Sorry, I didn’t have time to give in-depth analysis on all of these, but I wanted to get something up. The Oscars air tonight on ABC.

BEST DIRECTOR

THE NOMINEES

Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman)

Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher)

Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

Winner: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman)

“Birdman” was far and away the best directed film of the year. It was made to look like one continuous shot, and the acting performances were phenomenal.

Dark Horse: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

THE NOMINEES

Big Hero 6

The Boxtrolls

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Song of the Sea

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Winner: How to Train Your Dragon 2

“How to Train Your Dragon 2” was honestly one of the best films of the year. With “The Lego Movie” out of the race for reasons we can’t explain, “Dragon 2” should win this category easily.

Dark Horse: Big Hero 6

ORIGINAL SCORE

THE 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)

Winner: Hans Zimmer (Interstellar)

Hans Zimmer is my favorite composer, and when he teams up with Christopher Nolan magical movies happen.

Dark Horse: Alexandre Desplat (The Imitation Game)

ORIGINAL SONG

THE NOMINEES

Shawn Patterson “Everything Is Awesome” (The Lego Movie)

John “John Legend” Stephens and Lonnie “Common” Lynn “Glory” (Selma)

Diane Warren “Grateful” (Beyond the Lights)

Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” (Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me)

Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois “Lost Stars” (Begin Again)

Winner: Shawn Patterson “Everything Is Awesome” (The Lego Movie)

“Everything is Awesome” was an integral part of the film. It wasn’t just the end credit song. “Everything is Awesome” was like a character in the movie that had a role in the film’s success. And don’t lie…you know you were singing this song days after the movie ended.

Dark Horse: John “John Legend” Stephens and Lonnie “Common” Lynn “Glory” (Selma)

VISUAL EFFECTS

THE NOMINEES

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Guardians of the Galaxy

Interstellar

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Winner: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

The apes in this movie looked real. That’s amazing work with visual effects that should be rewarded.

Dark Horse: Interstellar

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE NOMINEES

Jason Hall (American Sniper)

Graham Moore (The Imitation Game)

Paul Thomas Anderson (Inherent Vice)

Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything)

Damien Chazelle (Whiplash)

Winner: Graham Moore (The Imitation Game)

Moore already had a great story, but the key was making it engaging on the big screen. He did just that as I was into “The Imitation Game” from beginning to end.

Dark Horse: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

THE NOMINEES

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and Armando Bo (Birdman)

Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman (Foxcatcher)

Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler)

Winner: Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler)

“Nightcrawler” deserved more Oscar attention, especially in the best actor category. This movie was awesome, and its crisp script brought it to new levels.

Dark Horse: Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE NOMINEES

Roger Deakins (Unbroken)

Emmanuel Lubezki (Birdman)

Dick Pope (Mr. Turner)

Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski (Ida)

Winner: Emmanuel Lubezki (Birdman)

As with the director category, I believe this one is an easy choice. “Birdman” was the best shot film by far. The movie has potential for a big night.

Dark Horse: Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Enjoy the Oscars!!! And as usual, may the films that don’t deserve it win!