer. No one else seems capable of drafting screenplays that are as witty, clever and brilliant as he is, with the possible exceptions of Joss Whedon or Alan Sorkin. Zero Dark Thirty was also a well-written film, but it wasn’t on the same level as Django (the D is silent) this year. I will disagree with Dukemich on who will win this, though, as I just get this sinking feeling that Zero Dark Thirty is going to walk out with next to no hardware, and Django has got to get something.

Who Should Win: Quentin Tarantino– Django Unchained

Who Will Win: Quentin Tarantino– Django Unchained

Best Adapted Screenplay

Chris Terrio– Argo

Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin– Beasts of the Southern

David Magee– Life of Pi

Tony Kushner– Lincoln

David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

DUKEMICH

It’s a very difficult category to pick with many deserving movies, but the strength of Silver Linings Playbook lies with its writing and acting. Lincoln is definitely as deserving, but I’d give Silver Linings Playbook the slight nod.

Who Should Win: David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

Who Will Win: David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

SSJREM

Of the three films that I’ve seen in this category, they’re all strong contenders. However, inevitably, the random films that no one ever heard of before their Oscar nominations, like Beasts of the Southern Wild, will end up winning some of these awards. That said, Silver Linings Playbook was an extremely well-written film, to the point that it definitely deserves this Oscar, though I would have no issue with Lincoln winning.

Who Should Win: David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

Who Will Win: David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

Best Animated Feature

Brave

Frankenweenie

ParaNorman

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Wreck-It Ralph

DUKEMICH

Although I thoroughly enjoyed Wreck-It Ralph, Brave should easily win this award. We should expect nothing less from Pixar as it seems to win this award every year.

What Should Win: Brave

What Will Win: Brave

SSJREM

Surprisingly, Wreck-It Ralph was a better film than Brave. That’s not to say Brave wasn’t good, but it was far from Pixar’s best. This category almost always goes to a premiere Disney film, so it really is only between these two films. Pixar always seems to have the edge, even in years like this where they didn’t necessarily make the best animated film.

Who Should Win: Wreck-It Ralph

Who Will Win: Brave

Best Original Score

Dario Marianelli– Anna Karenina

Alexandre Desplat– Argo

Mychael Danna– Life of Pi

John Williams– Lincoln

Thomas Newman– Skyfall

DUKEMICH

I’ll try not to go on a tangent, but Hans Zimmer gets snubbed every year (None worse than Inception in 2010). This year his score for The Dark Knight Rises wasn’t nominated and I think it should win. I don’t understand why the Academy is so against him. I’d like to see Skyfall win this from the nominees, but I don’t see that happening.

Who Should Win: Hans Zimmer– The Dark Knight Rises

Who Will Win: Mychael Danna– Life of Pi

SSJREM

Like Dukemich, I believe Hans Zimmer gets robbed year after year. Fantastic scores for all three “Batman” films, a stellar composition for Sherlock Holmes and a transcendent score for Inception, which suffered possibly the worst snub in the history of the Best Original Score category. So also like Dukemich, I believe The Dark Knight Rises should win this award. But I think the Academy will just throw this one at Lincoln because, well, it’s Lincoln. 

Who Should Win: Hans Zimmer- The Dark Knight Rises

Who Will Win: John Williams- Lincoln

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams– The Master

Sally Field– Lincoln

Anne Hathaway– Les Miserables

Helen Hunt– The Sessions

Jacki Weaver– Silver Linings Playbook

DUKEMICH

Sally Field was fantastic in Lincoln, but I heard Anne Hathaway was one of the only good things to come out of Les Miserables so I think the Academy will give her the nod. For some reason, I feel as though Les Miserables has to win something.

Who Should Win: Sally Field– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Anne Hathaway– Les Miserables

SSJREM

Sally Field was great in Lincoln and Jacki Weaver was good, but not spectacular, in Silver Linings Playbook. As for Anne Hathaway, I have a difficult time judging her acting because, you know, she sang the entire time. But, even still, it’s absolutely Hathaway’s award to lose, as she was one of the few bright spots in the unbearable Les Miserables.

Who Should Win: Sally Field– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Anne Hathaway– Les Miserables

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin– Argo

Robert De Niro– Silver Linings Playbook

Philip Seymour Hoffman– The Master

Tommy Lee Jones– Lincoln

Christoph Waltz– Django Unchained

DUKEMICH

For me, the choice here is hands down Tommy Lee Jones. He brought life to a movie that otherwise may have been seen as boring. I hope Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance didn’t overshadow Jones’ importance to the success of the film. I think he’ll get the recognition he deserves.

Also, I don’t understand how Christoph Waltz earned the nomination over Leonardo DiCaprio for their performances in the same film. Waltz did a great job, but I would give DiCaprio the nod.

Who Should Win: Tommy Lee Jones– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Tommy Lee Jones– Lincoln

SSJREM

Dukemich summed it all up pretty well. Tommy Lee Jones was transcendent, Christopher Waltz was also great and Leonardo Dicaprio got absolutely snubbed. His performance was deliciously evil, but maybe it was just too “out there” for the boring old Academy. Tommy Lee Jones should have this one in the bag.

Who Should Win: Tommy Lee Jones– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Tommy Lee Jones– Lincoln

Best Actress

Jessica Chastain– Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence– Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva– Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis– Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts– The Impossible

DUKEMICH

I really like this category because most movies have a strong male lead so seeing a film with a great female role is enjoyable to see. I think this category comes down to two women, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence. Chastain truly ruled Zero Dark Thirty. She didn’t have another lead actor beside her to make the movie better. Chastain alone made it better. On the other hand, Lawrence had Bradley Cooper (Nominated for best actor in a leading role) alongside her in Silver Linings Playbook. It was really their duo that made the film.

Because Chastain carried the weight of Zero Dark Thirty on her own, she deserves the award here. I fear the Academy will not feel the same way. Nevertheless, Lawrence was still fantastic. If she wins, I wouldn’t be upset but Chastain definitely deserves it more.

Who Should Win: Jessica Chastain– Zero Dark Thirty

Who Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence– Silver Linings Playbook

SSJREM

I’ve only seen two of the three movies which feature nominees here, but I nonetheless feel as though two nominees of those nominees are the ones most likely to win. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely an “it girl” right now, and her performance was great, but as Dukemich said, it was really her chemistry and relationship with Bradley Cooper that carried Silver Linings Playbook.

In contrast, Jessica Chastain completely owned Zero Dark Thirty by herself. Sure, there were other strong performances in the film, but it just would not have worked without such a great performance from the main character. However, despite everything I’ve said, the Academy likes to throw out random curveballs now and then, so I figure this is one of those awards that won’t go to a well-known actress.

Who Should Win: Jessica Chastain– Zero Dark Thirty

Who Will Win: Emmanuelle Riva– Amour

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper– Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis– Lincoln

Hugh Jackman– Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix– The Master

Denzel Washington– Flight

DUKEMICH

There are three great choices in Daniel Day-Lewis, Bradley Cooper and Denzel Washington, but the winner is simple. No one beats the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln. We all knew it when we saw the previews. However, the two other men deserve recognition. Washington has always been a good actor, but hasn’t had many opportunities at winning an Oscar, since he earned a victory for his performance in Training Day.

Bradley Cooper showed that he can thrive in something other than The Hangover or a straight-up comedy. He made us realize that he’s an all-around great actor. I’ll look for movies with him in it for years to come.

Who Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis– Lincoln

SSJREM

Like a lot of other categories in this years crop, this award has a clear frontrunner through which all other competitors must go. And that is Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln. He embodied our 16th president beautifully, turning in an absolute powerhouse performance. I love Hugh Jackman, and I did like him in Les Miserables, but it was hardly an Oscar-worthy performance. Bradley Cooper was great, but again, not Oscar-worthy. Denzel Washington tried his damnedest to save Flight, but in the end, this award belongs to Daniel Day-Lewis.

Who Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis– Lincoln

Best Director

Michael Haneke– Amour

Benh Zeitlin– Beasts of the Southern Wild

Ang Lee– Life of Pi

Steven Spielberg– Lincoln

David O. Russell– Silver Linings Playbook

DUKEMICH

This year I think Lincoln should captured the big, all-around awards, which means best director should go to Steven Spielberg. Ang Lee (Life of Pi) and David O. Russell (Sliver Linings Playbook) could be sleeper picks for best director, but judging by past years whatever wins best picture usually wins best director, which means…

Who Should Win: Steven Spielberg– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Steven Spielberg– Lincoln

SSJREM

Despite how boring I found it (I struggled to stay awake, and did fall asleep for about 5 minutes), I simply cannot deny how ridiculously well made a film Lincoln was. On every single level, except pure entertainment, Lincoln was great. And that includes the directing. I could see Ang Lee taking this in a surprise win, but I really do think Spielberg’s got this in the bag. Also, I find it odd that Quentin Tarantino wasn’t even nominated for Django Unchained. I think he deserved a nod more than David O. Russell.

Who Should Win: Steven Spielberg– Lincoln

Who Will Win: Steven Spielberg– Lincoln

Best Picture

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

DUKEMICH

Lincoln will win best picture and it certainly deserves. When the trailer came out for this film, we knew then that it would be the favorite to win best picture and garner the most recognition from the Academy. The movie came out and it didn’t disappoint. It is the best all-around movie of the year. When it leaves the theater, Lincoln has a legitimate chance to move into the top five in highest grossing best picture winning films of all-time, according to Box Office Mojo.

I don’t need to tell you how good the acting was in this film. Just look at the entire cast. Tack on outstanding writing, great costume design and spectacular directing and you have your best picture winner.

Silver Linings Playbook, Argo and Zero Dark Thirty may deserve the award any other year, but not a year with Lincoln. Also if Pulp Fiction didn’t win best picture, I don’t see how a Quentin Tarantino movie will ever win. Therefore, there’s no chance for Django Unchained here. Lincoln will win. I’d be shocked to see anything else take the crown.

What Should Win: Lincoln

What Will Win: Lincoln

SSJREM

You’ve probably caught on by now that Lincoln is the frontrunner, and Best Picture favorites usually take in a whole bunch of awards along with them. Lincoln is a quintessential “Academy Award” movie and is very much the “safe” pick, much like The King’s Speech was the safe pick over much better films like Inception. The Academy knows what they like, and they tend to pick the same things time and time again.

Now, all that said, Lincoln is a really, really good movie. And it’s a hell of a lot better than The King’s Speech. I have little issue with Lincoln inevitably taking home Best Picture. However, I do think Zero Dark Thirty was the best film among the nominees, and I would be thrilled to see it take Best Picture in what would be a huge upset win. Like so many other awards, this is Lincoln’s to lose, and I just don’t see that happening.

What Should Win: Zero Dark Thirty

What Will Win: Lincoln